Colourful Holiday Park Innovations Just Make Sense

New ‘sensory spaces’ at Lake Macquarie’s largest holiday park will provide a quiet, colourful refuge for people with anxiety, neurodivergence and other needs. 

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Lake Macquarie City Council has kitted out a sleek silver ‘Airstream’ trailer and a disused block at Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park for the two spaces.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the two “beautifully designed spaces” had been designed in collaboration with sensory artist and researcher Dr Bliss Cavanagh.

“They offer calm and comfort for both kids and adults with sensory needs,” he said.

“It’s a thoughtful and inclusive addition to an already amazing spot.”

Holiday Parks Coordinator Garry Ellem said the opening continued Council’s push towards making inclusive tourism mainstream across its five holiday parks.

“The experience of going away on holidays can be daunting for people, whether from anxiety, autism or sensory overload and over-stimulation,” he said.

“The sensory rooms are designed to provide a quiet space to allow people to switch off a little, relax, unwind and experience some relief from sensory overload.”

“This will allow them to better enjoy their break and, hopefully, be more relaxed and experience greater joy.”

Dr Cavanagh said the spaces featured a range of elements to engage different sensory profiles and preferences.

“The entire design is drawn from evidence-based principles from the science behind restorative design, positive psychology, receptive arts engagement and sensory modulation, and my own lived experience, she said.

“It includes visual elements, such as bubbling water and calming light effects, meditative soundscapes, soothing aromas and comfortable seating options.”

The new spaces follow a suite of recent innovations and upgrades to accommodate all ages and abilities at Lake Macquarie Holiday Parks, including accessible cabins, glamping tents, paths, BBQ areas and other facilities.

Also underway is a new exercise precinct at Swansea holiday park, including accessible equipment and exercise stations.

“In essence, every improvement we make for the parks should be able to improve the experience for all customers,” Mr Ellem said.

Council will gauge demand for the new sensory spaces, with a view to rolling them out at other holiday park sites.

“One of the opportunities of the trailer-based model we’ve developed is its ability to potentially be relocated to other parks if needed,” Mr Ellem said.

Go to lakemacholidayparks.com.au for more information about Council’s five holiday park sites.