When it comes to the weekends, sometimes I like to be a creature of habit.
Now I’ve hit my 30s, a sunrise run, a coffee, a swim with my family and a relaxed afternoon at home sounds like a small slice of perfection to me.
But sometimes, particularly around the change of season, I crave something a little outside my comfort zone.
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Enter Discovery Parks — Lane Cove.
The perfect mini break that’s not too far from the city (30 minutes to be precise), this leafy holiday park provides the perfect mix of off-grid escape without all of the hassle that usually comes with it (I’m talking 3+ hour drives, screaming children and a car bursting with stuff, all of which needs to be washed by the time you get home).
Offered the opportunity to visit Discovery Parks — Lane Cove and stay in one of its newly-renovated Deluxe Safari Tents with my family, I jumped at the opportunity to do something outside of the norm.
Bringing along my husband and two young girls for the ride, it’s safe to say we loved it.
The perfect mini break that’s not too far from the city, this leafy holiday park provides the perfect mix of off-grid escape without all of the hassle that usually comes with it. Credit: 7You The pool is perfect for kids. Credit: Discovery Holiday Parks One of the best things about the park is its proximity to wherever you may live in Sydney.
Despite being just 30 minutes from the CBD, as soon as you enter the National Park, you quite seriously feel as though you’ve driven miles away.
Accessible but worlds away from city life, we rocked up around 5pm on a Friday evening, having left our home in the Northern Beaches at 4.30pm.
Bliss when you think about the fact that I usually have to strategically plan even the car journey when we’re going away.
The Deluxe Safari Tents have everything you might want and more for a relaxing stay. Credit: 7You Next, the Deluxe Safari Tents have everything you might want and more for a relaxing stay.
With a small kitchen inside the tent complete with a kettle, toaster, fridge and sink, you’ve got everything you need on hand for a relaxing stay with kids.
Plus, the addition of a barbecue outside on our deck didn’t go unappreciated either.
With views of the trees in the national park, we enjoyed a barbecue on the Saturday evening — complete bliss.
The ‘tent’ in question can hardly be called a tent, it’s that comfortable.
Billed as the spot “where comfort meets adventure”, each tent has a queen bed, separate room for the kids, a 50 inch TV, kitchenette, and a private deck overlooking stunning views.
It’s all air conditioned, too, which happened to be handy when we faced a freak 30+ degrees Celsius September day.
The views are amazing and feel worlds away from the city. Credit: 7You The playground is a big hit with the young. Credit: Discovery Holiday Parks On site, there is plenty for young and old to enjoy.
We spent the mornings running and walking around the National Park with the kids, before hitting up the cute caravan on-site for coffee and pastries.
Then, the afternoons looked after themselves with the swimming pool, impressive kids’ play area and acres of space for our girls to run around.
The kids particularly enjoyed all of the wildlife spotting available at the park too, finding it hilarious when a kookaburra stole one of our burgers directly from the barbecue.
And there are plenty more activities you can explore, too.
Bring your bike for a spin, hire a kayak or pedal boat or enjoy one of the tranquil picnic spots if you have all the food you’ll need.
At Discovery Parks — Lane Cove, there is something for everyone in terms of the accommodation. Credit: Discovery Holiday Parks At Discovery Parks — Lane Cove, there is something for everyone in terms of the accommodation.
Whether you want to bring and pitch up your own tent in an unpowered site, opt for one of the bougie Deluxe Safari Tents as we did, or even go the whole hog and enjoy a fully self-contained cabin complete with kitchen, bathroom and air-con, there’s an option for you.
The common thread of all of them is you’ll get a relaxing — and affordable — stay that truly fills your cup come Sunday evening, and leaves you feeling restored from the weekend, rather than the usual frazzle and burnout.
For more information and to browse the various accommodation options available at Discovery Parks — Lane Cove, head here now.
Prices start from $49.