What Makes Mandalay Special

Twice now we’ve been awarded Best Caravan and Holiday Park in Western Australia, and right now we’re reflecting the question: What Makes Mandalay Special?

Is it the beachfront location, near the heart of Margaret River

Open your caravan or cottage door and it’s a short stroll past peppermint trees, across the road, through the dunes onto the fine white beach sand and glimmering water of Geographe Bay. We all love it for swimming, snorkelling, fishing, jogging and boating.

Venture further and you’ll discover 100+ wineries, elaborate caves, mesmerising beaches, beautiful food made with local produce, distilleries, craft breweries, artists and galleries and so much more.

Holiday a few times a year and you’ll still have things on your ‘to explore’ list.

Is it the extensive facilities?

Three swimming pools, one heated, one with a rainbow slide. A newish jump pad. More playgrounds than we can keep track of. A deluxe camp kitchen, fish filleting and boat parking area, bike hire, table tennis, laundries and a shop with everything you could possibly need.

Or the innovative range of accommodation?

Mandalay grew from a simple caravan and camping park to adapt to our guests’ needs and trends. We added cottages, cabins, bigger villas, gorgeous glamping tents and in 2027 we begin an exciting new project to build 8 new beach houses, one with a fully accessible downstairs level.

Is it the invisible luxuries (heated bathroom floors and more)?

Busselton is freezing in winter. And nobody likes cold concrete bathroom floors. So we installed under-floor heating in the communal camp bathroom. It cost a bit more, but it’s a game-changer on chilly mornings and early starts.

We love cooking – so we planted a herb garden so guests can add fresh herbs to their meals. Our gardener keeps our grounds immaculate – there’s always something in bloome – and it makes a great first impression when you arrive.

Is it being able to work from paradise?

In 2020 we saw people balancing laptops on knees while watching kids and dialling into video meetings, and realised they needed a quiet spot to work. So we designed and custom-built a business centre with hot desks, meeting rooms and a board room.

Covid really changed workplace culture, and we often welcome people who are managing amazing jobs while on the road.

We’ve adapted to make it comfortable for the whole family. You no longer have to deal with patchy WiFi or banning kids from the caravan during Teams calls. Now, enjoy a professional and quiet space so you can holiday longer without the work guilt.

When the business centre opened we embarked on another project, a full-service onsite Kiosk. Because a great coffee and hot breakfast sets you up for the day, and the family cook needs a holiday, too.

Is it our commitment to sustainability?

Minimising our impact is more important than ever, and in recent years we’ve worked harder to protect our peppermint trees and western ringtail possums, while also swapping showerheads to save water. Many of our murals champion our local wildlife, and we educate guests on how to protect the possums, birds, frogs, whales and quendas.

We celebrate and respect the region’s natural abundance, so that future generations can enjoy it too.

Is it the jam-packed calendar, catering to all interests?

We have fun curating our calendar of events and activities, always on the lookout for great new food vans, musicians, masseuses and activities, while taking your feedback and re-booking favourites.

School holidays brings the Braiding Boutique, kids’ craft, foam parties, a fishing competition and laser tag, to mention a few. When February rolls round we enjoy massage by the pool, water aerobics, bocce competitions and a visit from the Busselton brass band. Year round guests love the convenience of our new Kiosk (with an App for easy ordering) and visiting food trucks.

These events create community, and in our busy world, we could all do with that! Most parks provide space. Mandalay creates a community and a welcoming vibe, helping you make memories that go beyond simply staying somewhere.

Is it our team? We think so!

Mandalay has been owned and operated by the Johnson and Wilson families for 62 amazing years. Supporting the family is a wonderful team that share the Mandalay philosophy, see what needs doing and won’t hesitate to help.

Whether it’s helping newly arrived guests manoeuvre their van onto site or remembering a returning guest’s name, the Mandalay team is made up of people who genuinely love hospitality.

A Gold Standard in Geographe Bay

Trophies are nice, but simply a reflection of the Mandalay ethos: to help guests make great holiday memories.

For 62 years we’ve continually improved our service, facilities and adapted our offering to meet guests’ needs. We’re listeners, do-ers, and every bit of feedback helps us do better.

We love caravan and camping adventures and each time we holiday, we look for inspiration and ideas to keep improving the Mandalay experience back home.

What makes Mandalay special isn’t one big thing; it’s the hundred small things we’ve noticed and improved, before a guest even arrives.

While it would be lovely to pick up an award tomorrow, the real honour is having our guests choose to spend their holidays here at Mandalay, often returning each year.

Thank you for trusting us with your precious holiday time, and for giving us the inspiration to keep improving ~ we hope to welcome you back very soon!