The Gold Coast Bulletin, June 21, 2012 - play | 6

QUALITY INGROUND CONCRETE POOLSQUALITY INGROUND CONCRETE POOLS

IDEAL POOLS PHONE FOR MORE DETAILS 5525 35950417 634 795 • 0412 778 135

For more great pools visit www.idealpools.com.auBSA Lic.1028908

Medium Size Formal Pool with in fl oor circulating system endless swimming 1.5 meter water

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We built this pool for Mike & Nicolefor only $13,750.$13,750.They are extremely happy with all aspects of the pool and no extra charges. Pool comes with air to fl oor 1.5 meters water depth, colour changing light.

This pool built for Darcy at Varsity.

They are extremely happy with this pool.

Freeform pool 8 x 4 metres. 1.7 meters water

depth for $15,900.$15,900.Retaining walls suitable for

unstable land or sloping blocks.

See us at the MudgeerabaShow 23rd and 24th June 2012Medium Size Foi h i fl i l i

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IDEAL POOLSGUARANTEE THAT OUR CONCRETE

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IDEAL POOLSGUARANTEE THAT OUR CONCRETE

IS FULLY REINFORCED & SALT RESISTANT 40MPA CONCRETE FOR 30 YEARS

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F270

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TEN nights, two toddlers, two parents…and one vehicle.

Fortunately for our family, the car in question was not just a motorhome, but a motor-mansion – and so our fears of aGriswold-style family vacation were trans-formed into a dream holiday.

There’s nothing better than camping (OK, this was more “glamping”) with kids – they can run free with the packs of littlies while the adults can drink freely with other unpres-sured parents. It’s win-win. Or should thatbe win-wine?

Campgrounds are like a little village. A village where every neighbour is happily on holiday, there’s no traffi c and, depending where you go, enough entertainment for the kids to rival a theme park. And the golden rule of family holidays is: happy kids = happy parents.

With this in mind, we hit the road south in fi ve-star style, armed with our GPS as we endeavoured to explore the coast away from the Coast.

YAMBADriving distance: about 2.5 hours southof the Gold CoastCampground: Blue Dolphin Holiday ResortAS soon as we pulled up at our riverfront site, complete with private ensuite bathroom (essentially your own little toilet/shower block at the back of the site), we were greeted by the neighbouring family – also Gold Coasters.

“This is your fi rst stop? Don’t bother going anywhere else, this is the best,” they said.

The weather wasn’t in agreement, but that didn’t matter to the kids. From go-karts to a giant jumping pillow, swimming pools and playrooms, this was their idea of heaven. And the resultant peace at our campsite was our idea of bliss.

About 20 minutes out of town (or two hours if accompanied by a two and four year old), there is plenty to do in the Yamba area – from beautiful beaches to cool cafes.

NAMBUCCA HEADSDriving distance: about 4.5 hours south of the Gold CoastCampground: White Albatross Caravan and Holiday ParkA GREEN, grassy campground on the banks of a swimming lagoon, the natural features of this park are enhanced by its man-made neighbours – the pub and restaurant.

Again, private ensuite facilities are available, fantastic kids’ features abound and there are some great walks, which start from the park.

Make sure you venture out on the Vee Wall and check out the colourful graffi ti. From family murals to personal tributes, it makes for hours of entertaining – as well as a spectacu-lar sea view.

SOUTH WEST ROCKSDriving distance: about 5.5 hours south of the Gold CoastCampground: Horseshoe Bay Holiday ParkTHERE’S no pool and no kids’ club…but in this location you couldn’t care less.

This was an absolutely amazing spot that apparently we were lucky to get into. There can be long waiting lists to get a site at this older-style campground and some grey nomads stay for months.

Set at the top of a protected bay, it takes just moments to walk from any site to the sand. It gives you a feeling of how it must feel to reside on Hedges Ave…just sans the mansion.

Happy campersIf you’ve got the time for a quick getaway from the Goldie, takea tour down south for some amazing seaside towns and campgrounds. Ann Wason Moore tells of her family frolic

First-time fi shingat a riverfrontcampsite in Yamba.

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7 | play - The Gold Coast Bulletin, June 21, 2012

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TECHNICALLY, it was an Apollo Motorhome Holidays Eurostar Deluxe.

We just called it the motor mansion.

Sleeping six with a fully equipped kitchen, LCD TV and DVD player, air-con, internal toilet and shower, this mobile accommodation surpassed many stable self-contained units we’ve stayed in.

While we were more than a little worried about the idea of our whole family essentially sleeping in the same room, the clever design meant there was plenty of privacy.

Our four year old slept in the double-bed above the driving cab, which has windows on either side, a relatively high ceiling and a safety net to prevent luggage falling out while driving – or children when sleeping (we called it the Cooper Catcher).

There was also a curtain that can be pulled across the net to provide privacy – or prevent preschool parties after lights out. Our two year old slept in the middle bed, another double, which converts to a table and couches during the day or when driving.

We slept in the double down the back (a U-shaped lounge with table during the day) which also has a curtain that can be drawn for privacy, and we were pleasantly surprised at just how big and comfortable the bed was.

The outdoor awning and table and chairs made for a great outdoor room, where we adults could chill once the little campers were tucked in.

As for driving, my husband assured me it was easy and we three passen-gers were more than happy with our seats.

The ease of having everything to hand and the freedom of just packing up and driving on in our big little home was amazing.

Check out www.apollocamper.com for more details.

The motor mansion

The campground is bordered on one side by a creek that makes fun for inner-tubing when the tide is right, while on the other side of the bay are the rocks after which the town is named. They make for hours of exploring and playing in the shallow, tidal pools.

Even better, the gorgeous town sits immedi-ately behind the campground so you’re in the heart of the action, should you want it. Independent restaurants, pubs and shops mean there’s always something to do should you tire of the sun, sand and serenity.

But the best spot of all has to be the kiosk atop the hill, again a two-minute walk from the campground. Sausage rolls, chips, ham-burgers and ice creams…all made the way we remembered from our childhoods, with cheap prices to match.

WOODY HEADDriving distance: about 2.5 hours south of the Gold CoastCampground: Woody Head Camping Ground, Bundjalung National ParkNOW this is camping. Other than a little kiosk at the entrance, there is little to disrupt you

from nature. The amenities are well above basic but don’t expect a private ensuite here.

But what you get is even better – campfi res.Toasting marshmallows at night-time on an

open fi re beside the beach would have to go down as the kids’ highlight.

Exploring the rocks and coastline was also great fun and the fi shing and surfi ng are fantastic. Who needs a jumping pillow?

HASTINGS POINTDriving distance: about 45 minutes south of the Gold CoastCampground: Big4 North StarHoliday ResortIF you’re looking for a quick getaway and want to treat the kids, this is paradise.

The pool area seriously rivals Wet’n’Wild and the location offers a variety of holiday fun.

A fi ve-minute walk down the road, where the river opens to the sea, is a gem spot for fi shing and beaching. While I indulged in some sunbaking and a book, the kids frol-icked in the shallow water while my husband actually caught some fi sh.

Without a doubt, that was his holiday highlight.

The million-dollar view from the cheap-as-chips campground at South West Rocks.

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