Two epic Holiday Haven parks for water-loving families

Holiday Haven makes multi-generational adventures a breeze, writes Julie Miller.

A giant bucket is filling with water, teetering precarioulsy as the water level rises. “Now, Eden – run!” I yell at my granddaughter. Squealing, she bolts into the centre of the splash pad as the bucket tips, a tsunami of cold water drenching her, the giggles contagious. I’ve joined my daughter Jo and grandchildren Ellie (11), Eden (five) and Oskar (two) for a family getaway, staying in two of Holiday Haven’s 12 idyllic family properties scattered between Kiama and Batemans Bay on the South Coast of New South Wales.

Southern escape

We’re starting our South Coast adventure at Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads, where I will provide an extra pair of adult hands to help Jo with my granddaughters, a moody pre-teen and a five-year-old still learning to regulate her emotions. It’s hard work, sure, but the pay-off is quality time with my grandkids, the opportunity to create memories and a whole lot of love. Travelling with grandparents is a win-win situation – little wonder it’s one of the fastest-growing travel trends. Holiday Haven makes it especially easy with affordable cabins and campsites, plus kid magnets like pools, splash pads and playgrounds. I even get to bring in the retro hits like mini-golf and lawn bowls. And with bushwalks, river strolls and beach time right outside, everyone resets fast.

South Coast sanctuary

My youngest granddaughter is currently obsessed with me so, when it comes to sleeping arrangements at Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads, I bunk in with the girls while Jo luxuriates in her own ensuite room. Our Coolangatta cabin is spacious and comfortable, with two full bathrooms and a large living and kitchen area, as well as a front deck with outdoor dining. Not that we spend much time in the cabin – within seconds of checking in, the girls have whisked us away to the playground, replete with jumping cushion, climbing spider, a nest swing and a pirate ship. We spend a morning at nearby Treetops Adventure Nowra.

Ellie, who is suddenly fearless, tackles the high ropes with me while Jo shadows Eden on the junior course. I strap in, thinking I’ll be the wise guide. Yeah, no. The moment we clip on and start the first climb, Ellie bounds ahead like she’s been training for this her whole life, threatening to leave me in her wake as I cautiously find my footing. But both girls are water babies, so afterwards it’s straight back to the holiday park and a whole afternoon enjoying the lovely pool, running between the main area and the wading pool.

Beyond the playground and pool, the park’s mini-golf course, tennis court and bike- and scooter-friendly pathways provide endless options for keeping the kids busy and entertained, while the direct access to both the beach and river means spontaneous dips or paddles are always just a few steps away. We leave only for a special dinner at the one-hatted Bangalay Dining in Shoalhaven Heads, which beautifully balances a relaxed, family-friendly vibe with its well-deserved reputation for fine dining.

Facilities at Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads that families will love

Nestled between Seven Mile Beach and the Shoalhaven River, and just a short drive from local wineries, cafés, restaurants and family-friendly attractions like Jamberoo Action Park and Treetops Adventure in Nowra, Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads offers endless opportunities for fun. That said, the epic facilities within the park mean you won’t need to venture far if you’d rather stay put.

Families can choose from powered sites or self-contained cabins to suit families of all sizes and budgets.

Facilities at the park include:

• Swimming pool and kids wading pool
• Shaded BBQ area
• Tennis court
• Playground with shade cover
• Camp kitchen
• Guest laundry
• Outdoor cinema
• Jumping pillow with shade cover
• Mini golf course
• Table tennis
• Dog friendly (outside peak times)

Headland highlights

Holiday Haven Ulladulla is our next stop and boasts another truly lovely location, positioned on a headland overlooking sparkling Ulladulla Harbour and the ocean, with steps just outside the park that lead to the harbour and a sea pool. Families have plenty of options when it comes to things to do here. Along with the solar-assisted swimming pool and that giggle-inducing splash pad, which little Eden adores, kids can bounce on the giant jumping pillow and clamber up the climbing spider. There’s also a mini golf course, a playground, an outdoor cinema and a half tennis court, so there are lots of ways to keep busy.

Accommodation too is flexible, with everything from fully furnished cabins to powered or unpowered sites, many offering harbour or ocean views. Barbecue and camp kitchen facilities make gathering easy, while free Wi-Fi lets you stay connected if you’re not ready to go totally off-grid. We’re joined for the second half of our South Coast holiday by Jo’s husband Jarryd and son Oskar, and their arrival is celebrated with a barbecue on the deck of one of our two neighbouring cabins; but for lazier meal options, we are spoilt for choice in this part of the world, with excellent cafes and restaurants that celebrate the bounty of the sea and local farms.

The nearby town of Milton is renowned for its great paddock-to-plate cafes. We also enjoy dining on the sun-drenched deck of Ocean Vibe in Ulladulla, an easy walk from the park, which is perfect for a long, leisurely brunch. With time divided between the two holiday parks, our South Coast adventure ends all too soon. Is it my imagination, or does quality time with family, having memorable experiences in places blessed by nature, flash by even faster as you get older? Time to be treasured, for sure.

Holiday Haven Ulladulla facilities

Here families can choose from fully furnished cabins, ensuite sites, and powered or unpowered camping sites. Onsite facilities are designed to keep everyone entertained and comfortable, and include a

• BBQ area
• Jumping pillow
• Swimming pool and splash pad
• Playground
• Tennis court
• Mini golf
• Camp kitchen
• Guest laundry
• Outdoor cinema
• Bush walking trails
• Lawn bowling
• Dog friendly (outside peak times)

Keep reading:

• Holiday Haven Lake Tabourie review: NSW South Coast
• Stay at Holiday Haven Currarong to visit stunning Honeymoon Bay

Where to find Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads and Holiday Haven Ulladulla

This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here.

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