The BIG Aussie Review launches into South East QLD

Starting on the Gold Coast

Our South East Queensland journey began at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, where we collected our Ford Ranger and Crusader caravan and officially began life on the road.

As complete caravanning newbies, we had a lot to learn. Thankfully, starting at a BIG4 park gave us a the perfect base to find our feet before hitting the road.

What's local: We explored beyond the theme parks and discovered a beautiful 4km Twin Falls circuit hike in Springbrook National Park and capped it off with a quintessential drive-in movie night.

Park highlight: It has to be the waterslides. Our inner child took over the moment we spotted them, and we happily put them through some very thorough testing, all in the name of the BIG Aussie Review.

Settling in at Sandstone Point

Heading north, we quickly started discovering that every stop offered something different.

BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort was a destination in its own right, giving us the chance to settle into caravanning life while feeling like we'd checked into an overseas-style resort.

Location location: We loved the short stroll from the park over the bridge to Bribie Island and checking out the surf beach.

Park standout: So many to choose from, but the most memorable was the swim-up bar that earned an easy 5-star review.

Cruising into Caloundra

As we continued through the Sunshine Coast region, the journey began to settle into a rhythm at BIG4 Caloundra Waterfront.

Here we received our first test of nerves as we were taken abseiling down Mount Tinbeerwah.  The views from this precarious position were unbelievable and made the nerve-wracking descent worth it.

What's local: Outside of abseiling off a rock face with the local BIG4 park manager, we also loved the 5-star views at Sully’s Rooftop Bar in Mooloolaba. We thoroughly recommend a Wagyu snag!

Favourite part of the park:  After a day of high-octane adventure, it was the casual drink and meal at the on-site restaurant.

Adventure at Noosa North Shore

Heading further north, one of our favourite stops in this region was BIG4 Park Lane Noosa North Shore.

Here we had the incredible experience of ocean kayaking to see dolphins. Whilst the weather wasn't on our side that day, it didn't stop the dolphins we experienced at sea level (literally). With only a small sea kayak between them and us, it was magical.

Local tip: One of the coolest things about staying here was that you can't just drive straight in. You hop on a ferry, cross the river, and suddenly you're in this exclusive laid-back pocket of nature that feels miles away from bustling Noosa

Park 411: BIG4 Park Lane Noosa North Shore is paradise for adventure lovers (like us). Try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP as the pros call it. Fair warning: it's harder than it looks! If balance isn't your thing, there are also canoes and mountain bikes to keep the adventure going.

Sunshine, rainbows and K’gari

This area also introduced us to something completely new: beach driving. Travelling between Noosa North Shore and Rainbow Beach gave us our first chance to tackle driving on sand. It was equal parts exciting and intimidating, but it soon became one of our favourite experiences of the trip.

BIG4 Rainbow Beach Holiday Park proved to be the perfect base to explore K'gari. It really is as they describe it: a nature lover’s paradise. The sprawling park grounds feel part of the surrounding landscape as it all blends in seamlessly.

K'gari had been high on our bucket list long before we hit the road, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. From the crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie to spotting dingoes in the wild, K'gari delivered memorable moments at every turn.

A particular highlight was taking a scenic flight that took off and landed directly from the beach, providing an unforgettable perspective of the island and its coastline.

Local tidbit: What surprised us most was K‘gari’s diversity. Freshwater lakes, rainforest, towering sand dunes and endless beaches make it feel like several destinations rolled into one.

Park highlight: Staying at BIG4 Rainbow Beach Holiday Park, as the name suggests, the beach was practically our backyard; it was just a 20-metre stroll before our toes were in the sand

Dolphins, whales and incredible wildlife

As we continued north to BIG4 Hervey Bay Holiday Park, wildlife became a defining theme of the trip, and Hervey Bay lived up to its reputation as Australia's whale watching capital.

No trip to Hervey Bay would be complete without a whale watching tour, so naturally we jumped onboard. Soon enough, we were surrounded by humpback whales. We'd seen whales from shore before, but being out on the water felt like a whole different experience. Safe to say we had a whale of a time if you’ll pardon the pun!

Local tip: Chatting to locals often leads you to experiences you might never have found on your own, and that's been one of our favourite parts of this trip. One of the best recommendations we received was to visit the dolphin feeding at Tin Can Bay. Seeing wild dolphins up close was pretty incredible, and knowing the experience is responsibly managed made it even better.

Know the park: BIG4 Hervey Bay Holiday Park struck the perfect balance between convenience and relaxation. Tucked just outside town, it's only a short stroll to the beach, while the magnesium pool was exactly what we needed after a day of exploring.

Cania believe this Gorge?

Leaving the coast behind brought a dramatic change in scenery as we arrived at Cania Gorge staying at BIG4 Cania Gorge Holiday Park.

Before this trip, neither of us had spent much time exploring inland Queensland, so arriving at Cania Gorge  felt like stumbling across one of the state's best-kept secrets.

One minute we were spotting wildlife, the next we were sharing pizza and wine with new friends. It didn't take us long to see why people love this part of Queensland.

Lesson learned: It was a reminder that some of the most rewarding parts of travelling Australia happen well away from the coastline.

Favourite part of the park: It’s BIG4 Cania Gorge Holiday Park’s proximity to Cania Gorge National Park that makes this the perfect place to rest your head, while in the park itself the birdlife is abundant, with plenty of opportunities to feed the winged locals. Shout out to the super-friendly staff here too!

Sunrise over Carnarvon Gorge

If there was one place that truly lived up to its reputation, it was Carnarvon Gorge. As soon as we arrived at BIG4 Carnarvon Gorge Holiday Park it was easy to see why this area is so highly regarded.

The walking trails, towering sandstone cliffs and peaceful waterways made it easy to understand why it's considered one of Queensland's great natural destinations. It very quickly became one of our favourite places on the trip so far.

Must-do: Our standout moment was the pre-dawn hike to Boolimba Bluff. Watching the first light spread across the gorge after an early morning climb created one of our favourite memories from the entire South East Queensland leg of the trip.

What we loved at the park: BIG4 Carnarvon Gorge Holiday Park, is literally situated on 100 acres within Carnarvon National Park itself, making it the ultimate nature escape- what’s not to love?

Finishing at Rules Beach

Our final stop in South East Queensland was the picturesque BIG4 Rules Beach Holiday Park where we once again found ourselves on the coast. After weeks of moving between destinations, it was the perfect place to slow down, reflect on everything we'd seen and look ahead to the next stage of the BIG Lap.

What’s local: Deepwater National Park is made up of long sandy beaches, perfect for getting a ute off-road and putting it through its paces.

Park highlight: We quickly became regulars at the nightly fire pit at BIG4 Rules Beach Holiday Park. There was something special about winding down with fellow travellers, swapping stories from the day and picking up inspiration for where to head next.