BIG4 Easts Beach Kiama
DAVID THORNDIKE discovers a family holiday paradise just two hours south of Sydney.
Just a few hours from Sydney we take a look at this perfect summer getaway
Finding the perfect holiday spot within a few hours’ drive of home can feel like the search for the Holy Grail. Let’s face it, who wants to spend half of their valuable holiday time driving to and from their destination? Not to mention having to plan numerous rest stops and deal with an endless cacophony of “Are we there yet?” from the back seat.
Well, if you live in Sydney, you’re in luck. Less than two hours away at Kiama you’ll discover that BIG4 Easts Beach has everything you could ever want including an in- ground pool and spa, kids’ playground, tennis courts, jumping pillow, and best of all, a beachfront position with a freshwater creek that runs through the property down to the surf.
The holiday park itself has been in the same family for over a hundred years now and started its life as a dairy farm. Thanks to its beautiful position, passing motorists started asking permission to camp in the fields with the cows, and it has slowly grown from there into arguably one of the best holiday parks in Australia.
Room for the whole family
Accommodation is stretched over the park’s 14 hectares, encompassing areas set aside for permanent caravans, flat camping areas that are perfect for tents and camper trailers, large camp kitchen areas, and a cabin and villa area with a selection of one-, two- and threebedroom configurations including the three-bedroom, two-storey Sea Breeze villa where we were staying.
The Sea Breezes’ bedrooms are all on the ground floor and include two with queen beds and one with four bunks, making sleeping a large family of eight an absolute breeze… Accommodating more than four people without having to pay for an adjoining room is a miracle these days. The main bedroom has its own private ensuite, and the other two rooms share a second bathroom, so it is also perfect for when grandparents join the holiday.
The upstairs includes a full kitchen, a dining room leading out to a good-sized balcony with outdoor dining suite, ocean views, and a comfortable lounge area.
The park is situated less than five minutes’ drive from the centre of Kiama, giving easy access to restaurants, clubs, parks and – of course – the famous blowhole.
There are actually two blowholes in Kiama, and both are worth a visit. The major one is at the end of the main street in town, just behind the lighthouse. If you haven’t been down here in a few years, then you will notice that fences and a viewing platform are now in place to make it a lot safer. No more climbing and sitting on the edge of the blowhole as the water shoots up. The smaller one is located only a couple of blocks away from BIG4 Easts Beach and while not as spectacular, is a lot more consistent, so at times when the swell is not very big, the kids will still get a bit of a show.
Rainforests and water slides
If you are looking for activities in the local area, there are three you can’t go past. For a great view of the entire region, take a 10-minute drive to Saddleback Mountain. There is a picnic area at the top and the lookout platform faces north- east back to Wollongong.
The drive itself over the mountain is one of the best scenic routes on the South Coast, with the road leading on towards the other must-hit attractions, Jamberoo and Minnamurra.
The rainforest at Minnamurra has a fabulous boardwalk that is suitable for prams and wheelchairs, so don’t be afraid of missing out if you have little ones. Unfortunately you won’t be able to take the pram all the way to the top of the track to see the Minnamurra Falls, but there is plenty on the bottom section to keep you interested including the visitor’s centre.
Just 20 minutes from the rainforest is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the area,
Jamberoo Action Park. If you haven’t been here before, be prepared to be totally amazed. In the middle of picturesque countryside is a man-made water park to rival anything in Australia. With stage one of a multi-million-dollar redevelopment completed, Jamberoo has added half a dozen new rides and attractions, including the Funnel Web and Banjo’s Billabong, to an already impressive list. Old favourites also retain their charm, including the water slides and the The Rock while there’s no doubt the gigantic beach-themed swimming pool, Outback Bay, complete with its own wave machine will always be the centre of attention.