Call me old-fashioned, but I think the art of a good ol’ Aussie holiday has been lost. You can thank TikTok glamourising the concept of spending all your money on an overseas vacay for that.
When you actually take a moment to think about it, we live on the world’s second biggest island, renowned for its unique ecosystems and home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It’s almost a mystery that holidaying around Australia isn’t at the forefront of a time-off-starved brain.
Truthfully, it’s about damn time to bring back holidaying in our own backyard (not literally, but you catch my drift).
Determined to find out what I could do to explore more of my island home (beyond visiting Movie World for the seventh time this year), I pushed aside my hyperfixation with the Scooby Doo ride and did some research on niche Aussie vacay experiences I could explore instead, designed to fit whatever I’m feeling.
Enter: BIG4 Holiday Parks. With over 300 locations across the country, affordable options for every budget, and stunning facilities that make holidaying oh so easy, there’s never been a better time to explore our great southern land for yourself.
So, without further ado, here’s my comprehensive BIG4 Aussie adventure guide for my besties looking to have a unique domestic experience, all whilst still being able to pay for groceries next week. Let’s go.
Oh, and side note: I’ve collated real-life stories coming from BIG4 parks across the country. If you’re ready for the FOMO to really kick in, you’ll want to read on (and don’t say I didn’t warn you).
A pet lover's paradise
If you’re like me and have a pet that would literally self-destruct if left alone for longer than a day, finding accommodation that is pet-friendly (and also not a bajillion dollars) is a really hard task.
Luckily, BIG4 comes in clutch with a huge selection of pet-friendly parks that won’t have you sleeping in the kennel with your pet or leaving it to yearn at home.
If you and your furry friend aren’t impartial to a good walkies, a quaint beach getaway might be the go.
BIG4’s Ulladulla Beachside Park offers a range of accom for you and your fur family, giving you the option of keeping them indoors or outdoors. Either way, the modern and convenient facilities matched with the beauty of the beach at your doorstep is bound to be a good time for all.
If you’re looking to go a bit fancier, though, BIG4’s Middleton Beach Holiday Park offers a resort-style stay on an iconic WA beach that’ll have you and your pooch feeling like royalty. Part of BIG4’s top-tier Premier Park range, this stay is bound to be an incredible memory for both you and your furry friend. I can basically guarantee it.
When you're not enjoying 500 metres of pristine coastline, you can kick back at the park and enjoy their gorgeous facilities, such as the heated pool, the luxurious indoor hydrospa, or even catch a flick at their state-of-the-art surround sound mini theatre.
I don’t know about you guys, but the more I read about these two spots, the less it became about my dog. I need to be on those beaches ASAP.
For when the trip finally makes it out of the group chat
Just as hard as getting that trip out of the group chat is finding accommodation that’ll fit everyone’s budget. Yes, even that one mate that only works part-time.
If you’re not a fan of tops and tails and actually want to like everyone by the end of it, BIG4 has an incredible range of affordable and spacious accommodation for you and your mates to unwind.
If the gang really want to channel their inner Love Island and become some hot new bombshells, BIG4’s Sandstone Point Holiday Resort is the perfect villa for just that. Boasting a tantalising location between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, you and your crew will be torn between visiting the iconic nearby beaches or hanging around the incredible park facilities.
After all, when the accom is fitted with a mini waterpark, two pools and a swim-up bar, the park is absolutely your oyster.
If beaching isn’t really your group’s vibe, BIG4 also provides unique bespoke stays that’ll have you and your mates feel like the main characters in an A24 film.
Their Castlemaine spot will immerse you in the beauty of regional Victoria, boasting incredible greenery, food and drink opportunities (hello wine country), and most importantly, a picturesque stay that’ll help you guys fantasise about a non-metro lifestyle.
Going bush
Going bush was something I heard about growing up, and was always curious to try (despite my chronic need to have my own bed, shower and toilet at any given second). If you want to connect with nature, but are still a city slicker at heart, these BIG4 destinations are perfect.
Contrasting Australia’s diverse ecosystems with a homely modern stay is a specialty of BIG4, letting your inner explorer face the elements to your heart's content, but always making sure you have a warm shower and comfy bed to come back to.
While you can explore more well-known spots, such as their gorgeous Wye location on the Great Ocean Road, BIG4 also offers some truly unique Aussie experiences.
From the tropics of Katherine to the natural wonders of Canobolas, BIG4 has left no niche adventure untouched.
What might have been my most unusual finding, though, was the BIG4 holiday park located at Blue Lake in South Australia. The volcanic crater-turned lake is located on Mount Gambier and is responsible for the town’s primary water supply, and is also beautiful to look at.
The natural wonder of this town, unlike anything you’ve seen, is bound to have nature lovers absolutely nerding out. The lake even changes colours with the seasons. Talk about a photo op.
Making sure that email will NOT find you well
Sometimes, when I say I’m OOO, I really mean it. Don’t call me, don’t text me, and for Pete’s sake, don’t even think about sending me that email.
If you want to get off-grid for a bit and role-play retirement, I’ve found these perfectly secluded pockets in Australia for you to do so.
The most obvious choice is to make your way down where the air is better and jump the Bass Strait to Tassie. BIG4’s Stanley location will have you feeling like you’ve entered another dimension. Based in a town with a picturesque coastline, historical buildings and something they call ‘The Edge Of The World’, it’s enough to make a grown man cry (in a private and secluded manner, of course).
So when you’re enjoying a roasted marshmallow outside your cosy cabin in a town where you can actually see the stars at night, you might even forget you have a job to go back to.
Now, if assimilating in a small town isn’t scratching that hermit itch, you can ditch society completely and make your way to BIG4’s Rules Beach location. This untouched beachfront haven is Queensland’s hidden gem that’ll keep you concealed from responsibility.
The camp’s flexible facilities will allow you to be left alone in either a traditional camping style or their lux glamping tents.
Either way, when these two places promise a ‘getaway’, they sure do mean it. Literally.
So there you have it, folks! If you were on the fence about where to book your next trip, I’m sure there’s something here that’ll tickle your fancy.
Though I do think I did a pretty good job, there’s so much more where this came from. Let this be your sign to jump onto their site and find your own hidden gem of choice. Happy holidaying!
