NSW - Diamond Beach Holiday Park

This is a smaller size caravan park about half an hour north of Forster. There is only about 25 camping spots, which are at the back of the park. The remainder are permanents. There are two barbeques and a large sheltered area with picnic tables and chairs by the camping spots. The amenities block is older but lovely and clean.
The park is right on the beach, has a pool, tennis court, mini golf, cricket nets, basket ball hoops and a childrens’ playground. Really well catered for children. They will love it.
We had sight #119 which was shaded by trees and big enough for our van.
The beauty about this area is that it is quiet and still close enough to Forster for major shopping or eating out. Mike went fishing twice on the beach and caught one bream which he gave to the guy fishing next to him. I think that Mike made his day.
Black Head is a 10 minute drive south from Diamond Beach and has two ocean baths at the base of Hallidays Point. One is a 33 metre lap pool with and a childs pool beside it. We walked along the beach, walked / jogged back and then swam in the baths. What a great way to start the day. Across the road from the beach is a coffee and bottle shop combined. A great cup of coffee, but don’t order the bacon and egg rolls.
Contact: Jubilee Parade, Diamond Beach. Ph: 02 6559 2910

NSW Seal Rocks Camping Reserve

Seal Rocks is one of our favourite spots. We usually stay in a little cottage on Boat Beach but this was our first time camping in the park. The park is across the road from First Beach. We would get up in the mornings, walk to the end of the beach and do a walk / jog back and then swim at the beach. There was good surf for beginners while we were there as the surfing schools were at the beach each day. There are two amenities blocks, both small but clean. The new block also has a laundry, two dish washing areas and a family bathroom. There are also few cabins. Our site was 1B facing the beach.
You can walk up the hill to get the paper or minimal groceries from the little shop. The only hot food they have is pies and sausage rolls so don’t get too excited.
If you bring your bikes, there is a good ride to the light house which is a must to see. In whale watching season you can spend hours up there watching the groups of whales go by as well as the resident dolphins. There is a longer and harder bike ride, on gravel roads to Treachery and Yagon Beaches which are on the surf side, south of the light house. There are also a couple of other camping spots near these beaches.
This very friendly resident wanders around all the time in search of food.

Contact: Kinka Rd, Seal Rocks. Ph: 02 4997 6164

NSW Nelson Bay Halifax Caravan Park

Halifax Caravan Park is situated at the corner of Little Beach and Shoal Bay at the base of the light house.
The amenities block is large and clean with at least a dozen showers and toilets. It also has separate children and wheelchair toilets that do not require a password which is especially good for the children. The laundry is also large with ironing boards set up and a generous number of clothes lines.
The best part of the park for me was the kiosk at the park entry/exit to Little Beach. The kiosk also had a few basic grocery items and a great menu. Our first lunch there was a BLT on turkish and a caesar salad. Both excellent. We had heard that the hamburgers and chips were also good, so we had to try those on another day and certainly made you want to come again. I love potato scallops so had to try one. They have thin potato slices and crispy thin batter. Really yummy.
On thursday nights they have a beef and chicken roast special. If you order by 2p.m. you can have the roast of your choice delivered to your camp site or you can have it at the tables and chairs by the kiosk looking out across the car park to the Bay.
We'll be back to stay here when we return to Newcastle. Fabulous park. No swimming pool but both beaches are great to swim at.
We paid $210.00 for the week and got one night free.
Contact: Halifax Holiday Park, 5 Beach Rd, Nelson Bay. Ph: 02 4981 1522

NSW - Belmont Pines Lakeside Holiday Park

Newcastle has some great caravan parks and The Pines at Belmont is situated in a glorious spot on Lake Macquarie.

The park has powered and unpowered sites as well as ensuite villas. Facilities at the park include a swimming pool, barbeques, laundry, toilet, showers and a bath. Even though the amenities block is old it is clean and the showers are good. Sitting at our campsite watching the sunset over the Lake was something that we looked forward to each night. They were spectacular. Our lot number was 80 and right on the lake.One night the wind blew up and the awning flapped around a bit. I wouldn't want to be on that site when the weather turned nasty though. There is no protection so other sites in the park would be better.
Contact: Tel (02)4945 4750 Address:Paley Cres, Belmont South,NSW.2280
email:belmont@lakemacholidayparks.com.au
web:www.lakemacholidayparks.com.au