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Relax and unwind at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa on the NSW south coast

30/10/2016

24 Comments

 
Sunset on the Crooked River, Gerroa NSW - Liz Posmyk Good Things
​Travel writer, Susan Kurosawa, once described the summer holiday as ‘the most sacred of Australian rites for those lucky enough to while away a few weeks by the beach’.

I was fortunate in that my parents always took us exploring, or wandering, as my father would say. We ventured to the south coast regularly, particularly after my parents bought land – first at Sunpatch (now Tomakin) and then Malua Bay.
 
When my children were small, their dad and I decided it would be a good idea to treat the family to an annual getaway – just the four of us. Like many folks, we found our ‘favourite spot’ and every January from then on we spent a week in a seaside cabin at Kiama in NSW.
 
We rarely ventured off the beaten track during our staycations, preferring to soak up the surf, sand and sunshine every possible minute of our full seven days. Decades later, my children still have fond memories of their holidays in Kiama.

Nowadays, the best thing is that Peter, too, loves Kiama, having lived in Warilla (not for away) during his childhood. As such, we have been going to Kiama together for holidays over the last decade.
 
Funny how folks find a good thing and stick to it.
 
One Canberra friend takes his loved ones to the village of Narrawallee on the NSW south coast. ‘I want my ashes scattered on the rocks there,’ he told me. A friend who lives in Adelaide spends holidays by the beach at Coffin Bay with her grandchildren, while another Canberra pal makes an annual pilgrimage with her family to the Gold Coast.
 
Recently, we had the opportunity to re-visit Kiama and explore Gerroa and Gerringong, further afield, thanks to the generosity of the wonderful people from the Kiama Municipal Council. It had been decades since either of us had been to Gerroa and Gerringong - and I must tell you that we were more than  pleasantly surprised. Actually, the district was so beautiful, and we had such a good time and met so many wonderful people, that we can hardly wait to visit again.
Row of Norfolk Island Pine trees at Gerringong on the NSW South Coast - Liz Posmyk Good Things

Postcards and morsels - Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa...

Our itinerary included a two-night stay at Discovery Holiday Parks in Gerroa. Our hosts, Park Managers, Wendy and Rod Thomas, welcomed us with warm smiles, open arms and two bottles of locally-produced wine and a platter of cheese and fruit. We were shown to our Deluxe Waterfront Spa cabin, overlooking the Crooked River.

The vistas surrounding the park are quite spectacular. We loved seeing the rolling green hills, silvery reflections on the river and the magical light that changed throughout the day - from muted reds at sunrise to the golden shades of the afternoon. The cabins sit amongst lush, well maintained gardens. So, this is paradise for anyone with a keen eye for photography.

Despite the flow of traffic across the nearby bridge, it was actually very quiet and we slept soundly, snuggled under the crisp linen on the deliciously comfortable bed.

During our stay, we were invited to attend a Tourism After Hours event, during which time we were shown through two of the larger cabins - both were modern, spacious and exceptionally well appointed. Let's now take a walk around the park.
Picture
Deluxe cabins along the river front at Discovery Parks Gerroa (photo supplied)
Deluxe Spa Cabin at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Clivias - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Clivias or native bush lilies in bloom outside our cabin
Birdlife on the Crooked River - Liz Posmyk Good Things
The light was spectacular, particularly at sunrise and sunrise
Waterfront spa cabin at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa
The kitchen, dining and living area of our cabin (photo supplied)
River front cabin at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Looking out across the balcony to the Crooked River at low tide
Master bedroom in the Deluxe Spa Cabin at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Crisp linen and a deliciously comfortable bed in the master bedroom
Spa bath in the master bedroom of the Deluxe Riverfront Cabin at the Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa - Liz Posmyk Good Things
The spa bath in the master bedroom of our cabin
Lush palms give the park a tropical feel - Liz Posmyk Good Things
The cabins sit amongst lush, well maintained gardens
Grevillea flowers - Liz Posmyk Good Things
The Crooked River Gerroa - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Sunset over the Crooked River
Playground and bouncing pillow at the Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa - Liz Posmyk Good Things
The bouncing pillow and playground
Solar Heated Swimming Pool at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa - Liz Posmyk Good Things
The solar-heated swimming pool at the Park
Sunrise over the Crooked River - Good Things
A man gathers bait on the river at sunrise
One of the larger cabins at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa
Bedroom in the larger cabins at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Second bedroom in the larger Deluxe cabins at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa - Liz Posmyk Good Things
One of the larger cabins at Discovery Parks Gerroa
Inside one of the larger riverfront cabins (above)
Norfolk Island Pine looking out to see at Gerringong  - Liz Posmyk Good Things
A Norfolk Island Pine looking out over the ocean
Food and travel writer, Liz Posmyk, at Seven Mile Beach on the NSW south coast
That would be me, in my happy place, with the beach in the background

About Discover Holiday Parks - Gerroa

Situated on the mouth of the Crooked River, Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa offers a quiet getaway for folks all ages. While away the days watching the birdlife on the river from the balcony of your cabin; sit quietly and read a book; splash about in the solar-heated pool; or visit the nearby Seven Mile Beach, where you can fish, swim, surf or simply stroll along the white sands of the beach.

Accommodation options include Deluxe Waterfront Spa cabins; Deluxe Riverside cabins; Superior Waterview Spa cabins; Standard Cedar cabins; standard holiday units and family studio apartments; as well as powered and unpowered sites. Park facilities include a barbecue, bicycle and pedal cart hire, camp kitchen, games room, solar-heated swimming pool and a bouncing pillow and children's playground.

Getting there...

Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa is located at 107 Crooked River Road, Gerroa on the south coast of New South Wales. It is approximately two hours from Sydney and just under three hours from the Canberra CBD. For information and bookings, visit the web site. The park is popular, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Surrounding attractions include the pretty townships of Gerroa, Kiama, Berry and Gerringong - as well as the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk; the Kiama Blowhole; Jamberoo Action Park; Minnamurra Rainforest; Nowra Wildlife Park; the Shoalhaven Zoo; and Seven Mile Beach. Those who appreciate wining and dining will enjoy visiting Crooked River Wines; The Blue Swimmer Restaurant; and Buena Vista Farm and cooking school; among numerous other venues. (More on these in an upcoming post).

The Good Things team enjoyed a short break at Discovery Holiday Parks Gerroa as guests of the owners and the Kiama Municipal Council (thank you again!). We made our own way to and from the coast via private vehicle. This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are our own.

Tell me dear readers, do you have a favourite holiday destination? Whereabouts is it and what do you love about it? Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment. I do love hearing from you!
24 Comments
Tandy I Lavender and Lime link
30/10/2016 01:07:58 am

The cabins look very well appointed but I'm not sure about a bath in my bedroom. We used to go to Sedgefield every holiday when the kids were younger. Now we go to a different place overseas each year.

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:36:07 am

Sounds great, Tandy. The freedom of empty nests!

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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
30/10/2016 04:58:56 am

It looks very idyllic!

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:36:16 am

It is rather!

Reply
Amanda link
30/10/2016 06:02:39 pm

As a child, I spent a week or two at one of the local Adelaide beaches, staying with four maiden aunts. The joy of staying by the beach was tempered by the restrictions of spending time with elderly ladies who never had children of their own and who were terrified by the snatching of the Beaumont children which happened very close to where they lived.
My husband and I took our kids to Port Elliot, a delightfully sleepy coastal town less than an hour from our house, every year. Hopefully my lot will have fond memories of their summer holidays there.

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:37:06 am

Port Elliot sounds blissful, Amanda... re the two aunts, I can imagine their fears. Isn't it wonderful that we have given our kids fond memories.

Reply
Bob Bennett
30/10/2016 06:10:33 pm

This place looks great, Lizzie. The wife and I always took the family to Batehaven. There's a park there right on the beach. Now I need to plan a trip to Gerroa.

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:37:27 am

Batehaven is nice too, Bob. Yes, do take a drive to Gerroa!

Reply
Peter
30/10/2016 06:11:36 pm

I could have sat on that balcony for hours, just watching the light change. The sunsets were amazing. Best of all, the Blue Swimmer Restaurant was only a short walk away, under that bridge.

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:37:38 am

You said it!

Reply
Simone Mason
30/10/2016 06:12:39 pm

What a pretty place, Liz. You are looking good too.

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:37:51 am

Aaaaw, thank you Simone.

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Thelma Moore
30/10/2016 06:13:08 pm

Love it.

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:38:01 am

Thelma, thank you.

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Jenny Andersen
30/10/2016 06:29:44 pm

We stayed there in July in a waterfront cabin and it was truly one of the most relaxing breaks we have had. Recently went back to the area staying in Gerringong and ate at the Blue Swimmer Café in Gerroa - superb meal, icy cold beer at the Fisherman's Club while watching whales doing whale stuff in the sunshine (last 2 times the weather was rainy). Also highly recommend in Gerringong, brunch at Sea Vista where you have views out to sea and the mountains and dinner at the restaurant in the Park Ridge Motel. Trips to Berry, Kiama and Nowra are hassle free and Gerroa is only 1hr30m from our front door.

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:38:31 am

Isn't this park the best... and, yes, Blue Swimmer... fab. Such a beautiful part of the world. Thanks for stopping by, Jenny.

Reply
David link
30/10/2016 07:29:03 pm

What a beautiful place - LOVE the cabins!!

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:38:43 am

Aren't they wonderful, David!

Reply
Eha
30/10/2016 07:35:24 pm

You look happy! Hmmm: really have to think thru' every meal I am eating: seems to me Peter and you are really getting that 'svelte' matter right :) ! Lovely place . . . so close to me and I have to learn from you - oh well!!!!

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:39:09 am

Oh Eha, I am happy. I feel so blessed. Yes, we need to think through every meal too.

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Zohra Aly
30/10/2016 09:33:12 pm

Love that part of the world, Liz. Looks like you had a wonderful time.

Reply
Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:39:31 am

Isn't it lovely, Zohra! A fellow admirer of the region. Thank you for stopping by!

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Tania| My Kitchen stories link
31/10/2016 06:51:09 am

Looks lovely. as a kid we spent nearly every summer in kiama. The parks weren't like that then though

Reply
Anna Johnston link
16/11/2016 05:17:28 pm

.. really liking those delux cabins, they look wonderful to indulge a few days away. Love little out of the way places you find in your travels Lizzy.

Reply

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    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2020.   All rights reserved.
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