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!!!
Now get rid of the pets
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?
Yes I believe in fairness and democracy but the kids / children these days are nothing like when we were growing up back in the 70s and 80s ( old school ) we had discipline and respect. Now kids / children run a muck and the parents could not careless as long as the kids / children leave them alone
So true discrimination that is .What next
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.
Agree with that. If I travel with a group, which I do at times, we stop noise at the cut-off time designated by the park, head home. Try to go to an isolated area in the park if possible. Usually no children in out group.
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.
I agree Brad and I love the idea of no kids. We can have a holiday any time now. Well done to the owners of the park we will definitely support you .
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
There are plenty of parks that allow kids. I think it’s great it’s an adult only park. Dogs can also be a spoiler, some bark at everyone just walking past their vans..
Some times you do need time out from someone else’s enjoyment in life meaning children and pet’s they are the Grey Nomads looking for peace and quiet leave caravan travellers alone, I do have children and pet’s+ grand and greats kids, now I wish I could get some peace and quiet I’m Grey but not a Nomad.
Different van parks have different rules and regulations. One of these for this park is – No Children. If you don’t like it, go to another park.
Well said Dave.
Definitely should be more of them around Gutsy effort to start doing this.
Yes. And Amen to that peace and quiet
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!
Yes just want somewhere quiet & good facilities.
Child free and pet free, what a dream, they would get our patronage.
We are a married Qld couple, I’m retired and my wife is close to doing likewise. We’ve done the big lap twice but sold our last van due to parks going all out to attract families by adding all the noisy amusements and cabins. They became way too expensive and intolerable due to being overrun by unruly kids and feral parents who have no respect for others.
We never go away during school holidays but there are still so many people on the road with kids during school term that it’s a joke, one has to wonder what education they’re receiving on the road.
There are way too many inexperienced young blokes driving large 4WD’s and towing massive vans which don’t comply plus they are so impatient and aggressive in their driving habits that their wives and kids on board can’t possibly enjoy the experience and adventure.
So we’re so pleased to see some caravan parks considering a change to the “18+ Mature Age Traveling Public Only”, who travel via their wide variety of choice in vehicle mode on offer today!
We find it cheaper and less stressful to do long road trips and stay in motels, BnB’s and serviced accommodation. We can go so much further in a day and the savings overall in fuel and running costs associated with owning a caravan or motorhome makes it all worthwhile.
We miss the Happy Hours but we still meet new people and our road trips and adventures are so much more enjoyable and peaceful in the Great Outdoors. Happy and Safe Motoring
Park owners should have realised this year’s ago,nobody seems to have control. Parents don’t care.They should have a different section for those with kids and those without,separated by gates!
Yes we would definitely stay there
We’re elderly, we love seeing young families with kids enjoying themselves in caravan parks.
We used to do the same thing when we were young.
We also enjoy seeing people with their dogs as long as they pick up the dogs poo like we do with our Corgi.
If you want a luxury kid & pet free resort go somewhere else with your expensive RV.
We won’t miss you.
More likely to stay in adult only park. My wife and I only go glamping when there is no school holidays and don’t even think about going near big 4 parks cause targeted at kids and the problem these days is there is no discipline. The parents let the kids do what please as long as they out of there hair. So yes more likely stay at adults only 18+ park
Good luck with this very bold choice, I really hope they have done their research, yes many people say they would stay but lets hope their dollars do the talking, if you market one segment of the market you only get that one customer if they don’t come who pays the bills
Well done, we prefer adult only parks and avoid caravan Parks that offer play grounds for kids. We have now saved this park as a favourite. Qld are doing the same, there is two that we know offers 18+ only and pet friendly.
Would it be possible to separate us all? Keep all the people with kids in one part of the park and those without kids at another part. We recently were surrounded by 4 families with what sounded like hundred’s of kids, who at 7am were having violin classes. I would book a park with no children
I think more parks should do this what a great idea
Great udea. Esoecially uf there are caravan parks nearby cateringcfir those needing a more child friendly environment
We never book during school holidays to reduce the chances of kids on site .Not anti kids but just prefere as few as posible