A review of family-friendly Australian Holiday Park Big 4 Beachlands
Instead of just making the usual trip “down south” to stay with the grandparents this summer (in the heart of the Australian winter), we made a detour further west to explore Busselton and the Margaret River Region. ย
A quick geography lesson – its the sticky out bit in the very south-west corner of Australia. ย Simply bursting with magnificent beaches, amazing food and wine, stunning forests its an absolute must-stop for visitors to Australia. ย Our accommodation of choice for this multi-generation trip was Big4 Beachlands in Busselton.
Big4 Beachlands is part of the Australian chain of Big4 Holiday Parks. Now forget any preconceived notions you may have about staying in a “caravan park”; staying on site in a Big4 holiday park will afford you many of the luxuries and amenities you may expect of a resort but likely half the price!
You can learn more about exploring the South-West of Western Australia here.
Family Accommodation at Big 4 Beachlands
Over half the plots at Big4 Beachlands are dedicated as permanent accommodation, varying from studios to 6-bed family villas.
We stayed in a perfectly appointed Jacuzzi Villa. Equipped with a full self-catering kitchen, living and dining area, master bedroom with ensuite. The kid’s bedroom had a double bed plus a bunk bed (my days of trying to find accommodationย for 5 solved!!) and master bathroom.
The downside, there’s no standard bath tub but there is, of course, a Jacuzzi. (Be warned this needs to be completely filled to work properly!!)ย
The living area continues outdoors with a personal gas barbeque on the balcony and 6 seater table – and a bonus kiddy-secure gate – ideal for crowd control. I believe we also counted 4 TV’s throughout the unit – impressive if everyone needs a little downtime.
Fixtures are clean, modern and plentiful – there was none of the usual “oh I wish they had a potato peeler” or “where’s the strainer?”! The knifes were even sharp and starter packets of things like washing soap provided. Towels were big and fluffy which is often lacking in rental accommodation. There is reverse cycle air-conditioning to suit all seasons.
My parents stayed in an adjacent Spa Villa. Also 2 bedroom, and able to sleep 6, but ever so slightly smaller. The children’s room had 2 bunks and one shared bathroom (with a spa as the name suggests!). This would make an equally great option for larger families. There are also other studio, one and two-bed options for smaller groups.
The huge plus of staying in this style if accommodation is not only do you get the privacy and facilities of a self-catered room, you get access amenities too.
The amenities at Big4 Beachlands
One of the things I love most about staying in this style of accommodation is the safe playing spaces on offer where kids can socialise and play with relative freedom.
The centrepiece of Big4 Beachlands is the giant jumping pillow! There’s also a small playground area that will appeal to the younger crowd and slightly older kids will love the very modern and energetic “NEO 360” electronic game.
Sadly the pool was out of service for our visit but it was heated to around 26c for winter guests making it inviting year-round (though my little desert dwellers would no doubt claim that was still cold!!).ย During the busy school holiday periods there are additional activities on offer for small fees during the week (check out WA school holidays here).
Although not immediately adjacent to the beach, you are only a mere 200m away from the shores of the magnificent Geographe Bay.ย Slightly seaweed-covered but pristine white sands beneath.
Waves are ever so gentle making it a perfect beach for young explorers who may be frightened by some of the larger crashing waves further around the coast. A clear day will see magnificent views of the Busselton Jetty to the east and Cape Naturalisteย to the west.ย
Our room contained its own laundry (washer and dryer, and separate balcony for dirty clothes). Those camping can use shared facilities, all looked clean and inviting. There’s also a shared camp kitchen, BBQ area and fish cutting station.
The Location of Big4 Beachlands
Conveniently situated in West Busselton, just off the Bussell Highway, you are ideally located for exploring the best the Margaret River Region has to offer. You are only a 2.5-hour drive away from Perth (or slightly longer if you divert past Donnybrook for the highly commended Apple & Pear Park – Australia’s largest free outdoor playground – strongly recommend!!)
If you drive directly south you can be in Augusta, the most south-westerly point of Australia in under an hour. But why drive direct when there are so many stops to make along the way?!
The extra family touches at Big4 Beachlands
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference. These are just a few examples of how we could tell Big4 Beachlands was going that little bit extra to satisfy family guests;
- The kids each got little gifts on arrival
- My freshly brewed made-to-order coffee was delivered to my room daily (for only the cost of the coffee itself)
- Text confirmation of your arrival time to ensure staff will be on hand for your arrival
- Enough supplies like washing soap and laundry detergent to last a couple of days
- Immensely helpful guidance on what to do with families, suited to our multi-generation travelling group and the expected weather
- They also provide a handy guide on day trip agendas and attractions to explore in the region with a 5 day suggested itinerary
Globetrotters Recommend Big4 Beachlands
The accommodation itself was nothing short of brilliant for our needs. The Jacuzzi Villa was the perfect size for a larger family with all the conveniences a family with young kids needs.
Our only regret? We weren’t staying longer! Heading down south is a hugely popular destination for Perthiens and overseas visitors alike. The Margaret River regions has so much to offer its impossible to squeeze it all in on one trip. We will definitely be back to explore further and using a holiday park like Big4 Beachlands is the perfect base.
More coming soon on the Margaret River Region & family activities nearby
Current Deals for Big 4 Beachlands | Margaret River Region Accommodation
Disclosures: We were guests of Big4Beachlands for the purpose of conducting an honest review. All views as always are our own. You can see our full disclosure policy and website terms of use here.