BIG4 Holiday Parks can verify its claim of being Australia’s favourite holiday park provider, after a clean sweep at the 2011 State Tourism Awards held across the country throughout November.

At each of the seven awards nights, BIG4 Holiday Parks were recognised as the best in the sector, taking out the highly competitive ‘Caravan and Tourist Park’ category, which recognises holiday parks that offer the best overall tourism experience.

The State Tourism Awards are held each year to acknowledge tourism businesses that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and success throughout the year. The following BIG4 Holiday Parks were recognised as this year’s elite accommodation providers:

• BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort (QLD)
• BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park (SA)
• BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park (TAS)
• BIG4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park (NT)
• BIG4 Beacon Resort (VIC)
• BIG4 North Star Holiday Resort (NSW)
• BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park (WA)

BIG4 Beacon Resort was also inducted into the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame, after winning the award for the third time.

Many of BIG4’s Parks are also regularly praised on interactive consumer websites such as Trip Advisor, confirming BIG4’s popularity amongst Australian holiday enthusiasts, and the industry as a whole.

BIG4 Holiday Parks CEO, Ray Schleibs, says the State Tourism Awards provide recognition for those Parks who work extremely hard to uphold the standard that sets BIG4 apart from its competitors.

“These awards reinforce BIG4’s position as the leading holiday park operator in Australia, which sees us building a national home grown brand Australians can be proud of. These seven award-winning businesses are testament to the quality of Parks in our family and we are very proud they wear the BIG4 badge,” Ray adds.

Those wanting to enjoy the BIG4 experience for themselves can start their journey and book at BIG4.com.au, now available as a fully bookable mobile site on all mobile platforms including Smartphones and tablet computers.

BIG4 Holiday Parks is excited to announce the launch of the perfect on-road companion – the BIG4 mobile website.

BIG4.com.au has been customised to suit most mobile smartphones. The site is fully integrated with email, social media, GPS and more, giving you the option to contact Parks, share with your friends and even find directions to BIG4 Parks via Google Maps.

BIG4's brand new mobile website

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I’m very lucky to be able to visit BIG4 Holiday Parks around Australia as part of my job at BIG4. A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of staying at BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park in New South Wales. The trip from Melbourne is relatively easy – just over 3.5 hours – and the destination is definitely worthwhile!

As you come through the entrance of BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park, it’s easy to slip into holiday mode, but as you drive around the corner it’s the unexpected beauty of the Edward River that really takes visitors by surprise. You’re immediately ready to relax on a private balcony when you see the gorgeous cabins lining the riverfront.

The sun rising over the Edward River, viewed from the balcony of a Riverfront Deluxe Cabin

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BIG4 Beacon Resort had some special guests for lunch in June. Rob Mills and the crew from What’s Up Downunder (Channel 7) visited Queenscliff in Victoria to film an interview with BIG4 Beacon Resort owner Lorraine. “We chose the sunny balcony of our new Port Phillip Villa and introduced presenter, Rob Mills, to some local treats,” says Lorraine.

Rob Mills and Lorraine enjoying the afternoon sunshine at BIG4 Beacon Resort

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With thanks to guest blogger Sharon Smith

Exmouth exists because in the 1960s the USA chose it as a site for a military base. Thirteen low frequency radio towers sit on the edge of town. These used to be used to send signals to submarines as far away as San Francisco. Exmouth used to be like a little USA, with imported left hand drive cars, baseball diamond, bowling alley and various other American entertainments. This was all shut down as a result of September 11.

But Exmouth has survived the US abandonment for one main reason; it is literally the gateway to the brilliant Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. The biodiversity of the park is amazing, considering its size. It is also the only place in the world you are practically guaranteed to see the wonderfully mysterious whale sharks from March to July.

Snorkelling in Turquoise Bay, photo courtesy of Tourism Western Australia

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With thanks to guest blogger Sharon Smith

As we are heading further up the coast of Western Australia and inland to some National Parks, Carnarvon will probably be the last biggish town we pass through for close to a month. We decided to stop here at BIG4 Plantation Caravan Park for several days to relax, enjoy the facilities and stock up on essentials.

Our kids had fun on the playground

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Some time ago Time magazine published a list of the best travel gadgets, but I have to confess that none of the items on the list would make it onto mine. And that begs the question – what would be on your list?

So let’s focus on camping … and find something we can all identify with. When we asked people to let us know their must have camping essentials, we received some great tips. A list was high on the list and so was a sense of adventure.

Camping at BIG4 Katherine Low Level Caravan Park

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When planning this trip around Australia, one of the major highlights for me was South Western Australia. Growing up in NSW, most of my friends and family rarely travelled outside its borders, so I learned nothing about WA. I assumed that besides the desert, it was all pretty much the same as home.

Lovely Middleton Beach, Western Australia

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Be the envy of the camp kitchen or the cabin next door with these tasty and easy to prepare prawns. We’ve included the recipe for coriander pesto, but you could also complement these prawns with a store-bought pesto if you don’t have access to a food processor.

The prawns need five minutes in a bowl to develop their flavour, then only two minutes to cook. And they’ll disappear in record time!

Chilli bbq prawns with coriander pesto

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For an authentic Australian outdoor holiday experience, tour the Capricorn region of Queensland. From unspoiled beaches and sparkling azure seas to the breathtaking scenery of Cania Gorge National Park, experience a laid back holiday in what is described as a country-coast-reef smorgasbord. Make sure you pack the fishing rods along with your sense of adventure!

Queensland's Capricorn region

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