NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park

We’ve stayed many times, mostly before NRMA took over, and we’ll be back. A big thanks to Kelly for keeping her promise to call my wife if there was a cancellation. Her call came late Friday, and off we went to Phillip Island. The park is well located in Cowes, and our older but updated cabin was clean and comfortable. We were looked after well, and got a text saying an ice cream man was on the beach. The laundry looked clean and modern when I walked back from the beach. My son and I had a lot of fun hiring electric bikes and riding into Cowes, then swapping so my wife and daughter could have a turn. NRMA members pay half price for the hire.

The receptionist was very nice and helpful, but if we’d booked more than one night, we would have gone somewhere else. We chose an Ibis Cabin because it allowed pets, since the regular cabin was fully booked, and assumed the layout would be the same. It wasn’t. I’m sure the booking photos didn’t show the bunk bed area, or I wouldn’t have chosen it. The bunks were in the same room as the bathroom sink, and you had to walk through that room to get to the toilet and shower. My 62-year-old mother had to sleep in a bunk with very thin mattresses, and we woke her in the middle of the night when we needed the toilet. The cabin was run down and not clean. There was a fork on the wardrobe, which made us wonder how regularly it was cleaned, and we didn’t feel comfortable there.

The safari tent was peaceful, cosy and clean, with a stunning beach view and a beautiful sunset. We had a comfortable bed and a cute little fireplace, plus a kettle, fridge, microwave and outdoor BBQ. Storms came through while we were there, and we actually enjoyed the flapping tent while still feeling safe. We stayed two nights and wished we’d booked longer. We’ll definitely come back for a longer visit.

The tent was gorgeous and the location was perfect, with everything looking picture perfect the whole time. The staff were so nice, and it made a great little one-night getaway with my toddler. I’ll be bringing my son back again and again. My only gripe was the beds in safari tent 1, which were extremely uncomfortable, rock hard with a hint of springs.