Easter is fast approaching and there is no better way to spend it than a camping trip with family and friends. The days are long and peaceful and returning home after a short three night break can leave you feeling as refreshed as if you'd just gone on a two week trip to Bali. Camping teaches children to enjoy the little things in life and that there is a whole world out there just waiting to be explored.
Here's a look at some of the best family camping spots this Easter:
1. Lane Cove River Tourist Park, New South Wales
Just a short drive from the city, Sydney's Lane Cove River Tourist Park is a serene setting with uninterrupted views across the Lane Cove Valley. An eco-friendly campground, the caravan park offers a wide range of accommodation options, from powered to non-powered sites, and grassy or concreted sites. Features include a swimming pool and paddling pool ideal for the littlies and a campground kitchen complete with electric barbecues. It's close proximity to the city makes it the perfect place for a quick weekend getaway that will have you feeling a million miles away.
2. Crosslands Reserve, New South Wales
Crosslands Reserve is one of Sydney's best kept secrets, set in the family-friendly haven of the Berowa Valley Bushland Park. This peaceful bushland escape is the perfect place to get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors, with great spots for kayaking, bushwalking and fishing. The reserve offers a children's playground and a bicycle track, providing plenty of entertainment for the kids.
3. Batemans Bay, New South Wales
Located three to four hours south of Sydney, you will find Murramarang Resort, an oceanside camping spot set amongst the beautiful gum trees. There are plenty of activities for the kids, from swimming and snorkelling to fishing and bushwalking. Facilities include a lagoon-style heated swimming pool, a kids club, playground, volleyball court and bike and boogie board hire.
4. Boreen Point, Queensland
Lake Cootharaba is a super-shallow five kilometre stretch of water that offers a safe swimming place for kids. Families can hire a catamaran, canoe or paddle board, enjoy the shallow waters or sit back and relax as the kangaroos hop through the campsite.
5. Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia
Just 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city of Perth, you'll find one of Australia's most child-friendly beaches. The surf is gentle, there is plenty of shade and the endless array of cafes and kiosks make getting a bite to eat fun and exciting. Cottesloe Beach chalets is in walking distance to the beach and a popular choice amongst families looking for a good time with plenty to do.
6. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
If it's an isolated and breathtakingly beautiful campsite you are after, you can't go past the stunning Stokes Bay. The beach is quiet and offers a walking trail that takes you through the limestone cliffs to an incredible rockpool featuring crystal clear water and pure white sands. The nearby reefs make snorkelling a popular pastime and the fishing is great, with garfish, salmon and squid all an easy catch. The campsite itself features a small cafe, toilets and a barbecue shelter.
7. Cowes, Victoria
Cowes Caravan Park on Phillip Island offers endless activities that will keep even the fussiest of kids happy. The quiet bay offers shallow water and fine white sand and for the more adventurous, there is sailboarding, boating, snorkelling and fishing. The campground's kitchen makes cooking up dinner a treat and the playground, basketball hoop and large recreation hall hosts plenty of fun for all the family.
8. Lake Macquarie, New South Wales
Set right on the edge of a creek, Lake Macquarie Village is an ideal place for both young kids and old. Helpful amenities such as hot showers, toilets and a laundry make camping easy and if you don't have a car, the addition of the nearby train station is an added bonus. Kids can fish, swim, sail, bush walk or climb the rocks and if parents get a chance, they can duck off to the nearby Hunter Valley Wine Region to sample some of Australia's best wines.
Australia's best supplier for camping gears
Whether it's your first time to go camping or not, a good source of cool camping equipments is available online. Outbax ships products for free and offers some discounts. These gears also come with a 12-month warranty. Its website is very user-friendly and provides all the specs a camper needs.
