If you’re looking for an awesome holiday park with loads to keep the little ones entertained, look no further than North Star Holiday Resort! This is one of Australia’s best holiday parks – with some of the best facilities I’ve ever seen – and I’ve stayed at plenty of holiday parks.
A free kids club and adults only retreat – need I say more? But wait – there’s more! North Star also has a Marine Discovery Centre, its very own waterpark, complete with a massive water slide, playground, and restaurant – the list goes on and on!
And that’s not to mention being located just metres from a stunning beach and creek at Hastings Point.
Whether you’re after a weekend escape or a week long family holiday – North Star Holiday Resort really is an excellent option to consider.
So to help you make the most of your stay at North Star Holiday Resort – I’ve put together this guide which covers everything you need to know. As well as covering the endless amount of things to do, this guide also covers accommodation options and other facilities on site.
Now all you need to do is decide when you can go!
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Things to do at North Star Holiday Resort
There is certainly no shortage of things to do for both the kids and adults at North Star Holiday Resort. Here’s a brief overview of all that’s on offer.
Sammy’s Adventure Lagoon Waterpark
With plenty of shady areas for the kids, the waterpark here at North Star is next level!
Two storeys of water fun for all ages; even mum and dad will love the brand new Super Slides. There is also a decent size swimming pool as well as a wading pool for toddlers.
Watch your kids make new friends while playing among the 65 water features this awesome aqua playground offers.
The best part of this fun filled waterpark is that it can be enjoyed year round with the pools seasonally heated!
Oh, and there are QR codes around the waterpark, so you can order food from the cafe and have it delivered straight to your sun lounger!
Sammy’s Adventure Lagoon Waterpark really does have something for kids of all ages. Our daughter and her friend are 12 and we couldn’t keep them out of there! Plus there were older kids and plenty of younger ones – all having a ball.
Price: Free.
Opening Times: Pools – 7 am til sunset | Slides & Splash Park – Daily, but times vary, so check with reception on arrival.
Neptune’s Castle Kids Club
What’s better than a Kid’s Club? A free Kids Club!
Your little ones will have the time of their life at this fully supervised indoor playground. Complete with a holiday program and scheduled activities, the kids will never want to leave.
Neptune’s Castle has everything – from a ball pit to a flying fox as well as arts and crafts; there is something to entertain kids of all ages.
The scheduled activities for peak periods are found on their website, so the kids can pick and choose which ones they want to attend.
During off season or outside of kid’s club hours, Neptune’s Castle is available for kids under the supervision of their parents.
The kids club is available for kids aged 3 to 12 and opening hours vary – so be sure to check in with reception on arrival.
Price: Free.
Opening Times: Times do vary, so check with reception on arrival.
Playground
The fully fenced outdoor playground is a great spot when the kids want a break from the Water Park.
The playground is similar to those you see at Maccas, only bigger! There’s a range of slides for big and little kids, climbing structures and more. Some of the playground is under shade cloth too, which is great for protecting the kids from the sun.
It has soft fall rubber matting as its base in case of any trips or tumbles while playing.
Price: Free.
Opening Times: 7 am to dusk
Marine Discovery Centre
North Star Holiday Resort is home to one of Australia’s largest privately run museums, which has recently gone under a million dollar renovation.
The Museum’s ultimate goal is to inspire and educate visitors of all ages on protecting our precious marine environment now and into the future.
It is full of state of the art technology to help visitors understand and care for the aquatic environment.
We recently attended one of these 2 hour sessions, and even I was surprised at how much I loved it! This is not your boring old presentation – your guide will take you through a range of real life species under the microscope, as well as plenty of hands on activities for the kids to explore.
Price: $13.00 per adult | $9.00 per child (3-12 years) | $34 per Family Pass (2A & 2C)
Opening Times: Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm. Extra sessions during May and the school holidays
Games Room
Tweens or teens looking for something else to do?
North Star Holiday Resort has a large games room featuring a pool table, air hockey, pinball machines and old school arcade games.
It’s a massive area, making it a great place for the kids to hang out with the new friends they’ve made. Plus, it is a great alternative when the weather outside is not inviting.
Price: Nominal fee for some machines
Opening Times: Daily from 8 am to 9 pm
Kayaking Tour
A great activity the family can enjoy off site is a guided kayaking tour. The tour commences just a short walk from the holiday park, where after a quick safety briefing you’ll be taken on a relaxing kayak tour down Cudgera Creek.
Your guide provides commentary along the way, pointing out things of interest along the creek. During our trip, we saw plenty of fish, birds as well as a few sting rays. The water was crystal clear making it really easy to see the marine life.
There are a range of different kayaks to choose from including single, doubles and triples, so no matter how many are in your family group – none of the kids have to go alone.
Tennis Courts
Fancy a game of tennis?
North Star Holiday Resort boasts a full size tennis court and you can hire it for free. Free balls and racquets are also available.
Bookings and equipment are available from the Leisure Centre.
Price: Free
Opening Times: Daily from 8 am to 5 pm
Adults Only Retreat
If the kids are busy at Neptune’s Castle and you’re looking for something to do – then the Seascape Leisure Centre has you covered!
Have a massage, get your hair done or swim some laps in the adult only pool. The Seascape Leisure Centre was definitely a highlight of our stay! I’ve never come across anything like it – and I’ve stayed at plenty of holiday parks in my time!
The Leisure Centre also has a well-equipped gym, so you can have a quick workout and finish it off in one of the three temperature controlled spas!
Times: 9 am to 5 pm daily. Extended hours during peak times.
Accommodation at North Star Holiday Resort
There is a huge range of accommodation options at North Star Holiday Resort. You’ve got basic cabins to huge family villas that can sleep up to 10 people! There is also a range of camping options too.
Below is a brief overview of the most popular accommodation options.
Tuscany Villas
For large families, extended families or multiple families travelling together – the Tuscany Villas are definitely the way to go! There are only 7 of these Tuscany Villas, which are right outside the waterpark and close to the cafe, shop and beach access.
These villas are two storeys with three bedrooms (all with ensuites), with the ability to sleep up to 10 people. There is a king bed in the master bedroom, a queen and bunks in the second bedroom, and two bunk beds in the last bedroom.
Downstairs you have the master bedroom, second bedroom, a small family room and kitchenette. While upstairs, you have the 3rd bedroom, a huge kitchen, a family and dining room, and an outdoor area complete with BBQ. Both levels have a spacious balcony with outdoor seating.
The villas are fully air conditioned and come with multiple TVs, laundry facilities and parking for one vehicle.
Tuscany Villas start at around $345 per night for a family of 4.
Coastal Cottages
Just behind the Tuscany Villas, you’ll find the gorgeous Coastal Cottages – which I’ve stayed in once before. There are 8 Coastal Cottages which are well located with easy access to all the parks facilities.
The Coastal Cottages come with two bedrooms, accommodating up to 6 people. There is a king bed in the master bedroom (with ensuite) and a queen bed and bunks in the second bedroom.
These cottages are fully self contained with a kitchen, laundry facilities, a small patio with BBQ, multiple TVs, lounge and dining area, air conditioning and parking for one vehicle.
The Coastal Cottages start at around $245 per night for a family of 4.
Villas and Lodges
There is a range of Villas and Lodges which range from lovely and modern to an older style accommodation. All of the villas and lodges are centrally located within the holiday park, near the kids club, playground, games room and adults only retreat.
These villas and lodges come with two bedrooms, with most accommodating up to 6 people. Both accommodation options have a king bed in the master bedroom, with the second bedroom either having a queen and bunks or one or two bunk beds.
Most Villas and Lodges come with just one bathroom (some have ensuites), fully equipped kitchens, lounge and dining area, multiple TVs, patios with outdoor settings and BBQs, air conditioning and parking for one vehicle.
These Villas and Lodges start at around $210 per night for a family of 4.
Apartments and Units
There are a couple of massive apartments and units which are beautifully renovated and just perfect for larger families or those wanting plenty of space. We stayed in one of these apartments recently with a couple of kids and it really was like a home away from home.
The apartments are located above the reception area, while the units are above the on site convenience store. This makes them super convenient to the water park – however a bit of a longer walk from the rest of the resort facilities.
The apartments and units come with two or three bedrooms with the ability to sleep up to 6 people. There’s a king size bed in the master room with a queen size in the second bedroom and two singles in the third bedroom. We stayed in a two bedroom apartment which had a queen and a single bed in the second bedroom.
This accommodation type just comes with one bathroom (no ensuite) and at least in the two bedroom apartment, we stayed in the toilet was inside the bathroom which is a bit of a pain when staying with multiple people. But the livening areas are huge – with a fully equipped kitchen, separate lounge and dining area. They also feature laundry facilities, multiple TVs, air conditioning and parking for one vehicle.
These Villas and Lodges start at around $231 per night for a family of 4.
Bunk Houses
The Bunk Houses are the perfect option for large families who need lots of space but don’t have the budget for the Tuscany Villas. Coming with two bedrooms, yet able to accommodate up to 12 people, these offer excellent value for money.
The Bunk Houses have a queen and two sets of bunks in the main bedroom, while the second bedroom has three sets of bunk beds. There are also two bathrooms, a kitchenette (with stovetop, fridge and microwave), a dining area, air conditioning and parking for one vehicle.
The Bunk Houses are centrally located within the holiday park, near the kids club, playground, games room and adults only retreat.
Bunk Houses start at around $174 per night for a family of 4.
Camp and Caravan Sites
For families on the road with their van, tent or swags, you’ll be pleased to know there are also camping options at North Star. All sites are beautifully manicured, with lush green grass or artificial grass.
Sites are all powered and come in a range of sizes, so regardless of whether you have a tent to pitch or a large motor home, you’re catered for. Each site comes with a concrete slab, has access to Foxtel and parking for one car.
There are also 19 ensuite sites on the property which as well as a private shower, toilet and vanity, come with a picnic table too. An alternative to booking an ensuite suite is to book a private bathroom at the amenities block for your own personal use during your stay.
Powered sites start at around $88.50 per night for a family of 4 and ensuite sites start at around $102.50 per night for a family of 4.
Facilities at North Star Holiday Resort
As well as plenty to do and great accommodation – there are some great facilities on site to make your time at North Star Holiday Resort more comfortable and convenient.
Here is a brief overview of the facilities at the resort.
Ripples Licensed Cafe
Open seven days for breakfast (8 am to 11 am), lunch (11 am to 3 pm) and dinner (5 pm to 8 pm), Ripples Cafe is the perfect place to go when you don’t feel like cooking.
Offering a wide choice of meals, they also stock a great selection of beers and wine, fresh local seafood and an ever-changing specials menu.
There is also the option for ordering ahead online and taking it away. You can also order while lounging around the waterpark and your food and drinks will be delivered straight to your sun lounge!
Oh, and be sure to check what time happy hour is when you arrive! There is live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
Opening Times: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
Convenience Store
North Star Holiday Resort has an onsite Service Station and Convenience Store. So there really is no reason to leave the Park!
The store stocks basic groceries, gas bottle refills, as well as bait and tackle for the fishing fanatics. You can also get your fishing licence here too.
Opening Times: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Camp Kitchen and BBQs
For those camping, across the park, you’ll find a full size camp kitchen, a smaller kitchenette, as well as a massive BBQ and seating area.
Between the various spaces, you’ll find multiple BBQs, full size gas ovens, a couple of stovetops, a fridge, sinks, a microwave and even a TV.
There are plenty of places to eat too, with picnic bench style seating across the different areas.
Opening Times: Daily from 7 am to 9 pm Sundays to Thursdays and until 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Laundry
Just by the kitchenette, you’ll find a coin operated laundry for guests. Perfect for those week long camping trips.
A wash cycle or dry cycle is $6. There are ironing facilities too.
North Star Holiday Resort – Our Verdict
We’ve stayed at many holiday parks in our time and this is certainly one of the more unique ones! This really is one of those places where you can unpack your bags and never leave (which is basically what we did on our last visit!).
Having a waterpark, with a waterslide and kids club in itself, is pretty awesome. But the fact that the kids club is completely free and you can leave your kids there while you head off to the adults only area is excellent. I’ve never come across a holiday park with all this on offer.
Initially, I thought North Star was better suited to younger school aged children – but I was completely wrong as my 12 year old daughter and friend absolutely loved it! Mind you they pretty much stayed at the water park the entire weekend!
The surrounding area of Hastings Point is just gorgeous too. There’s plenty in the region to explore. Definitely an excellent spot for a family holiday.
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We hope this guide has helped you want to book a stay at North Star – you won’t regret it! Some other guides you may like are our Review of the Hosanna Farmstay, or our guide on the Gold Coast with kids.