It’s clear from the moment you enter Big4 Yarra Valley Park Lane, that you are entering a nature-paradise.

Nestled at the base of a tree-covered hill, wombats, kangaroos and many other native animals live all around the park. Parrots of many colours flutter through the trees and are so quiet they will even fly down to perch on you arm to eat out of your hand.

A park in the true sense of the word, accommodation options are set within a forest of established trees.

Staying at Yarra Valley Holiday Park can be as relaxing and peaceful as you’d like – or high-energy family adventure and fun – the choice is yours!

Family fun is everywhere

There’s certainly no shortage of fun things to do at Yarra Valley Holiday Park.

A huge supervised inflatable water park is a stand-out feature to keep kids (and adults!) entertained. Floating on a lake surrounded by majestic gum trees, this is an activity you won’t find at your average holiday park. There is a massive inflatable tower to climb and jump off, slides, monkey bars suspended over a water-pit and a whole lot more.

Next to the lake is a set of tennis courts, and just over the hill is a recreation room with games tables and lounge/play area.

In the centre of the park you’ll find a beautiful lagoon pool and a heated outdoor spa, both naturally shaded by towering gums. With a smaller baby pool at one end, this is the perfect place for the younger family members to have a paddle, whilst the older kids can swim and play in the big pool. It’s also a lovely spot to settle down on a lounge with a book, or for mum and dad to cool off in the pool with the kids, too!

At the lower end of the park are large open lawn areas for the children to run and play. There’s a large playground (in addition to the other playground on the hilltop area of the park), jump pad, giant jumping pillow and  a huge koala to pose in for family photos!

Family accommodation options

There’s a large range of accommodation options to choose from at BIG4 Yarra Valley. They range from pitching your own tent or bringing your own caravan or motorhome (there are several drive-through sites), to numerous on-site cabins, condos, villas and studios. Then there are their famous Pods and glamping tents.

Family Glamping Bell Tents

No time to read? Watch our Family Glamping Belle Tent video tour here

These gorgeous Bohemian styled tents aren’t just for couples anymore, with Big4 Yarra Valley offering families a glamping tent experience too!

Sleeping four, this clever family accommodation option consists of two Belle tents linked via a personal lounging deck. Each glamping tent has its own personal ensuite just a few paces away.

All of the glamping tents are individually themed. Ours was “Eclectic Belle”, and eclectic and glamorous it was, with drapes, throw rungs and pillows. Our largest tent was furnished with a king-sized bed, lounge, dining table, flat-screen TV, bar fridge and climate control.

Inside the kid’s tent were two single beds and luxury lounge chairs. My little glampers thought this was all very exciting!

Our mornings were greeted with bird-song – in particular, the parrots eating bird seed on our private deck. Just magic.

Our 2-bedroom Hilltop Cabin

No time to read? Watch our Hill Top Cabin video tour here

Next, we stayed in a beautiful Hilltop Cabin. With scenic views over the creek and bushland hills opposite, this is another great family accommodation option.

Our ultra-modern two-bedroom cabin was fully furnished and fitted out, and could accommodate families of up to six people.

There was a master bedroom and a bunk bedroom sleeping up to four people – great for the kids.  A bathroom with shower and separate toilet were located on opposite sides of the hallway. All linen, blankets and towels were supplied.

A climate-controlled open-plan kitchen-dining-lounge area makes for the perfect family space. There’s all you need for holiday cooking in the kitchen, with pots and pans, crockery and cutlery all supplied. Kitchen appliances included a gas stove top cooker, microwave, full-sized fridge electric kettle and toaster. All we needed to bring to cook our own meals, was the food!

In the cabin’s roomy lounge area there was lots of room for the family to spread-out. There was a comfy corner lounge suite, a large flat-screen TV and DVD player, plus a dining table area.

This size cabin accommodates from small to medium sized families very comfortably. That said, we spent much of our time out on the balcony, taking in the view and feeding the local parrots and ducks. What a beautiful place it was to stay.

Pods – the perfect Melbourne weekender for two – or three!

Pods are scattered across the park, with several located down by the creek, partially secluded in the woods. These tiny timber cabins feature an elegantly arched roof, and have their own balcony.  They are the perfect accommodation for couples, single parent families or parent/child combinations of up to three people.

Pod-dwellers in the creek area also receive a Pod Mobile for their own use in the park during their stay. These little all-terrain electric cars are a lot of fun to drive around, and can even go around the Park’s mountain walking track.

BYO tent, caravan, camping trailer or motor home

With plenty of tree-lined sites for tents, caravans and RVs, these are fantastic family holiday options.

Camp-cooking is covered with a separate BBQ area and a simply huge camp kitchen with everything you’ll need to whip up a family meal. There’s also a large flat screen TV and lounges to relax on.

Nearby is the stylish shared amenities and laundry, with super-fast dryers or washing lines take care of the family laundry needs.

Further Park facilities

There is a licensed kiosk on site, and very friendly, helpful staff with lots of local information and day-trip ideas.

You don’t need to go into town to find a decent coffee either – delicious coffee and hot chocolates are available from the park’s own café – perfect!

Things to do nearby – Yarra Valley family fun

There’s no shortage of family fun in the Yarra Valley, and Yarra Valley Park Lane is the perfect base to visit them.

No time to read? Watch the video here

The Healsville Sanctuary is only minutes away, and is a great family day out. There are many different native animals to see, including a fantastic free bird flight show.

The Big Bouquet Alpaca Café is just a couple of minutes drive away, and features a huge greenhouse full of beautiful Gerberas and quiet Alpacas to feed.

The Hedgend English Hedge Maze is just five minutes drive away, and features a traditional English Maze to get lost in, plus lots of other family activities included.

Ten minutes drive away you will find the charming Yarra Valley Railway with its heritage tourist train ride at Healesville.

45 minutes drive away is the Yarra Ranges National Park and the Instagram-famous, majestic Warburton Redwood forest.

In the other direction, a picturesque 45 minute drive away you’ll find the popular Yarra Valley Chocolaterie with a chocolate café and many scrumptious treats for sale.

Of course a visit to the Yarra Valley wouldn’t be complete without stopping in at a winery or two – the Yarra Valley plays host to some of Australia’s best wines.

 Family money saver – discount Healesville Sanctuary tickets

Guest benefits – when you stay at BIG4 Yarra Valley, not only are you in the Healesville Sanctuary neighbourhood, but you also get a 10% discount off tickets. Just buy your tickets on the day you go from BIG4 Yarra Valley reception.

Nearby services

Just over five minutes drive down the road is the bustlingly charming town of Healesville. Healesville has a Coles supermarket, numerous shops, service stations, an RSL club and many small restaurants, take-away food, wine and café options.

Big4 Yarra Valley is the perfect place for Melbourne families to get away from it all and have a great time together. It’s the beautiful location to have fun, explore the Yarra Valley, relax and reconnect with the family. If you’re heading to the Yarra Valley with the family, this is the place to stay!

Find out more or book your accommodation for BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park at the official website here.

How to get there

All information is correct as at March 2019 – please check the above website link for relevant, up to date information and accommodation prices. Let’s go Mum were hosted guests of BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park, however all opinions remain firmly our own.

Have you ever visited the Yarra Valley, or do you plan to go one day? Tell us in the comments below..

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