Koala Shores Holiday Park

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Koala Shores Holiday Park on Oyster Farm Road, I wasn’t expecting much. The name had me thinking it’d be one of those family-heavy caravan parks with screaming kids and tired facilities, you know? But actually, this place surprised me in the best way. It’s tucked right there in Lemon Tree Passage, which if you haven’t been, is this laid-back little coastal spot that locals from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley escape to when they want proper water access without the Port Stephens crowds.

The thing about Koala Shores is that it gets the balance right – and I mean, that’s harder than it sounds for a 4-star holiday park. Sure, there are families around (it’s unavoidable in these parts), but the layout is smart enough that you’re not hearing every conversation from three sites over. The cabins are actually decent quality, not those flimsy prefab things you sometimes get stuck with. I stayed in one of the waterfront ones, and honestly, waking up to that view across the passage was worth the extra cost. You can see right across to Hawks Nest, and if you time it right, the sunrises are pretty spectacular – though I’ll admit I only caught one because, well, holidays are for sleeping in. The park sits right on the water, which means you can literally walk from your accommodation to a decent swimming spot or throw a line in if you’re into fishing. Port Stephens is right there too, so day trips to Nelson Bay or Shoal Bay are dead easy.

What really won me over though was the practical stuff that actually matters when you’re staying somewhere. Check-in was smooth, parking’s not an issue (thank god, because some of these coastal places are nightmares for car space), and the amenities are clean without being sterile. The pool area gets busy around lunchtime with families, but early morning or evening it’s pretty peaceful. Staff seem to know the area well too – the woman at reception gave me solid recommendations for where to grab fish and chips in town (Ocean Fresh, if you’re wondering, and she was right). The 7.6 rating feels about right; it’s not going to blow your mind, but it delivers on what it promises. Location-wise, you’re about 20 minutes from Nelson Bay if you want more action, but Lemon Tree Passage itself has enough cafes and that relaxed vibe where you can just… exist for a few days without feeling like you need to be doing something constantly. I’d definitely come back, especially in the shoulder seasons when it’s less hectic but the weather’s still good for getting on the water.