We have just had a lovely couple of days at Kioloa Beach Holiday Park. We were off season as we had dogs with us and it was a great location as the dogs could run free along the beach. The amenities were clean although the washing machines weren't working. The only real down side to the park was that there was no mobile or internet service.

We booked for 2 nights in a cabin and arrived at about 9pm Friday night and checked in. To our surprise we later found that the main bed only had a top and bottom sheet, no blanket or doona. Upon contacting the Manager he refused to provide a blanket until the morning at a cost and advised to use the heater provided to heat the room. Their policy is that a blanket is not included in their definition of linen provided. We have been to this holiday park numerous times over the past 10 years but never again will we return.

We have been staying at this park either in cabins or tents frequently since 1989, and the park is currently under only the third set of managers in all that time. These managers have been in place for about 18 months I believe.

Previously, campers were permitted to have open fires provided they were in braziers. In fact the previous park owner used to hire out old washing machine drums ($5 a stay!) to act as braziers. This ensured there was little or no damage to the grass areas and the fires were perfectly safe. An additional benefit was that the campers kept the grounds completely free of fallen branches and twigs from the park's trees as they collected them nightly for their fire.

On our most recent visit we noticed that the grounds were an absolute mess of fallen branches and twigs. The new managers don't allow fires any more, and nor do they arrange for their own groundstaff to collect the fallen debris. As a result, the ground is covered in tree litter, a far cry from the old days. Also, because of the limited lighting around the camping area the fallen litter becomes quite a hazard when walking to/from the amenities block at night. (In a more litigious society than we have in Australia, the park could well be looking at a law suit over injuries sustained because they have not kept them in good order.)

Interestingly, the nearby Merry Beach Caravan and Camping Resort DOES allow fires in braziers. Given that they are closer to the National Park one has to ask what the problem is for Kioloa Beach managers.


The issue of campfires aside, this does tend to be an expensive place to stay. While we have always found the cabins to be in a clean condition, the prices charged are comparable to hotel or motel prices in arguably better locations.

Fortunately for them they have one of the best beaches on the South Coast beside the park and this is largely what keeps people coming back to the park.

This is still a great place to stay, but would be so much better if the managers relaxed a little and returned to the sensible policy of allowing campfires in braziers.

My partner and I have camped here many times (outside peak periods) over the years with our now very old dog and have always loved it. We still love the location, but standards have dropped (it seems new owners/managers are in place?). The showers and toilets were NOT clean (the showers need a complete steam clean and the grout replaced). Speaking of the amenities, cleaning now occurs first thing in the morning instead of after the 'morning rush' to use showers, basins, etc. The pool was also filthy which is not the norm. Also, the new managers seem to want to group campers together instead of spreading them apart - which is why we travel outside peak periods to avoid camping so very close to anyone else. We will be back there soon so it will be interesting to see what happens then.