Mum and offsprings take it easy in a gum tree overlooking caravanners

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VICTORIA'S three-star, 145-site Portland Bay Holiday Park – home to recently-born twin koalas – will undergo a $3.3 million facelift.

The news comes after Australian Tourist Park Management was awarded a 21-year lease to operate the council-owned cliff-top park near the Discovery Coast's famous lighthouse.

The award-winning APTM company, known for changing the fortunes of rundown holiday parks and resorts, has been running the park for two years and now plans to lift its three-star rating to 4.5 stars.

Anticipated projects include a new pool, children's playgrounds, new camp kitchen, renovated amenity blocks, more sites including premier and ensuite sites.

ATPM managing director Steve Billett said the park was ideally located to become an "iconic holiday destination".

"It has a prime cliff-top location, but its facilities have become outdated and it's not living up to its full potential," he explained.

"We want to create a park that will be a great asset to this wonderful city and ensure a sustainable future for the caravan and camping industry.

"In conjunction with the council's Coastal Infrastructure Plan, these works will make Portland and the shire a premier tourist destination."

He said the park would be developed to complement the new foreshore, taking advantage of walkways and views.

"The council adopted a master plan and business plan before advertising the park tender," Mr Billett explained.

"This provides clear direction for the future of the park and helps to ensure its long-term viability. It makes it easier for our company to deliver the outcome that the council and community want."

Mr Billett said the upgraded park facilities would easily cater for budget campers right through to the 4.5 star luxury cabin-dweller.

"Our goal at ATPM is to ensure that all guests take home a memorable experience," he said.

"We also do little things that make the difference, such as providing free onsite activities, free milk and newspapers to cabin guests on arrival, helping park caravans on site and assisting with forward bookings, tours and attractions."

All works at the park will be carried out under ATPM’s policy of environmentally sensitive planning and design, which it said respected the natural and cultural diversity of the local community.