Holiday park a new lifestyle

RESIDENTIAL caravan parks are increasingly challenging traditional aged-care homes as the place to live out their golden years.

RESIDENTIAL caravan parks are increasingly challenging traditional aged-care homes as the place to live out their golden years.

And the best place in the state is the BIG4 Casino resort, according to the Caravan, Camping and Touring Industry and Manufactured Housing Industry Association of NSW (CCIA).

It is the fourth consecutive year the group has awarded the Casino resort the title of Best NSW Residential Park.

"Judges commented on BIG4 Casino Resort's spacious permanent over-50s lifestyle village home sites," CCIA chief executive Lyndel Gray said.

"It is a four-star tourist park and has 201 approved home sites. Not only does BIG4 Casino offer great facilities and activities to residents and guests, it hosts a number of expos, festivals and activities throughout the year, offering an ideal place to retreat and relax."

The Casino Resort was established almost 11 years ago solely for motorhomes but the owners realised there was demand for a secure home people could lock up while travelling.

Today the park, on the 300-acre old Casino airport site, has 156 permanent homes, the resort's corporate manager Julie James said.

"We always have to work hard at getting people through the gate, but once they are through the gate they are all very impressed. It's not what they imagined.

"We are unique in Australia in the size of our site. There is room for a carport and RV on every site, and each site is hedged so it gives people privacy with room for an outdoor living deck."

North Coast winners

Best of the Best NSW Holiday Park/Resort

BIG4 Soldiers Point Holiday Park

Excellence in Environmental Innovation - Park

Clarkes Beach Holiday Park

NSW Trade & Investment - Crown Lands Customer Service Excellence Award for a Park on Crown Lands

Park Beach Holiday Park, Coffs Harbour.

Best Resort/Holiday Park (more than 100 sites)

Winner: Park Beach Holiday Park

Best North Coast Holiday Park (more than 100 sites)

Winner: BIG4 Soldiers Point Holiday Park

Best North Coast Holiday Park (less than 100 sites)

Soldiers Point Holiday Park

Best Inland Holiday Park (more than 100 sites)

Armidale Tourist Park

Best NSW Residential Park

BIG4 Casino Resort