Tasman Holiday Parks – Merimbula

You know what caught me off guard about Tasman Holiday Parks? I was expecting your typical roadside cabin setup, but this place actually has some real personality to it. Right on Sapphire Coast Drive – which, honestly, is one of those scenic stretches where you’ll find yourself slowing down just to take in the views – it sits perfectly positioned between Merimbula’s town center and the lake. I mean, you’re literally a five-minute walk from Short Point Beach, and if you know Merimbula at all, you’ll appreciate that proximity.

The grounds feel more like a small neighborhood than a holiday park, which I wasn’t expecting. There’s this relaxed vibe where kids are riding bikes around the internal roads (yeah, it’s safe enough for that) while parents actually get to chill out with a coffee. The cabins themselves are surprisingly well-maintained – not that dated 1980s caravan park aesthetic you sometimes get. Most have decent-sized decks where you can sit with your morning coffee and actually hear the kookaburras going off in the trees. Parking’s right at your door, which is clutch when you’re hauling eskies and beach gear back and forth. The amenities block is clean – I know, basic requirement, but you’d be surprised how many places miss this mark – and there’s a decent camp kitchen if you’re in one of the sites rather than a cabin.

What really works here is the location within Merimbula itself. You’re close enough to walk into town for dinner at Waterfront or grab supplies from the IGA, but far enough back that you’re not dealing with the summer crowds and traffic noise. The lake’s right there if you want calmer water for the kids, and Merimbula Beach is maybe ten minutes on foot if you’re up for the proper surf beach experience. During peak season (Christmas through January, obviously) it gets pretty busy, but the layout means it never feels cramped. I’d actually recommend booking well ahead for those months – locals know this place, and it fills up fast. The shoulder seasons are brilliant though – still warm enough for swimming, but you’ll have way more space and the staff actually have time to chat and give you the local intel on where the fish are biting or which walking tracks are worth your time.