The real beauty of Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park is that it’s a destination unto itself; the park is 16ha of stunning real estate, with both beach and river frontage that developers dream about, all but concealed from the main road by thick coastal shrubbery.

It has the facilities and amenities to support an armada of vans, campers, cabins and cottages, as well as enough entertainment onsite and nearby to keep everyone happy.

Our easy drive from Melbourne was just over 90 minutes; coming from the south-eastern suburbs, we took Kings Way to the Westgate Bridge and followed the signs to Geelong. From there we followed the signs to Torquay, stopping there for a wander through the packed aisles of surf-wear factory outlets, and a quick coffee and biscuit.

Anglesea is about 15 minutes further along the Great Ocean Road and Anglesea Beachfront Caravan Park is a few hundred metres down Cameron Road, past the tennis courts.

We stayed in a deluxe cottage, a new and comfortable addition to the permanent accommodation in the park. The caramel-coloured weatherboard invited us up the couple of stairs to the deck and outdoor setting, and through the sliding security door and glass door to the living area and kitchen, with stove and oven (with rangehood) and microwave.

Apart from the bright white walls, the dining setting, couches and curtains were warm chocolates and browns. A gas log heater sat in one corner, facing the wall-mounted TV and DVD player – ideal to compensate for the occasionally inclement weather.

Walking through the living and then kitchen areas, a small shower and vanity was located to the right of the main hallway, with two queen bedrooms (one with a TV, both with built-in robes), separated by a toilet, to the right. The third, bunk bed room sat at the end of the hallway.

There was plenty of space for the two of us, and there was more than enough to spare for another four.

Supplies of all description are available from the IGA supermarket, almost across the road from the turn-off for the caravan park, along with a bottle shop and a host of restaurants and cafes, a bakery and even a top-notch bike shop.

There’s no denying that Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park, a member of the Top Tourist group, is a big one – there are 540 sites, many of which are annuals, with about 250 casual sites as well as 30 cabins, which includes the 11 deluxe cottages and 11 holiday cabins – manager Justin Morris says it’s one of the biggest holiday parks in Australia. During peak season, over Christmas, Justin told us that up to 3000 people enjoy the park at any one time.

Anglesea is also the perfect location for a shoulder season or off-peak visit, with both autumn and spring being great times for a break. Justin says that both seasons are peaceful in the park, with mild autumn weather and wildflowers and orchids in the Great Otway National Park coming into bloom in the spring.

But size doesn’t have to mean a drop in standard or a scarcity of facilities. There are six amenities blocks to serve the park, and the sites are powered with many being grassed.

Seven outdoor barbecues are dotted strategically around the park and there are boat ramp facilities for those with a boat in tow.

The park accommodates for every visitor – one of the new cabins is entirely disabled-friendly and so is the indoor heated spa and the amenities blocks.

Perhaps the most notable development in the park of late has been the addition of the stylish covered outdoor pool and heated indoor spa. The pool is warm enough for swimming all year round, and the steamy spa will soothe tired travellers even on the coldest nights.

To top off the Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park experience, there’s a wireless internet connection available throughout the park which is accessed with one-hour ($5.50), two-hour ($11) or 24-hour ($16.50) logins available from reception.

A coin-operated internet computer is also available for park guests.

Surfing is often a major focus of any trip to the area, so it’s no wonder that top quality surf lessons are easily accessible. Go Ride A Wave surf school conducts sessions for all levels, details of which are available from the park’s reception.

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Canoes and kayaks are popular craft from which to enjoy the Anglesea River, and of course swimming is a perennial activity, even if the water is a little chilly.

The world-famous Bells Beach is about a 10-minute drive away, and the patrolled Anglesea surf beach is just down the road. What may come as a surprise is that a brand new mountain bike track is a short trip from the park, on the outskirts of Anglesea.

And once you (and/or the kids) have tired yourselves out between the water and the dirt, take a relaxing afternoon to unwind on the various pleasant walks around the park.

You can follow the cliff line back toward Torquay, or walk the other way toward where the Anglesea River meets the sea, where the sheltered beachfront sites form a Top Tourist Park Riviera.

So next time you’re keen for an off-season beach side break in a large park with everything onsite or around the corner, then consider the Anglesea Beachfront Caravan Park; between the river and the sea, it’s prime real estate that every caravanner can afford.

Anglesea fast facts

Anglesea is 110km (about 90min) south-west of Melbourne, on the Great Ocean Road. Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park is located on Cameron Road, Anglesea, Vic 3230, (03) 5263 1583, fax: (03) 5263 3055. It is part of the Top Tourist Parks Group. Prices are seasonal so call or check the website for details: www.angleseabeachfront.com.au

By Andrew Harris, as featured in Caravan World, issue 438, February 2007.