Read on for some spring and summer holiday inspiration and offers from around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Hot deals from Hampshire Holiday Parks
Save 25% when you book a lodge or house at Glendhu Bay near Wānaka for four nights or more. Find out more and book ici (Ts n Cs apply). Valid for stays up until 20 December 2024.
You can also save 25% when you book a seven-day stay or more at Hampshire Holiday Parks – Arrowville, Wānaka, Glendhu Bay et Ōhope Beach.
Find out more and book ici (Ts n Cs apply). Valid at Arrowtown and Wanaka for stays until 19th December 2024; until 20th December 2024 at Glendhu Bay, and 12th December at Ōhope Beach.
Full steam ahead at ShantyTown
ShantyTown Heritage Park, south of Greymouth, is a faithfully recreated 1900s pioneer town with fun for all the family. Soak up the yesteryear vibe in the museum, holographic show, or try your hand at gold panning.
ShantyTown’s hot tickets are their vintage train rides. As of December 1St, they’ll be running Gertie, their 1877 L508 steam engine, five times a day at 10.45am, 11.45am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm and 3.15pm. All aboard!
Hump Ridge Track – our latest Great Walk
With the final upgrades almost complete, Southland’s Hump Ridge Track is set to become New Zealand’s newest Great Walk, joining 10 other world-class hiking experiences.
This three-day loop takes in the sub-alpine tops and rugged southern Fiordland coastline with options for freedom tramping, luxurious packages with meals and hot showers provided, guided walks, and helicopter and jetboat transfer options. Find out more, and book ici.
Bookend your tramp, with a stay at nearby Parc de vacances de Riverton, or one of three Te Anau parks – Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau, Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels, and Te Anau TOP 10 Parc de Vacances.
Te Tai Tokerau Northland – a top place to visit in 2025
Te Tai Tokerau Northland was recently named as one of the world’s top destinations to visit in 2025. The Best of World 2025 list, hand-picked by National Geographic’s explorers, photographers and editors, rates Northland for its ‘fascinating wildlife and warm waters that offer excellent diving especially in the Poor Knights marine reserve.’
Add in fantastic beaches, watersports galore, barmy weather, and rich Māori and pioneering history, and you’ve got yourself a holiday destination that’s hard to beat. Northland has over 20 holiday park, which can you can discover ici.
Ōhope Beach joins Hampshire Holiday Parks
Ōhope Beach TOP 10 has joined the Hampshire Holiday Parks group, who now look after seven holiday parks around the motu, including Kaikōura TOP 10, Queenstown Lakeview, Wānaka, Glendhu Bay et Albert Town.
Located on one of Aotearoa’s finest stretches of coast, Ōhope Beach TOP 10 has all the ingredients for a memorable summer holiday with fabulous ocean views, safe swimming and excellent built accommodation, including some rather stylish surf shacks and a glorious glamping tent (pictured).
Going green at Raglan Holiday Park Papahua
The community garden, ‘Papahua Maara kai’ at Raglan Holiday Park Papahua, is a shining example of how New Zealand holiday parks are embracing sustainability.
The garden, utilising permaculture principles, provides fresh organic produce to park guests, with the surplus donated to the local community food pantry. Staff also use it to teach visiting children valuable organic gardening skills.
‘Papahua Maara kai’, loosely translated as ‘place to grow and food garden’ has been a standout hit with Raglan’s holiday park guests, as well as Holiday Park New Zealand judges, who recognised the park’s efforts with this year’s TIA Sustainable Innovation Award. One judge noted, ‘this innovation has so many benefits in terms of education, visitor satisfaction, lowering waste and carbon footprint, and community impact.’
Award-winning welcomes at Athenree Hot Pools & Holiday Park
Claiming the Holiday Parks New Zealand’s most coveted gong this year is Bay of Plenty’s Athenree Hot Springs et parc de vacances, who took out the ReviewPro Spirit of Hospitality Award.
After a sluggish start during Covid, when park owners Pete and Belinda bought the business, people flocked to the park with its tranquil setting, spectacular puriri trees and heavenly hot pools. ‘An avalanche of people came that weekend (after Covid). I think that when our laidback approach was born … out of necessity,’ says Pete.
The Spirit of Hospitality award is decided using online reviews, and the people have spoken, rewarding the owners and staff Athenree for all their hard yakka and genuine manaakitanga.
Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa win big
Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa were also recognised at this year’s awards taking out the PGG Wrightson Park Grounds Award and prize for best new build over $100,000 sponsored by Resco.
Papamoa’s swanky poolside villas and super-family-friendly Green Zone and play area are fitting winners and showcase how New Zealand’s holiday parks are taking this accommodation sector to the next level.
Bowentown Beach’s brilliant beach bungalows
Helping cement holiday parks’ reputation as places with built accommodation to rival the best hotels, motels and apartments, Bowentown Beach Holiday Park won the Urban Lounge interior upgrade award for the transformation of their beach bungalows.
Check out these ‘before and after’ shots. A picture paints a thousand words!
Queenstown Lakeview – blending beautifully into the environment
Also upping the ante in the accommodation stakes are Parcs de vacances Hampshire – Queenstown Lakeview with their award-winning upgrades to their family rooms and studios.
Inspired by the colours of Lake Wakatipu and forest backdropping the park, the modish refurbishments blend beautifully with the area’s natural surroundings. Using New Zealand suppliers and products help round out this stunning locally focused project.
Omarama TOP 10 – sizzling like a hot sausage!
There’s no stopping Omarama TOP 10 Parc de vacances! Continuing their remarkable recovery after devastating 2022 floods that caused over $1 million worth of damage, the park has picked up a HPNZ award for the renovation of the BBQ area.
With the Waitaki Lakes, Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, Clay Cliffs and some of the country’s coolest hot pools on its doorstep, Omarama is a fantastic base for summer holidays of adventure and relaxation.
Dive into Tasman Holiday Parks’ great new pools
Tasman Holiday Parks – Christchurch et Miranda have fully renovated their swimming pools in time for summer. They can’t wait to welcome everyone to experience their new upgrades.
Read this Blog for a full rundown on Tasman Holiday Parks with pools.
Terrific new TOP 10 Holiday Parks
TOP 10 has added two new thoroughbred holiday parks to its stable of winning accommodation. Ahipara TOP 10 et Hihi Beach TOP 10, both in Northland, offer memorable beach-based adventures all year round, whether you’re pitching a tent, parking your van or looking for a proper roof over your head.
TOP 10 now has 49 holiday parks across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Super spring and summer events
There’s nothing like local events to help you explore and meet new people! Choose from this feast of fun festivals for spring and summer.
TOP 10 x Weet-Bix TRYathlon
TOP 10 Holiday Parks is the proud new sponsor of the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon™ Series. With events held all around the country, Toppy and the TOP 10 team are excited to help encourage tamariki/children to push themselves across the finish line. These family-friendly events have been a rite of passage for school-aged children for years and TOP 10 are thrilled to be a part of it.
Visiter le Weet-bix TRYathlon™ website for details on upcoming events.
Harvest Hawke’s Bay Food & Wine Festival (23 November 2024)
Head over to sunny Hawke’s Bay for this culinary celebration with 18 wineries, nine eateries and three live bands. Find out more ici.
Nelson A&P Show (23 & 24 November 2024)
Make a beeline for this bonanza of dog races, sheep shearing, fashion shows, wood chopping, amusement rides, live music and more. A&P shows, keeping things rural and real for over 100 years. Find out more ici.
Cromwell Wine & Food Festival (2 January 2025)
Cruise down to Cromwell’s Heritage Precinct for some summer vibes and a feast of local wines, craft beer and fine foods. Find out more ici.
Waihī Beach Summer Fair (3 January 2025)
Mosey on over to the beautiful Bay of Plenty’s Waihī Beach for live music, 200+ stalls, 12,000+ punters, oodles of fun for the kids, delicious food and happy vibes on tap. Find out more ici.
For more events, check out this jam-packed nationwide calendar that’ll help you find all the amazing options according to intérêts ou région.
2024 Holiday Parks New Zealand award winners
Congratulations to this year’s Holiday Parks New Zealand award winners announced recently at the annual conference. Click the links and book a holiday at one or more of them to see what all the fuss is about. You won’t be disappointed!
Holiday Parks Emerging Star Award (sponsored by Tasman Holiday Parks)
Winner: Caitlin Henderson from Parc de vacances Taupo TOP 10
PGG Wrightson Park Grounds Award
Winner: Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach
Tourism Industry Aotearoa Sustainable Innovation Award
Winner: Raglan Holiday Park Papahua
Urban Lounge Interiors upgrade of an existing building under $100k
Winner: Bowentown Beach Holiday Park
Urban Lounge Interiors Design Award over $100k
Winner: Hampshire Holiday Parks – Queenstown Lake View
Meilleure mise à niveau Resco sous $100,000
Winner: Omarama TOP 10 Parc de vacances
Highly Commended: Motueka TOP 10 Parc de vacances & Camp de vacances chrétien de Pacific Park
Resco Meilleure nouvelle construction sur $100 000
Winner: Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach
Highly Commended: Hot Water Beach TOP 10 des parcs de vacances & Parc de vacances Golden Bay
Prix du parc le plus amélioré ReviewPro
Winner: Parcs de vacances Hampshire - Arrowtown
Highly commended: Lake Brunner Holiday Park
Prix de l'esprit d'hospitalité ReviewPro
Winner: Athenree Hot Springs et parc de vacances
Outstanding Contribution to the Holiday Park Industry (sponsored by TOP 10 Holiday Parks Group)
Winners: Sue and Barrie Price
TOP 10 Holiday Parks awards
TOP 10 des parcs de vacances Group recently celebrated their annual conference with Ohakune TOP 10 taking out the Supreme Award, and Geraldine TOP 10 et Himatangi Beach TOP 10 tying for runner up. François-Joseph TOP 10 took out the award for most improved park. Check out the full list of award winners and runners up ici.
Brilliant beach and bush (without the crowds)
Looking for places to park up away from the holiday hotspots this spring and summer? Check out this article packed with a sizzling selection of secluded coastlines, and fabulous forest and bush, with plenty of opportunities for exploration and adventure, or simply kicking back and recharging your batteries.