Room Check
Jared Savage checks into the Oaks Oasis Resort, Caloundra, in Queensland
Getting there: An easy 25-minute drive south from the Sunshine Coast Airport after picking up your rental car. Check-in experience: Stock-standard but plenty of spaces to park the car outside the accommodation wings of the resort.
Room: We stayed in an Executive Family room (32sq m) with two king beds. No kitchen but there’s a small fridge and tea and coffee facilities.
Price: Rates start from $165 but can more than double in price in peak times. What’s so good about this place? For a young family, without doubt the Water Park. Our kids (3 and 1) had a blast in the shallow pool with a waterslide playground plonked in the middle, while we cooled our heels with a drink in hand. With an 18-hole mini golf course, giant jumping pillow, trampolines and tennis court, Oaks Oasis is the epitome of “family friendly”.
And the bad? Rooms were cleaned just once a week.
What’s in the neighbourhood? Aside from the wonderful waterpark, the best thing about Oaks Oasis is the location. A two-minute stroll brings you to the harbour; 10 minutes later you’re sitting on the beach with a flat white in hand. There are plenty of little cafes and restaurants to explore in Caloundra. Back at the resort, there’s a supermarket, pharmacy and bottle store across the road. Food and drink: There’s a bar in the water park which delivered pizza and wedges poolside (hungrily devoured by the littlies), at reasonable prices. The main restaurant has a good range of meals if you can’t be bothered heading to Caloundra, and the buffet breakfast ticks all the boxes. The bed: King size and comfy.
Bathroom: Big enough to fit the porta-cot.
Free Wi-Fi? Just 30 minutes a day, which seems a little strange in this day and age.
Noise: Occasionally heard other guests in the corridor, but no road noise.
Room service: Quick and efficient, but just once a week. A room with a view? Overlooking the spacious grounds, peering through the palm trees at the pond. Value for money: Can you put on a price on happily distracted children? Contact: oakshotels.com/oaks-oasis-resort Perfect for: Parents with young children.