It’s winter, so that means half the country is heading north to escape the rain and wind.
However, don’t just stop at New South Wales; to truly escape you need to get to Queensland, and what better way to go your own way than a caravan holiday by the sea?
Here are six of the best coastal Queensland holiday parks to get you started.
Please note, all parks have barbecues and camp kitchens.
NRMA Palm Cove
Like many small Queensland coastal towns, Palm Cove was once a dot on the map, known and cherished by a few. In some ways, it still is, as the permanent population is still under 3000, but it is also rapidly transforming into a glamorous destination, with the main street lined with upscale resorts.
However, one affordable pocket still exists and it’s this caravan park. Situated between the beach and the charming village, it offers all the appeal of a beach-front holiday without the eye-watering price tag.
Accommodation options: Powered and unpowered sites, motorhome sites.
Amenities:
- Booking centre for excursions
- School holiday seasonal activities
- Kiosk
- Pet friendly but with plenty of rules
Known for: Being close to Palm Cove’s fabulous food and drinks.
While you are there: Make sure you book a tour to the Great Barrier Reef or surrounding rainforest.
Dicky Beach Family Holiday Park
If you think I chose this for the dodgy name you’d be absolutely right. No one can accuse me of maturity.
Anyway, besides my poor motivation, it turns out it’s a wonderful park just minutes from the beach.
And as for that name, a steamboat called the SS Dicky ran aground on the beach. In the spirit of make-do and mend, it was used as a dance venue until it burned down years later. I love the image of a bunch of Aussies hoofing it around the dancefloor on a grounded steamboat.
Accommodation options: Premium powered sites on the waterfront, powered sites, unpowered sites, studio units.
Amenities:
- Swimming pool
- Tennis
- TV room
- Free wi-fi
- No pets
Known for: It’s a great base for whale-watching tours.
While you are there: Treat yourself to a fabulous pub meal at the Dicky Beach Surf Club next door.
Nobby Beach Holiday Village
In the spirit of dodgy names, I give you Nobby Beach, also another great holiday park.
There are pluses and minuses for older Australians at this park. On the plus side, as a more upmarket park it has plenty of accommodation options and amenities and it’s an affordable way to visit the Gold Coast. On the minus side, it’s a 20-minute walk to the beach and as a more family-orientated park it can get pretty rowdy.
Accommodation options: Houses, villas, studio villas, powered and unpowered sites, grass sites, groups welcome.
Amenities:
- Heated swimming pools
- Mini mart
- School holiday activities
- Bike hire
- Swap-n-go gas cylinder point
- Games room
- Free wi-fi
- No pets
Known for: Being close to the Gold Coast action including shopping districts, local markets, beaches and pools.
While you are there: It’s a great base for the theme parks if you are visiting with grandchildren.
Noosa River Holiday Park
Not technically on the beach, but jeez, close enough – you can certainly see the beach from the park.
It’s a bit more chill than Noosa proper, but that’s not a bad thing.
Accommodation options: Powered and unpowered sites.
Amenities:
- Boat ramp
- Kiosk
- No pets
Known for: Excellent water sports and fishing.
While you are there: Enjoy Hasting Street’s glam shopping and dining options and oodles of bushwalking tracks.
King Reef Resort and Holiday Park
If you’ve been on the road for a bit – this place is about halfway between Cairns and Townsville – and want to treat yourself, this park is the perfect option.
Not only does it provide a divine beachside location in the quiet seaside town of Kurrimine Beach, but there’s a well-regarded bar and bistro on site, cafe and dreamy seaside views.
Accommodation options: Villas, motel studio rooms, villa apartments, poolside tents, beachfront huts, powered and unpowered sites.
Amenities:
- Pool
- Bar, bistro, bottleshop and cafe
- Dogs welcome, but not in motel accommodation
Known for: Extremely chill atmosphere.
While you are there: Explore the best the region has to offer including reef tours, fishing, not-so-secret waterholes (ask the staff) and reef walks when the tide is low enough.
Bongaree Caravan Park
Seems odd to be able to take a caravan to an island, but Bribie Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so this is one of your very few Queensland island caravan holiday options.
This is a council-run park and really only has the bare bones of the usual expected amenities, but its proximity to Bribie Island’s best attractions more than makes up for that.
Accommodation options: Powered sites, cottages, cabins.
Amenities:
- Mini-mart
- No pets
Known for: Spacious park with plenty of room between sites.
While you are there: Enjoy island life with water sports, delish seafood or a day cruise.
What’s your favourite Queensland beach caravan park? Why not share it in the comments section below so we can add it to the list?
