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. 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. Inside one of the larger riverfront cabins (above) About Discover Holiday Parks - GerroaSituated 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
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.
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Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:36:07 am
Sounds great, Tandy. The freedom of empty nests!
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Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:36:16 am
It is rather!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:37:27 am
Batehaven is nice too, Bob. Yes, do take a drive to Gerroa!
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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.
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Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:37:38 am
You said it!
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Simone Mason
30/10/2016 06:12:39 pm
What a pretty place, Liz. You are looking good too.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Lizzy
31/10/2016 01:38:43 am
Aren't they wonderful, David!
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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!!!!
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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.
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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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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
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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.
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Welcome...Üdvözölöm
Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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