Over the past year, NRMA Holiday Parks, in conjunction with the Starlight Children’s Foundation, has donated 100 holidays to Australian families with seriously ill children.

One of NRMA Holiday Park’s many community initiatives, the program offered 100 Starlight kids and their 147 siblings and 211 parents / carers a chance to escape from the medical routine of hospitals and doctors and enjoy some great family fun in a Holiday Park.

NRMA Holiday Parks received such positive feedback that they have extended the program and also their disability services; ensuring beach wheelchairs are now available for use at Treasure Island Holiday Park, Darlington Beach Holiday Park and Ocean Beach Holiday Park.

Starlight Escapes offer families a welcome break from the stressful routine of a child’s illness, through entertainment and holidays.  Even the most simple of life’s pleasures, enjoyed regularly by other families such as spending quality time together, picnics and playing at the beach can make a big difference in lives of families with seriously ill children.

During their four-night stay, the families enjoyed all the Holiday Park facilities and attractions, with pools, jumping pillows and adventure playgrounds particular favourites with the kids.  As well as a whole range of other great activities on offer not often found near hospital beds!

One of the recipients of a Holiday Park getaway, the Farley family had a wonderful time, their child commenting, “My favourite part of the Holiday Park was the mushroom pool and cool jumping pillow and it made me feel very happy”.

The Stackman family also enjoyed the break, saying, “My family’s favourite thing about the Holiday Park was for us to be…on a family holiday for the first time in many years and…having fun, enjoying ourselves and not worrying about the next hospital visit”.

To read about other Starlight Foundation programs and stories and see how you can help, visit their website here.

Source: CRVA Website

While some hotels and motels may be feeling the pinch of the GFC, the holiday/ caravan park industry seems to have missed the “doom & gloom” and has continued to grow from strength to strength. The number of value conscious tourists booking holiday parks over a hotel, motel or an overseas holiday is increasing.

Gold Coast’s Treasure Island, one of the busiest and most popular holiday parks in Australia, recently opened 20 new Pandanus Villas. These modern two bedroom, two bathroom villas are ideal for families and couples, sleeping up to six people.

The emphasis of the villas is on simplicity with an open layout and natural finishes, including stone bench tops and timber flooring reflecting the surrounding hues and creating a cool, crisp mood. Each villa is fully equipped with modern European appliances.

Set amongst landscaped gardens, the villas offer a private en suite for each bedroom, a spacious open plan kitchen and lounge area, internal laundry and a large balcony with built-in BBQ - perfect to kick back and relax while cooking your own private feast!

Click on the link for the full article from accomnews

Treasure Island Holiday Park has recently been named the 2nd Best Holiday Park in Australia by Holidays with Kids magazine. Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort came in at number 1! Please click here to read full article from the Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne). The article was also featured in the Sunday Tasmanian on 30 Aug 2009.

Source: Sunday Herald Sun, Escape Section, 30 August 2009, Melbourne Circulation
Source: Sunday Tasmanian, Escape Section, 30 August 2009, Hobart Circulation

Holiday Parks are the best place to reunite with friends.

The caravan industry is riding the crest of a wave with more and more people choosing caravan and holiday parks as a place to have a family holiday, celebrate a special occasion, or make some new friends. Click here to read more.....

Source: Australian Caravan + RV magazine, Apr/May 2009. Australian Caravan + RV is available from newsagents nationally. For more information or to subsribe please phone 1300 782 312.

To read all of our fantastic reviews, opinions and feedback from our guest on Trip Advisor, please click here

Read the latest (May 09) NRMA Open Road article about Treasure Island Holiday Park and other fantastic NRMA Holiday Parks in: "The Great Holiday Park Soul Search - A voyage of discovery to NRMA's coastal holiday parks has surprising results", written by David Naylor. Please click here to read the full article.