A new sensory room at Discovery Parks – Goolwa is giving holidaymakers a quiet place to reset while helping shape the future of inclusive tourism.
As families gear up for the busy summer holiday season, the Fleurieu Peninsula holiday park has opened a new sensory regulation space designed to support people of all ages when the sights, sounds and activity of a holiday become overwhelming.
But the new space is about more than providing a quiet retreat. It will also form the basis of a 12-month research project exploring how sensory regulation spaces could make holidays more accessible for families who find travel challenging.
The space has been designed using evidence-based sensory principles aimed at reducing stress, lowering cognitive load and supporting nervous system regulation.
The goal is to help people recover from sensory overload so they can return to enjoying their holiday, rather than having to leave altogether.
Discovery Parks is inviting guests, local families, carers and individuals across the Fleurieu Peninsula to use the space and share their experiences as part of the research.
The findings will help build a better understanding of what works in real holiday environments and could ultimately help inform more inclusive tourism experiences across the industry.
Research from Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) has found that sensory overload, uncertainty and anxiety can make travel significantly more stressful for families with sensory-sensitive members, with some choosing to avoid holidays altogether.
For Scott, whose daughter is diagnosed with autism, having a dedicated space to retreat to could make a huge difference to the family’s holiday experience.
“We’re constantly thinking about contingency plans for if it gets too much, what we can and can’t do and the impact on her.
“We have even cancelled trips due to the anxiety it’s created. Knowing there’s somewhere we can go to reset within the holiday park is a gamechanger for us.”
The sensory space was developed alongside sensory design specialist Dr Bliss Cavanagh and Creative Sensory Spaces, with the philosophy that the environment itself should help people regulate.
Dr Cavanagh said, “The environment has been designed to reduce cognitive load, gently guide attention and support nervous system regulation.
“When people are able to regulate and recover from sensory overwhelm, they’re often able to re-engage with the broader venue experience rather than needing to leave altogether.”
Discovery Parks Interim Chief Operating Officer Michaela Webster added, “Families shouldn’t have to hope for the best when they go on holiday.
“We’ve created this space with experts who understand sensory regulation, and now we want to understand what happens when you put those principles into a real holiday environment.”
The new sensory space is part of Discovery Parks – Goolwa’s broader $20 million redevelopment and will be available to both holiday park guests and the local community.
Those interested in taking part in the 12-month study can register their interest through Discovery Parks – Goolwa.
