The best holiday park activities for kids are the free, repeatable ones: a jumping pillow, a pump track, mini golf, pedal carts and a pool. These Tasman Holiday Parks in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria have them on site, so you can fill the days without paying for a big day out.
Quick pick: activities and the parks that have them
| Activity | Best park for it | State | Also at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pump track and bike loops | Lake Mulwala | NSW | Moama on the Murray, Rollingstone, Airlie Beach |
| Mini golf | Merimbula | NSW | BIG4 Racecourse Beach, Moama on the Murray, BIG4 Bendigo, Mount Beauty |
| Pedal carts | BIG4 Bendigo | VIC | Merimbula, Lake Mulwala, BIG4 Ballina, BIG4 Nambucca Heads |
| Tennis, pickleball and giant chess | Rowes Bay | QLD | Myola, Lake Mulwala, Moama on the Murray |
| Paddling and cycling | Fraser Coast | QLD | Torquay Palms |
| Beach walks | Myola | NSW | Kioloa Beach, BIG4 Easts Beach |
| River days and fishing | Merool on the Murray | NSW | Lake Mulwala, Jervis Bay |
| A theme park day out | Geelong | VIC | – |
Bikes, scooters and pump tracks
A morning lap of the pump track is the easiest holiday ritual there is. Bring the bikes and scooters, and helmets for everyone.
Lake Mulwala: The morning ride
Mulwala, NSW
On the shores of the lake among red river gums, Tasman Holiday Parks – Lake Mulwala has a pump track, pedal carts and a jump pad. Make a morning lap your daily tradition, then try fishing off the private jetty. Purtle Park Adventure Playground is about six minutes’ drive away.
Mini golf, pedal carts and games
Run a tournament across your stay and crown a champion on the last night.
Merimbula: The mini golf final
Merimbula, NSW
Across 14 acres of native bush on the Sapphire Coast, Tasman Holiday Parks – Merimbula has mini golf, giant checkers, pedal carts, a jumping pillow and a heated indoor pool and spa. Play a round every day and crown a champion on the last night.
Bendigo: The pedal cart grand prix
Bendigo, VIC
BIG4 Tasman Holiday Park – Bendigo has pedal carts, mini golf, giant chess and a resort pool, plus the Golden Days Village of retro glamper vans with a communal fire pit. Travelling with the dog? Book a Pooch Pad or Dog House stay.
Rowes Bay, Townsville: The holiday games tournament
Townsville, QLD
At BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Rowes Bay, the beach is your backyard and there are tennis and pickleball courts, giant chess and kids’ entertainment. Run a tournament across your stay, with a trophy for the winner on the last night. Pets are welcome on all sites.
Beach, river and paddling days
Outdoor activities for kids don’t need to cost anything. A creek, a beach or a riverbank will do.
Fraser Coast, Torquay: The morning paddle
Torquay, QLD
Just streets from the foreshore, Tasman Holiday Parks – Fraser Coast is an easy base for a family paddle on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak along the Esplanade, followed by a ride on the coastal cycling path. Pets are allowed on sites, with seasonal restrictions, so call ahead.
Myola: The creek-to-beach walk
Myola, NSW
At Tasman Holiday Parks – Myola, the beach is a three-minute walk from the creekside park, which has a resort pool, playground, tennis court and fire pits. Make the morning walk to the beach your daily ritual. Small dogs are welcome outside the poolside cabins.
Merool on the Murray: The river day
Moama, NSW
Tasman Holiday Parks – Merool on the Murray spreads over 68 acres on the river, with a private boat ramp, a lagoon-style resort pool, a jump pad and pioneer-themed cabins kids love. The Port of Echuca is about ten minutes away. This park isn’t pet friendly.
A big day out
Save one paid day out for the middle of the trip, and keep the rest simple.
Geelong: Adventure Park and the waterfront
Geelong, VIC
Tasman Holiday Parks – Geelong sits on the Barwon River, with a resort pool, playground and games room. Spend a day at Adventure Park Geelong, then follow the Bollard Trail along Eastern Beach. Pet-friendly cabins are available.
Holiday parks with a jumping pillow
Kids can bounce for hours, and it’s free. These parks list a jumping pillow or jump pad: Merimbula, BIG4 Ballina, BIG4 Racecourse Beach, BIG4 Nambucca Heads, Lake Mulwala and Merool on the Murray in NSW; South Bright, BIG4 Bendigo and Geelong in Victoria; Rollingstone in Queensland; St Helens in Tasmania; and Albany, BIG4 Ledge Point, Denham Seaside and Yallingup Caves in WA.
Rainy day backups
North Star, BIG4 Easts Beach, Moama on the Murray and St Helens have indoor playgrounds, and BIG4 Nambucca Heads has a cinema room.
Two family holiday ideas you can start at any park
- The “best bit of the day” chat. Before bed, everyone shares the best bit of their day. Jot them down and read them back on the drive home.
- The daily icy pole. Same time every afternoon, no negotiating.
Frequently asked questions
What are good outdoor activities for kids at a holiday park?
Pump tracks, jumping pillows, mini golf, pedal carts, tennis and the pool are all free at many Tasman Holiday Parks. Add a beach or river walk and the days fill themselves.
Which holiday parks have a jumping pillow?
Merimbula, BIG4 Ballina, BIG4 Racecourse Beach, BIG4 Nambucca Heads, Lake Mulwala, Merool on the Murray, South Bright, BIG4 Bendigo, Geelong and Rollingstone all have a jumping pillow or jump pad, along with St Helens and Albany, BIG4 Ledge Point, Denham Seaside and Yallingup Caves in WA.
Which holiday parks have a pump track?
Lake Mulwala, Moama on the Murray, Rollingstone and Airlie Beach all have a pump track.
What can kids do at a holiday park when it rains?
Head for an indoor playground at North Star, BIG4 Easts Beach, Moama on the Murray or St Helens, or the cinema room at BIG4 Nambucca Heads. Merimbula and BIG4 Warrnambool have heated indoor pools.
Which kid-friendly holiday parks welcome dogs?
Rowes Bay welcomes pets on all sites, BIG4 Bendigo has Pooch Pad and Dog House stays, Geelong has pet-friendly cabins and Myola welcomes small dogs outside the poolside cabins. Check each park’s pet rules before booking.
