The forecast was looking like a perfect weekend and maybe one of the last this summer, before the cold whether sets in. With only a couple of weeks until Easter we couldn’t wait, so we threw a change of clothes and bathers in the van, hooked it up and headed off to the Big 4 at Adelaide Shores, West Beach.
As we drove past the park towards the main entrance, we both looked at each other and at much the same time said, “Perhaps we should have booked.” It appeared that many others may have had the same idea this weekend. It then crossed our minds that there may be some event on and we may be travelling a bit further to another park. We have stayed that this park many times before, it is a very popular park for not only interstate campers, but for the locals as well. Many if not most of the holiday makers are local and some come from only kilometres away.
I pulled up in the arrivals lane of which there are three, and headed on in to the reception. At this point I was expecting the worst and waiting to be told that they were booked out for the weekend. I was met with an elderly woman arguing with the staff over the cost. Not surprising I must say, we tend to keep our stays at Adelaide Shores to the cooler months of the year, purely because of the cost. For our family to stay for the Saturday night, departing at 10 am the following morning was $78 before the Big 4 discount (10%). This park is very strict on this, and will charge half rates for staying late on the Sunday.
To my relief there was a site available, and after checking in, pulled up on site and within 30 minutes we were enjoying the facilities.
Adelaide Shores, is a very large park, I have been told in the past that it is the second biggest in Australia, which wouldn’t surprise me. The park is situated in the Adelaide suburb of West Beach, between the airport and the sea. The park has direct access to the beach, which is somewhat protected by a small sand dune. The park is very lush and green, with a large number of concrete slab sites. All sites are powered. There are two jumping pillows, a pool, and large children’s wading pool, as well as a zero depth water park. The park has a number of play grounds for the younger children, and an indoor games room for the older ones. There are plenty of BBQ’s throughout the park, and good cooking facilities, with a large camp kitchen towards the southern end of the park. ensuite sites area available, but there are nearer the beach, and although they have great views of the ocean, and back across to Glenelg, I expect that you would be blown away many days of the year, so if wind is a problem for you or your equipment I would steer clear of these sites.
There is a golf course across the road for those wanting a hit, and for the kids and big kids at heart there is a mini golf course a short walk/drive down the road. A bit further down the road is a large skate park.
The park is a short bike ride to Henley Beach in the north, or Glenelg to the south along the coast. Our 3 year old made it easily to Henley Beach with the lure of an ice cream.
There are pedal buggies available for hire within the park, but a short walk along the beach front north, to the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, and you can hire a bike for the day for free.
A great weekend was had by all. Looking forward to the next one.