HOT: Glamping at Big4 Yarra Valley, Healesville

Big4 Holiday Parks are well known for being a large network of caravan parks located all throughout Australia. But in addition to campsites and caravan sites did you know that they also offer glamping (ie glamorous camping)?

Lady AB and Baby 2.0 have been harassing me to going camping with them. To be honest camping with kids is not high on my list of to-dos…it all seems too hard without the right equipment, gear and weather.

So I start researching glamping options – where you don’t have to pitch your own tent, you sleep on proper beds and various other comforting amenities are provided.  Unfortunately, I am put off by the high prices ($300-400+ a night) and everything is really set up for romantic couples. You could squeeze one or two children in the same tent with air mattresses or book an additional tent. But for that price I want walls and an ensuite!

So I am really excited to discover Big4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park’s Family Belle Tents. The caravan park is located just outside of Healesville main street, in amongst the eucalypts near Badger Weir.

From $220 a night a family of 4 can book a large powered belle tent with a king size bed, couch, dining table, mini fridge and TV AND a second powered belle tent accessible via a short deck walkway with two single beds, armchairs and bedside tables.

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This setup provides the fun of camping with a degree of comfort. The kids can sleep under a tent (which is really the main attraction of camping from their point of view) and after I put them to bed I can crawl into my comfortable bed in a separate tent to read a book and relax.

You do have to share a toilet and shower stall with other people but in the glamping precinct, you have access to separate facilities away from the main campsite facilities.

There are only 8 glamping tents in total (2 Family Belle Tents and 4 Single Belle Tents) and 5 Glamping Pods. Even with just two shower/toilet stalls we never see another person.

The site is powered so there are fans, an evaporative cooler and small heater if required. The thick doonas and blankets keep us snug at night.

Obviously having children in a separate tent is only suitable if your children are old enough. At 5 and 7 years old I can trust that the kids will be able to manage themselves independently overnight.

Glamping at Big4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park with children also comes with family-friendly facilities that aren’t available at other honeymoon-style glamping sites.

There’s the famous Big4 jumping pillow…

…playground…

….a pool with spa….

…and an indoor games room, tennis court, barbecues, full shared kitchen facilities, laundry and other kids to hang out with if you stay longer and get to know your neighbours.

Over summer you can also visit the adjacent inflatable water park Parky’s Waterpark on Lake Picanniny for an entry fee. The water park is also open to the public. You can read my review here.

Healesville is perfectly located for family-friendly locations such as Healesville Sanctuary, the Yarra Valley Railway, McKenzie Reserve adventure playground at Yarra Glen, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and a myriad of wineries and breweries.

Click here for more places to go in the Yarra Valley with kids.