December 2021 - Tasman Holiday Parks

Wet Weather? Top Tips for Riding out the Storm

by tasmanholidayparks

It would be great if we could control the weather on a holiday, but unfortunately, that’s not possible. So, rather than complaining that you can’t go outside for that bushwalk you planned, embrace the rain and do it anyway or plan something different.

There are plenty of things you can do to ride out the storm. Read on to find out our top tips for surviving wet weather on your holiday.

Play in the rain

So what, it’s raining, don’t let that stop you and the kids from having a little fun. Throw on a raincoat and some gumboots, embrace your inner child and get jumping in some muddy puddles. Catch the rain on your tongue, feel the cool water hit your skin, and breathe in that fresh smell of rain.

Not only will you and the kids love it, but it’s also a fantastic sensory experience. It can also teach kids a valuable life lesson that you don’t hold back from doing the things you love just because life throws you a hurdle.

Do a water-based activity

Why not spend the day doing something that was going to end up with you getting wet anyway?

If you were thinking about spending the day snorkelling, paddleboarding, or visiting a water park, why not just go ahead and do it anyway. You may find it refreshing, invigorating, and cleansing. There will also be fewer people so you can enjoy your activity of choice without the crowds.

Of course, only go out if safe to do so, we wouldn’t recommend sailing out in a thunderstorm.

Catch a movie

If there is a cinema nearby, take the opportunity to watch the latest blockbuster. There is nothing better than snuggling up on a rainy day, watching a good movie and eating popcorn.

Can’t be bothered venturing out in bad weather? Check with reception to see if there are any in-house entertainment options. Listening to the rain fall whilst watching a movie inside could be quite relaxing.

Play indoors

There are many indoor tourist attractions around where you could spend your day. Think museums, aquariums, kids indoor play centres and bowling alleys.

For something more indulgent, why not visit a day spa or take a long lunch at a nearby winery. Just remember, it’s a good idea to book ahead and get in early because there will be a lot of people with the same idea to escape the rain.

Get creative

Try creating a little art with whatever is available to you. Perhaps you have some pencils, texters or paints and can spend the day painting or drawing. If you are holidaying amongst nature, try choosing a beautiful landmark to paint.

If painting isn’t your thing, get creative in the kitchen. You could test your baking skills and do some delicious cake art. The best part about cake art is you are left with a delicious treat at the end.

If you are camping with the basics and don’t have these options, try collecting natural materials found in nature like rocks, sticks, shells, and leaves. Use the earth as your canvas placing the items down in an arty pattern.

Don’t let wet weather ruin your holiday. Tasman Tourism Holiday Parks have amenities that can entertain you and the kids during wet weather. Check with reception to see what is available for you – we have game rooms, in-room entertainment, kids clubs, and more.

Top Camping Gift Ideas

by tasmanholidayparks

Are you stuck on Christmas present ideas for your friends and families this holiday season? We have you covered! Here is a list of some great Camping Gift Ideas that you can take on your next Tasman holiday.

Bamboo Caravan Travel Mug

Perfect for any coffee or hot drink lover! This reusable caravan-inspired coffee mug is the perfect travel accessory to bring with you on your next Tasman Holiday. This one-of-a-kind mug has a screw-top bamboo lid with a no-drip silicon lid locker and a silicone sleeve for extra heat protection. A must-have this Christmas.

$16.95 from Adventure Awaits https://www.adventureawaits.com.au/collections/van-go-collections

Furrion Lit Portable Speaker

There is nothing better than hanging out with friends and family with some music everyone loves in the background! The Furrion Speaker is perfect for this. It has a playtime of up to 15hours, is Shockproof, Sandproof, and waterproof. It also has a Built-in Flashlight which would come in very handy while on your Tasman Holiday!

$182 from Outback Equipment https://www.outbackequipment.com.au/

Tesalate Sand Free Beach Towel

Do you love the beach but hate bringing the beach home with you! This towel is perfect for just that. This sand Free Beach Towel leaves the beach at the beach, is compact and fits perfectly in your bag, and is ultra-absorbent which can hold up 1L of water. It also takes half the time to dry than a regular towel does. They come in a variety of styles so there is one for everyone!

$89 – $149 https://au.tesalate.com/

Avanti Traveller Rose Gold Drinkware Set

Great for keeping any refreshment at the ideal temperature, this Drinkware set is ideal for your next Tasman Holiday. The set comes with a 750ml bottle and 300ml wine tumblers making this perfect for any occasion. It has isothermal insulated double-wall technology that will protect your drink for up to 24hours from any outside temperature!

$49.99 https://www.bcf.com.au/

WACOCO Minipresso NS Portable Pod Machine

Not enough room to bring your Pod Espresso machine on your next Tasman holiday with you? Fear not! This mini portable Pod Machine is perfect for you. This allows you to have your delicious coffee every morning while on your Tasman Holiday. Do you know someone who can’t go a day without a good cup of coffee, why not get them this for Christmas this year.

$49.99 https://www.bcf.com.au/

Wanderer Kids’ Moon Quad Fold Chair

Perfect for the little ones, the Wanderer Kids’ Moon Quad Fold Chair is a perfect gift for camping kids on your next Tasman Holiday! This ultra-comfortable kid finger friendly design is a great gift for kids this Christmas.

Pryml Neo Junior Fishing Tool Bucket 23pc

The Pryml Neo Junior Fishing Tool Bucket is a great gift for a young fisher. What a perfect gift for kids who are just starting out fishing. They can practice casting without the worry of losing valuable bait or being near water. It has everything you need including a stylish hat!

$24.99 https://www.bcf.com.au/

Shooaway Fly Fan

One of the worst things about eating outdoors is the flies. Especially all over the food on the table! Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a gadget that could help swat away those flies! Well now there is! Set this up on your table and the flies won’t be able to go near your food. What a perfect stocking filler this Christmas.

$21.29 https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Why the Great Outdoors is Good for your Soul

by tasmanholidayparks

The best way to nourish your soul is to get outside and be amongst mother nature and all her glory. Visualise yourself on a beachside holiday, looking out to the ocean you hear waves crashing and kids laughing. You feel the sun beaming down on your skin and a salty sea breeze blowing through your hair – just the thought of being out in nature calms the nerves.

There are a lot of studies that prove many health benefits from spending time outdoors. Read on to see why getting outside is good for the soul.

Nature is a natural energy boost

Forget your daily coffee and energy drinks, get outside for a natural energy boost.

Spending just 20 minutes a day outdoors can boost your energy levels.

A series of studies show that spending just 20 minutes a day outdoors can boost your energy levels making you feel more alive. In fact, just visualising the great outdoors can give you a boost, so imagine what a weeklong camping trip could do.

Nature reduces stress

We’ve all felt it, that sense of calmness when taking in a deep breath of mountain air or a cool sea breeze. Science can also back that nature reduces stress.

A study in Japan proved that people who spent time sitting in natural surroundings had decreased stress levels. It was measured through a decrease in cortisol levels – a hormone often used as a marker for stress. They also showed a decrease in sympathetic nervous activity, blood pressure, and heart rate. You can’t argue with science.

Boost your immune system

There are many immune-boosting vitamins on the market, but have you ever considered just stepping outside to absorb all the goodness that nature provides? Plants produce airborne chemicals called phytoncides which has antibacterial and antifungal qualities which help plants fight disease. Studies show that when we breathe in phytoncides, our bodies produce more white blood cells which are used to fight off infections and disease.

Get the creative juices flowing

Ever suffered from a block in creativity? Spend some time in the great outdoors, clear your mind and draw inspiration from nature.

Time spent amongst nature increases problem-solving creativity.

A study proved that four days spent amongst nature without technology increased problem-solving creativity. So, leave the laptop at home, turn your phone off and spend some time holidaying outdoors. Whether it be on a white sandy beach or in a bushland setting, some time amongst nature can help get those creative juices flowing.

Get your dose of Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium to strengthen bones, muscles and provide overall health. The best way to get your dose of vitamin D is to spend at least a few minutes in the sun daily. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap if you’re planning on spending more than a few minutes in the sun. Sunburnt skin is not good for anyone.

The best way to get amongst nature is taking some time out of your busy life to get away. Let our timeless locations inspire you to find peace and relaxation as you explore all that your holiday destination has to offer. Hear the water, wake to birds singing, trees rustling, and you’ll discover a new richness to life in the raw, natural beauty surrounding you.

Pre-Holiday Checklist – For a Stress-Free Road Trip

by tasmanholidayparks

You book your accommodation, plan your itinerary, and count down the days for the ultimate getaway. You can’t wait to escape the hustle and bustle, relax, unwind, explore, and spend quality time with loved ones.

However, it can also be a stressful time trying to figure out what to pack, who is going to look after the family dog, and who is going to take the bins out while you’re away. Well, stress no longer, we have put together a pre-holiday checklist to make life a little easier for you. The only thing you need to worry about is how are you going to fit all your luggage in the car.

Before you book your holiday

First things first, before you book your holiday you need to make sure you can have time off work. If you have kids, it’s also a good idea to check their schedule to make sure they aren’t missing out on anything like school, exams, sporting events, concerts, and things of that nature.

Once your leave is approved, let the planning begin. Have a chat with your friends and family to see if someone can take care of the family pets or plants whilst you are away.

If you have a dog, check out some of Tasman’s pet-friendly caravan parks. You may want to bring them along to enjoy the fun. After all, dogs deserve a break once in a while too.

Leave approved
Kids schedule is free
Organise someone to look after pets and or plants
Book in holiday

After you book your holiday

Your leave is approved, you have someone organised to look after the cat and succulents, now it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of your holiday.

It’s a good idea to book the car in with a mechanic to make sure it’s firing on all cylinders for your road trip. There’s no better way to put a dampener on your holiday than being stuck on the side of the road with a broken-down car.

It’s also a good idea to make sure you have car insurance and roadside assistance just in case – better to be safe than sorry.

Who doesn’t love a good list? Write down a packing list at least one month before your trip. If you are planning a camping trip, check out our camping essentials checklist.

Next, create a to-do list with all the things you need to arrange before your trip. Whilst you have the pen and paper out, write down your itinerary and where you’re staying and give that to a family member in case of an emergency.

Book car in with mechanic
Write packing list
Write to-do list
Give your itinerary and accommodation details to a family member

One week before your holiday

Ooooh, you must be excited now. This is the time to get all those last-minute things organised and start packing your bags. Tell your neighbours you will be away and ask if they can collect your mail and take the bins out.

A few days before you set off, do a spring clean of the house. There is nothing better than coming back from a holiday to a nice clean house. Make sure you clean out the fridge, remove any fresh flowers in vases, and empty all your household bins. You don’t want to return home to any nasty smells.

If someone is looking after your pets and or plants, write a detailed list of everything they need to care for them. Make sure you give the pet or plant sitter anything they need like food, lead, food and water bowls, and bed.

Pack your luggage
Tell neighbours you will be away
Clean house
Clean fridge
Remove fresh flowers
Empty bins
Leave list and items to look after pets and/or plants

The day you leave for your holiday

Finally, the day has arrived for your holiday. Wash up any last-minute dishes, do a final tidy up and pack any last-minute bits and pieces.

Once the car is packed and you’re ready to jet, do one last walk through the house to make sure everything is tidy, doors and windows are secured, and the alarm is set. Now for the fun part, jump in the car, and off you go. Your holiday destination awaits you.

Wash dishes
Final tidy up
Pack last-minute items
Check everything is locked
Set alarm (if you have one)
Relax and enjoy!

Ahh, you have now arrived at your Tasman Holiday Park. Feel life slow down, put your feet up and relax or get the sand between your toes and explore. That’s the beauty of staying at a Tasman Holiday Park, it’s full of possibilities and planned with the convenience and ease to eat, play and stay in comfort. Enjoy!

Western Australia: King of the Cut Event

by tasmanholidayparks

W.A.’s most courageous and skilled SUP paddlers will be joined by a range of other ocean athletes who will tackle one of the world’s best downwind paddle courses this weekend, racing the exciting 24km downwind run from Mandurah’s Dawesville Cut to Secret Harbour in the Stand Up Surf Shop’s 2021 King of the Cut race; which this year celebrates 10 incredible years of fierce yet fantastic competition.

“Next level conditions” and a “world-class run” are just two of the huge testimonials this annual race receives from world champion SUP athletes, which is a consistent favourite with SUP racers thanks to the near-perfect conditions in Mandurah. Ocean enthusiasts will come from far and wide to experience the thrill and challenge of the 24km course, which is powered by the famed West Coast ‘Freo Doctor’ sea breeze, that creates uninterrupted runners and pushes competitors along like an endless conveyor belt, making for supreme conditions.

This year is truly all about the ‘stoke’ with all downwind craft – SUPs, Foils, OCs, Paddleboards and Ski competing together. King of The Cut continues to promote new developments in the sport: across recent years, SUP racers have been joined by surf skis and outrigger canoes, and – in a huge new drawcard for this 10th Anniversary King of the Cut – are the Wing Foilers. The latest global craze to sweep the seas, The Wing Foil division is very strong this year after being a demonstration category last year which includes a strong contingent of female competitors who will be ready to wow us with Wing Foil magic, after Jaclyn Nichol, from W.A.’s Pilbara region, paved the way last year as the sole female Wing Foil competitor.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restricting the participation of many international and non-WA athletes in the 2021 event, the race has proven its resilience, and has been able to continue with strong local support and has attracted a number of interstate paddlers. 120 competitors will take to the seas at this year’s event, and female representation across all divisions at the 2021 King of the Cut is the best it’s ever been. Fans can catch some of their favourite SUP athletes in action at the event, including last year’s “Queen of the Cut” winner, Jade Lane, who this year will race on a surf ski, as she makes her way up the rankings. This year Foil athletes range from Foil Sport legend and 2020 Foil SUP winner Marcus Tardrew, and wingfoiler Angela Juengling, a Cottesloe mum and recent wingfoiling convert, in action at the event.

Also competing will be Aussie SUP powerhouse Michael Booth, a 4x world champion and last year’s winner, at the 2021 event. Booth has won just about every SUP race there is around the world, last year finishing fastest with a time of 1:44:45. The reigning King of the Cut champ hopes for similar conditions to last year which saw strong winds and swell make for a fast and challenging race. Shares Booth:

“This is without doubt one of the best events on the calendar for SUP racers, absolutely unmissable for us with the exceptional conditions and excellent competitors. If you’re a downwind competitor, you’d love it. We’re so lucky to have these conditions in WA. For the community, it’s such a big event, with a great atmosphere in the crowd. Can’t wait to race it again this year!”

As well as State honours, all competitors are also vying for title honours – the King or Queen of The Cut: the KOTC Saw Blade Trophy is awarded to the first SUP paddler across the line, regardless of board class or age. The Duke of the Cut is another award presented on the day, to a paddler who shows the spirit of Duke Kahanamoku who is credited as bringing surfing to Australia and regarded as the ambassador of ‘Aloha and Mahalo’ (love, kindness and gratitude), someone who is a good all-round human who benefits the sport.

For those keen to get up close to the action, the recommended spectator points are at the start line along the groin at Dawesville Cut at 1pm, followed by the King of the Cut’s ending, on the shore in front of the Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club at approximately 3pm. The presentations will also be at Secret Harbour Surf Club. In between, as the SUP-ers head out to sea, supporters on the sand can watch the races progress in real time on their mobile phones, via the Track Me live app.

With the weather forecast looking sunny, it’s the perfect activity for spectators – head down to the shore and you’ll experience a fun, exhilarating and action-packed Saturday.

Where & When:
When: Saturday, December 4, 2021, 12.00pm – 6.30pm
Registration for participants is from 10am – 10.30am, with the event starting approximately 1pm
Where: Dawesville Cut & Secret Harbour Surf Club, Mandurah, Western Australia
Free entry to spectators