For years, family-friendly caravan parks – complete with bouncing pillows and water slides – have seemingly been taking over the Big Lap landscape … but there are finally some signs that a counter revolution is underway.
Grey nomads who dared to complain about speeding scooters or kids’ bikes creating a trip hazard after being left outside the amenities block, have long run the risk of being labelled ‘grumpy’ or ‘killjoy’ … or worse.
But the tide could slowly be turning and those who dare to say ‘I don’t want to holiday with kids’ might find they still have a place to pull up in the van.
South Australia’s Murray Bridge Tourist Park, for example, has just become an Adults Only park … and it believes the move ‘can protect that calm atmosphere and offer a consistently restful stay’.
The park promises guests a restful, quiet stay.
Ultimately, of course, owners Kylie and Wayne Scholz believe it makes business sense, and attracting more older travellers is a big part of their overall strategy.
“Grey nomads are generally easy to please and a pleasure to have,” said Kylie. “They only require a friendly smile, reasonable rates and clean facilities … they did not require jumping pillows, water parks or playgrounds.”
Of course, not everyone has been thrilled by the park’s move to 18+ status, but the couple has been heartened by the feedback.
Owners Wayne and Kylie Scholz have had a positive response to the initiative.
“Often there are conflicting opinions of what a park should be or should offer and park owners sometimes struggle to be all things to all people,” said Kylie. “But, overall, the public reaction has been very positive … people have specially emailed and phoned to congratulate and thank us.”
She says that some of those emails have said ‘Well done on being bold enough to take that leap’, and ‘Love this, let’s hope more parks do this as we avoid school holidays like the plague’.
“There are two other family-friendly caravan parks in town on the river,” said Kylie. “And we did not want to compete with them so we thought it was a great opportunity to offer something unique, something that is missing in the market.”
Kylie and Wayne, who purchased the Murray Bridge Tourist Park back in 2013, say their philosophy from the beginning has been to provide quality accommodation at a reasonable pricepoint, as well as offering great customer service and cleanliness.
“We’re only aware of one other park in South Australia that has made the move to adults only,” said Kylie. “Parks need to assess their location and market demand carefully to see if it’s a right fit … but we hope this opens the door to start the conversation that sometimes it’s okay not to cater to everyone.”
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We stayed there 4th, January for three nights and it was wonderfully peaceful. Pet friendly, swimming pool, powered sites and no children…….bliss!!!
Bloody oath. Sick of having unruly undisciplined kids ruling parks and spoiling the experience for all. This is even the case when it’s not school holidays now. Great initiative we’ll definitely put this park on our list for our upcoming trip down to SA.
Fantastic I wish more would do this
Me too
Totally agree with child-free parks. Never had a problem with dogs; can’t say the same for little ferals…..
I would certainly welcome this choice. Other venues such as major zoos/museums should also consider the odd kid-free day – would be brilliant.
Think it is a great idea
Definitely visit when we do out lap next year
Now if we could just get rid of the dogs too.
I think that is not good, children love going camping and staying in caravan parks.
99.9% of parks cater for kids! Don’t you believe in fairness or democracy?
What a dream. Stayed in a large van Park at Bargara over Xmas. What a nightmare. Bugger all facilities for kids there really but hell there were zillions of them. So many large and small riding and running in front of moving vehicles. No adult to be seen. First n last there for us.
Inconsiderate adults are worse than kids. Stay up late drinking and making noise. Don’t supervise children properly or teach the kids to think of others, and only think of themselves.
I think the bigger issue is that parks are over run with dogs, every body thinks everyone loves there dog, well not every one does.
People use the site mats as a dog yard, them some poor person who camps there next time is camping on pee etc.
I know there are responsible dog owners but are out numbered by irresponsible dog owners.
We have all seen them
We think it’s a minority of dog owners that do the wrong thing. Simple solution would be significant penalties for those that let their dogs roam or don’t pick up after them. And if they don’t pay up and adhere to the rules, then evict them! We, as responsible ‘owners’ of well behaved dogs would be happy to sign such an agreement upon booking and entry. Anyone with an issue with doing so, is likely to be one of the offenders.
kids should be allowed with there families on holidays it’s only going to open discrimination cases it’s no different to theese oldies taking dogs in caravan parks with them Ive seen many with dogs that mess in lawns etc so I find it bullshit about kids
Definitely should be more of them around Gutsy effort to start doing this.
In answer to the question;
Absolutely, we are far more likely to opt for an adults only park if it’s in an area we want to stay, the park appeals to us, and if the prices are okay.
Gum Tree Lodge & Bush Camp in Howard, QLD is adults only. We stayed there for 3 nights in August 2025 and will be staying there again this year.
It was a much more peaceful atmosphere than having kids around, who do as commented in this article; speed around on powered scooters, drop their scooters and bikes wherever they please, and as kids do, make a lot of noise.
There is an abundance of parks that cater for families and kids, so it is only fair to have parks that cater for those who have ‘been there done that’!
Parks that choose to provide for those without children can save the costs of providing for kids (e.g. the playgrounds and jumping castles with associated insurance costs, etc).
I feel that anyone who complains about this is simply being selfish and without concern for others in a different situation to themselves.
Whilst the majority of the population have children, Australia is still a democracy, and everyone should have a say and have rights.
So YES, we support adult-only parks (which at this stage are unfairly very scarce)
Incidentally, we are not Grey Nomads, merely a couple without children… and with 2 small dogs (that are much better behaved!)
Thank you Kylie and Wayne!
Kind regards, Brad
One question Will there be an increase in fees during school holidays?
Definitely would prefer an adults only park – too many young kids are so noisy & screamy plus the parents just let them run amock- giving them a break from kids – not
the grey nomads
Our Park has been Adult Only & Pet Friendly since 2022 and is the first in Victoria. At first we received some pushback from previous Guests who still had children or Grandchildren vowing it was discrimination. Some of them have since returned, as being in the same Park as your Grandchildren usually means lots of babysitting, so this way they can choose when and where to meet up with them. It is gratifying to see a bunch of over 18 Guests in the pool with a drink and fun conversation on a hot day, and not have to be on lifesaver duty for children who should be supervised but often are not. Do not be mislead, Adults Only is not just frequented by over 50’s but also young couples who have not yet started their families and same sex couples who just feel more comfortable & relaxed. Since our taking this leap of faith, 3 other caravan parks including Kylie & Wayne’s have followed our example and we believe the demand is growing!
If that’s the one in Lake’s entrance it’s located next door to a child care centre, ha ha ha the screaming kids all day long. Was going to book there and looked at it on google maps and went else where.
Adult couples is the way to go.
No kids or dogs.
Nothing worse than sliding on stinken unseen dog turd and trouncing around the park trying to skive it off your shoe.
NO KIDS NO PETS.Im in!
Adults only Way to go noisy kids are not much fun not to mention being a traffic hazard and going to the showers and toilets after unsupervised children is out of control
Fantastic recently spent 2 days at an expensive park and it was feral, kids were going beserk from sunrise to sunset, never again…..
Great to hear Kylie and Wayne when we are back in SA we will be up to see you Kym and Justine
Grey Nomads and child free couples may have dogs but they are more disciplined than most brat kids. Bogan families generally have Bogan kids and Bogan Dogs(Large), who behave just like their parents.
Make parks with a no pets policy sick of owners not picking up dog poo
Regards
Absolutely would stay in a park without kids. If parents parented kids wouldn’t be such a problem.
Just going to make it harder and more expensive for families to have a holiday, it,s already hard enough when prices go up during holiday season.
Definitely !!!! A lot of so called parents do not care what their ferals are doing ,so long as they dont bother them.
Great idea we stayed in a park and had 6 kids riding thru our site between shade sails and left bikes for us to trip over another time we had young kids at 6am playing in our annexe clearly their parents were having a sleep in while we were woken by their unruly kids
So, no children in parks ! But dogs yes!! Are we freference animals than children? Does not make sence! We use national park where there is no dogs,and happy children!