Ulladulla was our next stop as we continued our fishing adventure up the NSW coast. While the weather disrupted some of our plans, we discovered so much more on offer at Discovery Parks – Burrill Lake, Ulladulla.

Have you ever been to a caravan park and been given such a warm welcome that you instantly felt the extra pep in your step? That’s exactly what we found, from the friendly reception staff who gave up their tips for what to get up to during our stay, to the groundskeepers giving us a wave and a smile each time they drove past.

Here’s what we discovered in Ulladulla that made our stop much richer than anticipated...

A different way to see the waterway

We love the water but this time we swapped our boat and rods for testing our balance on a stand up paddle board! We got our togs on, picked up a life jacket from reception and hit Burrill Lake.

As beginners in the SUP world, having the hire equipment available in park gave us an easy way to give something brand new a go. At first I was worried about the fish touching my toes if I fell in, but a few laughs later it was well worth jumping in and paddling around. Burrill Lake is a beauty, and the water was still, calm and relaxing.

The best bait options include prawns, blue bait and sandworms. Fishing with soft plastic? Try a wriggler tail soft plastic in colours like new penny, chartreuse, pilchard, black and gold, or bloodworm. If you’re using a hard body, give a Bent Minnow, Double Clutch, Samaki Vibe or Cranka Crab a shot.

Aim towards the rocks, shorelines, pier pylons and structure to lure fish out from their hidey holes and you might just snag one. Patience is key with this!

If you have children that like to reel fishing rods in all the time, why not give them the option of using a soft plastic. This offers them practice of casting, being independent on the rod, and something to focus on whilst casting their plastic out.

Burrill Lake also offers a safe boating haven for those that have a boat or kayak. With bushy surrounds, calm waters and lots of water to explore, it’s also a good option to fish this way using the above techniques.

If you’ve caught some fish, the park even offers a fish cleaning table right near the lake. How convenient is that!

READ ALSO: Angler’s Top Tips for Fishing the Sapphire Coast

Fun for kids big and small

We might not have any kids but if we did, they would have had a ball here! With kids’ activities including mini golf at the Holy Moly course, jumping pillow, playgrounds, swimming pool and games room, there is endless fun without even leaving the park.

And hey, us big kids like a competitive game of table tennis and billiards as well!

Cooking up a storm

There’s nothing like coming home from a full day of activities to cook up some home-made grub. There are several camp kitchens around the park, with BBQs, hot plates and – my favourite – a pizza oven.

Did someone say pizza for dinner? Mama mia! Grab a pre-made base, some tomato paste and your favourite toppings and you can have your own slice of Italy just a stone’s throw from your campsite.