When it comes to accommodation close to the Carnarvon National Park, Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks (previously called Takarakka Bush Resort & Caravan Park) would have to be one of the most popular places to stay. Sprawled across 100 acres of bushland, surrounded by the Carnarvon Creek and only a few kilometres from the National Park, the Big4 is a picturesque property that offers a range of affordable camping and other accommodation options. At the Big4, you’ll find everything you need for a comfortable stay.
In this guide, I’m going to cover everything you need to know about a stay at the Big4 Carnarvon Gorge.
If you like to camp in Queensland, join our Queensland Camping FB group where you can talk with other campers, ask for advice and share your own camping experiences.
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to my disclaimer here for more information.
Where is the Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks?
The Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks is approximately 4 km from the main Carnarvon Gorge Visitor area – which is where the main tracks into the gorge commence.
The greater Carnarvon Gorge region is located in central Queensland between Emerald and Roma. It’s about an 8 hour drive from Brisbane, 4.5 hours from Rockhampton, 6.5 hours from Bundaberg or 5 hours from Gladstone.
If you’re coming from Brisbane, like we did; it’s doable in one day – we did this on the way home. Otherwise, another option is to drive to Roma (which is 5.5 hours from Brisbane) and stay the night. Then it’s just a 3 hour drive from Roma to the Big4.
Camping and Accommodation Options at the Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks
Whether you want to pitch a tent, roll out a swag or stay in modern self contained accommodation- the Big4 offers something for everyone. Below is a brief overview of the different camping and accommodation options at the Big4.
Cabins
There are three different cabin options at the Big4 as follows:
The Cottage
The Cottage is a spacious and fully self contained cabin that can sleep up to 3 people. The cottage comes with a queen and single bed, air conditioning, ensuite bathroom, fridge, microwave, oven, stove, crockery and cutlery.
Prices start at $245 per night.
Explorer Cabins
The Explorer Cabins (pictured above) are great for those that want a comfortable place to sleep but don’t mind using shared facilities for their meals. These cabins sleep two people in a queen bed and come with air conditioning, ensuite bathroom, bar fridge, crockery and cutlery.
Prices start at $185 per night.
Kookaburra Studios
The Kookaburra Studios are the ultimate place to stay for those who want their own little private retreat. These gorgeous little air conditioned studios sleep two people and come with a fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. You’ll also have access to an outdoor kitchen which the Kookaburra Studio guests have exclusive use of. The kitchen comes with a BBQ, microwave, pots, pans, basically everything you need to prepare all your own meals. You also get your very own fire pit.
Prices start at $235 per night.
Safari Tents
As well as cabins, the Big4 also offers safari tents that can sleep between 2 to 6 people – making them perfect for couples and families. The safari tents come with linen, towels, a bar fridge, shelving, a pedestal fan and a private balcony with outdoor seating. You also have the option of choosing a safari tent that comes with its own ensuite.
All safari tents are centrally located, so you have easy access to the shared camp kitchen, toilets and showers. However, if you plan on using the camp kitchen, you’ll need to bring your own cooking gear as well as plates and cutlery.
Prices start at $155 per night for safari tents with an ensuite or $110 per night for those without an ensuite.
Camping and Caravan Sites
For those pitching a tent or driving a huge caravan – there is a range of powered and unpowered sites. The sites are spacious and allow up to 6 people on the one site and just one vehicle (in addition to your caravan or camper trailer).
The campsites are spread out across the property and are organised in smaller little areas. Most of the areas have their own large camp kitchen, amenities block and fire pit. Therefore, for the most part, regardless of where you camp, you won’t need to walk far to the toilet.
Powered sites start at $45 per night and unpowered sites start at $35 per night. These rates are for two adults, with additional adults $15 per night or additional children $5 per night.
Amenities at the Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks
Despite being in the middle of nowhere, there are some great amenities at the Big4 – there is everything you need here for a very comfortable stay.
Camp Kitchen
There are three large camp kitchens scattered throughout the property – so no matter where you are camping, you’ll have one close by. Each of the camp kitchens has BBQs, sinks and plenty of picnic tables for meals.
Fire Pits
While your own personal fires are not allowed at the Big4, there are multiple communal fire pits scattered around the property you are welcome to use. Firewood is supplied for the fire pits.
Toilets and Showers
There are three large toilet and shower amenity blocks scattered across the property. Each of the amenity blocks has multiple showers and plenty of toilets.
The showers here are some of the best I’ve seen! It’s not so much the shower as such – but the cubicles are very spacious and there is loads of hooks and bench space for hanging clothes and towels. The shower recess has quite high sides on it too, so it’s perfect for parents wanting to bath their toddlers.
I’m usually used to lining up for a shower at most campsites, but here I never waited once. Nor did I ever have to wait for a toilet either.
At all times that I used the toilet or showers, they were clean and there was plenty of toilet paper and soap.
Laundry Facilities
I forgot to check out the laundry facilities while I was at the Big4, so I can’t comment too much on this. There is just one laundry though at the property and you can purchase a token for $5 from reception which includes washing powder. Dryers and clotheslines are also provided.
Dump Point
At the back of the property, there is a dump point at the Big4; however management asks that guests use it sparingly. There are free council dump points at Rolleston, Springsure or Injune, which you will pass on your way in or out of Carnarvon Gorge.
General Store
There is a basic general store on site if you’re running short on groceries or have left something at home. We didn’t purchase too much from the store while here other than wine, chips and ice creams. Although we did notice that they even sold cheap joggers, if you forget yours and our friends forget wine glasses and were able to buy some there also.
The Big4 Bush Bar
Each day from 4 to 5 pm the Big4 Bar open ups serving drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic. I’m a wine drinker and they only serve wine by the bottle – but at $20 a bottle, the price is pretty good.
The Big4 Roast Dinner
If you can’t be bothered cooking after a long day of hiking, then you’ll be pleased to know that on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, the Big4 serves up a two course roast dinner. You will need to bring your own plates, cutlery and bowls though and advance bookings are essential.
The cost of the two course roast dinner is $35 per adult and $20 per child.
Activities and Facilities at the Big4
While no doubt you’ll be spending most of your days out exploring the Carnarvon Gorge, there are a few things to do while you’re around the Big4.
Swimming at the Beach
While there are plenty of creeks throughout the Carnarvon Gorge, most of them are off limits for swimming due to the platypus population. However, there is a designated swim area at the Big4. I didn’t swim here myself – it was a little too murky for my liking – although perhaps this was due to all the rain leading up to our visit. We did see plenty of people swimming here though, throughout our stay.
Spotting Platypus
The Carnarvon Creek runs the property’s length and this is also the home of a platypus family. There is a designated area within the Big4 that is recommended to try and spot the platypus. It is recommended that you head down at dawn or dusk to spot these sky little creatures.
Information Sessions
if you haven’t had the chance to do your own research before arriving at the Gorge (and I really recommend you do!), you can join one of the daily information sessions held at the Big4. These are held each day at 5 pm – right after the bush bar – so it’s the perfect spot for a drink, followed by some local knowledge of the area.
I sat in on one of these information sessions while we were there and I didn’t find they covered anything I didn’t know – but then I’m someone who probably over researches everything and had been staying up to date with what was going on in the area via various local Facebook pages.
Guided Carnarvon Gorge Tours
While it’s not necessary to explore the gorge with a guide, the Big4 can set you up with a guided tour for those who want to learn more about the region. Their day tours cover all the Carnarvon Gorge’s main attractions, including the Art Gallery, Wards Canyon, Amphitheater and Moss Gardens. Tours run from 8 am to 4 pm daily and cost $55 per adult and $30 per child.
Astronomy Tours
The sky out at Carnvaron has got to be seen to be believed! I’m not sure if it was just while we were there – but it’s as if the stars shine so much brighter here than anywhere I’ve ever been before. So it is the perfect place to join an astronomy tour. The Big4 even has its very own state of the art observatory.
We were super keen to join one of these tours, but unfortunately, they weren’t running while we were there.
The tours last for one hour and cost $30 per adult and $15 per child.
The Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks – Our Verdict
The Big4 is a brilliant campsite. The property is gorgeous, peaceful and there are plenty of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Campsites are extremely spacious, so you’re not cramped in and the property is reasonably flat, so it’s easy to set up camp and walkabout.
My only gripe about the Big4 is I didn’t find the staff very accommodating to our needs. We had booked at different times to our friends and although when I booked I had tried to get close to our friends they said it wasn’t possible. On arrival, our friends were at one end of the property and we were at the other. Given how huge each of our sites were I asked about being able to camp on the same site as each other – but was also told that wasn’t possible.
Anyway, putting that aside, I really liked staying at the Big4 and would definitely recommend anyone visiting Carnvaon Gorge to stay here. If you are planning on camping with friends though, I’d recommend you all book at the same time and book everything under one name, so you are definitely with each other.
______________________________________________________________________________
Hopefully you found this guide to the Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks helpful. Check out our guide on visiting the Carnarvon Gorge here or read our guide on all the different Caranvon Campsites here.