Food and drink

Spending a day or two meandering from one cosy winery to the next is now more effortless than ever.  No matter where you explore this winter, finding the perfect spot at a nearby BIG4 Holiday Park means you can sip and celebrate, then slip straight into your winter woollies at the end of the day.  With so many BIG4 Holiday Parks just down the road from Australia's best winery regions, you can find a perfect powered site to park you caravan, a cosy family cabin to escape the chill, or a scenic spot to pitch your tent.  Got a furry plus one?  We've noted the places to book for pup-friendly stays you'll both love!

Barossa Valley, SA

Make your own blend or tap into a tailored tasting at Penfolds Barossa Valley Cellar Door.  Nestled in the heart of South Australia's beloved wine regions, Penfold's founders lovingly began planting vines in 1844 following their success in producing fortified wine and sherries.  Fast forward to now, Penfolds has just toasted its 170th anniversary.  You can share in a taste of history and sample one of Australia's most renowned shiraz varietals or take home a bottle of Penfold's Grange to savour for years to come.

After that busy day exploring the delights that the Barossa has to offer, you can relax in peace in the park. You can even unwind with some friends and enjoy a barbeque or your very own "happy hour" by the fire pit!

Signature wine: Shiraz

Price:  $$

Book a weekend at BIG4 Barossa to visit Penfolds Barossa Valley.

McLaren Vale, SA

Perfectly placed between the Mount Lofty Ranges and South Australia’s stunning coastline, McLaren Vale wines are uniquely influenced by the ocean and its surrounding microclimates, producing delicious wine from some of Australia’s oldest grapes. Perhaps the quirkiest winery in all of McLaren Vale, Down the Rabbit Hole Cellar Door and Restaurant is relaxing as it is inviting. And it scores major points for being dog-friendly! Here you can roll out a rug with friends, sip local wines and enjoy plentiful platters from the winery’s iconic light-blue bus. On weekends, an Italian feast entices hungry guests to Nonna’s Table for a nourishing experience that focuses on local organic produce. While shiraz might be the most sought-after wine from the region, don’t miss the chance to taste Down the Rabbit Hole’s Tempranillo, a medium bodied red with underlying earthy tones, a hint of cinnamon and juicy black cherries.  After a day well spent, you and your pup can settle into your pet-friendly cabin at BIG4 Port Willunga.

Signature wine: Tempranillo

Price: $

Book a weekend at BIG4 Port Willunga Tourist Park to visit Down The Rabbit Hole Wines.

Yarra Valley, VIC

Aptly found in the cool climate of Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Dominique Portet winery is a charming stop in one of Australia’s most visited wine regions. Perfectly poised, the sunny terrace is the spot to reserve this winter, where visitors can dine, explore the cellar door, or dabble in the Estate Tour and Tasting experience, which samples five of the winemaker’s best wines, including the flagship André Cabernet Sauvignon. To make the most of the region, don’t miss an easy cruise around the Yarra Valley, you’ll come across farmer-run fruit stalls, local cafes and views worth stopping for. Top off your trip through the valley with a unique stay just a stone’s throw away. Book a billowing belle tent for two or retreat to your very own fully furnished glamping pod at BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park.

Signature Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

Price: $$

Book a weekend at BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park to visit Dominique Portet.

Mornington Peninsula, VIC

Pioneers of Pinot Grigio, T’Gallant Vineyard on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula tempts guests with the promise of fresh whites and light reds, a scenic coastal drive and an authentic Italian feast for all. Stay awhile and share a bottle of Tribute Mornington Peninsula Pinot Gris 2019 over a delectable San Daniele wood-fire pizza with sweeping views over rolling hills and amber-coloured vines beyond. After a delicious lunch and wine tasting experience, simply wander back to BIG4 Mornington for a night away where you’ll find spacious family units, deluxe cabins and powered sites for caravans and motorhomes.

Signature Wine: Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio

Price: $$

Book a weekend at BIG4 Mornington Peninsula Holiday Park to visit T’Gallant Vineyard.

Margaret River, WA

With a rugged, quiet coastline, and endless stretches of pristine beaches, there’s so much to love about WA’s Margaret River. And boasting some of Australia’s best wines and over 90 cellar doors, the region is well worth exploring. Plan a route, grab some friends and venture west this winter to wander down a foodie trail matched with unmissable wineries. For a special occasion, Voyager Estate is the one to book for curated epicurean experiences like Voyager Unearthed, a sommelier-led, hands-on look at the estate’s organic farming and winemaking practices, followed by a wine-paired lunch. For a more relaxed tipple, the cellar door offers seated wine flights for groups. Spend the night at nearby BIG4 Taunton Farm, set in a peaceful farm environment with quaint cottages and scenic sites amongst the trees.

Signature Wine: Chardonnay

Price: $$$

Book a weekend in South West WA to visit Voyager Estate.

Denmark, WA

The Great Southern is the largest and most diverse wine region in Western Australia, and with this great multiplicity on your travelling doorstep, Willoughby Park is very worthy of a visit when staying close by at BIG4 Denmark Ocean Beach Holiday Park. There's a courtesy bus travelling straight from the park to the winery, so no need to worry about who is driving.  Indulge in a Superior 3- or 2-bedroom chalet or cabin set in pristine surrounds. Offering manicured large flat sites welcoming all size of caravans and tents. Perfect for your home away from home real bush camping experience with all the modern facilities.

Signature Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

Price: $$

Book a weekend at BIG4 Denmark Ocean Beach Holiday Park to visit Willoughby Park Wines. 

Tamar Wine Region, TAS

Drive just 30mins from Launceston to find the Tamar Valley Wine Trail, Tasmania's oldest wine region. Here, among the rich farmlands of northern Tasmania, you'll encounter sweeps of cellar doors and award-winning restaurants showcasing the region's renowned cool-climate wines and fresh produce. Worth the stop is Tamar Ridge, set on the banks of the verdant Tamar River, where the soil and climate produce award-winning pinot noir varietals that balance fruity aromas and delicate spice notes. Settle in for a relaxing tasting experience or linger for lunch with paired seasonal snacks locally sourced by nearby Hubert & Dan before heading home to your comfy spot at BIG4 Launceston, offering up modern villas and a range of powered sites, all close to Launceston’s favourite markets, museums and outdoor adventures.

Signature Wine: Pinot Noir

Price: $

Book a weekend at BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park to visit Tamar Ridge. 

Coal River Valley, TAS

Just beyond Hobart, the Coal River Valley entices wine and food lovers to embark on a tasting tour through one of Tasmania’s oldest settlements and quaint communities, 15mins away from the city centre and the toasty cabins of BIG4 Hobart. If woodfire pizzas and cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling tempt your palette, then make time for a tasting at Pooley Wines, voted Australia’s 2023 Winery of the Year. You can explore the Sandstone Estate, a historic family property and scenic 16-hectare farm to sample Pooley’s Heritage Range wines and Single Vineyard selection alongside delicious woodfire pizzas (there are even gluten-free and vegan options!)

Signature Wine: Riesling

Price: $$

Book a weekend at BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park to visit Pooley Wines.

Hunter Valley, NSW

Wine country in NSW offers travellers endless cellar doors and cosy outings to complement winter camping. Make your first stop Saddler’s Creek Wines, a laid-back small-batch winery in the heart of the Hunter Valley, just moments from BIG4 Ingenia Hunter Valley, and best of all, Saddler’s Creek is pet and child friendly! For a family-friendly day out, create your own picnic from Saddler’s Pantry and fill your basket with homemade, gourmet produce, preserves, local cheese, olives and honey. Find a quiet spot in the garden and enjoy live acoustic music while sipping a bottle of Saddler’s wine. Park your caravan at one of BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Hunter Valley’s pet-friendly powered sites, there’s plenty of space and parking onsite!

Signature Wine: Semillon

Price: $$

Book a weekend at Ingenia Holidays Hunter Valley to visit Saddler’s Creek Winery.

Hunter Valley, NSW

For the best of coast and country, book a winery camping escape to Lake Macquarie this winter, where you can venture into the Hunter Valley and back with ease. At Pokolbin Estate Vineyard, growers hand pick and craft grapes grown on property to produce award winning wines with signatures including riesling, semillon and shiraz. Along with delicious wine tastings under an enormous oak tree, Pokolbin Estate has a historic stone cottage dating back to 1889, the Olive Centre with gourmet take-home treats, a Junior Tasting Paddle with a colourful selection of juices and lollies for kids and lawn games for year-round fun! Delight the family with a night away at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie and choose from a scenic Waterfront Villa or the spacious Two Storey Waterview Cabin.

Signature Wine: Riesling

Price: $

Book a weekend at Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie to visit Pokolbin Estate Vineyard.

Bulahdelah, NSW

The Great Lakes Food trail is a self-drive tour through the Great Lakes from Bulahdelah to Wootton then Bungwahl to Forster. The Great Lakes Food Trail is a collective of like-minded producers and providores who share a common goal, connecting local and ethical producers to the community. The locals around the area open their farms, vineyards and brewery to the public in Autumn and Spring and share experiences throughout the year.  The next trail is from Sunday 24th September to Sunday 1 October 2023, so pop it in the calendar.

Signature Wine: Verdelho, Chambourcin and Dolcetto

Price: $$

Book a weekend at BIG4 River Myall Holiday Resort to visit Old Inn Road.

Eagle Heights, QLD

Castle Glen is known for its organic grape growing practices in its well-established vineyard. The brewery produces a diverse range of beers from pale ales to the double dark. You really must try the famous Ginger brew and natural fruit ciders.  Nestled in the gorgeous Gold Coast Hinterland, Tamborine Mountain Cellars is open 7 days a week, so a cheeky mid-week break is absolutely an option!  A real drawcard of the Cellars here is the range of options, so you can please all palates on a visit here. 

Signature Wine: Try the fruit ciders.

Price: $

Book a weekend at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park to visit Castle Glen Australia.

Stanthorpe, QLD

If you’ve hit the road with your four-legged friend, you’ll love Hidden Creek Wines. To make the most of your day out, head into the high-altitude hills of Queensland’s Granite Belt. Here you can look forward to finding a quiet spot under the sun-dappled terrace overlooking the property’s lake and vineyard or opt for a lazy picnic with your pup, packed with cheeses, smoked meats, crackers, fruits and honey. Along with award-winning wines, you can sample pear ciders and the newly released vermouth at Hidden Creek, infused with botanicals – yum! When you call it a day, you and your doggie friend can settle in for a restful night at BIG4 Partner, Country Style Holiday Park, with a choice of pet-friendly cabin accommodation and powered and unpowered sites, scattered around the river.

Signature Wine: Syrah

Price: $

Book a weekend at Country Style Holiday Park to visit Hidden Creek Wines.