Alternative title: Doing It For The Kids.

Before we started travelling I had no idea that places like NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park actually existed. After a week-long stay there I now wholeheartedly understand why it’s such a popular destination for families.

It’s a child-orientated holiday park with everything – absolutely everything – that your kids could want; a water park, four pools, go-karts, mini-golf, a year-round kids club and a huge jumping pillow and park. The overriding theme is FUN and kids of all ages are in their element.

If I’ve learnt anything from our time there it’s this: if the kids are happy the parents are relaxed! Knowing that the kids were entertained at kids club or riding around on go-karts meant that I could work without distraction and wind down after a few weeks of travel. We had leisurely mornings hanging around the van before the kids planned their day according to the kids club itinerary, when they could book a go-kart and when they most felt like swimming.

NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park is very much a resort-style park, located in Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast. It’s only a 10minute drive to the highway and 20minutes to the theme parks. But in all honesty, you might not even leave the park once you arrive.

Pirate statues greet you on arrival and the pirate theme continues throughout the park. There’s a pirate cave in the main pool area (complete with bridge, waterslide and toddler’s pool), the waterpark features a cauldron that dumps water and the 18-hole mini golf is abundant with treasure chests.

The kids club runs every day of the year and offers a variety of craft, games and sport activities. The staff are brilliant and truly passionate about their work; activities are planned and delivered with excitement and energy hence the kids are engaged and delighted.

On a practical level, I really, really appreciated a paved and grassed site so we didn’t have to deal with an abundance of dirt and sand, if only for a week. We had a premium powered site near the main pool which was perfect for our big van (they suit vans up to 8.5metres long) and was close to the amenities block which was brand new, very clean and one of the best we’ve come across in our travels. It’s safe to say that I now consider myself an expert on what constitutes a great amenities block.

Many families who stay at the park opt for cabin accomodation and there are a variety to choose from including basic one-bedroom cabins through to double-story townhouses and poolside deluxe villas. They really are a home away from home and just right regardless of whether you’re on a road trip, a weekend away or you’re flying in from interstate (as many guests do).

There’s a cafe and bistro on site and both a Coles and Woolworths within walking distance. For travellers needing to stock up on supplies, SuperCheap Auto, BCF and Bunnings are all within a five minute walk from the park.

NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park promises an easy, relaxing holiday that has everything at your fingertips (or within walking distance).

I’m sharing my favourite family-friendly locations in collaboration with NRMA Parks & Resorts as we travel the East Coast of Queensland and NSW.