NSW Government
Crown Lands

Celebrating excellence of holiday parks on Crown land

21 November 2025

Tweed Holiday Parks Fingal Head has been named winner of the NSW Government-sponsored Holiday Park on Crown Land Award last night, at the 2025 Caravan & Camping Industry Association Awards of Excellence.

The award recognised Tweed Holiday Parks Fingal Head's achievements and innovative ideas in the management of its holiday park, enhancing customer experiences through improved recreation facilities, activities and services and cultural awareness to the wider community.

Judges highlighted the park's collaboration with the community, Aboriginal culture and awareness training for staff, efforts to reduce waste, protect nature and reduce its environmental footprint, and its focus on guests and education.

The park is located on the traditional land of the Bundjalung people at culturally and spiritually significant Fingal Head, known as Booninybah - the place of the echidna.

Park initiatives include support for the Banaam Alliance Walk on Country, protecting habitat for endangered bush stone-curlews, helping local schools and surf life saving clubs, and innovations including sustainable accommodation upgrades and automated traffic management.

The Caravan & Camping Industry Association Awards of Excellence celebrate the achievements of the Caravan, Camping, Manufactured Housing and Land Lease Living Communities in NSW by recognising 'best in field' businesses and individuals across a range of award categories.

More than 220 tourist caravan parks operate on Crown land across NSW, representing nearly half of the state's caravan park industry. These parks contribute significantly to local economies and public enjoyment of Crown land and tourism in NSW.

According to the Caravan Industry Association of NSW, NSW was Australia's most visited state for caravan and camping in 2024 attracting 33% of trips nationwide, with over 5 million travellers spending 18.4 million nights across the state and caravan park revenue reaching $984 million.

The NSW North Coast was Australia's most popular tourism region for caravan and camping with over 1 million overnight trips, with the NSW South Coast second place with nearly 1 million overnight trips.

Further information on the 2025 Caravan & Camping Industry Association Awards of Excellence is at Awards of Excellence - Celebrating Industry Excellence.

Crown Lands Deputy Secretary Mel Hawyes said:

"Crown Lands acknowledges the many outstanding holiday park providers across NSW and this award is an opportunity to celebrate achievements with innovative and sustainable management of a holiday park on Crown land.

"Congratulations to Tweed Holiday Parks Fingal Head for taking out the NSW Holiday Park on Crown Land Award. This award highlights what makes Crown land holiday parks so valuable for enjoyment by the wider community and the benefits to the local tourism economy."

Minister for Lands and Property, Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:

"Holiday parks on Crown land are the backbone of regional tourism providing affordable and unforgettable nature-based holidays while supporting local tourism and businesses.

"Congratulations to the winner and finalists of this award that encourages the delivery of exceptional holiday experiences managed with care and creativity while championing the sustainable use of public land."

HOLIDAY PARKS ON CROWN LAND HONOURED AT 2025 CARAVAN & CAMPING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

NSW Holiday Park on Crown Land Award:

  • Gold winner: Tweed Holiday Parks Fingal Head
  • Finalist: Reflections Lennox Head

NSW Holiday Park Innovation Award

  • Gold winner: Reflections Forster Beach Holiday & Caravan Park
  • Finalist: Reflections Forster Beach Holiday & Caravan Park

NSW Holiday Park of the Year (Less than 100 sites)

  • Gold winner: Tweed Holiday Parks Pottsville South

NSW Holiday Park of the Year (More than 100 sites)

  • Silver winner: Holiday Haven Lake Conjola
  • Finalist: Holiday Haven Bendalong
  • Finalist: Holiday Haven Tabourie
  • Finalist: Reflections Evans Head.

Background information on Tweed Holiday Parks Fingal Head

  • Tweed Holiday Parks Fingal Head is one of seven holiday parks operating under the Tweed Holiday Parks brand. Some key initiatives of the park include:
    • Located on the traditional land of the Bundjalung people, the park has implemented an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan (ACHMP) and works closely with local Aboriginal groups including Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council to explore ways to incorporate Aboriginal perspectives in management practices. A highlight is the Banaam Alliance Walk on Country, a cultural tour led by local custodians. Through storytelling, language, and bush knowledge, guests are invited to understand the cultural and spiritual significance of Fingal Head, known as Booninybah - the place of the echidna.
    • Environmental sensitivity is central to the park's character. Thoughtful design, native vegetation, and low-impact facilities ensure natural values are preserved. The park invests in eco-friendly initiatives from building products to bedding made from recyclable products.
    • The park offers regular staff workshops and professional development to strengthen service, build leadership capability, and encourage collaboration in areas such as compliance, hospitality systems, and digital tools.
    • The park strengthens community connections by supporting education and partnering with a local school to support environmental learning through programs that encourage students to care for their local landscape and wildlife.
    • As part of its commitment to conservation, the park contributes $450,000 annually to the protection of threatened habitat including an endangered bush stone-curlew program that is successfully increasing the number of this bird species in the region.
    • The park partners with Fingal Rovers Surf Life Saving Club to offer a beach wheelchair, promoting accessible coastal experiences. It also supports surf lifesaving clubs through sponsorships, recognising their critical role in safety and community engagement.
    • The park contributes to regional community events by donating accommodation vouchers.
    • The park works with Tweed Shire Council, volunteers, Dunecare and local tourism networks to ensure the park's operations align with community values and Crown land priorities.
    • Over the past year, the park has introduced licence plate recognition boom gates to streamline guest arrivals and departures. To improve accommodation, the park has refurbished its beachfront cabins using repurposed, sustainable and durable materials to modernise the interiors while reducing environmental impact.