New water parks at Discovery Parks Barossa Valley and Discovery Parks Lake Bonney are upping the excitement levels for kids both small and large this summer — and they’re right on our doorstep.

Discovery Parks Barossa Valley

From fresh produce to frisky pinot, the Barossa Valley has long been recognised for its outstanding fruits, vegetables, wines, cheeses and more.

Another well-established part of the local landscape is the Valley’s popular holiday park in Tanunda. Acquired by Discovery Parks in 2014, the park now offers more than 50 one- or two-bedroom cabins and four houses, as well as powered and unpowered camping sites.

The park has long been a favourite with locals and visitors alike, but it’s latest development is likely to make it more popular than ever — a 200,000-litre resort-style swimming pool that is set to open at the end of December.

“It’s a walk-in swimming pool for all ages,” says Jacky Jones, park manager of Discovery Parks Barossa Valley. “The little ones can paddle on the edge on the low shallow part and the adults can jump and dive in to the deeper end. It’s a beautiful big pool.”

The new pool complements the existing water park, which is bursting with fun activities to keep the kids happy all day long.

“We’ve got a big tubular slide and two smaller slides, then there’s lots of water features including a big 300-litre water bucket that fills up and then it swings and turns over and splashes all the children,” says Jones. “There are screams of excitement when that happens.”

With disabled access, the water park also features water canons, sprinklers, a tubular horse and more, while other on-site activities include a jumping pillow, playground, basketball court, movie nights and go-karting. The facilities, says Jones, are available to everyone.

“We open the park up for locals as well, at a cost of $15 per person per day,” she says. “We have local grape pickers who come and stay with us during the vintage period as well as schools coming in for end-of-year breakups.”

The park’s facilities mean that, while it’s all fun and games for the kids, the adults can kick back and relax while keeping a watchful eye on their families.

“We’ll be having a landscaped area between the water park and swimming pool so parents can sit and watch both areas,” says Jones. “They’ll be able to have their own picnics, and bring a blanket or deck chair to sit underneath the shade sail.”

And, while the opening of the new swimming pool is an exciting event for Discovery Parks Barossa Valley, Jones hints there are even more changes to look forward to in 2018.

“There’s some exciting developments coming for the future — it will make it more interesting,” she says.

Discovery Parks Lake Bonney

One of South Australia’s undiscovered treasures, Discovery Parks Lake Bonney is set to light up the skies this summer.

The park sits right on the edge of a freshwater lake that opens up a world of watersports for all ages.

Swimming, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, boating, fishing ... if water activities are your thing, you’ll find them at Lake Bonney.

But step inside the park and you’ll discover a wave of even more exciting water adventures — including a spectacular new glow-in-the-dark water park featuring three slides, a huge tipping bucket, water cannons and several spray zones.

The $1.2 million glow-in-the-dark water park, set to open on December 26, is part of a significant investment from Discovery Parks that also includes $1.6 million to build 16 new superior cabins, adding to the park’s existing 60 cabins and 236 sites.

The result, says Louise Bray, operations support manager for Discovery Parks SA, is the perfect family getaway.

“In the water park there will be different activities such as slides and dunkers,” she says. “We also have a jumpy castle, camp kitchen, free wi-fi and a game rooms. We have pedal bikes on the foreshore, pedal go-karts that kids can ride around the park, and school holiday activities that can range from crafts to movie nights to cookie making.”

Its proximity to local attractions including more than 17 national parks with lots of walking and hiking trails, Monash Adventure Park, Banrock Station wetlands and the Barmera Golf Club means Discovery Parks Lake Bonney is an ideal vacation spot for both families and adults.

“It’s one of those parks that is possibly unknown,” says Bray. “A lot people know about Renmark, a lot of people have heard of Loxton but I don’t think as many people will perhaps have heard of Lake Bonney. It’s a little bit of a hidden secret and definitely another option for families to stay at when they’re on their way to or from interstate.

“It’s only an extra 20 minutes from Renmark and you can take a few days to stay here and enjoy the facilities — or take a mini holiday to break up the journey.

“Even if you want to get away from Adelaide itself and have a bit of a long weekend with the family but not have to go too far, Lake Bonney is not that much of a drive — just 2½-3 hours out of Adelaide — so it’s really quite close.

“I feel personally we’re lucky to have something like this on our doorstep.”

*Subject to availability for new bookings only. Offer valid from 27/11/2017 to 23/12/2017. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Must quote promo code at time of booking. Please note that blackout dates may apply over school holidays, public holidays, long weekends and local special events. Offer valid for both online bookings or by calling the park. Discount is based on the standard rate, does not include extra guests. Offer may be changed or cancelled at any time without notice.