Beaches Of Byron

We booked five nights in an ensuite site with our van, then stayed for nine. It’s just a few minutes from town, and being able to bring our dog mattered a lot since my wife takes her chihuahua everywhere. The ensuite was clean and tidy, with great water pressure. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the park itself was kept clean. We were under a big tree, so we got some shade, but ibis roosted above us and made a mess on the van. That’s not the park’s fault, but it’s something to keep in mind. It gets busy even during the week, with lots of campers coming and going. We were still very happy there and have already booked to return in March.

The staff were great at check-in, and my kids enjoyed the small pool and playground. The location was fine, too. But our two nights on an unpowered site were enough. We had a fairly large caravan and struggled to fit, and the sites all looked so small and tightly packed. I’d have been disappointed to spend a longer holiday there. The bathrooms in our area were appalling. I couldn’t find a clean shower cubicle for the kids. The two we could use had hair blocking the drains and all over the floor, and you’re encouraged to use a big squeegee after showering. The two unisex toilets stank of urine. Their wooden floors seemed to have absorbed the smell over time, and it was really disgusting. The jumping pillow wasn’t properly inflated, so the kids couldn’t use it and were disappointed. I wish I’d checked out other caravan parks nearby before booking. We were only staying in transit to our next stop, which I’m glad about.

We were lucky to find Ingenia after struggling to find dog-friendly accommodation or a caravan park in Byron Bay. Our dog made lots of friends and wants to come back with his humans. We had a very good stay, too. The location was handy, just a few minutes by car to town and other Byron Bay sights, around 10 minutes to A1 Pacific Highway, and a 10-minute walk to Tallow Beach. The park is quiet, with lawns, trees, birds, and fresh air. Staff were friendly and ready to help. There are plenty of facilities: clean toilets and bathrooms, a bright cooking and BBQ area with a vending machine, basketball court, pool, kids’ playground, dog off-leash area, and a coffee cart.

The staff were friendly and helpful, but this isn’t a trip I want to remember. Our site was mostly dirt, with cigarette butts scattered around and no shade at all. The sites are tiny, with no privacy or personal space. Even though the park was half empty, we were repeatedly assigned neighbours right beside us. The bathrooms were dirty and poorly ventilated, with bugs flying around the sanitary bins. It’s also not within walking distance of the main shops or restaurants, and the nearby busy road brings a lot of noise.