On the last leg of our journey along the N.S.W. coast we chose to stay at Tathra Beach Family Park, mainly because we had heard lots of good things about it and the owners, and it was right on the beach, and I just love the sand and surf as well as a spot of fishing.

On arrival we were greeted by Katrina who was the Director of First Impressions that day. Director of First Impressions you ask?? There are many out there with this title and they are found in caravan parks, motels, shops, supermarkets and many other places. The Director of First Impressions is the first person you meet when you enter any business, and your first impression of that person lets you decide first off if you like that business or not and if you want to spend money there. Our first impression was that we were definitely going to stay and also enjoy ourselves. Katrina explained all about the park, where our site and all facilities were and told us of the many activities we could take part in during our stay. All that done, Katrina handed us a small white mesh bag of heart chocolates and told us "enjoy your stay with us". I should add that this park has other Directors of First Impressions who include Jane and Raelene just to mention a few, and during our stay I met up with them and it was indeed a pleasure to see how they all enjoyed creating a great first impression.

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We headed off to our ensuite site and found it was spacious and very easy to park and set our van down. Another great idea this park has meant I didn't have to set up our TV aerial as a cable is supplied and it's simply a matter of plugging it into your van, and I must say the reception was fantastic. Everything set up we headed to our ensuite for a wash up and my wife who is particular about amenities was totally impressed with this facility. The shower area, toilet and wash basin were imaculately kept and are serviced daily.

We made a "cuppa", sat down and enjoyed the surroundings and looked forward to our rest when I saw a chap heading our way with a big smile on his face. "Welcome to our park, everything ok", he asked. It was then I recognised this chap as our very own Frankie J Holden, the host of Whats Up Downunder. I assured him everything was great and when I asked what he was doing, it was then I found that he is a part owner of Tathra Beach Family Park. "Gotta keep moving, it's busy, and by the way don't forget it's pizza night tonight over at the barn; love to have you there, and the pizzas are fabulous" he said as he headed off. "Well, that takes care of our meal tonight" I told my wife Anne who enjoys holidays better when there's no meal to prepare.

We headed off to pizza night at the barn and what a night it was! Just about every park visitor was there and a jumping castle had also been put up for the many kids who were also enjoying themselves. Now making pizzas that will satisfy everyone is not an easy task and to my suprise there was Frankie with Michelle preparing a great range of pizzas which headed straight to the pizza oven overseen by staff member Jeff who was kept busy that night cooking. There was every pizza you could imagine. My wife, a former home economics teacher gave Frankie and Michelle 10 out of 10 as did the crowd of guests. The night was spent talking with each other about where we had all been, where we were all going and the great friendship this park created. Amongst them were Dave and Sue (Dave forgot to bring the bundy), Bruce and Rachel had a new Webber including a pizza maker and hadn't had a chance to use it, Bill and Debbie from NSW were enjoying the park, but Bill was not allowed to bring his ukulele with him (wonder why??) and David and Alison, also from NSW said it was one of the best social nights they had been to anywhere.

It goes without saying that there's something on all the time at Tathra Beach Family Park for both adults and the kids. Just prior to our arrival Frankie created "Tour de Park" a caravan park send up of Tour de France, which yet again was well attended by many staying there. Again Frankie was kept busy organising this event and setting up the starters and presenting prizes at the finish. I'm told the adult section was very entertaining especially seeing the adults trying to manouvre scooters around the park. There were many laughs, fantastic competition and great friendships for families created at this event as the photos depict.

Then there was the damper making competition! I've never seen so many young ones taking such delight in creating their own version of home made damper. On hand to give some good advice and help were Frankie and Michelle and Jeff at the ready to place the end product in the pizza oven. Excitement grew as they all waited to see their end product emerge from the oven and when it did the smiles on their faces told the story. Then it was time to eat and everyone rushed to the tables where there was plenty of jam, cream and other goodies to go with the damper. The photos tell the story of how much they really enjoyed this event and I must add so did the parents.

It was also that time of year when football Grand Finals ( AFL & NRL) were on everyone's agenda, and so nobody missed out. Michelle and Georgia assisted by Frankie got to work setting up the barn with a huge TV screen and the colours of both teams on each side. Both the AFL and NRL fianls were well attended by everyone in the park and amid shouts of concern about some umpiring decisions everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day.

No sooner had all that finished when Frankie and a long standing old friend put on a concert for all in the barn one evening, and this was the "concert of all concerts". Frankie came up with all those old favourites from the 60's and 70's, with many singing along and dancing the night away. He didn't sing just a few songs and I lost count, but after some two hours of great entertainment everyone still wanted more and Frankie obliged. But one of the highlights of the night was a 18-month old toddler who managed to get to the stage and pick up a pair of drum sticks, and I can tell you that even at that age this young one had a great beat about him. It brought a huge smile to everyone and our Frankie encouraged to him to continue. As he said, "one day this little bloke will be drumming for a big group", and I'm sure he will be.

Another great little event for the kids was a sand castle / sculpture contest and I must say they all put in a fantastic effort. The judges had a difficult job but first prize went to the Archer family with their mermaid sculpture and second to a sculpture of a great white and third to a small castle. The kids enjoyed this immensley and adults were all supportive of their efforts.

So, that was just the entertainment side at Tathra Beach Family Park, and now I shall tell you more great things about this park and what it has to offer guests.

There are 90 powered sites including ensuite sites, all spacious with plenty of room, and 22 of these have cable available for TV. There are 14 two bedroom cabins which are immaculately kept and serviced daily. The park has not one but two great swimming pools set out for comfort, excellent BBQ facilities, a barn area complete with washing up facilities, microwave ovens, toasters, kettles and everything you will need to make your stay comfortable. There is also a great laundry with excellent washing machine and dryers and plenty of clothes lines. The amenities block is spotlessley clean and a pleasure to go in to. The park is situated on the foreshore so it's only a quick walk to the beach where you can enjoy fishing, surfing, body boarding or just a swim in sections which are patrolled by surf life savers. A quick walk over the road and you will find plenty of shops available to suit all your needs. If you are a lawn bowler or golfer there are bowls and golf clubs nearby and both have restaurants at affordable prices. I enjoyed a game of lawn bowls at the Tathra club and was made most welcome, and later on we also enjoyed a meal there. At the golf club they have a chinese restaurant and we also enjoyed a great meal there one night. It was very affordable and the meals were excellent, so much so that I went back for seconds of the special fried rice. They can also provide the Aussie meals of steaks and other delights and there is also a take away service if you would like to eat back at the caravan.

I caught up with Frankie for a chat about the park because I was a little curious as to why a a TV show host and personality would be part owner of a caravan park, after all there's a lot of work involved in running one. So, why did he become involved in such a venture? This is how he explained it.

"Through Whats Up Downunder it opened my eyes. Michelle had gone to the same caravan park at Pambula for 26-years and that was where I met her. Being invloved with Whats Up Downunder I thoroughly enjoy interacting with people who are guests in parks and their management with their dedication to the job they do. I had been looking for a business and this one is only a half hour from where we live. There is still room for improvement but this park will not lose what it already has and that its' charm. Its' unique feature is location location and the small coastal village of Tathra has a feel of this. The personal attention by all staff add to the botique feeling about the park as well as it's charm. We have already renovated some cabins and the amenities block, and we are looking at introducing wi-fi for internet users as a free service as well as adding more cable for TV viewers. It's all a matter of getting the culture right to relate to guests, because at this park you are not a customer, you are a guest! Those who come to our park enjoy a shoeless and keyless holiday and everything is within a walk", Frankie said.

I didn't bother asking Frankie too much about the difference between a TV host / personality and being part owner of a caravan park because I happened to see for myself (and photograph) the effort he, Michelle, and all staff put into this park. Firstly, a lady arrived with her son and had difficulty putting up their tent. Frankie happened to walking through the park, noted this and straight away without being asked helped her with this. Almost at the same time two ladies arrived with a young child towing a new camper trailer which they had been given a loan of. But setting this up became an impossible task for them. Again Frankie saw this and with the help of staff member Shane, they had it up in no time and everyone was happy. All in a days work for a part owner of a caravan park!

Finally, you are wondering why I have included a photo of a lamb. Tathra Beach Family Park is pet friendly! I've seen many different pets in caravan parks but never a lamb. A couple arrived and asked if they could have a new born lamb named Oliver who had to be bottle fed stay. Of course they could, no worries at all! Oliver was also a great attraction in the park, especially for the kids, but during his stay no one ever mentioned the words BBQ or lamb chops.

It will soon be Easter and if you are looking for a great place to stay with lots of entertainment, great staff and a friendly coastal village then Tathra Beach Family Park should be on your list. Frankie tells me the weather will be good, the beach and surf great and there will be Easter buns cooked in the pizza oven for everyone. Added to that he's heard from reliable sources that the Easter Bunny will make an appearance.

By: John Westbury - January 2012