Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our glamping options are a favourite with guests looking for something special. Our Safari Tents, Vintage Van, Bell Tents and Glamtainer offer the experience of staying close to nature with plenty of comfort and luxury touches included.

Read more about glamping stays here.

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Our sites include a mix of grass and gravel surfaces to suit different setups. If you have a preference please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll do our best to accommodate your requirements. Sites can fill quickly during busy periods, so booking ahead is a good idea.

You can read about our caravan & camping sites here.

We offer a range of site sizes to suit different setups, from smaller campervans and tents through to large caravans and motorhomes.

To help us allocate the most suitable site for your stay, it’s important that you include the full length of your caravan or equipment when booking, including the drawbar, tow vehicle and any additional setup. If you’re unsure, feel free to get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

You’re welcome to let us know if you have a preferred site or location within the park, and we’ll always do our best to accommodate your request.

While we can’t guarantee specific site numbers, we take your preferences into account when allocating sites.

There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained during your stay. Within the park, they can enjoy the adventure course, games room and open spaces. A soccer net and sports equipment are available for some friendly competition. We also have board games and videos for the quieter moments.

We offer weekly activities, with a Kids Club program school holiday periods. It’s a great way for kids to get involved and make new friends.

Right next door, the beautiful Castlemaine Botanical Gardens provide even more spaces to explore, with wide open lawns, walking paths and a fantastic playground, making it perfect for a relaxed family outing.

Read more about fun stuff for kids here.

Read about What’s on in the Park and see our Activities calendar here.

We regularly host family gatherings, clubs and small group getaways. Groups can stay across our range of 23 different accommodation options and 83 caravan or camping sites, and we’ll help you find the best layout so everyone can stay close together.

We can also assist with catering and local sightseeing to make planning easy.  Just get in touch to discuss your group size and plans.

Read more about our group stays here.

Our Villas, Studios, Glamtainer and Safari Tents each include their own bathroom and kitchen facilities.  Some feature full kitchens with an oven, while others offer a kitchenette with a microwave. 

Our Bell Tents & Vintage Van include tea and coffee making facilities, with guests using the nearby modern amenities block for bathroom facilities.

For full details on kitchen and other inclusions please refer to each accommodation listing here.

All accommodation bookings include fresh linen and towels for your stay.

If you’re staying on a caravan or camping site, please bring your own bedding and towels.

We can offer a daily service for an additional fee. Please request this at the time of booking.

For stays of 7 to 9 nights, a mid-stay service is included, providing a light refresh of the accommodation and a restock of amenities (this does not include a linen change).

For stays of 10 nights or more, a full weekly service is provided, including a full clean and linen change.

Cancellation terms vary depending on the time of year and type of booking. Full details of our deposit and cancellation policies are provided at the time of booking.

You can also view our Terms and Conditions here or feel free to contact reception if you have any questions.

Our office is open between 9.00am and 5.30pm.

Check-in is from 12 noon for sites and from 2pm for our accommodation. Check-out is 10am for both sites and accommodation.

If you’re hoping to arrive a little earlier or leave later just let us know. We’ll always do our best to help. Early check-in and late departure may be available (subject to availability) for a small fee. 

Perks+ members may request early check-in in advance of their stay, subject to availability.

Yes, late arrivals are no problem. If you’re planning to arrive after reception closes, just let us know in advance and we’ll organise a simple late check-in for you.

Please note that caravan and camping equipment set-up is not permitted after 9 pm unless arranged with the manager ahead of time.

All guests have access to amenities blocks including a fully accessible family bathroom.

All guests can enjoy our well-equipped camp kitchen, free BBQ area, guest laundry, adventure course play space, kids’ Games Room, and our beautiful Sensory Garden.

We also offer a Workspace Hub, a fully equipped, accessible work and meeting space for use by adult guests and groups.

There are plenty of open areas to relax and unwind and a communal campfire area from late autumn to early spring. Read more about our facilities here.

If you’re travelling to the region in an electric vehicle, there are convenient public charging stations nearby in Castlemaine, including:

Maxi IGA – 33 Forest Street, Castlemaine

Woolworths – 98 Forest Street, Castlemaine

At this stage, we are unable support EV charging within the park. Charging electric vehicles, e-bikes and scooters is not permitted due to safety and electrical capacity limits.

Guests using mobility scooters or wheelchairs are welcome to charge their devices using approved chargers with built-in safety features.  Please contact us prior to your stay so we can assist.

Our Workspace Hub is a modern office facility for adult guests needing to catch up on some work or connect with colleagues in a quiet space while on the road.

It is also a stylish, relaxing space for guests wanting time out with a book or a space to simply sit back and enjoy views of the park.

The Hub can be booked exclusively for meetings, small events and workshops or by groups staying at the park.  Fees may apply. Read more about The Hub Workspace here.

For guest safety we do not allow electric scooters or similar.

Regular bikes, scooters, rollerblades and skateboards are welcome. A speed limit of 5km (walking pace) applies.

Equipment can only be ridden during daylight hours and helmets must be worn. Read more about our rules here.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the park for our guests.

BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park is a peaceful park, and we ask guests to keep noise to a minimum between 10pm and 7am so everyone can enjoy a good night’s rest.

Caravan and camping equipment set-up is not permitted after 9 pm, unless pre-arranged with the manager.

Day visitors are welcome during office hours (9:00am – 5:30pm).

To help us keep everyone safe and ensure a great experience for all guests, we ask that visitors check in at reception on arrival and again when leaving so we know who is in the park at all times.

Our facilities are primarily for the use of staying guests, so we ask that visits remain low-key and respectful of others, particularly during busy periods.

If you’re planning to have multiple visitors or a small gathering, please get in touch with us in advance so we can let you know what’s possible.

Campfires or fire pits are permitted at certain times of year in line with local fire restrictions. They are not permitted during the declared CFA Fire Danger Period for the Mt Alexander Municipality.  You can check current conditions on the CFA website.

For guests staying on sites, fire pits are available for hire with firewood and kindling also available to purchase.

If you’d prefer to bring your own, it must be a designated fire pit or brazier raised at least 25cm off the ground.

If you’re staying in accommodation, you’re welcome to enjoy our communal firepit, or hire a fire pit to use within the communal firepit area.

Read more about winter campfires here.

Each site or accommodation booking includes parking for one vehicle.  If you have additional vehicles, parking is available nearby in the main car park at the entrance to the park. 

If you’re travelling with a larger vehicle or truck, please get in touch with us when booking so we can help make suitable arrangements.

Yes, there are free BBQ’s (and a pizza oven!) at our Bush Hut Kitchen for guests to enjoy.

Castlemaine’s public 50-metre swimming pool is located at the entrance to the park. It is open from early December to early March and entrance fees apply.

A guest laundry with washing machines and dryers is available for your convenience, along with designated clothes lines.

The machines operate using $1 coins, and change is available from reception between 9:00am and 5:30pm. 

If you are staying in our accommodation, you can hire porta cots and highchairs through us.

Yes. Details are available here.

Yes, and you’re spoilt for choice!

Just across the road at the Mill Complex you’ll find the popular Viennese-themed Das Kaffeehaus, (open for breakfast, brunch and lunch), the family-friendly Taproom, (serving lunch and dinner seven days a week), and Boomtown Winery (open Thursday to Sunday for wine tastings and relaxed dining.

The popular Bridge Hotel – a classic country pub with a large beer garden – is also across the road and the historic Railway Hotel is only a 10-minute walk away.

Castlemaine town centre is close by also has many coffee spots, cafes and dinner options. 

Read about Castlemaine’s great culinary options in our Food and Wine Guide here.

One of the special things about staying with us is that the beautiful Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and Nature Reserve are right next door.

Covering 25-hectares it’s the perfect space for a leisurely walk, picnic or simply relaxing under the trees. The gardens also feature an ornamental lake and an award-winning play area for kids.

You can read more about the Botanical Gardens here, or explore more of the region’s great outdoor experiences here.

Castlemaine’s supermarkets, bakeries and specialty food shops are only about five minutes away by car or 15 minutes on foot, making it easy to stock up on supplies during your stay.

Yes, many guests enjoy walking or cycling into town. It’s an easy and pleasant trip along local streets and shared paths.

The park is surrounded by great walking and cycling options, from gentle Botanical Gardens paths to bushland trails in the nearby Nature Reserve.

There are also bush walking and cycling trails throughout the region.

Read more about Cycling and Mountain biking in the Goldfields here.

Castlemaine Railway Station is about three minutes away by car or roughly a 10-to-15-minute walk.

Absolutely. We love helping guests discover Castlemaine. Whether you’re interested in markets, wineries, live music, galleries or bush walks, our team is always happy to share ideas.

Have a look at our Explore page for some initial information about what’s on, things to do and places to visit – it’s a good place to start! 

Our accessible three-bedroom villa is rated Qualified Independent Wheelchair User and Qualified Assisted Walking by Accessible Accommodation Australia. It features extra-wide doorways for easy wheelchair access, an over-size master-bedroom suite with king-size bed and a huge bathroom featuring a walk-in or roll-in shower and handrails and grabrails for support. The spacious living, dining and kitchen area and the outdoor deck all have level access and there is also a level parking space.

Guests staying on powered sites have access to a fully equipped independent accessible bathroom and there is an ambulant toilet in both the male and female amenities block.

There is also a designated accessible parking space at the car park at our entrance, near reception.

Our Sensory Garden is a small oasis where children can connect with the sights, sounds and scents of nature and enjoy quiet time. It offers a special and accessible place for play.

We’re also proud supporters of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Our team has completed specialised training to better assist guests, and we offer the HDS green lanyards or pins to individuals with hidden disabilities. These items are optional and serve as a discreet way to let our staff know you may need additional support during your stay.

View our accessibility guide.

We have high colour contrast between walls and door frames in some accommodation.  Please call us to discuss your options.

Registered assistance animals and guide dogs are always welcome.  We can provide a blanket, towel and food and water bowls for your assistance dog.

You can view our accessibility guide here.

TVs in accommodation, our Bush Hut and Games room have subtitles

View our accessibility guide.