 "There is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats,” wrote Kenneth Grahame in The Wind in the Willows.
And that’s exactly what we did on our recent weekend at Jervis Bay Caravan Park at Huskisson on the NSW South Coast and Grahame was right – nothing beats having fun on the water.
It was not long after we pitched our tent beside the river that the kids spotted the kayaks stored behind the entrance to this popular little, pet-friendly holiday park just outside ‘Huski’ as everyone affectionately calls the little town. And it wasn’t long before we were out on the water just like Rat, Mole, Toad and Badger in Graham’s classic adventure tale.
 The kids, 11 and 8, had never kayaked before and after a few trials and tribulations, mostly involving kayaks going around in whirlpool-inducing circles, they soon got the hang of paddling in one direction and fell in love with the boats. As did our pet dog who, enjoying his first time camping, happily – and haplessly - acted as our navigator on front of the lead kayak!
Growing confidence later gave birth to a plan for a real adventure akin to something even Huckleberry Finn may have embarked upon – a paddle right down the winding Currambene Creek which fronts the holiday park to the sand spit near the river’s entrance to Jervis Bay, beaching our ‘explorer’s vessels there and walking across the dunes to the bay itself – a magnificent stretch of dolphin-rich, cobalt blue water that invited us for a dip.
 After basking on the deserted, blindingly white beach (bring sunnies for the kids!), we returned to our kayaks for the paddle back upstream to our campsite, the kids pumped after their escapade on the water and officially in love with kayaks.
Riverside camping at Jervis Bay Caravan Park is a delight. While not on the bay itself, which is a 5-minute drive away in busier ‘Huski’, the park is very relaxed and quiet with lots of adjacent bushland and the river right on your doorstop.
You can light campfires, which the kids really love (remember those marshmallows for toasting though!) and there are barbecues, toilets, power points and hot showers a few feet away – so everything you need for a fun weekend camping. And you can bring the dog which is great. And when you hit the sack in your tent, you are serenaded to sleep by the gentle roar of the waves on Jervis Bay not far away.
 There’s a solar-heated pool and spa, playground and a private jetty that’s perfect for fishing or just sitting on, feet dangling over the water, as you listen to nothing else but the ripples of the river – just bliss!
Jervis bay Caravan Park also offers a range of cabins for hire, including some fabulous, luxury spa cabins, with 2-3 bedrooms, overlooking the river.
At Huskisson, there are dolphin cruises, beaches, bushwalks and boats to hire plus the famous Huski pub which offers family bistro meals.
Beautiful Jervis Bay is far enough away from Sydney (about 2.5 hours south) to provide that delicious get-away-from-it-all feeling but close enough for a weekend getaway. Jervis Bay Caravan Park is also very popular during school holidays so advanced bookings are required.
• Camping at Jervis Bay Caravan Park is priced from $20 per night for two people, with kids $7 a night each extra. Powered sites start at $28 a night for 2 people. And the top spa cabins are available from $350 for a two-night weekend for two people, with kids $10 each a night extra. Midweek specials are also available. Single kayaks cost $30 for a half day and double kayaks are $40. Longer hire also available. Phone 02 4441 5046 or visit www.jervisbaycaravanpark.com.au
  
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