BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks - Rowes Bay

We were charged over $300 AUD for two nights in a cabin, which we were told was discounted. After one night, we asked for the second night back, but the staff showed no interest. The cabin had ants across the surfaces and in our sealed food. Reception said they knew there were ants and blamed us for leaving the food out, then said, “It’s North Queensland, that’s how it is.” We woke covered in bites after a sleepless night, though we can't say whether they were bed bugs or something else. The bedding didn't feel clean, and we weren't comfortable using the shower or towels. The park's other amenities were also poorly maintained and unclean. Getting a suitable campervan pitch took three moves. The first was a muddy, waterlogged patch, and the next was barely better. We eventually ended up on astro-turf that didn't look like a proper pitch. Heavy rain the next morning led us to seek a little more comfort in a cabin. We're travelling Australia full-time in a campervan and aren't high-maintenance guests, but this was one of our worst stays. The prices are premium while the accommodation and service felt unhygienic and substandard. Dismissing guests and treating an infestation as normal is the most concerning part. Read the negative reviews, they match our experience. Stay somewhere else if you value comfort, cleanliness, or basic customer service.

There's a beach just across the road, and walking paths lead all the way into town. We found the park nicely laid out, with a good range of sites and cabins, and the staff were friendly. There are plenty of nearby activities too. From our experience, sand flies can be a nuisance early in the morning and late in the afternoon, though we had no trouble with them at night or during the day.

We stayed two nights on separate dates and would come back. Both rooms were clean, check-in was easy, and the staff were helpful. There are lots of accommodation options for different budgets. The second stay was in an ensuite studio. Its blinds didn't meet properly, so bright morning sun hit the pillow and there was no chance of sleeping in. Our first night was in a standard studio cabin with a shared bathroom. It was a pleasant surprise, and the big room with bunk beds made the kids happy even without an ensuite. Getting into the shared bathroom was frustrating, though. It took four tries with the code, which wasn't good when I urgently needed to go. The location is worth it, right across from the beach and not far from the main waterfront.

The powered RV site had huge potholes, and the toilets and showers were quite run down. Cleanliness was OK, but the park costs more than others nearby, so I expected better value for money.