Want a coastal holiday, but without the big drive? NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park in North Narrabeen is right on the doorstep of the North Shore, and has everything you want for a relaxing beachside break. North Shore Mums Discoverer Kirsten Kane enjoyed a mid-winter weekend break with her family, and shares her fun times and top tips!
We’re a regular at holiday parks so we know exactly what we want and NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park in North Narrabeen tops our list!
My family (9-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son) recently had a winter weekend getaway here and we absolutely loved it. The great thing is that it’s super quick to drive to (around 30-45 mins from suburbs around the North Shore), and then you have the whole weekend to relax. Yes please!!
I’ve driven past many times, and never knew that this fantastic spot existed. It’s in an amazing location – you can walk to the beach, the rock pools, the lagoon, the numerous playgrounds around the area and there’s cafes galore. You really are spoiled for choice. Surfing, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking and walking paths…the list goes on.
What does NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park offer? Everything!
My first impression was ‘wow!’. Not only does it have plenty of space, it’s a beautiful park with fantastic views. Everything that adults and kids need is here, like:
- Great modern facilities
- Two communal kitchens
- Two covered BBQ pavilions
- Two laundry facilities
- Very nice amenities
- Plenty of accommodation options – camping, caravans or cabins
It’s well laid out and in a fabulous condition (this is one of the important things for me). The park looks loved. There’s space to kick a ball around and the kids will love the playground and water park. And yes, the water park is still operating through the winter months – we saw a couple of kids having a great time!
The playground was a hit, with plenty of equipment for climbing and spinning
NRMA Lakeside playground has lots of options for play with different challenges
Great to run through on a warm winter’s day, the water and splash area is popular
Throw the bikes and scooters in the car!
There are many paths throughout the park for the kids to cruise around on. Parents, bring your bike too! It’s a great opportunity for parents and kids to ride around together and even venture onto the path that goes alongside the lagoon. You can even hire a bike near reception. They’ve thought of everything here.
A few of the locals taking their time wandering across the road in the campground
Great roads to ride on inside NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park North Narrabeen
Path just outside our villa. Great for biking, running and walking and a simple stroll
Stunning view from our Lakeview Villa
There are many different accommodation options at NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park. We stayed in the Lakeview Villa and were very impressed. It had two good sized bedrooms, separate toilet and bathroom and a large kitchen (even with a dishwasher and full fridge!) and living/ dining area. It was very nice and stylish and plenty of space for the four of us. The large veranda with BBQ, sink and table and chairs got a lot of use. I was happy to see that there are kid gates at the top of the stairs of these villas. Safety tick!
What a view from our villa at NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park North Narrabeen
View of the Lakeside Villas from the lagoon, with the green expanses of lawn
The views are gorgeous. Off to the left you can see the sand dunes heading out to the beach and right in front of you is the inlet to the lagoon. I could have sat there all day watching the hive of activity. Rainbow lorikeets in the banksia tree in front of us; the pelican cruising up and down the lagoon; people running, biking, scootering, walking past. So much to keep you entertained but most importantly, very relaxing. It was the perfect place for our breakfast of bacon and eggs – cooked outside of course!
It would be easy to stay here while the kids played on the grass out the front or have a chat to the local ducks but if you decide it’s time to get moving and check out the beautiful surroundings then there’s plenty. Suffice to say, NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, North Narrabeen has a fantastic location!
Yummy breakfast on the verandah with a million-dollar water view over coffees!
Walking distance to Narrabeen beach, lagoon and rock pools
The Narrabeen Lagoon inlet runs right down the side of the holiday park. Bring your kayak, paddle board, fishing rod (there’s an area down the path) and even your surfboard!
Fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, exploring… there’s just so much to do
It’s easy and convenient to take the path down to the beach when the mood strikes
We chose to walk to North Narrabeen beach (it’s right across the road from the holiday park) and then do the coastal walk towards Warriewood Beach. A visit to the sand dunes was requested by my 9-year-old daughter and since you can see them from our villa, she wasn’t going to let that one go. My daughter and 12-year-old son loved it. They spent at least an hour exploring the area.
The beach is just across the road so you have all the appeal right on your doorstep!
Lovely sand dunes are a beautiful natural barrier keeping the beach private
Lots of fun for the kids, from sandcastle building and swimming to hide and seek
North Narrabeen beach is a beach break that’s right on our North Shore doorstep
Parent tip: there’s a couple of cafés just a short walk away. After picking up hot chocolates and coffee from the trendy café right across from the holiday park, we walked down the short path to the North Narrabeen Rock Pools. Another wow moment. They are amazing and so big. And yes, people were swimming in there on a winter’s day. This is also where you can get onto the coastal walk to head north towards Turimetta and Warriewood Beach. There’s quite a few stairs and it can get quite close to cliff edges so I would recommend this for older kids, maybe 8+.
You’re also a short car ride to the many other northern beaches – take your pick.
North Narrabeen Rock Pools has enormous rocks pools (and there’s amenities too)
The gorgeous waterside location means lots of chances to get wet and wild in the bay!
Gorgeous views from the coastal walk as we walk along the lovely cliffside
The Narrabeen Lagoon Trail is also one of the well-known activities in this area if you feel like an 8.4km bike/ run/ walk. We drove to the Jamieson Park entry and went for a short walk. Stunning views and fantastic wide paths.
Narrabeen Lagoon Trail – great wide paths for biking and walking and any ability
So many options for coffee and food!
You have plenty of places to choose from. The holiday park is surrounded by cafes that you can get to on foot. Narrabeen shops are just a short drive from the holiday park so if you need to pop to the supermarket, bakery, more cafe’s or are on the hunt for dinner, this is the place. There is also a great fenced playground at Berry Reserve next to the shops.
Great outside area at the cafe across the road for people watching over lunch
We’ll be back!
There is no doubt that we’re going to go back. It’s a fantastic holiday park, only 40 minutes away and there’s plenty to do. As soon as we got there, we felt relaxed and definitely did not feel that we were still in Sydney. Next time we want to try camping with friends. They even have those little toilet/ shower cabins that you can camp next to!
Plenty of space for the kids to play while the adults relax with a wine or coffee!
Essential Details: NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park
- Address: 38 Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen
- Phone: 1800 008 845
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: nrmaparkandresorts.com.au
- Reception Open Hours: 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week (hours are currently reduced due to COVID19 situation)
- Covid: With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, we’ve made some changes to the way we operate our parks for the safety of guests and staff. Find out more.
Book a holiday at NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park
Disclaimer: Our reviewer was provided with two nights accommodation at NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park in return for her honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are her own and not influenced by the company or its affiliates in any way.
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