POLICE were hunting a knife-wielding thief who terrorised a receptionist at a New South Wales caravan park.

The drama happened as rain lashed the four-and-a-half star NRMA-owned Merimbula Beach Caravan Park on the State's South Coast.

Police said the man was wearing a black hooded raincoat, black clothing and a black balaclava with holes cut for the eyes and mouth.

Detective Sergeant Mark Winterflood said the crook removed a large knife from under his clothing and leapt over the counter to confront a female employee.

"He threatened her with the knife, holding it to her throat and dragging her towards the kiosk till. He demanded money from the till which the employee opened, the offender taking a small amount of cash," he said.

The rain-soaked man then released the woman, jumped over the kiosk counter and fled through the front door.

He was seen leaving the caravan park on foot, walking through the park grounds towards Cliff Street.

Police enquiries revealed he was also seen walking to the caravan park along Cliff Street and Short Point Road in the heavy rain before the robbery.

The man is described as being 175 to 180cm tall and of slim build. He wore a black coloured hooded raincoat, three quarter length, a black balaclava and black pants.

Police have been told that a blue dual cab utility with a white canopy was seen being driven from the area shortly after the offence and they would like to speak to anyone who could identify the vehicle.

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