Explore Australia's Big 4 Caravan Parks: A Comprehensive Guide

how many big 4 caravan parks in australia

BIG4 Holiday Parks is an Australian network of holiday parks founded in 1979 by four independent caravan park owners in Ballarat, Victoria. As of 2025, there are over 280 BIG4 Holiday Parks across Australia, providing a range of accommodation styles, including cabins, campgrounds, and resort-like facilities. BIG4 parks can be found in various locations, from iconic holiday destinations to hidden gems, offering memorable holiday experiences and high-quality service to its customers.

Characteristics Values
Year founded 1979
Number of locations Over 280
Headquarters Melbourne
Accommodation options Caravans, camping sites, glamping, self-contained cabins, villas
Pet-friendly Yes
Amenities Pools, gardens, playgrounds, splash parks, games rooms

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Big4 Holiday Parks: history and founding

BIG4 Holiday Parks is an Australian network of holiday parks founded in 1979. Headquartered in Melbourne, it has over 280 locations across the country. BIG4 was founded by four independent caravan park owners in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1979. One of the co-founders was Desmond Watts, who was awarded an OAM in 2020 for his service to the tourism accommodation sector.

Desmond and Margaret Watts built their first park in Ballarat in 1973 and became the co-founders of BIG4 Holiday Parks of Australia. The Watts family has redeveloped several parks over the years. In addition to BIG4 Renmark Riverfront, they also own and operate BIG4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park and BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park.

BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park was purchased from the Renmark Paringa Council in December 2006. The Watts family, along with their team, transformed the location on the banks of the Murray River into a holiday park filled with activities and facilities to entertain families and cater to travelling couples and retirees.

In its first few decades, BIG4's caravan parks evolved into holiday parks with a range of accommodation styles, including cabins and campgrounds, and resort-like facilities such as pools, gardens, playgrounds, splash parks, games rooms, and villas. BIG4 has transformed the iconic caravan park into the modern-day holiday park experience, delivering much more than a place to rest. A stay at a BIG4 park creates priceless holiday memories.

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Locations and amenities

BIG4 Holiday Parks is an Australian network of holiday parks with over 280 locations across the country. The parks are spread across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.

New South Wales

BIG4 Holiday Parks in New South Wales offer a range of accommodation options, including family-friendly cabin accommodation, caravan sites, and camping grounds. The parks are located along the coast, with sites stretching from Eden in the south to Tweed Heads in the north. Inland parks are also located along the banks of the Murray River. NSW parks offer easy access to national parks, wine regions, ski fields, and history-rich towns.

Victoria

BIG4 parks in Victoria offer a range of landscapes and locations to explore. From the famous wine regions and glittering coast to the sprawling outback, there is something for everyone. The parks are dotted throughout the state, providing easy access to Victoria's attractions.

South Australia

BIG4 Holiday Parks in South Australia provide access to the state's famous wine regions, its glittering coast, and the sprawling outback. The parks are located among some of the state's brightest stars, offering easy access to South Australia's treasures.

Tasmania

Tasmania's BIG4 parks offer endless enthralling escapes among some of the most gorgeous scenery on earth. The parks are sprinkled throughout the state, allowing visitors to easily explore Tasmania's epic adventures and attractions.

Western Australia

Western Australia's BIG4 parks are often at the heart of the action, with world-class tourist attractions nearby. The state teems with attractions and experiences that leave visitors amazed. The parks are located across this vast state, providing access to a range of experiences and destinations.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory's BIG4 parks provide a great base for exploring the state's engrossing experiences, combining Aussie icons with a fascinating past. The parks are located across the territory, allowing visitors to uncover the NT's unique attractions and rich history.

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Accommodation options

BIG4 Holiday Parks is a network of holiday parks with over 280 locations across Australia. The parks offer a range of accommodation options to suit different needs and preferences.

For those who enjoy the traditional camping experience, there are caravan and camping sites available. These sites allow guests to pitch a tent, pull up their caravan, or park their motorhome. This option is perfect for those who want to be closer to nature and experience the great outdoors.

BIG4 also offers self-contained cabins, providing a more comfortable and private option for guests. These cabins offer modern amenities and facilities, ensuring a convenient and relaxing stay. The cabins vary in style, with options ranging from colourful and quirky designs to more luxurious and resort-like accommodations.

In recent years, glamping has become a popular choice for guests seeking a unique and indulgent experience. Glamping tents at BIG4 parks offer a glamorous take on traditional camping, with comfortable beds, stylish decor, and access to modern amenities. This option allows guests to connect with nature without sacrificing comfort.

In addition to these options, BIG4 Holiday Parks also caters to guests with reduced mobility, offering accessible cabins and amenities. Many parks also welcome pets, so guests can bring their four-legged friends along on their holiday. With a variety of facilities and amenities, including pools, gardens, playgrounds, and games rooms, BIG4 Holiday Parks offer a memorable holiday experience for everyone.

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Pet-friendly parks

BIG4 Holiday Parks, an Australian network of holiday parks founded in 1979, offers pet-friendly accommodation at several of its 280-plus locations across the country. The parks offer a range of dog-friendly facilities, including dog washes, leash-free areas, and easy access to pet-friendly amenities. Here are some of the pet-friendly BIG4 parks:

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park

The BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park offers a sizeable off-leash running area and a DIY dog wash called the Puppy Pampering Palace. The park also has doggy day care kennels for when your pet can't join you on certain activities.

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Resort

This resort features a secured dog agility park with obstacles, ramps, poles, tunnels, jumps, and more. The off-leash area is complemented by pet-friendly cabins and sites, and the park also partners with local doggie day care businesses.

BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park - Busselton

Located near several canine-designated exercise areas, including an off-leash dog beach just 150 meters from the park's gates, this park offers a pooch wash and blow-dry facility, as well as pet-friendly sites and cabins.

BIG4 Seymour Holiday Park

BIG4 Seymour Holiday Park has a K9000 dog wash on-site and allows dogs on its sites year-round, including during peak seasons.

BIG4 Karuah Jetty Holiday Park

This park, located in Port Stephens, offers a K9000 (mini) dog wash and sells dog treats. It has various pet-friendly sites and is close to several dog-friendly parks, reserves, and beaches.

BIG4 Holiday Parks recognises that pets are often considered family members and aims to provide flexibility for guests travelling with their furry friends. However, it's important to note that terms and conditions apply to pet-friendly stays, and guests are advised to check with the individual parks before booking.

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The modern-day holiday park experience

BIG4 Holiday Parks is an Australian network of holiday parks founded in 1979. With over 280 locations across the country, BIG4 has transformed the iconic caravan park into a modern-day holiday park experience.

BIG4 parks are located in states with gigantic proportions and an abundance of attractions, experiences, and world-class tourist spots. Western Australia, NT, and NSW are among the states with a strong BIG4 presence, offering convenient access to popular destinations.

BIG4 Holiday Parks provide everything needed for an unforgettable stay. Guests can enjoy the best of nature with luxury glamping, colourful and quirky cabins, and romantic campfires. They can also explore nearby attractions, such as wineries and winter festivals, creating diverse and memorable holiday experiences.

BIG4 parks are also pet-friendly, with selected parks welcoming dogs, ensuring that the entire family can enjoy the holiday. With a focus on creating priceless holiday memories, BIG4 combines breathtaking landscapes, diverse accommodation options, and quality facilities to deliver a modern and comprehensive holiday park experience.

Frequently asked questions

There are over 280 BIG4 Holiday Parks across Australia.

BIG4 offers a range of accommodation options, from caravan and camping sites to self-contained cabins and even glamping.

BIG4 parks offer a wide variety of quality facilities and amenities, including pools, gardens, playgrounds, splash parks, games rooms, and villas. They also have pet-friendly options and accessible cabins.

BIG4 parks are located throughout Australia, including in New South Wales (NSW), Tasmania (Tassie), Western Australia, Northern Territory (NT), and Queensland (QLD).

BIG4 Holiday Parks was founded in 1979 by four independent caravan park owners in Ballarat, Victoria.

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