Summer has hit, and that means it’s time to head into the great outdoors relax at your favourite holiday park.
Today you’ve opened up a Hello that’s bursting at the seams with last minute deals, changes that have been made at our holiday parks, a shot at winning a $500 adventure voucher for the whole whānau, and a fun road trip to see some of NZ’s most coastal landmarks and the holiday parks closest to them!
We’re also very proud to announce our Holiday Parks NZ Pathway to Park Owner Scholarship, if you are ready to take the plunge and join our Holiday Park whānau this could be just the thing you need to take the next steps.
We’re excited to be sharing this summer with you and would love for you to keep in touch by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
So, grab a drink, settle in, and read on.
Holiday Parks & Lighthouses
New Zealand is home to 21 walkable lighthouses, and many are just a short distance from Holiday Parks NZ member parks. That means you can pair stunning coastal walks with convenient accommodation, no complicated planning required.
To make it even easier, we’ve created this handy guide matching each lighthouse with its nearest holiday park or two. Whether you’re exploring one region or aiming to tick off the full list, these pairings make for a simple, scenic itinerary with a sense of adventure.
One of our contributors is taking on the challenge to visit them all in 2026, so why not join in the fun? Email your pictures to us at hello@holidayparks.co.nz and you might see your adventure featured!
What’s New at NZ’s Holiday Parks?
Russell–Orongo Bay Holiday Park Removes TVs to Let Nature Take Centre Stage – Read more here.
Stay the night and bring in the New Year with live music at Carterton Holiday Park. Book here.
Martinborough TOP 10 has availability throughout summer, perfect for all types of travellers keen on some epic star gazing! Book here.
North Egmont Retreat is celebrating 3 years from cow paddock to boutique accommodation. Find out more.
Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park has upgraded its Block 6 Men’s toilets, originally built during WWII. Read more here.
Cambridge TOP 10 has revealed their brand new pool area with splash zone for the kids and spas for the grownups! Find out more here.
Book to stay at Big Bay Holiday Park and watch the New Years Eve Sky Tower fireworks from across the harbour. Book here.
Holiday Parks for sale or lease? Or land your dream holiday park job! We’ve got them listed in one handy spot. Find them here.
Discover new adventures in the Coastal Bay of Plenty
It’s always the right time for a refreshing break in Tauranga or the Western Bay of Plenty. There are so many stunning holiday parks to choose from, and each is perfectly located to access affordable adventures and memorable experiences.
Walking Tracks
Cycling Trails
Farmers Markets
Rainy Day
Explore the appealing coastal Orokawa Bay track, near Waihī Beach, or the diverse flora, creative sculptures, and panoramic views at Te Puna Quarry Park.
Head inland to McLaren Falls Park, where you can spot an array of waterfowl on the lake and enjoy a tree-lined wander to the waterfall.
Nearby Te Rere o Ōmanawa Falls is a culturally significant site with native bush tracks and stunning lookouts over its centrepiece waterfall.
Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park offers 182 hectares of farmland, bush, spectacular views, and the remnants of important archaeological sites that reflect the region’s first Māori inhabitants.
See more Coastal Bay of Plenty walking options by clicking here.
Tourism Bay of Plenty has just released its latest cycle trails booklet, highlighting 16 scenic off-road trails and mountain bike tracks to suit all ages and abilities. Download a copy here .
The Ōmokoroa to Tauranga cycle trail offers a scenic, undulating harbourside ride which passes historic Ongarahu Pā, one of the most well-preserved defensive fortifications in the country.
Cyclists can carry on into the city, via Bethlehem, with a range of picturesque suburban trails throughout the city that include easy access to popular cafés or convenience stores.
The more remote TECT Park, halfway along the forested highway between Tauranga and Rotorua, offers a challenging 10km mountain bike track and two shorter grade one tracks.
To truly experience a destination, it’s worth sourcing fresh, local produce and appreciating the skills of its talented artists and craftspeople.
Check out the Tauranga Farmers Market near the city centre, every Saturday morning, or head to Katikati for its vibrant Sunday morning market.
Stock up on berries, avocados, and homemade treats — they’re ideal for a lunchtime picnic in a nearby park.
If the wind picks up or clouds start gathering, there’s no reason for the good vibes to stop.
Visit the Classic Flyers Aviation Museum, enjoy thought-provoking exhibits at the newly reopened Toi Tauranga Art Gallery, or relax at one of the region’s unique thermal hot pool facilities.
The Bay is also home to some brilliant indoor golf simulators, or you can try a tipple at Matahui Distillery or Leveret Mills Reef Winery.
The Cave, in Pāpāmoa, is home to the country’s best virtual reality and Sim racing studios.
Plan your stay
Whether you’re chasing sunsets, cycling coastal trails, or browsing local markets, the Bay of Plenty offers endless ways to make your next holiday refreshing and memorable.
Ready to explore?
Find all the holiday parks in the region here.
Flexible Family Zipline Adventures in Rotorua’s Ancient Forest
Rotorua Canopy Tours created dedicated family packages because they kept seeing the same thing: parents wanting more than “just another activity” – they wanted a shared, screen-free adventure that everyone would talk about for years. Something big and exciting for the kids, but safe, well hosted and genuinely meaningful for the adults too.
In 2020, they reached out to our community to ask what their family looked like – and the responses blew them away.
Some were heartfelt, some unexpected, all of them deeply personal stories about what “family” means.
They heard from solo parents, blended whānau, grandparents, two households travelling together, adult siblings, and families who had lost a loved one.
It really drove home how many different ways there are to be a family – and how a simple “2 adults + 2 kids” bundle didn’t suit everyone.
That’s why their family packages are flexible by design. They’re built so real families – however they’re made up – can share one big adventure in a way that feels fair, inclusive and genuinely special.
Families don’t just tick off ziplines here. They:
- Fly on multiple ziplines (some up to 80 km/h), cross swing bridges and stand on high forest platforms with huge valley views – with two adventure levels to match how brave your crew is feeling.
- Explore a rare ancient native forest, launching from 1,000-year-old trees and listening to birds that are back because visitors like them chose to support this place.
- Spend real time together in small groups, with our legendary “superhero” guides taking care of safety, storytelling and laughs so parents and grandparents can relax and join in.
- Take home free digital photos, making it easy to relive the “we actually did that!” moments.
- Know their day out is giving back, with every booking helping fund ongoing predator control and forest restoration to enjoy this ancient ngahere for future generations.
How Rotorua Canopy Tours flexible family adventures work:
- Choose your adventure. Original Canopy Tour for a feel-good family favourite, or Ultimate Canopy Tour for bigger thrills. Both are fully guided, safe and fun for kids, teens and multi-generational trips.
- Start with a ready-made family package. Pick from their most popular combos (like 1 adult + kids or 2 adults + kids) – they’re set up with a built-in family discount.
- Add extra kids or grown-ups at a family rate. Extra children, grandparents or bonus aunties and uncles can be added at a reduced family price, not full individual rates.
Are you staying at a Rotorua holiday park this summer?
You could win a $500 Rotorua Canopy Tours voucher for you and your whānau!
Holiday Parks NZ & Rotorua Canopy tours have collaborated to celebrate whānau in all its shapes and sizes, here’s how to enter:
✅ Spot one of our posters at any eligible holiday park
✅ Scan the QR code
✅ Upload a photo (or up to three) of your family having fun at the park between 20 December and 20 January
That’s it you’re in the draw! Show us your whānau moments and you could be soaring through the treetops.
This summer, make the journey part of the magic
Step aboard Interislander and cruise across Cook Strait, winding through the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds on one of the world’s most scenic ferry crossings.
With longer days and flexible sailing times, it’s easy to plan your travel around your adventure. Whether you’re heading north or south, Interislander caters to every kind of traveller. Kids can burn off energy in the play spaces or settle in with a movie, while parents grab a coffee, a bite to eat, and soak in a rare moment of calm as Aotearoa glides by. And with fresh new summer menus onboard, there’s something delicious for everyone—whether it’s a light bite, a hearty meal, or a treat to kick off the holiday.
Want to make the crossing even more relaxing? Upgrade to the Premium Lounge and enjoy complimentary food and drinks, free Wi-Fi, and a quieter space to unwind in comfort.
And when you book as a family, we’ll automatically apply our best family discount ferry rates—no extra steps needed.
Last minute travel can be tricky during peak seasons, however we’ve got some tips and tricks to make this easy, check them out here.
Holiday Parks Customer Discount. All guests with reservations at any Holiday Parks New Zealand member location can access a 10% discount on all retail fares*. This discount applies to your total booking value, including any extras like lounges or cabins.
*From 15th December 2025 to 28th February 2026, a closeout period has been introduced for the Holiday Parks New Zealand customer discount. Customers wishing to travel over this period will have to pay standard retail rates. We recommend booking early and considering alternative sailing times to secure a booking.
Make Interislander your smooth, scenic route to a summer of freedom, fun, and unforgettable stays.
Jump Into Fun: Dunedin Holiday Park & Motels Turns 100 – Enter to Win Two Nights’ Stay!
This year marks the centenary of Dunedin Holiday Park & Motels, originally registered in 1925 as Tahuna Motor Camp to host visitors for the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition. As New Zealand’s longest continually operating holiday park, it has welcomed generations of travellers, from families in cabins to campers in tents, becoming a cherished part of Dunedin’s holiday scene.
Today, the park combines its rich heritage with modern comfort, offering over 60 accommodation units, powered campervan sites, tent sites, and a range of family-friendly amenities including free WiFi, BBQ areas, playgrounds, and a communal lounge. Located near St Kilda Beach and just minutes from the city, it remains a popular base for exploring Dunedin and the wider Otago region.
To mark the centenary, they’ve just installed a giant jumping pillow providing fun for kids all day long! They’re also inviting you to be part of the celebration – head over to their Facebook Page and enter their competition and win two nights’ accommodation in one of their spacious 2-bedroom motels (sleeps up to 6 guests). Perfect for a family getaway or a fun trip with friends!
Explore the Central Plateau: Stay and Play in Ruapehu
As summer approaches, the spirit of resilience across the Central Plateau shines bright. We want to acknowledge the communities and businesses impacted by the recent wildfires in Tongariro National Park and recognise the emergency services whose tireless efforts ensured the fire was safely extinguished. While the whenua (land) begins its healing journey, the region’s welcome has never wavered. Towns and tourism operators across Ruapehu continue to host visitors with open arms, and holiday parks remain a cornerstone of easy, family-friendly getaways.
The iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing is open and ready to be explored this summer – offering adventurers the breath-taking alpine experience and dramatic landscapes it is world-famous for. Staying local makes exploring seamless, and Tongariro Family Holiday Park offers a peaceful base for families and adventurers alike, with cabin stays, spa pools, powered sites, and easy access to lakes, rivers and walking trails. Right now you can save 20% at Tongariro Family Holiday Park when you book direct. Book here.
Keen to branch out a little further and explore the wider region? Stays at Ohakune TOP 10 Holiday Park, Raetihi Holiday Park, and Parklands Motor Lodge all provide easy access to discover the central plateau.
Summer in Ruapehu is calling – book your stay, make memories, and support a region that is open, welcoming, and ready to be explored.
Feel the Warmth of Local Connection
The Nelson Tasman region is ready to welcome summer visitors with its warm hospitality and breath-taking landscapes.
The region experienced significant flooding in June and July 2025, and our thoughts remain with communities and businesses impacted by the events. Holiday Parks NZ members supported the recovery, donating NZ$5,500 to the Nelson Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund, helping local businesses and communities affected by the events.
Holiday parks in the region, including Bethany Park, Quinney’s Bush Campground, Mārahau Beach Camp, Old Macdonald’s Holiday Park and Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve are ready to welcome guests for summer stays.
Whether you’re after a peaceful cabin, a powered campsite, or a family-friendly tent spot, these parks provide the perfect base for exploring the region’s natural beauty.
The region was ranked number one in this year’s visitor satisfaction survey, a testament to the region’s warm hospitality, stunning landscapes, and welcoming tourism operators.
The iconic Great Taste Cycle Trail has most of the 200 km rideable again, and local businesses along the route ready to welcome cyclists. Walkers will be delighted that the Abel Tasman Coastal Track and other Great Walks are also open, offering pristine beaches, coastal vistas, and native forests ready to explore.
