Family holidays in caravan parks: Rediscover the fun

With less than two months until the next school holidays (sorry, it's true), now's a good time to be planning the family getaway. 

It doesn't need to be a big production – as the growing number of families – who are discovering, or rediscovering the joys of a caravan park holiday – can attest. Research reveals that record numbers of 35 to 44-year-olds are camping and caravanning.

Kate Cramp, whose duties at Lake Macquarie City Council include the business of caravan parks, says council has invested $8 million in improving the nine holiday parks in the region because they are huge draw cards for an increasingly younger clientele.  

"Generally, over the past 5-10 years, there has been an increase in younger caravan and camper trailer visitors to our holiday parks," she says. "As our caravan park facilities have improved they have become holiday destinations in themselves, with both accommodation and recreational facilities on site. Lake Macquarie's holiday parks have quality facilities and a community atmosphere, which appeal to visitors of all types, but particularly families and young people. "

During school holiday periods there is also special entertainment and activities for kids.

But the growth in this type of holiday has other attractions. As Geoff Darby, Holiday Parks Coordinator at Lake Macquarie says: "Holiday Parks are still an affordable holiday for families, and guests often comment that they enjoy the community camaraderie during holiday periods at our parks. Many people tend to come back year after year.

"We have many families that have been holidaying at the same park for many years. This experience started with grandparents, and has continued on as a family tradition. At Wangi Point Lakeside Holiday Park, one family has been visiting for annual Christmas holidays for over 70 years – they started visiting in 1944 when they were babies."

See www.visitlakemac.com.au.

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