The essentials for your Australia Day long weekend
What does every Australia Day Long Weekend need?
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A holiday;
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A sing-along playlist and;
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A true-blue Aussie BBQ!
We like to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid), there’s no need to over pack the car, we have all your essentials covered in-park for an epic Australia Day Long Weekend – think pools, waterparks, air-conditioned cabins, BBQ facilities and even the ultimate car-aoke playlist.
Fill up the tank, pack your cossie/boardies/rashies, throw in the footy and head to woop woop with us. It’ll be a screamer of a long weekend - no worries mate!
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THE ROAD TRIP
First things first, where are you heading this Australia Day Long Weekend?
As it’s still summer, beach and pool time is no doubt high on the agenda. Be flat out like a lizard drinking with a stay at one of our holiday parks. Here are our state-by-state suggestions for a fair dinkum getaway:
QLD: Discovery Parks – Airlie Beach
It’s right there in the name, beach! This holiday park is your gateway to the white sands of the Whitsunday Islands. With its resort vibe, you’ll no doubt just want to laze beneath the shade of your umbrella in between dips in the pool and outdoor spas.
NSW: Discovery Parks – Harrington Beach
Sun, sand, surf and turf, strewth, what an Aussie destination! This holiday park is nestled near kilometres of secluded surf breaks and is a fisherman’s paradise all year round.
This charming riverside town is home to Australia’s largest paddle steam fleet and, the fleet has just got a little bigger with a paddle steamer themed waterpark at our holiday park. You’ll be “all aboard” in no time enjoying the tipping bucket, multiple spray zones, slides and a separate toddler splash zone.
SA: Discovery Parks – Adelaide Beachfront
Set in the seaside suburb of Semaphore, the beach is right on your doorstep and you can smell the salt air from your cabin or camp site. There are also TWO pools - howzat for choice!
WA: Discovery Parks – Bunbury Village
Stroll and sunbake on the pristine white sands of Koombana Bay beach and watch bottlenose dolphins swim close to the shore or just veg out under the shade of a palm tree by our holiday park’s pool.
TAS: Discovery Parks – Mornington Hobart
With a daytime temperature reaching 20 degrees Celsius, a destination for those who like a cooler climate. Our holiday park has a thriving local food and wine culture, haunting convict ruins, museums filled with old and contemporary art all close-by. What a simple, relaxed island lifestyle.
Our suggestions not tickling your fancy? Here are some other waterpark and pool options to check out.
So, stop at the servo, fill up the tank and cruise that holiday road!
THE PLAYLIST
When you’re driving around a country as big as ours ‘Road Trip 101’ is an essential part of the journey - windows down, radio on, singing at the top of your lungs.
A bit of car-aoke can pass the time on the road and we’ve put together a list of songs that define this great southern land. Check out specially curated “Australia Day Road Trip Playlist” on Spotify here.
Our list includes something for everyone – Oz Rock from Cold Chisel and Jet, iconic international superstars INXS and Kylie, kid anthems from Peter Combe and The Wiggles, Australian Idols, and those sizzle tracks from Aussie artists you have surely forgotten – remember Bachelor Girl?
Whether you’re heading up the coast or through the red centre, sing the lyrics proudly as This Is Australia.
THE MENU
What else would, or could, we suggest except a true-blue Aussie BBQ!
This might just take a little prep, as you’ll need to BYO meats and ingredients. No need to bring your own barbie though, we have this facility at most of our holdiay parks in the Camp Kitchen or on the balcony of your cabin/safari tent (just check with Park Reception before arrival to make sure this is available as part of your booking).
Our holiday parks are a very social environment so we do recommend preparing your meals in the Camp Kitchen so you can meet other holiday-makers. Who knows, the kids may just make a new best friend to spend their getaway with and you could get recipe tips & tricks from other travellers. Better still, combine menus for an even bigger spread. Just don’t get caught up in the onion on top or under the snag debate – it’ll be a meal breaker!
Alternatively, if you’re keen to just enjoy your getaway without the fuss and clean-up, feast on some grub at the pub, local bakery or fish and chippery - there’s surely a schnitty, pastie or beer-batter to suit your tastebuds.
Of course, don’t forget to finish your meal with a sweet treat. Berries, cherries and mangoes are in-season this time of year and go perfectly with whipped cream on top of a delicate pav. Are you salivating already?
If you want to keep dessert super-simple, a pack of Tim-Tams or scoops at the local ice cream shop will do the job.
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