After much anticipation, it’s finally time to plan that family holiday you’ve been waiting for. You’ve blocked out the calendar, absorbed travel inspo from your friends and For You feed, and picked a dream destination. You’re ready to book your accommodation—but how can you find a caravan park that’s got something for everyone in your family – parents and kids alike – without spending hours scrolling through websites and switching between tabs?
Enter G’day Parks, coming to the rescue with handy tips and online features to narrow down the options for you. There are more than 300 G’day Parks around Australia, so there’s no doubt that your family’s fun holiday park is out there—and you can find it with just a few clicks!
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Ballina
To start, let’s figure out exactly what you want and need from your holiday. What practicalities are required to make your trip run smoothly, and what activities and comforts will make it special?
Here’s five questions to ask yourself before you hit the search button.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Bunbury Village
1. What are your non-negotiables? For example, if five of you are travelling, clearly you've got to book a cabin that sleeps at least five or more people. Do you have a young child who needs a bathtub—either in your cabin or an in-park family bathroom? What about pet-friendly or accessible accommodation options? Consider what is essential in your living space.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Ballina
2. What does ‘something for everyone’ look like? Think about your family members’ individual and shared interests. Will your kids happily spend all day at the splash park or pool? Do you have a couple of budding golfers? Are you in love with the idea of waking up beside the beach? Ask each person which activities appeal to them, so that you can search for a park with something for everyone.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Fraser Street, Hervey Bay
3. What did you like about past holidays? Cast your mind back to previous getaways—what made those holidays special? Also, in hindsight, were there any aspects of those trips that could be improved (and, within your budget and logistics, can you mitigate those issues this time around)?
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Gerroa
4. How and when are you getting there? Will your method of travel and/or the time of year impact any activities? For example, if you are flying and can’t bring your fishing rod or bicycle on the plane, do you need a park that has hire equipment or is close to a local tour operator? Do you need to be within walking distance of public transport or tourist attractions?
Image Credit: Creswick Holiday Park
5. What is your budget? It’s the least fun question, but it’s got to be asked. Are you looking for a park with loads of free or cheap activities so you can splurge on a deluxe cabin, or going to save on a budget cabin so you can put dollars into tours and once-in-a-lifetime experiences?
After using these questions to shape a picture of your ideal park, the G’day Parks app has brilliant search filters to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Townsville
Download the app from your app store. Select ‘Find a Park’ and enter the fundamental trip details – your travel dates, number of guests, and destination (either a specific location or state) – to generate a longlist of parks.
Then, it’s time to apply your filters! In the top right corner, tap ‘Filters’ and start selecting checkboxes. Dog coming along for the ride? Keen for beach access? Looking for a variety of in-park features including a bouncing pillow, campfire, and mini golf? Tick as many as you like and click ‘Update’.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Harrington Beach
Once you apply the filters, you can browse a list of parks tailored just for you. Depending on how many parks match your criteria, here are a few tips to pick your number one option.
- Check what deals are available and eligible for your travel dates at each park. To apply them, click ‘Add Deal’—simple as that! Plus, to save no matter where you stay, sign up for G’day Rewards. For $50, you’ll get two years of exclusive savings, including a 10% discount at all G’day Parks (up to $50 per stay). If you’re spending more than $500 on your family trip, you’ll immediately make back your membership cost.
- Consider your mode of transport. If you’re flying in, which park is closest to the airport? If you’re driving, which cabins come with a parking space?
- Do you want to try something new on your holiday? Consider the See and Do activities listed on each park’s listing for suggestions of new ideas that could enhance your holiday.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Ballina
Avoid the mental gymnastics of planning and preparing your next getaway. Find your perfect park using the G’day Parks app filters, then all that’s left to do is count down the days, knowing that you’re heading somewhere that’s just right for you and your family.
