Every family has them. The playlist that kicks in the second you hit the road. The oddball item that somehow always gets packed. The snacks that taste like a holiday and only holidays.

25 Sept 2025

These little quirks and traditions might not make sense to anyone else, but they’re the glue of every great getaway. They’re the things your family talks about long after the trip’s over. At Tasman, we love hearing these stories because they remind us that holidays are about the real, messy, unpolished moments that become memories.

Here are some of our favourites, shared by staff and guests at Tasman Holiday Parks North Star.

The ritual that starts it all

“We have a holiday playlist blasting all the way to our destination. When it’s playing, you know it’s holiday time.”

There’s something about the right song at the right time that flicks the switch to holiday mode. Music up, windows down, and suddenly the everyday fades into the rear-view mirror.

👉 Need a soundtrack for your own trip? Check out our road trip-worthy playlist.

A tradition born from a mishap

What’s the silliest holiday tradition your family has accidentally created?

“We once forgot the BBQ and the frozen meat on a week-long trip. Now, before we leave, we all say: Don’t forget the heat and the meat! Luckily, the café on-site saved the day.”

The best traditions are often born from slip-ups. What started as a packing disaster is now a family catchphrase - and the perfect example of how little mishaps turn into lifelong memories.

The soundtrack of a stay: Cue the sing-along

“Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver.”

One song, and suddenly you’re halfway to memory lane. For some families, there’s a single track that belongs to every trip, forever tied to laughter, late nights, and the feeling of being away together.

The must-pack (That makes no sense)

“A giant inflatable dragon meant for towing behind a boat. It’s ridiculously cumbersome, but it doubles as our camp lounge. It never misses a trip.”

Every family has one - the quirky, impractical item that somehow earns permanent packing-list status. It might not make sense to anyone else, but to you, it’s not a holiday without it.

👉 Want to dive into holiday mode? Check out our parks with epic pools.

The good luck charm

“We have competitions to spot the most windmills. You’ve got to shout ‘Windmill, mum saw it first!’ or ‘Windmill, dad saw it first!’”

Sometimes it’s the silliest rituals that become the most important. For this family, it’s a roadside game that marks the true start of every trip.

The taste of holiday mode

“Pistachios. We only ever buy them when camping. It feels like the only time life slows down enough to have the patience to deshell them one by one.”

It’s amazing how flavour ties to memory. For some, it’s fish and chips with sandy fingers. For others, it’s pistachios cracked open one by one - slow food for slow living.

👉 Love playing with flavour on holidays? Fire up the BBQ and take some inspo from creator Rachael Minaway, who’s whipped up some fun, easy dishes you can recreate on your next trip. Check them out on socials.

Bottle it and call It “Switched off”

If you could bottle the feeling of being here right now, what would the label say?

“Switched Off. Calm, patient, free from the pressure of work, school, and errands. Holidays are when we truly unwind, enjoy family… and pistachios.”

If there were ever a label for holiday happiness, this one says it all.

Your turn...

What’s your family’s ritual? Maybe it’s the first ice cream, the silly saying, or the lucky hat that never misses a trip. Whatever it is, it’s yours - and it’s what makes each holiday unforgettable.

So, bring the dragon, pack the pistachios, turn up the playlist, and let those little quirks become the stories that stick.

Don’t forget to tag us on socials - we love seeing the rituals that make your holidays stick!

#holidayrituals #turnupthereal #tasmanholidayparks