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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

On the BIG4 Holiday Parks Facebook page we asked “What advice would you give a first time camper“.  There is such a great response I thought we could keep it going through our blog.

Camping at BIG4 Holiday Parks

If you’ve been enjoying the great outdoors for a long time, you’ve probably got it worked out. What tips would you give a first time camper?

What better way to ward off the post-holiday blues than to start thinking about your next holiday. It’s also a good time to reflect on how we can help communities in flood affected areas. After the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, communities made it clear that people could help by visiting the region and helping to get business back on track. There is barely a state in Australia that has not been affected by flooding in some way, so your support will be welcome in any region, especially Queensland which has been hit the hardest. Fortunately, as BIG4 Parks remainded high and dry, many were able to provide a safe haven for displaced travellers, locals and volunteers.

For now, I thought I would tell you about one of my personal favourite holiday destinations, and that’s Tasmania.

Sunset reflection at BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park opposite Low Head Lighthouse, Tamar River, Tasmania

Read More

This is my last post for the year. I’m off on a short break, but I’d love to hear about your holidays when I return in the new year.

Here’s to the warmth of Christmas spirit and the sparkle of happy holidays for you and your family!

Ginger Christmas angels

I love summer fruits and so does my family. Here’s a quick and simple recipe that the kids can help prepare and they can practice making them before you leave home.

Campers kebabs

Read More