Do we need adults-only parks?

COMMENT

Child-free caravan parks are becoming a popular option overseas, so why not in Australia?

This was the question that popped to mind after I recently came across a well-established adults-only caravan park in the UK, which offers a similar grown-up experience to a number of other parks in the UK and other countries.

Apparently, the Cherry Tree Springs park located near the coastal village of Sutton-on-Sea in Lincolnshire, has attracted a loyal following over the past 25 years from caravanners keen to stay clear of families with teenagers or small children on their holidays.

And it seems they’re not just grumpy old men (or women) either, with many regulars working in the ‘field’ as teachers or childcare professionals and seeking a break from the young ones, while others just want a bit of peace and quiet after raising children or grand children of their own.

Then there are the younger couples, often in campervans, who don’t want the romance of a 'dirty’ week-end spoilt by kids racing bikes through their site at all hours of the day.

Not anti-children

Grown-up parks like Cherry Tree Springs don’t necessarily claim to be ‘anti-children’, nor appear to be nudist or seedy ‘hippy’ colonies in disguise. Although other parks like the adult-friendly Overbrook Caravan Park in North Yorkshire, which trains its staff in ‘disability awareness’, do appear to have a nursing home feel about them.

There’s even a network of ‘Adult Touring Parks’ in the UK called Tranquil Parks, for the grey and not so grey haired!

Don’t get me wrong – I have two lovely children that I regularly haul around Oz on RV trips, and share many happy memories with.

However, as both are now young teenagers who would rather spend time with friends or alone in their bedroom than playing Monopoly with the ‘oldies’ in a caravan, my thoughts are turning to a different style of child-free touring in the years ahead.

Ideally, that would include the option to enjoy other people’s rug rats, but also choose less caravan park chaos and more adult conversation on occasion.

Besides, while many parks in Australia are now promoted as pet friendly, in reality many still restrict furry friends during peak periods of Easter and Christmas/New Year.

Aussie alternatives

While we now have adults-only cruise ships and hotels, the only adults-only camping I’ve heard about in Australia are some of the pricey glamping options that seem to be popping up everywhere.

While not exactly banning kids, some Aussie parks do specifically target the over-55s, like the recently-opened Streaky Bay Islands Caravan Park on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula that spent money on things likely to appeal to mature travellers like swish bathroom facilities rather than more family-friendly kids’ playgrounds and slide pools.

The Glen Villa Resort caravan park at Byron Bay, has a strict, two-person policy for all its powered sites and cabins, probably designed as much to deter Mum and Dad as hyped-up Schoolies.

While pet-friendly year-round, the Streaky Bay park does corral dog owners into one corner of the park during peak periods. So like baby ‘sections’ on planes, why not have parts of a caravan park just for families, close to the jumping pillows and splash parks, whereas other areas are reserved for the honeymooners and retirees?

Missed opportunity?

While we don’t expect the major holiday park chains like BIG4 or Top Parks to embrace the idea – ditching games rooms and Mini golf for ‘Happy Hour’ bistros and sauna/spa facilities to sooth aching joints – I can imagine plenty of demand for more adult-friendly parks and sites.

After all, Australia’s grey nomad population isn't getting any smaller, with many older travellers increasingly more discerning about the manner in which they travel and camp…

What do you think? If parks can exclude barking dogs, why not screaming rug rats?