BIG4 parks are at the heart of some of Australia’s hottest attractions and experiences that easily produce FOMO.
So, we asked BIG4 park staff to recommend those activities that emit the strongest feelings of FOMO. After all, they live and breathe these regions.
The result is a stellar selection of must-dos that should be at the top of the itinerary when on your next BIG4 break.
Waterskiing, boating, floating, cruising, swimming and wakeboarding are all popular along the stunning Edward River. All of this, and 400m of private river frontage, without leaving the park!
There aren't many places in Australia where you have 46km of pristine coastline, three lakes, and a myriad of rivers on your doorstep. This means you could start the day surfing or kayaking or paddleboarding your way to a picnic lunch spot and then go white-water rafting in the afternoon … all within an hour of each other! Base yourself in the Great Lakes at NRMA Forster Tuncurry Holiday Park, and blaze your own trail.
Boating, fishing and all kinds of water sports are abound on Lake Mulwala - jet skiing, water skiing and cruising on paddle steamers PS Cumberoona and MV Paradise Queen. Then in summer, the new Aquazone inflatable water park on Lake Mulwala is a huge hit.
Crikey! It's as wild as life gets at Australia Zoo. Home of the Crocodile Hunter, Australia Zoo is filled with more wildlife and entertainment than you can poke a stick at! With over 1200 animals and stacks of free shows daily, it's chock-a-block full of wildlife action and adventure.
BIG4 Caloundra Holiday Park is the closest BIG4 park to Australia Zoo, so it’s the ideal accommodation option for your wildlife adventures.
Some of the must-sees around Atherton include:
Snorkel directly off the beach at Horseshoe Bay in Bowen, recently ranked 11th in the 101 Best Beaches in Australia!
Naracoorte Caves are the only World Heritage-listed caves in Australia and one of only 11 fossil sites currently listed as World Heritage sites. Speaking of world famous, Coonawarra wine region is highly regarded for its shiraz and cab sav. And don’t miss the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange where a massive 100,000 cattle and 400,000 sheep and lambs are sold each year. Cattle and sheep markets are held every Tuesday commencing at 9am. Additional sales are held on Fridays during peak periods (usually October to January).
Some of BIG4 Porepunkah’s recommendations include:
• King Valley food and wine region
• Milawa produce
• Historical Beechworth
• Local wine and produce
• Trout fishing in the Ovens River
There is also a wide assortment of bike and walking trails, including The Murray To Mountains Rail Trail, Mystic Mountain, Mt Buffalo, Falls Creek, and Mt Hotham.
Sovereign Hill is definitely the number one attraction in Ballarat - the history, old buildings, the staff in costume, the gold panning, the tours, the raspberry drops, the whole 'gold rush' era experience.
The Legendary Blues Train has been rocking the rails of the Bellarine Railway between Queenscliff and Drysdale since 1994. Originally inspired by stories of the old blues masters jamming on Mississippi freight trains, the Blues music and train travel combo attracts 10,000-plus people every year. The event operates most Saturday nights between August to May, showcasing four Blues musicians each week. BIG4 Beacon Resort offers accommodation and ticket packages. You don't even need to be a blues fan to enjoy this night out!
The Bellarine Rail Trail and other stunning local tracks (35km pedestrian/cycling off-road trail) follows the old steam train line from Queenscliff Harbour to Geelong. The Rail Trail traverses the Bellarine Hinterland, past wineries and farm gates encompassing stunning vistas and ending with a picturesque journey along the Barwon River. Local trails also take you along the beachfront promenade to Point Lonsdale Lighthouse to the heart of Queenscliff Harbour, or take your bike on the ferry to Sorrento and explore the trail of Point Nepean National Park. BIG4 Beacon Resort has bikes available for hire, or bring your own to begin ticking off the list. Maps are available at reception, and many of our team are biking enthusiasts and are happy to help.
The Bellarine Taste Trail is a must-do for any 'foodie', boasting more than 40 unique food and wine destinations. The trail is littered with farmgate producers, provedores, unique wineries, breweries and cideries, and award-winning cafes and restaurants. Many of these are hidden gems, but you just have to ask the Beacon team for their favorites... they love to share their suggestions.
When staying in Bendigo, make sure you take a tour of the Central Deborah Goldmine in Bendigo. It's the number one thing to do in Bendigo as rated by visitors on TripAdvisor.
The Murray River is the key attraction in Mildura for sightseeing and water sports. A cruise on the PS Melbourne is the number one outdoor activity on TripAdvisor, while a visit to the Sunraysia Cellar Door will allow you to sample wines from 22 local wineries under one roof is the second top thing to do (after visiting the excellent Information Centre!).
The walks, hikes and breathtaking views in the Grampians National Park are outstanding any time of the year. There are walks suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness to enjoy. The Pinnacles is the number one thing to do in the Grampians on TripAdvisor.
NRMA Warrnambool is the closest BIG4 Park to the famous 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road. It's also a whale watching hotspot during winter - head to Logan's Beach Whale Lookout at Warrnambool to try your luck at spotting one of these graceful creatures frolicking in the water.
Take a waddle on the wild side and see penguins at the world famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island.
Did you know there are eleven hidden gem waterfalls in the areas surrounding the park as well as breathtaking scenery on a trek from Cathedral Range State Forest? Return to the park after a day of adventuring to enjoy the peace and tranquility while sitting by the Acheron River with your fire drum toasting marshmallows or catching tonight's dinner. Or just take in the Cathedral Range backdrop, the sounds of wildlife, and a crackling fire.
Isn't it time you didn't miss out? Book your next BIG4 getaway today.
