Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach

property and area was nice but tried to charge us for having visitors in with us during the day and didn’t let us park our cars inside making us walk in the rain and carry all our stuff outside the caravan park all because my mate had to let his car in at the same time because he had all his gear in it and it was just easier than doing multiple trips. later when he tried to take his car back out of one of the ladies in the office got aggressive and rude with him not letting him take his car out and screaming at him in front of other residents and staff. later she told him that we aren’t aloud to park inside anymore and let him out.

Nice little area to stay in. Not really any restaurants open nearby though. Cabin/cottage that we stayed in had a complete kitchen so we were able to cook our meals. A small grocery store is nearby. Comfortable stay. Nice view of the coast. Kangaroos were many and present in the area which made the only negative of the place...that being, their poop everywhere. Had to really watch where you walked. Swimming pool looked nice, but it was too cool out to enjoy. Ladies in the reception area were lovely...very welcoming. We even went to extend our stay an extra day and they were quite accommodating.

Shower tank smell little bad, anything else was good and clean-good for family with kids

Accommodation excellent, rooms spotless, looked really nice, great presentation, beds were comfortable, cabin contained just about everything you would need with few exceptions, even ironing spray, plenty of plastic bags for bin, electric & normal fry pan (wife loved it), even a steam mop (wife loved it), had a fruit bowl (wife said it was a real nice touch). Contained everything else that you have in a normal cabin with the only exceptions being that it did not have a coffee table, while not necessary would have made it more relaxing. Simple thing to put your drink on a table. It also did not have a dryer in cabin which we thought that was a bit strange being that it had a washing machine so you would have to take the clothes to the public laundromat. Now, whist we had our own toilet, bathroom we checked out the public amenities, showers, toilets, laundromat, and I was impressed as they were absolutely spotless, were very well designed and presented – loved them. Very dog friendly, even had a large dog exercise and play enclosure. Very smart idea. Absolutely great for kids and family or even for couples like us who wanted to get away to a really great place for some needed R & R. Had a large jumping matt, had a large climbing, jungle gym/swing set and even had a miniature bike track for the littlies, also has peddle carts you can hire out for the kids. On top of all that if that was not enough, the widelife there was crazy, there was kangaroos everywhere all through the park resort, there all types of birds, lorikeets, willie wagtails, magpies, crows, pigeons, other birds and there was even the smallest bird I have ever seen before on the beach, mother and baby, at least half the size of a willie wagtail, so tiny and amazing to see. There were also lizards everywhere. I mean you didn’t even have to leave your cabin to see wildlife, just relax and sit on the balcony and enjoy, wildlife at your door. The staff were lovely and friendly and the people in the park were really nice. Nice beach, very wide, great for sport activities, plenty of sand. Nice sized rock areas and apparently some good fishing on the beach and on the rocks if you are keen. The only real negative was that the cabins are bit close together and had no privacy when sitting on the verandah, suggestion just need a shade cloth on the right side of the balconies.

Very nice area with all the kangaroos and the walking trails

We had originally booked a 2 bedroom luxury suite cabin but was kindly offered one of the new seaview beach houses as friends were camping close by & it would be more convient (for no extra cost). The new Seaview beach houses are stunning. They were spacious, had everything we needed, wereright opposite the beach, a few steps away from the pool, and had the most magical views all day from both the living room and the deck. There are two decent size bedrooms, a huge bathroom and seperate toilet. We travelled with two small children & actually used one of the bathrooms as a third bedroom which worked out great. While my baby slept I was able to watch my husband & toddler at the playground, and even swimming at the beach all while sitting on the beautiful deck. The park was busy but quiet at the same time, filled with lots of friendly families. It has such a nice atmosphere. There is a lovely general store a short walk away which had good coffee and yummy loaded bacon and egg rolls. The prawn man came around of an afternoon, so a drink with prawns on the deck was great! The ice cream van also came by which was great for our toddler. The only negative I could pick were dogs were allowed on the beach/at the park & whenever we walked by others camp sites or beach spots some dogs would aggressively bark. As much as we love dogs, It’s not relaxing as a parent to be on the beach and have a dog constantly barking at a toddler. Otherwise, it was a lovely stay and we would most definitely be back!

We have been camping at Merry Beach in our van for the two weeks after Christmas for 3 years. When we arrived this year we found that the area we usually camp on had been developed with 5 new cabins set high on stilts which blocked the view to the beach and are an eyesore. There was no communication from Ingenia to say that this had occurred or what would happen to our camping spot in the future. We have usually been offered a re-booking but this year when we enquired we were told that our camping spot would be developed and have more cabins on it.We were offered a small space crammed between two permanent caravans. The whole mood and atmosphere of the camping ground has changed. What once was an egalitarian and relaxed old style caravan park has become overpriced and overdeveloped with caravans and tent sites squeezed out, and it seems like - from what locals and the staff say, that camping spaces will be given over to cabins and glamping sites, changing the nature of this beautiful spot forever. Our experience was not unique. The other campers around us, some who had been coming to Merry beach for nearly 15 years,arrived only to find they had been moved from their campsite because it had a cabin on it, and no communication from Ingenia. Another example of corporate greed.

Beautiful and comfortable place . everything is what I want.

We have been going to Merry Beach Caravan Park for over 30 years and have taken and directed lots of overseas visitors there to see the wildlife which was always abundant as no pets were allowed on the front of the park. Last week we could not believe the number of dogs that were there, some unleashed and running around the park, and beach, fighting and barking as well as snapping at what birds there are left. (We have always owned dogs so are not anti pets) but this just isn’t the place for them! No possums as most of the large trees have been removed and none replanted and the kangaroos not in as many numbers and staying up the back. What a shame. Also the addition of the Seaview cabins does nothing to enhance the park, not the most aesthetic architecture.