The Top Batemans Bay Caravan Parks - Australian Traveller

Batemans Bay’s location smack-bang between Sydney and Canberra has long made it a great place for a family holiday in a caravan.

For many of us who live in Sydney or Canberra, a childhood summer would often be spent piling everything into the car for a holiday at one of the Batemans Bay caravan parks. It’s the ideal spot to come together to connect with the great outdoors and each other on the NSW South Coast.

Staying in a Batemans Bay caravan park remains an exercise in nostalgia. It’s also a very budget-friendly Australian holiday for the family. It’s where you will see those most magical signs of an echidna or wombat crossing. You’ll see kangaroos grazing on the grass around your caravan. And wake up to birds chirping and the sizzle of eggs on your neighbour’s barbecue.

Be it a BIG 4, a holiday beach resort or a tourist park that can accommodate the in-laws in a comfortable cabin, it’s time to turn back the clock.

1. BIG4 Batemans Bay at East’s Riverside Holiday Park

Families who see signage for a BIG4 holiday park know to pull off the highway. But it’s worth noting that a bit of forward planning is required to secure a square of concrete for your caravan at this popular holiday park located on the northern shores of the Clyde River.

a couple al fresco dining at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East's Riverside Holiday Park — Have a picnic facing the water at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East’s Riverside Holiday Park.

You’ll find the skies mostly blue and empty by day, and clear for stargazing at night from your accommodation at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East’s Riverside Holiday Park . Expect to see kangaroos bouncing about over the manicured lawn. The many cafes and restaurants and attractions of Batemans Bay and the Eurobodalla Nature Coast are also on your doorstep.

a balcony with chairs and a table at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East's Riverside Holiday Park — Stay in a waterfront bungalow at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East’s Riverside Holiday Park..

Choose between waterfront condos, bungalows and cabins, some of which have spas. There are sites for caravans close to the water, so you can enjoy being lulled to sleep by the soundtrack of the river rushing by. There are no facilities for tents. Batemans Bay also has a range of different accommodation options to suit if your family goes all Meet the Griswalds.

a couple sitting in a foldable chair at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East's Riverside Holiday Park — Sit back and relax by the side of the river.

Facilities: Some cabins have ensuites, others have access to clean bathroom and laundry facilities. There’s also a camp kitchen, BBQs and a recreation lounge.

Address: Wharf Road, Batemans Bay

2. Pleasurelea Tourist Resort

Pack your fanciest fleece and Goretex jacket so you can get up early and go fishing from your conveniently located caravan site at Pleasurelea Tourist Resort .

Fishos from around Australia converge here to take advantage of the resort’s proximity to world-class reef and deep-sea fishing. even has its own fishing and cruise boat, the Jean Marie, and offers half- and full-day fishing charters and packages to suit.

Pleasurelea Tourist Resort in Batemans Bay — Book a cosy cabin for the ultimate comforts.

See the silhouettes of kangaroos in the pink of dawn standing like quiet sentinels welcoming visitors to the new day. The distinctive scent of eucalyptus and beautiful bird whistles will inspire you to get out and explore your surrounds while road-tripping around the NSW South Coast.

Accommodation includes luxury spa cabins, family cabins, affordable family accommodation, powered ensuite slab sites, spacious powered caravan sites and large grassy tent sites. There is also a cabin called K9 for visitors who want to bring their fur babies during the low season.

Facilities: The Scrumptious restaurant is a convenient place to dine. It’s licensed so there’s no need for a designated driver. There is also a heated swimming pool (seasonal), grassed tennis court, BBQ areas, free wi-fi, a camp kitchen, and nine-hole mini golf is another draw for families.

Address: 483 Beach Road, Sunshine Bay

3. BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach

Wake to the sounds of waves thudding onto the shore at Ingenia Holidays , which is just metres from Merry Beach. This truly is one of the best campsites in the country.

You’ll want to pick up a glossy brochure from companies selling caravans or campervans and start planning your road-trip around Australia after a week-long stay in Kioloa.

a spacious campsite at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach — Settle in a beachfront-powered campsite at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach.

You can zip to Batemans Bay here to enjoy brunch, check out Mogo Zoo with the kidlets, or simply get the kids to count the eastern grey kangaroos that gather here at dawn and dusk for their version of a daily convention.

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach has beachfront powered or unpowered camping or caravan sites. You can also plump for a private chalet, poolside cabin, superior spa cabin, family cabin and two-storey presidential haven.

a standard cabin with a cosy sofa and tv at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach — The standard cabin comes with modern amenities.

Facilities: There is a new playground, a resort-style pool, a skatepark, a camp kitchen, laundry facilities and with not a lot of light pollution at Merry Beach, it’s a top spot for those who enjoy the drama of pink dawns and dark nights. It’s also pet-friendly.

Address: 46 Merry Beach Road, Kioloa

4. NRMA Batemans Bay Beach Resort

Sit with your new caravanning buddies at the end of the day and watch the sun as it sets behind you and creates a kaleidoscope of colours, from reds to pinks to purples. Walk with your eyes trained high in the trees to try and spot koalas in the trees that surround this perfectly positioned holiday park overlooking Corrigans Beach.

You can be as social or reclusive as you like at this sprawling park, arrayed around groves of trees and spaced out throughout the manicured grounds. Tip the kids out to the playground at the first crack of sunlight and arrange to meet up at the resort-style swimming pool for some Marco Polo. Gather with the family and your new-found friends at one of the scheduled outdoor movies, which are great for making memories.

There are nine different types of accommodation options on offer at NRMA Batemans Bay Beach Resort. If you have a caravan in tow, you can stay in a powered site with or without an ensuite, or a powered grass site. If you prefer to stay in a cabin, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a three-bedroom luxe Lakeside Cabin, two-bedroom townhouse, superior cabins and studios.

the exterior of cabins with balconies at NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort — Sleep in a cabin with a balcony at NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

Facilities: The pet-friendly park has a resort-style swimming pool, mini golf, tennis, and BBQ facilities available at the camp kitchen. There’s also a playground to keep the kids entertained.

Address: 51 Beach Rd, Batehaven

5. BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park

The exclusive in-park perks on offer make the BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park a popular option for families wanting to have a caravan holiday near Batemans Bay. The soundtrack of splashing water is a constant at this Batemans Bay holiday park, which is almost completely surrounded by water.

a tent with beds at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park — Bed down at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park.

Get out your binoculars during whale-watching season and see if you can spot whales motoring up the humpback highway. You’re almost always guaranteed to see kangaroos grazing next to your RV.

the campground at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park — Set up your tent next to your RV at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park.

There are powered sites for caravans by the creek and river. There are also deluxe waterfront villas, beach houses, ensuite sites, and stylish two- and three-bedroom cabins by the water.

a suite interior at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park — Stay in spacious and fully-equipped suites at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park.

Facilities: Wander around the cricket pitch, a sparkling resort pool, free canoe and go-kart hire. The park has a mix of paved and dirt paths and trails that will appeal to families and groups who enjoy an active holiday. The park screens outdoor movies over summer, has a boat ramp, mini golf, tennis courts, camp kitchen and game room.

Address: 970 Kings Hwy, Nelligen

6. BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park

The BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park is a great example of the kind of set-up Aussies have come to expect. One of the best holiday parks in the country from which to spot wildlife, you can kayak from Tomakin to Mossy Point for brunch, visit Clyde River National Park, or simply curl up in your hammock with a good book.

This popular holiday park is surrounded by swathes of bushland in Murramarang National Park and far enough away from Batemans Bay to feel like you’re on a get-away-from-it-all holiday.

The holiday park offers accommodation in cabins and villas, as well as grass or slab sites for caravanning. Tiny tots will love the Toot Toot Big Red Car.

Facilities: There’s a jumping castle and giant checkers, free gas BBQs, a fully equipped camp kitchen with a microwave, toaster, oven and cooktop. There is also a book and video library, coffee and snack machine, playground, swimming pool and open-air theatre area. There are also quality bathroom facilities and a special needs bathroom.

BIG4 Caravan South Durras — BIG 4 South Durras is one of the best holiday parks in the country from which to spot wildlife. (Image: The New Matilda/Flickr)

Address: 9 Beagle Bay Road, South Durras

7. Batemans Bay Holiday Park

Don’t worry about unhooking the caravan. The Batemans Bay Holiday Park and Hostel is an easy walk into town, making it a popular place for backpackers, families and #vanlifers who want to stretch their money as far as possible. The trails and paths that lead around the park are designed to blend into the landscape, providing a passageway for animals and humans moving from one part of the park to the next.

The caravan park is always bustling with beachgoers and includes cabins (some of which are pet-friendly) as well as powered and unpowered sites. There are also hostel beds and dorm rooms for those travelling solo or in a group.

Facilities: There’s a BBQ area, free wi-fi, a swimming pool, playground, camp kitchen, kiosk, laundry and bathroom blocks.

Address: 49 Old Princes Highway, Batemans Bay

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

7 Batemans Bay caravan parks you should set up camp at