News In BriefNewsAwardsHoliday Parks
Victoria’s best tourist and residential parks crowned at 2026 CRPVic Awards
The Awards recognised the state's leading park operators, and celebrated exceptional contributions to the industry and to communities.
Tasman Holiday Parks – Bright and Amberlee Woodlands Estate have been named Victoria’s leading tourist and residential parks at the 2026 Caravan & Residential Parks Victoria (CRPVic) Awards.
The two major awards were announced at the YMH CRPVic Gala Awards Dinner at Marvel Stadium last week, which brought together park owners and their teams, industry suppliers, government representatives and industry leaders to recognise excellence across Victoria’s tourist and residential parks sector.
Tasman Holiday Parks – Bright was crowned the 2026 CRPVic Tourist & Mixed-Use Caravan Park of the Year, recognising excellence across all areas of the park’s operation and performance.
Through strategic investment in premium accommodation, innovative technology, sustainability initiatives and exceptional guest service, the park has delivered outstanding commercial performance while achieving one of the highest guest satisfaction ratings in Bright.
Its long-term vision, commitment to continuous improvement and focus on delivering exceptional visitor experiences have established Tasman Holiday Parks – Bright as a strong benchmark for Victoria’s tourist park industry.
Amberlee Woodlands Estate received the Peter Crawford Residential Caravan Park of the Year Award, recognising it as Victoria’s outstanding member residential park.
Woodlands Estate, located in Rosebud, has created a boutique residential community where thoughtful design, natural bushland and genuine community connection combine to deliver an exceptional place to live.
Significant investment in quality homes, environmental stewardship, resident wellbeing and personalised support has created a welcoming neighbourhood where residents can maintain their independence while enjoying meaningful social connections.
CRPVic Chief Executive Officer Scott Parker said the two Park of the Year winners demonstrated the diversity and quality of Victoria’s parks industry.
“Tourist and residential parks make an enormous contribution to Victoria. Tourist (caravan) parks are the foundation of our visitor economy, with 50% of regional visitor nights spent in tourist parks. Our residential park membership provides vitally important housing choices, employ thousands of Victorians and strengthen communities across the state,” Mr Parker said.
“Tasman Holiday Parks – Bright and Amberlee’s Woodlands Estate are very different businesses serving different markets, but both demonstrate what can be achieved through investment, innovation, strong leadership and an absolute commitment to the people they serve.
“The calibre of all our finalists demonstrates the extraordinary strength of our industry. Every finalist and winner should be incredibly proud.”
People, innovation and communities also recognised
The awards also celebrated the individuals, businesses and parks making an exceptional contribution to the industry and their communities.
The prestigious Steve Bartlett Chair’s Award was presented to the Neary family, recognising more than four decades of leadership, innovation and commitment to Victoria’s tourist and residential parks industry.
From establishing Amberlee Family Holidays as one of Victoria’s pioneering resort-style holiday parks to expanding into tourism and residential ventures, the Neary family’s influence has helped shape the industry. Their contribution has extended beyond their own businesses through long-standing support of CRPVic, investment in people and community, and the work of the Neary Family Charity.
Tamina Bettess from Bushman’s Rest Caravan Park received the David Pratt Unsung Hero Award after more than 12 years of exceptional service to the park and wider Mildura community. Her volunteering, fundraising and commitment to guests, residents and colleagues exemplify the contribution park employees make to communities throughout regional Victoria.
Kerang Holiday Park received the Bob & Shirley Murray Community Partnership Award for initiatives including the Kerang Lunar Festival, which brings together local schools, businesses, community organisations and families, as well as its broader support of sporting clubs, charities and community initiatives.
Lauren Crosbie from Amberlee Family Holidays was named the James Kelly Employee Achiever of the Year for more than 20 years of service and her outstanding leadership, professionalism and commitment to residents, guests and colleagues.
Victorian parks leading through sustainability and innovation
Apex RiverBeach Holiday Park received the Elizabeth White Green Park Award for embedding sustainability throughout its operations. Investments in solar energy, water conservation, native landscaping and waste reduction have significantly reduced the park’s environmental footprint while supporting continued visitor growth.
Boort Lakes Holiday Park won the Peter Buttigieg Innovation Award for the development of Flow ANPR – an automated number plate recognition system designed by park operators for park operators.
Developed to address practical operational challenges, Flow ANPR integrates with leading park management systems to streamline guest arrivals, improve security and increase operational efficiency, demonstrating how innovation developed within Victorian parks can have benefits across the broader industry.
BIG4 Wilsons Prom Holiday Park received the Golightly Family Marketing Award for its authentic approach to digital storytelling and destination marketing, which has strengthened audience engagement, bookings and customer loyalty while showcasing the Wilsons Promontory region.
Industry supplier Aubin Environmental was named the Rob Ensink Jayco Associate Member of the Year, recognising its specialist environmental and wastewater expertise and the practical support it provides to tourist and residential parks navigating complex regulatory requirements.
Mr Parker said the breadth of the 2026 winners reflected the many ways Victoria’s parks contribute to the state’s economy and communities.
“These awards aren’t simply about recognising successful businesses. They celebrate innovation, environmental leadership, outstanding employees, community contribution and the people who continually look for ways to make our industry stronger,” Mr Parker said.
“From Bright and Wilsons Promontory to Boort, Kerang and Mildura, our award recipients demonstrate the quality of tourism experiences, housing communities, employment and economic activity being delivered by tourist and residential parks throughout Victoria.”
2026 CRPVic Award recipients
- Steve Bartlett Chair’s Award: Neary family (Mornington Peninsula)
- David Pratt Unsung Hero Award: Tamina Bettess – Bushman’s Rest Caravan Park (Cullulleraine)
- Bob & Shirley Murray Community Partnership Award: Kerang Holiday Park (Kerang)
- James Kelly Employee Achiever of the Year: Lauren Crosbie – Amberlee Family Holidays (Rosebud)
- Elizabeth White Green Park Award: Apex RiverBeach Holiday Park (Mildura)
- Peter Buttigieg Innovation Award: Boort Lakes Holiday Park (Boort)
- Golightly Family Marketing Award: BIG4 Wilsons Prom Holiday Park (Yanakie)
- Rob Ensink Jayco Associate Member of the Year: Aubin Environmental
- Peter Crawford Residential Caravan Park of the Year: Amberlee Family Holidays – Woodlands Estate (Rosebud)
- CRPVic Tourist & Mixed-Use Caravan Park of the Year: Tasman Holiday Parks – Bright (Bright)
