We head to the NRMA Treasure Island Gold Coast Holiday Park for a family-friendly RV getaway. Here’s how it went down and what to expect. I started a fire with flint and steel. I made a shelter in the sweltering…
We head to the NRMA Treasure Island Gold Coast Holiday Park for a family-friendly RV getaway. Here’s how it went down and what to expect.
I started a fire with flint and steel.
I made a shelter in the sweltering sun.
I even ate a few worms.
I am definitely going to survive if I’m ever stranded in the wild. My kids on the other hand … well, they’re screwed. Turns out they would rather die of starvation than chow down on a handful of worms.
“Oh well, I’ll miss you,” I said as I squeezed my eyes shut and threw a few mealworms in my mouth. Pushing away any thoughts of gagging, I bit down into the crunchy protein source. The kids looked on in horror. Turns out they’re not that bad. A bit nutty even. If we’re being honest, I kinda liked it.
To be fair, mealworms aren’t proper worms but the larval stage of a darkling beetle. Fortunately for the kids, they’re not actually going to starve on this occasion. We were on a Bear Grylls mission at Treasure Island Gold Coast Holiday Park learning how to survive should we even find ourselves stranded in the wilderness.
NRMA Parks and Resorts have exclusively partnered with the Bear Grylls Survival Academy to bring your kids ‘Shipwrecked‘. A four-part program that aims to take kids out of their comfort zones with fun, challenging and interactive activities. Surrounded by nature of course! Although parents don’t usually join in these kids missions, there is also an additional family mission that you can book into and do together. Which is how I found myself chowing down on mealworms while sitting around a fire started by my seven-year-old with an old-fashioned flint and steel.
So while this is all pretend, the kids are actually learning some really cool stuff. Like how to tie useful knots, build a shelter, start a fire, signal for help and more. The best part? While the kids are off learning new skills for the great outdoors, you get to dump and run. By this, I mean you can drop them off at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy gate within the Treasure Island Gold Coast Holiday Park and then go and relax in your RV or at the onsite restaurant and bar.
Missions are run over weekends and every day during the school holidays. Given how much other cool stuff is available for families at NRMA Treasure Island Gold Coast, this could indeed be QLD’s most family-friendly holiday resort.
Accommodation options at Treasure Island are varied, ranging from camping and caravan sites to glamping through to villas and cabins. Camping and caravan sites range from $65 – $82 per night. The latter will get you an ensuite site for the ultimate in bathroom privacy. If your RV doesn’t have a toilet, this is a great option, negating the need for a midnight stroll to the shared bathrooms.
In addition to the Bear Grylls Shipwrecked missions, there is plenty more stuff to do here at the NRMA Treasure Island Gold Coast. Families can also enjoy:
Feel free to bring your bikes and scooters as there is even a handy repair station for them.
Those RVing with a boat will be pleased to know that you can launch directly from the Treasure Island Holiday Park to explore the Gold Coast’s famous waterways. Electric vehicles (EVs) are also catered for with select accommodation offering EV charging ports.
Treasure Island is pet friendly but there are rules so make sure to phone and discuss your options with staff before bookings.
When you want a break from self-catering in your RV, head down to Galleons Bistro, the onsite restaurant and licensed bar. It’s family-friendly and opens seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kids can play right next door on the jumping pillow and splash park while parents can enjoy their meal in peace while keeping a watchful eye on the kids.
Find NRMA Treasure Island around 7km north of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. It’s conveniently located on the Brisbane Road (Gold Coast Highway).
