BELIEVE IT OR NOT: Cabins that break the mould

It’s time we debunked the myth of cabins in holiday parks. Whilst they started out basic, over the years they have morphed into truly superb examples of architecture and styling.

BIG4 Holiday Parks are always looking for innovation and new designs to surprise and delight their customers, so we’d thought we’d share these best-in-show examples from our network.

King Safari Tents: BIG4 Ingenia Inverloch

Who said staying in a tent couldn’t be fresh or sexy? In these stunning king safari tents at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Inverloch in Victoria, you sort of camp, and sort of live in luxury – which is a very cool combination for any family getaway.

If you haven’t been to BIG4 Inverloch, you will also be surprised by the stunning seascapes, including the family-friendly Anderson Inlet where a wealth of water sports are available throughout the year. This includes winter thanks to the heated, indoor waterpark available at BIG4 Inverloch.

These tents boast modern appliances, large leather lounge suites, quality bedding and linen, outdoor decks with barbeques and open plan living with spacious areas for all the family.

The views across the inlet compliment what is one of the best contemporary holiday styles on offer in Australia.

Where: BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Inverloch, Victoria

Need to know: You will be the envy of everyone at the park.

If you are after more glamping options, click here.

Oz shacks: BIG4 Port Willunga

With just a double bed and small front porch, these wooden shacks are perfect for overnight stays in the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula in Adelaide.

The park describes the accommodation as a modern wooden tent with the basics provided. A single roomed tent-styled cabin with a double bed. Linen for the bed is provided, but excludes towels. It comes with two chairs and an esky. The OzShack is only a short walk to the shared facilities and camp kitchen.

It’s also very close to the incredible marine offerings of St Vincent Gulf whilst also being within easy day trips of the spectacular Barossa wine region and Victor Harbor.

Where: BIG4 Port Willunga Tourist Park, South Australia

Need to know: You will feel like you are eight years old again.

Oceanside luxury: BIG4 Ingenia Queenscliff Beacon

There’s a reason why BIG4 Beacon gets so much attention, its location near the spectacular entrance to Port Phillip Bay is just the start.

But it’s when you peruse the accommodation options that you begin to understand why the term ‘resort’ is in its name. Every cabin is luxury, beautifully-appointed with high-quality facilities, bedding, linen fireplaces and bathrooms.

You think you are in a five-star hotel, until you hear the waves crashing and realise you are in one of Australia’s best holiday parks in one of Australia’s best locations.

Where: BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon, VIC

Need to know: You can spend hours marvelling at the swirling waters of the famous Rip, which is the dangerous entrance to Port Phillip Bay.

Tiny Homes: BIG4 Kryal Castle

As the name suggests, this accommodation is extremely intimate. Sleeping either 2 or 4, loft style, complete with kitchen and bathroom.

These brand-new Tiny Homes are located just outside of Ballarat, in front of the formidable walls of Kryal Castle, Australia’s only medieval castle.

Travel back in time at Kryal Castle Theme Park. This medieval adventure park is full of wizards, goblins, and fairies, backed by compelling attractions such as jousting shows and a dragon’s labyrinth.

Where: BIG4 Kryal Castle Holiday Park, VIC.

Need to know: There may be limited space inside the Tiny Home, but there is ample outside!

Glamtainer: BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens

The luxurious Glamtainer is a truly romantic holiday hideaway, offering a peaceful outlook across trees and gardens.

Complete with a queen-size bed, modern kitchenette, lounge, spacious ensuite and deck area, perfect for enjoying a glass of one of our wonderful local wines and perhaps a light supper.

All the charms of Castlemaine are just a stroll away, including the town's stunning Botanical Gardens right next door, the famous Mill artisan precinct and Castlemaine's shops, cafes, galleries and country pubs.  

Where: BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park, VIC.

Need to know: This is a very special retreat - peaceful, private and featuring understated luxury and elegance.

Poolside apartments: Marion Holiday Park

Okay, okay – we know an apartment with a view over a pool deck is nothing new. But have you seen one like this before?

This accommodation style and its interaction with the pool deck at Marion Bay BIG4 isn’t what we expect from holiday parks, right? Where’s the tin cladding, the plastic chairs, the cheapie furnishings and flouro lights?

This could be Bondi or the Gold Coast. But it’s Marion Bay only 12km south of the Adelaide city centre. And this is one example of quality cabins available throughout the BIG4 network.

The fact that you can explore wineries, beach activities and the city CBD is an added bonus – presuming of course that you can drag yourself and family away from that stunning pool for a few hours.

Where: Marion Holiday Park, SA

Need to know: It also has a pretty epic water park.

Invisible Cabins: NRMA South West Rocks

Can a cabin really be a work of art? Indeed, it can. In this beautiful example, award-winning Crescent Head photographer Adam Williams shot 200 images of the surrounding bushland, photoshopped them together, then painstakingly applied the decals to these new buildings in 1m strips.

The result is an almost seamless blending into the natural environment.

These designs are so ‘harmonious’ that the local kangaroos can be found right next to the verandas.

The Ngurra Lodges add a new level of luxury while complementing the local landscape.

Where: NRMA South West Rocks Holiday Resort, NSW

Need to know: The lodges have been named ‘Ngurra’ meaning ‘place of home’.

Notable mentions

Two-storey villas: BIG4 Tasman - Bright

Freestanding two-storey villas in the heart of Victoria’s alpine region are highly valued – especially for those large groups seeking a winter or summer escape. Bright is the gateway to Victoria’s snowfields and a magnet for nature-lovers in summer. With the luxury and comfort of these stunning villas, you will be feel right at home regardless of the season you prefer.

African safari glamping: BIG4 Nelligen

This article might be about cabins, but we had to also add this glamping option at Nelligen on the NSW South Coast.

The park’s African Safari tent is located right on the bank of the Nelligen Creek, providing accommodation for four people and a style that defies the traditional camping holiday. It’s not a cabin, it’s not a tent. It‘s modern and progressive and certainly worthy of consideration for your next holiday.