Happy campers at holiday park

STAFF at BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park are still pinching themselves over their recent People’s Choice Award for Caravan Park of the Year at the 2024 Caravan Industry National Conference on the Gold Coast.

That’s in no small part due to the fact that the venue offers a vast array of pastimes and activities that you might not expect from similar locales of the past.

The major award was based on data collected by software platform ReviewPro, which aggregates guest reviews from multiple websites including TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and various social media pages.

Shocked owner Justin Morris, who accepted the trophy in front of 1000-plus delegates at the National Conference, said the accolade is just reward for his staff’s hard work and “the way they treat the customers from when they first walk in the door.”

“We’ve got that personal touch that makes people feel really welcomed,” he said. “We have an amazing rapport with the customers. It’s incredible. We’re part of their holiday.

“Everyone’s got a real thrill out of it. It’s such an honour.

“It just goes to show that if you’ve got a good product, people will be happy.

“To think where the park came from when we took it over seven years ago to where it is now – it was a dust bowl basically, and now it’s a beautiful park with lovely big sites.

“The difference is amazing.”

Locals can get a taste of what’s on offer at BIG4 Marong Bendigo every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.

Priced at $15 for two adults and three kids, families can make use of the park’s swimming pool and heated spa, modular pump track for bikes, scooters and skateboards, table tennis table, jumping pillow and barbecue.

Extra fees apply for their pedal carts, X-Golf and pool table.