How to get the most out of our newest holiday parks

With Christmas in our rear-view mirror and summer still sizzling, we’d like to focus on some of the newest venues to join us under the Kiwi Holiday Parks and Accommodation (KHPA) banner. Namely those located in Tuatapere, Invercargill, Geraldine and Mahia Beach.

Tuatapere

Tuatapere Kiwi Holiday Park & Accommodation is like its own little village complete with an onsite café and bar. Located in the deep south, Tautapere is just over an hour’s drive from the breath-taking Fiordland National Park, an hour northwest of Invercargill and two-and-a-half hours from Queenstown. This means its an excellent spot to lay your head before or after tackling all that Fiordland has to offer, and is within easy reach of your next destination as you travel north towards Te Anau, or south towards Invercargill. For keen walkers, the park is the closest accommodation to the popular 43km-long Hump Ridge Track, which sets off from the nearby Te Waewae Bay.

The site has something for travellers of all ages and budgets, from backpackers to self-contained motel units with kitchen and bathroom facilities, and tent sites to powered campervan sites. Guests can make the most of the great amenities at Tuatapere KHPA, which include a sauna and spa, friendly animals, mini golf and even an onsite bottle store.

Invercargill

Located in the heart of Invercargill, Central City Camping Park is a prime base for anyone considering attending the Burt Munro Challenge (every February), or the Bluff Oyster and Food Festival (each May).

The friendly team at Central City are dedicated to providing guests with an extremely clean and budget-conscious stay. After cooking their dinner in the large kitchen area, guests can kick back and relax in the well-insulated units, their tent or camper.

Geraldine

Grumpy's Kiwi Holiday Park Geraldine is just six clicks north of Geraldine in Canterbury. The idyllic park is busting at the seams with onsite activities for guests, young and old. The young ones can let loose on the jumping pillow and in the games room or seasonal swimming pool, and adults can try their luck on the tennis courts or relax with a book in the library.

Accommodation options include fully self-contained one- and two-bedroom units, and a three-bedroom Country Cottage which can sleep up to seven people. All guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi to help them plan their day excursions.

Mahia Beach

If it’s a beach getaway you’re after, then look no further than Mahia Beach. Positioned on the east coast of the North Island, between Napier and Gisborne, Mahia is a mecca for sun, surf and sand. In its long form name, Mahia translates to ‘the murmuring of home’, referring to the comforting sound of the ocean which attracts holidaymakers to the small community every summer.

The Mahia Beach Motel & Holiday Park welcomes visitors seeking all types of accommodation: cabins, tent sites, motels, powered sites and sea-view motels. Ample off-street parking means you can arrive in a vehicle of any size, while furry friends are always welcome.

A great ocean view can be seen from atop the Mokotahi Hill, and a slightly longer walk can be found in the form of the nine-hole links course. For wax heads, there are loads of reputable surf spots on both sides of the Mahia Peninsula – some of the best in the country in fact. For a more subdued water-bound experience, try the Morere Hot Pools, a 20-minute drive out of town.