Glamping on sunshine
Escapes to the Sunshine Coast for a weekend of family fun, in style.
Leaving the hustle and bustle of city life behind, the sparkling blue waters of Maroochy River beckons my family north for a long weekend in the Queensland sunshine. Arriving at Rivershore Resort BIG4, we are instantly struck by the peace and quiet; the reception foyer and its modern décor have that effortless, laidback feel and the promise of riverside tranquillity waits in the complex beyond.
Built from scratch
With our three-year- old, Robert, in tow, my family are relatively new to the world of holiday parks and I will admit we have never actually camped out before. So when BIG4 announced the opening of its newest Sunshine Coast holiday park, we couldn’t resist the chance to dip our toes in the waters of modern camping. No cheek-by-jowl living here; Rivershore is the first southeast Queensland holiday park built from a green field site in 30 years, giving it the advantage of planning. With a minimum of 10x12-metre camping sites, the resort feels natural and spacious, offering opportunities for socialising, without comprising on privacy.
Out of Africa
Moving just beyond the campervans and trailers, we could be forgiven for thinking we’ve stepped onto the banks of the Zambezi River. Like a scene straight out of Africa, a row of luxury tents appear before our eyes. Beautifully landscaped and immaculately presented, we choose one of the 13 self- contained King Safari tents – with a camp bed included for our little munchkin. Alternatively, the resort has two fully equipped Family Safari tents or for families with older kids simply invest in a mini- glamping tent next door – the coolest cubby house ever – so mum and dad can have some alone time.
Robert’s eyes light up in unrestrained excitement as we open the wood-framed doors of our very own glamper and he beholds the four-poster king bed – all his to play on. The use of space is ingenious with a kitchenette and a luxury ensuite bathroom tucked away behind the main bed and living space. While Robert bounces off the walls, I relax on the balcony and enjoy the views.