Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your week with us. đ
Itâs wonderful to know you found the amenities very clean, loved the cool pool, and felt well looked afterâour team really appreciates your kind words.
Thanks again for the high recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back soon!
Paul Lobegeiger2025.11.27
Stayed in early September great place location10/10.
Thanks so much for staying with us! We're glad to hear you enjoy your time here . September is such a beautiful time of the yearâand that the location was a 10/10 for you. đ
We really appreciate the feedback and always look forward to welcoming you back.
Luke Mcgregor2025.11.22
We had a great stay in the caravan for a couple of nights at Hydeaway Bay,
What a fantastic location and park, the kids and myself loved the pool, amenities were nice and clean - put the boat in for a fish at dingo beach đď¸
And could wash the motor out back at the park. đ
Well done! Will be back some time for sure
Thanks so much for the wonderful review! Weâre thrilled to hear you and the kids had such a great stay at Hydeaway Bay. đ
Itâs great to know you loved the pool and found the amenities clean and comfortable.
We really appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back next time. Safe travels until then!
Rebecca Williams2025.11.20
Really enjoyed our couple of nights here. Lovely grounds and a very quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Will be back. Thanks
Thank you for your lovely review! Weâre glad you enjoyed the peaceful setting and look forward to welcoming you back.
dale head2025.11.19
Great location to visit surrounding beaches however it is not family friendly at all. Think they would prefer no kids there.
A lot of strict rules which makes you a little on edge and hard to relax
Thank you for your feedback. Iâm not sure why you felt we are not family friendlyâour requests for children to wear helmets and follow certain guidelines are for their safety and the safety of everyone. These arenât âstrict rules,â they are the rules we apply to all guests equally. I did ask nicely for helmets to be worn and for the children to avoid riding through the gardens, as we had to remind multiple times due to skidding and other unsafe behavior. We work hard to maintain our grounds, especially during the dry season, and actions like damaging the grass or throwing rocks make that difficult. We welcome families who are happy to respect the rules and help keep our space safe for everyone.
Tyneal Morgan2025.11.15
CAMP CRANKY
As a local I truly hope everyone visiting this part of the world knows the rest of âWhitsundaysâ arenât like the couple who run this camp.
My parents came to visit with their little dog and decided to stay at the Hydeaway caravan park. We had stay before with previous owners/care takers - they were absolutely beautiful people.
So naturally we didnât think weâd need to read the reviews, we wished we had.
Without going into too much detail, make sure you get a list of all the âallowed to doâsâ (itâll be shorter than the donâts list) and adhere to them. Otherwise you will get an unpleasant visit from the park sheriffâs, Kathy and Neil.
In all seriousness;
Iâm all for understanding places have rules - that is so fine. You dont however need to treat people like theyâre criminals within your park. There are other ways to approach situations and to talk to people.
Advice to owners - take a crash course on customer service, it might do you some good. It also doesnât hurt or smile or be nice. Donât forget youâre running a holiday park and representing the Whitsundays.
Future visitors - If you find yourself visiting this part of Australia, find a different park. One that accepts fun and has better hospitality. There are plenty of other parks, airbnbâs and other accommodation alternatives that will make you feel like youâre on a relaxing holiday, instead of tip toeing around and trying not to get into trouble.
Everyone else in the Whitsundays would love to have you here!
Thank you for sharing your feedback. Weâre sorry your experience didnât meet your expectations. We do have guidelines in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all our guests, their pets, and the park itself. These rules are applied fairly to everyone, and we always aim to communicate them clearly and respectfully.
It isnât always easy when we have to ask people to follow the rules more than once, but we do so to protect our guests and maintain the park, especially during the dry season. Our approach comes from genuine care for both our visitors and the property.
We appreciate your perspective and will continue working on making our communication as friendly as it is firm.
Ben Johnson2025.11.10
Shockingly Rude and Aggressive Management - Avoid This Place.
We recently visited to pick up a friend staying at the park and were stunned by the behaviour of the owner. Despite having a clearly displayed disabled sticker and helping someone with serious mobility issues (two recent knee reconstructions), we were aggressively confronted as we were leaving. The owner ran out, visibly angry, and launched into a verbal tirade before even asking what was happening.
There was no opportunity to explain the disability or the reason for stopping near the caravan, and no interest shown in understanding â only hostility. The encounter left us shaken. We understand that parks have rules about parking and speed limits, but thereâs a way to enforce them respectfully. This wasnât it.
Our friends staying at the park had already mentioned the same pattern: micromanagement, unfriendly treatment, and a generally hostile attitude towards guests. Sadly, we experienced it firsthand.
If youâre after a genuinely friendly, relaxed, and welcoming atmosphere, head to Tropical Caravan Park in Bowen instead â itâs run by lovely people who actually understand hospitality. The owners here could learn a lot about what it means to make guests feel welcome rather than running the place like an internment camp.
As someone who spent years working in the regionâs hospitality industry, promoting the Whitsundayâs this is the first time Iâve ever left a review saying go elsewhere.
Entitled & Disrespectful.
Itâs disappointing to read this review, as it completely ignores the facts of what actually happened. Iâm not sure if this comes from a sense of entitlement or just a lack of respect for other peopleâs property, but our expectations are very clear to anyone entering the park.
At the entrance, it clearly states âGuests Only Past This Point,â and our terms and conditions clearly state that all visitors must register at reception before entering. You were more than capable of doing this respectfully, but you chose not to.
On a couple of occasions, not just one car but two entered the park without permission, driving at a speed that was well above our 5 km/h limit. This is a small park â itâs easy to see whatâs happening â and speeding here puts our guests, including children and pets, at risk.
When we caught up with you the last time, yes, we were upset â and rightfully so. One of our staff members tried to stop you earlier, and you sped straight past her without even noticing. If youâre that unaware of your surroundings, it raises real safety concerns about whether you should be driving in a caravan park at all.
You mentioned someone had a knee operation â we were not aware of this. But that doesnât excuse entering private property without permission or driving unsafely. A simple, respectful conversation at reception would have solved everything.
This isnât âmicromanagement.â Itâs called looking out for the safety and comfort of every guest who stays with us.
Hayley Rowe2025.11.07
Worst caravan park I have ever stayed at hands down. READ THE REVIEWS. Absolutely shocking. There are rules and signs everywhere you look. God forbid you go 1km over their speed limit, park in the wrong spot, make a noise. You have a phone call coming straight in. They watch you like hawks. The owners need to chill out and not be so uptight. We werenât aloud to use to showers in the morning because of old love. I would rather sleep in the car.
This review is misleading and leaves out key facts. You sat on the BBQ and cooking area while preparing food and left the camp kitchen in an unacceptable and unhygienic condition, leaving staff to clean up. I called you to return and address the issue, which you did not do.
The next morning, you parked in a traffic area instead of the designated carpark. When asked to move, you were rude and disrespectful. At that point, I made the decision that it was best you leave the park immediately.
We maintain strict standards of cleanliness, safety, and respect for all guests. Anyone who cannot follow these basic expectations will be asked to leave â as you were.
As previously communicated, guests who slander or behave disrespectfully toward our staff and facilities will face consequences, including being blacklisted from future bookings.
Ebony Lee2025.11.07
Absolutely ridiculous. I was at this cavern park for less than four hours and spent the entire time terrified of making any noise. The staff are not only obsessed with silence but also unbelievably rudeâacting like theyâre doing you a favor by letting you be there. I couldnât enjoy a single moment without being scolded or treated like a criminal for daring to speak or laugh. What should have been a fun visit turned into a stressful, joyless nightmare. Avoid this place unless you enjoy being micromanaged and insulted, never again!!
Weâre sorry to hear that you felt stressed during your visit. From our side, it seems there may have been some misunderstanding. Your friend checked in before you arrived, and the only interaction our staff had with you was a friendly reminder about parking the second vehicle, as we werenât sure if you were aware of the policy. You also werenât on your assigned site at the time, so we wanted to make sure everything was in order. That was the only conversation we had with you. Weâre sorry if that came across differently â our goal is always to ensure guests have a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Simon Barry2025.11.05
Read the reviews and heed the warnings people, the old witch was true to form. These people do not like kids so travelling families beware.
The list of rules and no splashing in the pool T&C upon booking would have been quirky and even comical, but getting drunk and making our kids cry for spotlighting canetoads was next level. Also calling me at 8:30pm demanding money was completely unnecessary.
We are at the end of our lap and this was the worse vibe of all the parks we stayed in Australia, which is a massive call. The weirdest part is their back porch faces the park so she sits there and watches your every move like the eye of sauron.
The Cape Gloster resort was the one saving grace and we cannot wait until this place opens for vans. Great spot and great people and your kids can splash away to their little hearts content.
Itâs disappointing that this review includes personal insults. The use of name-calling says more about the person writing it than it ever could about us.
We do our best to maintain a safe, respectful environment for all guests. Sometimes that means setting boundaries, especially when safety or wildlife are at risk. During this stay, we observed damage to plants and our sprinkler system, which was later confirmed on CCTV.
Weâre not here to argue online, but to protect our property and the comfort of other guests. Itâs a classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees â focusing on frustration instead of facts.
We wish them well on their travels, and weâll continue doing our best for those who respect our park and its surroundings.
kylie mcgee2025.11.02
Friendly welcome from all staff, very clean ver quiet and relaxing
Will stay again
Thank you for your kind words! Weâre so glad you enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and cleanliness. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Florent Klein2025.10.10
Really nice place to stay. A lovely caravan park with amenities, camp kitchen, swimming pool and no wifi, wich is good for a better immersive experience.
Thanks for the great feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the facilities and the break from Wi-Fi â sometimes unplugging really is the best way to relax. Hope to see you again!
Eddie Burnett2025.10.07
âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
We had an incredible stay at Hideaway Bay Caravan and Camping! From the moment we arrived, Neil and Kathy went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Their warm hospitality sets the tone for the whole park.
The grounds are immaculate and beautifully maintained, creating a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. The facilities are top-notch â the camp kitchen is one of the best weâve seen, and the pool is absolutely magnificent after a warm day.
What really surprised us was the amazing bird life all around the park â it adds something special to waking up each morning. The combination of nature, comfort, and genuine hosts makes this place stand out.
Highly recommend staying here â weâll definitely be back!
Thank you so much for your kind and detailed review! Weâre delighted to hear you enjoyed the grounds, facilities, and especially the birdlifeâit really does make mornings here extra special. It means a lot to us that you felt welcomed and comfortable during your stay, as we always aim to make our guests feel at home. Weâre thrilled you had such a relaxing time and truly appreciate your recommendation. We canât wait to welcome you back to Hydeaway Bay Caravan and Camping!
Jess Morgan2025.10.06
We recently had the misfortune of staying at this campground, and I must say, it was an experience I'll never forget. Upon arrival, we were handed a rule book longer than a court transcript. The owners seem to have a passion for enforcing these rules in a manner that is considered rude and arrogant and it's clear they're more interested in control than creating a welcoming atmosphere.
The constant monitoring and lack of privacy were overwhelming. On multiple occasions, we witnessed the male owner watching the cameras in the pool area where people were swimming, which feels like a serious invasion of privacy! The owners' behavior is polarizing, with the wife being particularly enthusiastic about enforcing the rules and yelling at people as they enter the park in an abusive manner - this kind of behavior is completely unacceptable and unwelcoming. Multiple guests echoed the same sentiment: the park owners' micromanaging style and rudeness were off-putting. No surprise they'll never return either! When the park isn't booked out during school holidays, it speaks volumes. Especially given the location! One thing that struck us as odd was the owners' habit of drinking in the communal fire pit area and discussing negative reviews with customers? We were shocked at how forthcoming she was about it and made us feel very awkward. It seemed like they were using the area for their own leisure rather than creating a welcoming space for guests. The toilets didnt have hand towels and/or dryers, which was a significant inconvenience. The stench coming from the tanks was unbearable at times. The lack of activities or events was also a letdown. We stayed for a long weekend, and there was nothing organized to bring campers together. No communal gatherings, no games, no events â just a bunch of people sitting in their sites, feeling unwelcome and disconnected from the constant micromanagement of the female manager. The reviews online paint a consistent picture of a campground with deep-seated issues. Complaints about the rules, the lack of flexibility, and the owner's defensive responses are all consistent with our experience. What's even more telling is that the owner responds to every negative review, but instead of addressing the concerns, she shifts the blame to the guests. It's clear that she's not interested in listening to feedback or improving the experience for her customers. The campground itself is in a stunning location, and the facilities are good. However, the owners' attitude and management style make it a place we'd never recommend and we are local to the area. Not to mention that the locals seem to share our sentiments, and it's clear this campground has a reputation in the area already! If you're looking for a relaxing camping experience, keep looking. We're excited to try the new campground in town and won't be returning here anytime soon. It's a shame, really, because the area is beautiful, and the campground has potential. But until the management changes, we'd advise others to steer clear, especially if you have children! Although we never had a direct run in with the female manager, its very clear to see the issues within the park and why other paying customers had theirs.
Response in photos to Manager's comments!
Weâre disappointed to read your review, particularly given that youâve stayed with us before and were already familiar with how the park operates.
To clarify for others reading, the core issue during your stay involved a serious breach of park safety rules â specifically, a member of your group driving at excessive speed through the park and across multiple occupied sites to âraceâ back to your campsite. This behavior was not only dangerous but extremely inconsiderate to other guests, and it was addressed accordingly.
Our park rules are in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests, especially children and families. When those rules are ignored, we will always step in â not to be difficult, but because guest safety is our top priority.
It's unfortunate that rather than taking responsibility for this behavior, your response has come in the form of an inaccurate and exaggerated review. Claims about privacy, staff conduct, and guest treatment are simply not consistent with the vast majority of our feedback, and we strongly stand by our team and the way the situation was handled.
We do understand that our park may not be the right fit for everyone, particularly those unwilling to respect shared community spaces. But we take great pride in the experience we provide â and itâs one that many families and returning guests genuinely value.
Thanks for your review, glad you enjoyed your stay and we look for to your return.
Happy Camping.
Jane Barratt2025.09.20
Our second visit here. Yes there's lots of rules imposed, but they are for the safety and comfort of patrons. This is THE only heated pool we've struck in nearly 4 months of travel and was very welcomed. Yes pools get very cold in the northern winter! Good camp kitchen and a great communal fire pit. Bathrooms daggy but clean.
Thanks for coming back to stay with us! We're glad the heated pool was a highlight â it's definitely a must in the cooler months. Appreciate your understanding about the rules and your feedback on the bathrooms. Safe travels and hope to see you again!
Hi Julia
Thanks for your review, glad you chose us to stay with and you enjoyed your stay,
Look forward to your return.
Vicki price2025.09.09
Loved our 3rd stay here. The park is immaculately maintained, quiet and spacious. The owners are lovely and make sure the park remains relaxing, safe and clean.
The amenities are clean and showers are hot. There is a pool, shop and great book swap on site. The fire pit is lit every night and everyone is welcome to bring a drink and kick back.
Easy walk to a beautiful beach.
I donât think this would be a park I would bring young children to, as there is not much for them to do.
Thank you so much for your lovely review and for choosing to stay with us for a third time â it truly means a lot! We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, clean amenities, and the little touches like the nightly fire pit and book swap. It's great to know our efforts to keep the park relaxing, safe, and welcoming are appreciated.
Looking forward to welcoming you back again soon!
Brittany Oldham2025.09.09
Had a great time with my family at Hydeaway Bay. Site was spacious, amenities well looked after and the camp kitchen had everything you needed. Was nice to have a dip in the pool too. Nice and quiet and a great spot to relax. Would love to come back when back in the area again.
Verified Company
