There is an enormous feeling of "family" in the Village. It is hard to put into words, but when you return you really feel that you are "home". The facilities are excellent. A good example is shown below. If you want to empty your grey water or black water just drive over the huge dump point and let it go. When finished turn on the automatic flushing system and it all gets promptly washed away leaving the facility nice and fresh again. Similarly with cassette toilets, there is a flushing unit at waist height in an alcove outside each amenity block. This even has a hose! There is a good picture on this page.

The amenities are really something. One of the biggest moans about caravan parks is usually the amenities and the lack of thought that has gone into them. As you can see from the photos below all of these "problems" have been adequately addressed, and it all looks really good. Proper hooks behind the doors, a drying area, somewhere to put your clothes without them getting wet, and a pretty rare thing - a bar in the corner of the shower to shave your legs if you are a lady or an easy way to dry between your toes for the guys. These units are just about the best we have ever come across, and the smart materials chosen means they will look good for years to come.

Caravans and campervans are most welcome. You do not have to be a member of the CMCA, however if you do join, then you are entitled to substantial discounts on the already very reasonable charges. There is a huge 100 acre site specially set aside for caravan clubs a bit away from the main area so you can do your own thing. This area has its own first class amenity block complete with laundry. Over 100 sites are powered with plenty of water taps. These sites are all on grass and it is random parking, so if you wish you can "corral" the wagons. Something rarely allowed in caravan parks is you can have a campfire (provided the weather is OK and you check with managers, Nerelle and Wayne, as to where you can site the fire!) There is another huge area coming on-stream very shortly for real bush camping with tons of trees and lots of grass. This will have composting toilets and water taps, but no power.

Caravanners Ian and grandson Dillon, heard about the Village when in their native New Zealand. Ian stores his van and 4WD with his daughter in Coffs Harbour. What a life! He has a dairy farm back in New Zealand and comes over and tours Oz for three months each year. Ian was very impressed with the Village and told us there was nothing else like it in NZ. He particularly liked the idea of the swimming pool with a wide access ramp so you could drive your wheel chair right into the pool. Actually we have never come across this in any caravan park, but apparently it is common in high end retirement villages. You can see the undercover BBQ and camp oven pit area in the entry photo a little bit below this.

Campervanners Arnie and Vi pictured above right, were very impressed with the Village and immediately extended their stay from the originally planned one nighter. They loved the friendliness and camaraderie. Unlike caravan parks, you get a name tag with your first name on it when you check in. People actually stop and talk to you as you walk around. The "hang out" is open all day and has three disk bowls rinks for free use, three dart boards with darts provided, a fridge with cold drinks for $1.00, and even indoor carpet bowls for those rainy days. On arrival you are given a "what's on" sheet and details of services in the town. Pictured below is the smaller of the amenity blocks. There are also laundry facilities in each amenity block with washing machines and dryers ($3 for a load) and a real rarity - a covered clothes drying area. There are also lots of handy outside lines if you like to dry in the sun.

Kevin and Dot from Pottsville had no trouble fitting their car and motorhome on a normal grassy site and right opposite the amenities too! The campervan pictured above right is just about as good as these smaller vehicles get. This little Highace towed a little trailer and into this went the annex, connecting "trunk" and the toilet and shower out of view in the picture. If you are towing a car it will easily fit onto even the smallest site. There is a slightly extra charge for very large units occupying a double site.

The photo above left shows the new BBQ area. This is paradise for really large rigs such as the Dryden Trailer Home shown above right. Sites for large vehicles are just about all drive through making parking a breeze - read no stress! Perfect CDMA and GSM phone. Good water with lots of taps and most sites have sullage. TV is incredibly clear - digital on ABC and SBS and of course 4 digital radio channels.

Now the pool is really something else again! It is absolutely fantastic and dare we say the best pool in any RV park in Australia as it really caters for our age group. Where else in Australia can you go swimming whilst still seated in your wheelchair? The pool has inbuilt, below water level seating all around the perimeter - fabulous! It has a giant sail to protect us all from ourselves! Not shown in the photos is the huge undercover area next to yet another amenities block with hot showers. This area has lovely lounges and excellent huge wooden tables. This story is actually being written on one of them using the free power provided and the page is being uploaded via the wireless Internet. It's a hard life doing these stories! The pool is open from 7AM until 9 PM and is a very social area.

Lots of vendors call - milko, fisho, papers, ice-cream, smoko van with cakes etc. No greengrocer as yet but the local shop is only five minutes away. The photos below show the tasty temptations provided by the 11 AM smoko van operated by Windarah by young Jenny and Margaret. This would have to be the cleanest smoko van in Australia and the food is just yummy! Most "naughtiness" costs just $1.60 and they do a great healthy fresh friut salad in a tub for $3.00.