Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park
Reviews
Caitlin
Ranking: 9/10
Amazingly surprised by how beautiful and organized this place is. $48 per night for two people on an non powered tent site. Pristine showers and toilets with a full kitchen/lounge facility that made camping a breeze. The only hindrance was how stony the ground was to pitch a tent. Would definitely start here again. Fantastic, peaceful and a great way to recharge the soul. Glow Worms, an amazing natural waterfall and beautiful views over the river. Apart from the odd train, the road noise is virtually non existent. Stay here, you won't regret it!
Hannah
Ranking: 10/10
Really lovely owner, clean facilities, awesome camp ground
David
Ranking: 10/10
The best site we found on our tour of the South Island. Outstanding facilities including a fully equipped kitchen and large lounge area. The staff are very welcoming and helpful. The walks are great, the views are brilliant and the glowworms are astonishing. The night sky is amazing with no light pollution. It is quiet and peaceful and you can hear kiwi in the forests. We paid $52 and they gave us 10Gb wifi free (usually $6). Highly recommended.
Robert Adler
Ranking: 10/10
This was one of the most lovely holiday parks that we stayed at during our time in NZ. The hosts were extremely friendly, the accommodations were spacious, and the showers and kitchen were clean and well-stocked. If you need to stay near Arthur's Pass, I would highly recommend staying here.
Justin
Ranking: 10/10
Wicked spot nestled in the mountains. Lots of powered sites. The stars were magnificent. Friendly owner. Glow worms a 3 min walk - cool to see at night. Probably the nicest bathrooms we saw at a camp site - looked newly renovated. A big kitchen. Also a BBQ and pizza oven (we would have bought frozen pizzas to cook knowing this).
Liz Wade
Ranking: 9/10
Good size pitches, clean facilities, helpful staff/owners. Just a pity the WiFi isn’t more effective especially since it costs extra. We’ve stayed in some really understated sites which have only cost a few dollars but where the WiFi has been included and excellent so just not sure why this isn’t always the case? It does seem that if the site operates WiFi through the iks company its’s pretty poor. I guess it’s to do with signal strength maybe? Just be careful if you do the walk up to the waterfall - we got lost on the way back down - no doubt our mistake but just be careful! With regards to facilités though, this is an excellent site.
Mika Feng
Ranking: 10/10
Best ever and its thanks to Rankers that we managed to find this perfect site with very friendly lady running it. Out of all the places we stayed this is the best.
Natalie
Ranking: 1/10
We decided to book here for wee family escape for our 5th wedding anniversary. We made the drive from Christchurch especially just to stay at this camp ground and head back home the next day. I'll start with the positives as there are a few. This camping ground is absolutely gorgeous and well kept. There are amazing tracks leading to gorgeous waterfalls and even an old quartz mine. At night time there are multiple walks to see the glow worms in their natural dells, all of the facilities are immaculate and very modern but sadly that's where the positives end for us.
We booked in off a camping app called Rankers camping after reading the blurb and seeing that it was pet friendly I booked which redirected me to their booking software where it asked all of our details including age of our children etc.. having gone through all that I had no idea how much of an inconvenience we would be to the owner. We walk to the office with our family dog on her lead and ended up being rushed at by the owner who was shocked and angry we had our dog (apparently we are the last straw for dogs being allowed their now 🤷🏼♀️) she stated we needed to have let them know prior that our dog was coming so after apologising profusely for not knowing that (not sure how I was supposed to know) I was handed a peice of paper saying if they found poo after we left that my card would be charged $100! she was very cold even after all of my apologies. It absolutely killed it for us and we literally sat in our tent the rest of the the day/night (which ended up flooded due to a west coast down pour all night long) my husband even picked up dog poo that wasn't from our dog so we wouldn't be charged. This place cost us $72 for a non powered site for a family of two adults and two children and it absolutely would have been worth it had the owner not been so unwelcoming. We left feeling like an inconvenience and in hindsight I wish we had left at the time of meeting her.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Thank you Craig & Natalie for your unfortunate review on both Rankers & Google.
It is a shame we did not meet your expectations due to you not fully understanding our pet policy, Rankers app and our website clearly state that yes we are pet friendly but only by prior arrangement.
When Craig checked in there was still no mention time that you had a family pet/dog with you.
I'm sure as a pet/dog owner you understand that there are very few holiday parks that will now allow dogs (we are hanging in there by the skin of our teeth) and as dog lovers ourselves we try to accommodate and help out responsible pet owners. Our motto is "Never the dog's fault - not fair to blame the dog - it's always the Owner"
The only reason why our policy is in place is that some breeds we will not allow, certain times of the year no pets are allowed and for the comfort of your pet and family we have certain sites that we prefer dogs to be in to ensure privacy and that the dogs do not disturb other guests, we are trying to accommodate all guests.
You were not rushed at and the piece of paper you were handed also lets you know where you can exercise your pet off their lead. All sites where pets have been are checked on departure and yes if you are not responsible we will charge you. Was I angry or again disappointed that irresponsible owners ruin it for others.
If you feel that for these reasons we were unreasonable and our Park deserves a 1 start review, for this we do not apologize.
Ayesha Solomon
Ranking: 10/10
Amazing place. Incredible views. Beautifully and thoughtfully organised and laid out. Tables on grass next to each van pitch designed for privacy and views. So clean. Wonderful kitchen. Lots of little touches like fresh herbs for use in the kitchen! Toni the owner is lovely really helpful and friendly. She goes the extra mile to maintain standards! She even makes tasty fresh bread to order. It was chilly and wet but we loved it. Best place we stayed on South Island.
Adam
Ranking: 8/10
Nice spot to stay. Good facilities and great to have glow worms on site - adults and kids both enjoyed this. Sites are a little exposed, but otherwise good.
Adrian Macdonald
Ranking: 9/10
Great toilet/showers. The share kitchen is great as well. The opportunity to see glow worms was great as well, just be careful in the area past the gate, as in the dark we went a bit too far, and almost got lost.
Matilda
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful stay!!
Lovely welcome in Jackson. Many informations about the walks we can do around.
Big powered site with a table just next to it.
Nice and well equipped kitchen.
There was a fire inside the living room and some confortable sofa’: comfy place to relax.
Bbq area!
Beautiful nature around. Glow worms and waterfalls.
Sir Ed
Ranking: 1/10
Location was great and the facilities were impressive. Unfortunately the hosts were really rude so I would not reccomend.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Thank you for your review on both Rankers & Trip Advisor
Hello Guy Brown & Family, thank you for your comments regarding our location and facilities, unfortunately we didn't meet your expectations regarding the rest of your stay.
Your stay with us in Feb 2019 was for 1 Undercover Tent site but you decided that your family needed more room and took up 3 sites.
You arrived in your hired electric car with no way of charging your vehicle or understanding what is actually required. We assisted you and provided you with the correct legal power leads and plugs at no charge.
When you took it upon yourself to help yourselves to property that was clearly not intended for your use, yes our dismay and total disbelief that a guest could possibly think that this was ok was obviously evident and compounded by the fact that we had helped you and not left you to be towed back to Christchurch.
Due to your stay we have had to review our company policy regarding electric vehicles.
Other campers don't get a free tank of fuel and now no longer will electric vehicles.
NZ is full of stunning Freedom camping sites but not sure they have the facilities for electric vehicles.
Sarah Everett
Ranking: 10/10
Best place we stayed on the South Island. Beautiful views, campsite perfectly set out and very well looked after. Running streams and Bush walk to waterfall right there. Great lounge area with fire and very well equipped kitchen. Bathrooms were the best. Stay here if you can.
JM
Ranking: 10/10
The best Campervan holidays park for us during our 2 weeks trip on South Island .
Great location , nice waterfall to see ( 30 minutes walk from the back door of the site )
Friendly people .
David
Ranking: 10/10
This has definitely been the best holiday park we've been to during our trip. The bathrooms are really clean and the kitchen area is fully equiped with pots, pans, and some condiments. The staff was really welcoming and you even get to do a mini glowworm tour! If every holiday park in NZ was as nice as this one, I would stay forever.
Botond Seres
Ranking: 10/10
Quality as.
kim thomas
Ranking: 9/10
Very nice, well kept up. friendly hosts. It was pouring rain when we were there so didnt get to experience glow worms! Kitchen was clean, typical costs got wifi.
Lucinda
Ranking: 10/10
Super clean homely facilities with completely Lovely kitchen/ lounge and toilet/showers. Cute private areas for each campervan with picnic bench and grass. Still about 45 mins from Arthur’s pass but a fantastic place to stay
Liz
Ranking: 9/10
What an amazing spot!
Fantastic facilities, wonderful host. Just remember to bring big spray!!
Great spot, with the sounds of the rainforest and babbling brook to fall asleep to.
Highly recommended, we will most definitely stay here again!
Julie Barclay
Ranking: 10/10
Wow so good to find a really great campground that is run by genuine kiwis to a standard second to none. Awesome facilities and natural walks right on site. The waterfall walk was so natural walking through the native Bush. Glow worms were great. I'm not surprised it's got such positive feedback. We'll done Toni and Darren.
Jyoti
Ranking: 3/10
Well place is good.owners have automated things and made good place for their owner good and reduce their power and water Bill's nothing great but attitude is everything. The owners have forgotten that they are in hospitality business .we were running late and called to book the owner just said if you cant reach then find some other place and nothing nearby. Somehow reached there checked in .were in the common lounge to cook and eat .new place some mistake will happen. Owner on the pretext of security breaching privacy and immediately and telling off.
Visited so many holiday home no one came and checked what we were doing except this place.will never recommended this place.people who want to experience rudeness will go there. Be ready for that I spite of good place you chose.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
As per your review on TripAdvisor & Campermate, your family was taken to task regarding their actions which you obviously found offensive - we will not apologize for protecting the comfort of our other guest or our property.
Regarding you been told to find alternative accommodation options - our office is not open 24 hours for check in and again for the comfort of guests that are already on site and settled we do not encourage late check in's.
Scooper
Ranking: 10/10
This place is “the bomb”. Absolutely the best place we stayed at on the South Island. Owner/manager was lovely and helpful, and kind to our kidlets - even gave them coins to throw into maori water spirit statue. The bathrooms were SPOTLESS - wish mine at home were that clean! They were also spacious and beautifully decorated. Owner/manager apologised because bathrooms were being used as unisex due to renos in mens. Was not a problem because of cubicle sizes. Excellent laundry. And everything is done with the environment in mind - for example, they compost the used hand towels, use this to grow vegies, and you can pick up some of their fresh produce in their little reception shop. We all loved going on a bush adventure and seeing the gloworms - stay here just for this bit! Big open playground, huge mountains all around. Spacious, pebbled parking spots. Simply brilliant. Stay here if you can.
Jenny
Ranking: 8/10
Place as reviewed with the exception that we paid $48 p/n for two people on powered site in early May. We stayed 2days so that we would be able to sit in front of the fire and read or watch tv while it rained outside. Unfortunately, the fire wasn’t lit until about 3 pm and it had died down to embers by 7 pm. There was no firewood nearby to top up and all campers had vacated the area by 7 pm because it was so cold. There was no alternative heating source in the room. This was a disappointment to us as we had booked there due to the high reviews of the lounge and kitchen area.
Richard
Ranking: 9/10
Great campsite, make the effort to see the glow worms!
Antony Lewis
Ranking: 10/10
Stayed overnight here in April, a great site, very good reception on a very cold and windy night. Host was very welcoming. Excellent facilities very clean and plenty of room to prepare food and relax in the lounge. Good pitches plenty of room. Definitely one of the best.
Matt
Ranking: 10/10
Amazing campground. If I designed the perfect holiday park this is what it would look like. Well-manicured grounds, gravel surfaces that drain well in the rain, spacious configuration between spots, immaculate facilities, a cozy kitchen/lounge, showers with adjoined changing stalls with heaps of hooks, Kiwi’s serenading you to sleep, should I go on? Only bummer was that it poured the whole night we were there. There are hikes from the grounds that we would have liked to do and glowworm viewing in bushes around the grounds.
Antony Wilson
Ranking: 10/10
Very nice campground not too far from Arthur's Pass. Very helpful and friendly owners. The only negative was that the glowworms were not playing ball.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park is open for business… Visit Website …now's your chance to take a closer look.
S Becker
Ranking: 10/10
Wonderful campground with super clean and nice restroom facilities. Kitchen was big and clean as well. Nice walks right outside the campground that we unfortunately couldn’t go in bc of the rain but otherwise the surroundings are really beautiful
Eversons
Ranking: 9/10
Great pitch size. Great views of the rainforest. Great walks on site. Huge lounge, wood burner, sofas, 4 cooking stations, pizza oven and barbecue. Showers big, strong and clean. Small shop. Lovely friendly staff. Weka wandering around. Fantastic first site!
Boguslaw MAKIELLO
Ranking: 10/10
Ok, this is the most expensive place we found during our holidays, but we don't regret!
$50 for a powered site, like in some other campgrounds, but the wifi is really expensive ($6, but quite unlimited ). Of course you can sleep here without using internet.
A quiet place. There are only a few sandflies and it looked like paradise after some nights in hell because of these b*****.
Nice staff, little shop.
Very nice kitchen, very clean.
About the bathroom : I never seen that anymore. The bathroom is more clean than a never used one! Fresh flowers, unlimited showers, perfect!
Some nice walks here, to a lovely waterfall (and some longer walks too) into an incredible bush, very wet, with beautiful light, native birds.
Into the campground you can see glow worms at night, and if you walk to the creek with a red lamp at night you will see a wall of glow worms.
I recommend this place to all! In the middle of nowhere but it worth the stay
Nathaniel Bond
Ranking: 10/10
More than just a campsite! Under cover tent pitches, forest walks, glow worms, private waterfall. Fantastic kitchen and shower block. Van sites on hardstanding with grass and shrubs between pitches.Friendly and well cared for. Think this is the best campsite I have ever been to!
Bob
Ranking: 10/10
Worth paying a bit more to camp here for a bit of luxury after camping at basic sites ($22pp). Hot showers with no time limit, nice grassy areas to camp, big clean kitchen and communal area, book exchange, waterfall walk, and best of all Glow Worms at night!! The owner was also super friendly and helpful :-)
Carl Elliott
Ranking: 10/10
We've lived and travelled the South Island for the past 2 years and this is by far the best camp site we've stayed in. No competition. You should stay here. Friendly peeps, clean and highly functional services, a surrounding to die for. I know that it may be slightly more than most places you pitch at, but treat yourself. It's worth it
Helen Bond
Ranking: 10/10
Possibly the best site we have ever visited. Pity about the "liquid sunshine", but it wouldn't be rainforest without it! Shower block was exceptional - spotlessly clean, hairdryers, flowers and carpets. Covered camping areas available, forest walks, glow-worms, waterfall. Good kitchen, reasonable size pitches and a friendly weka. What more could you want.
Nigel & Annie Dale
Ranking: 10/10
We hadn’t planned to stay at Jackson’s Retreat, but decided to move inland from the west coast before Cyclone Gita hit the South Island.
What a little piece of paradise this proved to be. Lovely site including a beautiful waterfall & glow worms, superb bathroom & kitchen facilities all spotlessly clean, and really friendly helpful owners.
We loved our 2 night stay despite it being during the cyclone, it must be even better in normal weather. Cannot recommend it highly enough, would have rated 11/10 if we could!
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Thank you Nigel & Annie, thankfully we didn't get the full brunt of Gita that others got but she made our piece of paradise a little more dramatic.
Enjoy the rest of your South Island adventure and we hope to see you again,
Regards Toni 02/18
Luis Vigil Vidal
Ranking: 10/10
Definitely the best camp in NZ after a month with the campervan. Amazinglly new and super clean hot showers and toilets. Lots of spaces in the middle of the grass and surrounded by local bush. Animals around, which is lovely. Kitchen with everything you need to cook, table games, bbq... The owner and manager is so lovely!! Helps with everything. Also convenience store, and they prepare morning bread which you can order the afternoon before, also they have free range eggs to sale! The best is they have a small walk where you can see the glowworms! Totally worth it!! Best place to stay and totally recommend it to everyone!
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Luis & Family, thank you for your kind words and we hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday in New Zealand and we look forward to your next visit,
All the best Toni
Maggie Crowe
Ranking: 10/10
Best campsite so far. Great welcome, beautiful surroundings with plenty of space for each pitch. Great walk up to the waterfalls and brilliant facilities including a pizza oven. Best shower in NZ! Totally awesome 😎
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hi Maggi and thank you very much for your kind words. Enjoy the rest of your South Island holiday and all the best for 2018 & your Christmas celebrations, regards Toni
Thomas Krasowski
Ranking: 10/10
The best holiday park I have been to in the South Island. Just missing a few gales for the kids but other than that: beautiful walks around in the forest, waterfall, gloworms, pristine and wide facilities, maniac maintenance, large powered sites and pristine layout. Highly recommended.
Joe Barnett
Ranking: 10/10
Great hosts. Very informative. Top quality facilities probably the best on our whole trip. Really nice site with some great touches. Great views from the pitches.
Samantha Brewin
Ranking: 10/10
Lovely park in beautiful surrounds! Very friendly and helpful staff, nice clean bathrooms with great showers! Nice short climb up to waterfall from the park and the glow worms are a must do at night...so amazing!
Jozef Pinkerton
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful spot. Had the place to ourselves. Super friendly staff and a great place to relax and explore. One of the best paid spots we stayed at. The little grocery store was very helpful.
Andy Dearman
Ranking: 10/10
We loved everything about Jacksons. From the warm and friendly welcome to the nice touches like a grassed area with picnic table for each pitch. Lovely lounge with a cosy fire and good kitchen. Spotless toilets and showers - where a 6 foot 5 person can actually get under the shower without stopping too low! Laundry similar price to most sites. At $46 for 2 for a powered site we were really pleased, especially as there is little else around. The glow worm walk is great fun, be prepared to get wet and muddy (and lost - watch the signs and markers!).
Yee Ling Teo
Ranking: 10/10
They are entitled 10 out of 10. Stayed in their kiwi cabin for a night, clean cozy room. Very impressed by their bed sheet matching. Comfortable colour that makes people feel good! The staff is helpful as well. Other than that they have also very clean & tidy kitchen and bathroom. We feel very relax to stay over there. Just too bad we can't join any activities during our stay because of rain. Hope we can go back next time!
Belinda Clarke
Ranking: 10/10
Wow! Our last night was spent here on the way back to Christchurch and we wished we had a few more nights to stay longer. Great sites, amazing view of mountains. Kitchen/lounge area 5 star. Bathrooms/showers 5 star. Free hot water, untimed, well set out shower spaces. Very helpful staff. We walked to waterfall off the back of the property - which was spectacular and at night took the glow worm track into the rainforest as recommended on check in, and saw a massive display - just beautiful! By far our favourite stop on the South Island - don't miss it!
Rebecca Lindsey
Ranking: 8/10
Very convenient spot to stay for those about to drive Arthur's Pass. The location is beautiful, with glow worms nearby and lovely touches around the camp site like fresh flowers in the bathroom and fresh bread available for purchase in the morning. The kitchen and common area is very welcoming, though I did wish it had been kept a bit warmer on the rainy, chilly night I was there. We paid $44 for an unpowered site, not the best of values, and although we were able to do our laundry here it was costly! The additional charges for laundry, internet, etc. are why I rate this place an 8 rather than a 10 as it could certainly get if it were a better value. The showers are hot and free though, in very clean and beautiful bathroooms.
As for the glow worms, make sure each person in your party has their own individual (red-wrapped) flashlight, as it is DARK! I'm frankly surprised we didn't get lost, although I did almost lose my shoes to mud piles several times (as I mentioned, it was a chilly and very rainy night)...
Peter Armstrong
Ranking: 9/10
Very friendly and helpful owner. Best showers we came across. At last a shower designer, who realised that the shower should become wet, but not the bit outside where you dry yourself. I would give this a 10 if my Wifi had worked (no 'phone signal here) and there were no sandflies. These tiny little b******s ruin your life - when you hit the West Coast take lots of Deet and lots of anti-itch stuff.
Jason Perks
Ranking: 9/10
This place is great. Would have given it a 10 but the powered spaces were a little close together. Spot - nice spot but tight. Toilets/showers - excellent. Kitchen - very nice. Staff - very friendly. Wifi - excellent speed. View - not much to see from the spot we were at. You could see the mountains across the road Also - beautiful waterfall 20 minute hike right from site.
Shelley Warkentin
Ranking: 9/10
This was a beautiful park - probably the cleanest one we experienced. It had a well equipped, warm, and inviting kitchen area and ultra clean showers.
Victoria Strong
Ranking: 10/10
Wow! A 5 star property. Beautiful area, well laid out & decorated. Beautiful clean bathrooms & facilities cosy & inviting. Lovely.
S Webb
Ranking: 10/10
Loved the host, loved the location and the mountain / Rainforest views from our site, loved the clean bathroom, glass-fronted showers, the well-equipped kitchen, thehomely lounge with log burner, the free glow worm dells (you can make your torch glow worm friendly with their red acetate in the kitchen) and Waterfall track! The hosts even offer fresh bread for the morning, which you can order from the reception/store the night before! Stay here after Arthur's Pass/Lake Pearson/Lake Grasmere on way to Franz Josef! We stayed here the day we got engaged - happy memories!
Andries Lubbe
Ranking: 10/10
Great holiday park, no wonder that they have won so many awards!
Rik Wiel
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful place, loved the waterfall and glowworms by night! Facilities are very clean and kitchen is perfect!
Edward De Sousa
Ranking: 10/10
Great place to stay. Facilities are impeccably clean and new. Great location and staff are very friendly.
Stuart Jeffrey
Ranking: 9/10
Lovely setting, friendly welcome, great amenities, showers included in the price, tasty eggs. Happy to recommend, and would stay again.
Cameron Page
Ranking: 10/10
Lovely quiet spot to stop for a day or two, not too far from the West Coast. The spot was beautiful, surrounded by gorgeous views of the mountain and the river. The host herself is lovely and very accommodating :) the amenities are amazing! We would recommend anyone passing through to stay for a night or two.
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Anshuman Bhagwat
Ranking: 5/10
The location is good but can't say much about the service and attitude of the hosts for the price we paid ($75 or so for the night for 2 adults and 2 kids!). Parked here in my camper for one night as we wanted to cover some more of the beautiful Arthur's Pass during our recent trip in June. We reached there at around 6 or 7 pm I think so it was already dark. Location is good and we and another camper were probably the only guests there. The host seemed very boastful that they were the top ranked holiday park in NZ! The facilities were reasonable, nothing great. Found the bathrooms very cold (no heating) plus the kitchen cum tv room was also not heated in spite of heating facility available! After arriving so late, we were a bit late to start in the morning and it seemed to bother the host.... she made some comments that she was occupying a basin when I went to clean up something and trying to use the only basin that had hot water!!! But c'mon it is winter so difficult to go off at 10am with small kids and by the way we were the only people around so not like they had a lot of people to deal with and were very busy. Not welcoming at all and would avoid it the next time as not worth the money.
The service attitude is reflected in the responses as well! My review is factually correct and i stand by it. Not sure why I was charged 3 adults 1 child when we had 2 adults and 2 children. Anyway instead of challenging the review maybe look at improving!
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Whilst all reviews are important for both future travelers and business owners, factually incorrect reviews posted by a customer that has taken advantage of extended hospitality are very disappointing. Your tariff was for 3 adults +1 child. Our facilities are available for customers to enjoy between the hours of 2pm & 10am as explained at check in the amenities building is closed for cleaning at 10am, but we are more than flexible for customers requesting a later check out but again the facilities are closed for cleaning and when you were still using the kitchen & bathrooms at 12 noon you seemed to get up set that cleaning was in progress. We pride ourselves on our facilities being presented to new arrivals in a spotless condition and it doesn't matter if there are two guests or 50 guests, our Park's cleaning process still takes the same amount of time.
Michelle Cheyne
Ranking: 10/10
What a stunning place to stay. The owners are so hospitable and welcoming. I loved everything about this place from the lounge with the woodburner fire to the impeccable bathrooms and kitchen facilities. A must to stop off for some quiet relaxation.
Jennifer Ellis
Ranking: 8/10
This place really is so lovely but be warned it is incredibly expensive! $30 for 1 person on an unpowered site! I couldn't believe it. Wifi isn't included either but it is quite cheap and very reliable. Shower and toilets were spotless and the glow worm walk straight from the park was fun! I was here in the pouring rain and felt cosy in the living/kitchen area with the log fire. Owners are very friendly! Would be a 10/10 if it wasn't so expensive!
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Jennifer, thank you for taking the time to post your review, all reviews are very important to not only our business but also our future customers. Unfortunately we can't cater for all budgets but we're pleased that you enjoyed your stay including our Qualmark 5 Star facilities, cosy log fire and our free Glow Worm adventure. We hope you enjoy the rest of your NZ holiday and you find more budget friendly accommodation.
Bill Priddy
Ranking: 8/10
Lovely campsite, with excellent facilities. Can thoroughly recommend it, make sure you visit Authurs pass for some dramatic scenery. The walk to the waterfall & glow worms is a little bit more adventurous than they make out and can't say I'd want to do it in the dark. Lovely place though
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Bill, thank you for your review and we're pleased you enjoyed your stay with us. Shame that you didn't feel comfortable walking to the Glow Worms at night unfortunately you missed out on a Nature Wonder - yes it is adventurous but with common sense and a recky trip in day light hours the walk is both do able and rewarding. Thanks again and all the best for the rest of your NZ holiday.
Belinda Horn
Ranking: 10/10
This place is amazing! The kids rated it number 1 as soon as they saw the chickens, glow worm walks, and goat. The owner was so gorgeous - lollipops and banter with the kids along with frisbee and sliding discs to borrow. She personally went around every campsite to check all was fine before closing up for the night. We were upset to miss out on fresh bread (checked in too late) but we are sure it was delicious. Showers were absolute luxury - like standing in a waterfall. Recommend this as last night of holiday before returning van in Christchurch.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hi Belinda, thank you for your amazing review, we're pleased that your last night was so enjoyable for all the family. We hope your trip home was enjoyable and we look forward to your next visit and I'll make sure you don't miss out on the fresh bread.
We also suggest our Park as a first night being only 2.5hrs from Christchurch and being a great place to get over the jetlag and ready for a wonderful holiday.
Ann-Catherine Deblon
Ranking: 9/10
Stayed at Jacksons on 01.02.2016. Perfect facilities, kitchen with lounge, the only negative aspects were the quite small sites and the many rules and notices hanging around.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Dear Ann-Catherine, thank you for your review and making us aware of the rules & notices we have around the park.
I wandered around the park with campers eye's on and tried to see from a campers point of view where we have over done it. Apart from the rules that we are required to notify our customers by law (my #1 Rules is to have Fun) the only other notices we have are regarding the wildlife you could possibly see during your stay, our free range eggs and our homemade bread, can't quite see how these would be offending.
Our sites are not considered small and with the very small van you were driving I would of thought they would of been quite large, I would of thought your main concern was the fact that you chose a site that was where all other vehicles passed by you for the exit which I pointed out to you at the time, goes to show how individual opinions as be so very different.
Helena Bond
Ranking: 8/10
Nice site and location. Wi-fi was expensive, limited to one device, and didn't work.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Helena, we're pleased that you felt our Park was worthy of a review.
You purchased wifi purely so you could "Clip" the Rankers 10% discount voucher which we honored without the voucher, therefore your wifi cost $2nzd for 10gb.. When choosing your non-powered site I advised you not to choose a site too far away from the amenities building as your wifi will be slow - you chose the furthermost site possible and then complained but you spent most of the night in the lounge & kitchen area.
Thank you again for your review and we hope that the rest of your holiday was enjoyable and you experienced far more budget friendly campgrounds.
Alex Macdonald
Ranking: 10/10
Easily the best campsite we stayed at, wish I could have stayed longer than one night. Location was beautiful, surrounded by mountains, views of the river and chickens wondering round to keep us company. Facilities were top knotch and the lady running it was great. I had booked the wrong month and had already charged me a cancellation fee so didn't charge me again when I eventually turned up a month later. Loved our walk up to the near by waterfall and the night walk to see the glow worms by the creek.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hi Alex, thank you for putting us up there as your best and yes Jackson's Retreat & Holiday Park deserves more than one night with so much to do in the area. Thank you for your review and we wish you all the best regards Toni
Jane Louise Stokes
Ranking: 8/10
Great site. Fab location. Lovely to have the glow worms. Lovely toilets and showers. Clean. Kitchens good. Only thing letting it down was the pitch sizes. You can end up very close to your neighbour and despite being in campervans I could still hear my neighbour snoring!!
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Jane, we're sorry that your sleep was disturbed by an extremely noisy snorer and you felt our pitch sizes are too small. We hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday and you didn't experience this issue again, thanks for staying with us and all the best regards Toni
Glinys Weller
Ranking: 10/10
This camp site is the best - you can even buy fresh eggs and home baked bread. The toilet facilities are second to none and even have vases of fresh flowers. A goat and chickens are neighbours and you wake up to the sound of bellbirds and tui. You can walk to see glow worms and a fine waterfall straight from the camp and if you don't want to cook then Jacksons Tavern is within walking distance but go early as they stop food at 2030.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hi Glinys, we're pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Jackson's Retreat & Holiday Park, we hope the rest of your holiday was enjoyable and we wish you all the best, regards Toni
Sam Brydon
Ranking: 10/10
Perfect camp site. Well maintained. Lots of native plantings that attracted many tui, bellbirds and kereru. Free range chickens roaming around. Lots of space. Close to native bush with walks. Very well maintained and attractive facilities. Power showers! Lovely fresh picked flowers in the bathrooms. Really quite perfect. Friendly owner. They have got it just right.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Sam and thank you for posting your review for prospective campers, we hope to see you again and wish you all the best, regards Toni
Laura Daly
Ranking: 10/10
Wish we had more time to stay longer and explore. Showers were AH-MAZING!!!! Cleanest park I've ever seen and even fresh flowers in vases in the bathrooms. They make fresh bread to order - still warm and ready for collection in the morning and sell their own free range eggs. Highly recommend!!
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hi Laura, we wish you had more time to stay as well - maybe next visit to NZ! Thank you for taking the time to post your review your comments are greatly appreciated, regards Toni
Stephanie Mouat
Ranking: 9/10
What a wonderful gem of a spot we have found!
The amenities are the best we have come across in camping, you can tell there is a real pride and care in the way this camp ground is cared for and run.
We are really looking forward to our next visit.
Thank you for a warm and welcoming stay, you are to be congratulated on the work you are doing there since taking over! Long may it last!
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Stephanie, A review like yours makes our efforts all the more enjoyable and we thank you for sharing your views with fellow travellers. We look forward to your next visit regards Toni
Yung Ok Yoo
Ranking: 8/10
The setting is stunning. More on the expensive side $64/ for 3 adults on a powered site - but really worth it. The amenities were clean - no extra charge for the fabulous showers. Wifi was extra $6 for 10MB, not too sure about charges for laundry. Kitchen facilities were immaculate. The walks around are beautiful and they also have fresh bread for the morning upon request. A lovely place to unwind on your driving journey!
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Dear Yung Ok Yoo, We're pleased that you enjoyed your stay and thank you for your review and sharing with fellow travellers, regards Toni
Sarah Gurney
Ranking: 8/10
Nice site with great facilities that I don't think we got to fully appreciate as we arrived and left in the pouring rain! Sadly we didn't get to see the lovely view or take advantage of any of the local walks. But they had a lovely big lounge/kitchen area (a wee bit chilly as they'd run out of wood for the burner), immaculate bathrooms and excellent showers that warmed our cold bones. Would return to check it out in better weather :)
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Sarah, thank you for taking the time to post your review, it's not fair when the weather isn't playing the holiday game but we look forward to your return and hopefully it will be warmer, dryer and our Park more spectacular for you then. Best Wishes for this Holiday Season and the New Year, Regards Darren and Toni
Thijs Zaadnoordijk
Ranking: 10/10
Best showers in NZ!! Very friendly staff and a beautifull surrounding. Don't miss this park on your tour around the southern island.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Thijs, your review is greatly appreciated and thank you for your kind words. We hope your holiday in NZ left you with many wonderful memories and hopefully we'll see you again, regards Darren and Toni
Janelle Sterling
Ranking: 10/10
Super friendly welcome and the very beauty of the campground! One of the best on our tour of the entire country so far. Very clean bathrooms and kitchen block. Great tent sites. Hot showers with great pressure at no extra cost. Lots of little hikes to do around the area and nice views. Highly recommend.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Janelle, thank you for your wonderful review and that you enjoyed our Park so much. We hope that you continued to enjoy your South Island Adventure and maybe we'll see you again in the future. Regards Darren and Toni
Flurg McSpong
Ranking: 10/10
Stunning! What a place to be and stay. Being close to nature in all its forms - the mountains, the forest, the birds close up. The morning chorus. The clean air is re-invigorating, the vista re-charging.
Then there is the facilities - great, everything a staying camper could need. Amazing showers, oodles of hot water. Great kitchen and lounge. Very well worth the extra couple of days stay.
Owners great to deal with and will even deliver an extra like a picnic table to your campsite for you.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hello Mr McSpong, thank you for your kind words and it was wonderful to have your daughter and yourself spend those extra days enjoying all our Park has to offer. We hope to see you again in the not too distant future, regards Darren and Toni
Mary Foster
Ranking: 10/10
We stayed 2 nights at Jacksons Retreat at the beginning of September. Toni and Darren are delightful hosts who have done a lot of travelling themselves and provide a wonderful haven for a relaxing stay in such a beautiful and peaceful setting. Toni can bake you fresh bread and deliver to your van first thing in the morning - a homemade treat when you're on the road! Facilities are excellent - generous, clean and thoughtful. The kitchen and lounge are well provisioned and spacious plus outdoor settings - all with stunning mountain views - a comfortable retreat whatever the weather!. Could have stayed here for days but had to get back to our travels. Thank you so much Toni and Darren - we were refreshed by our stay! Mary and Nick
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Hi Mary, thank you for your wonderful review. Looking forward to your return and we can set up that Muffin suggestion of yours! Good luck and best regards, Darren and Toni
Viki Ziemba
Ranking: 10/10
Friendly staff, large campground but very quiet and incredibly clean. Did not use kitchen/lounge but bathrooms were clean and showers were hot with great pressure. Walked to the creek to see glow worms at night, very neat! I have camped in many spots but this one is easily the nicest, cleanest spot! Would absolutely stay here again!
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park responds:
Thank you for your review, we are pleased your stay was enjoyable and we hope to see you again in the future.
Jan mentink
Ranking: 9/10
Top place! All the reviews are right! Love it, even in winter time, with rain too!
Jan Mentink
Ranking: 10/10
This is a good spot, we were here in winter and enjoyed the shower with waterfall-like warm water. Cooking and eating in the heated kitchen was good.
Jane Monro
Ranking: 10/10
Cleanest showers and kitchen I've ever seen! Nicely presented grounds - nice little bush walks!
Sally Smith
Ranking: 10/10
Best park in five weeks in the South Island. Best shower we had since leaving home. Friendly, comfortable park. Felt like home. Fantastic views, fantastic setting. Friendly Wekas.
Christine Andersen
Ranking: 10/10
we were welcomed by a nice host and a curious Weka-crew at this lovely place "in the mountains": beautiful layout with old-fashioned lanterns, useful wodden tables&benches at lots of the sites, much space between the sites, fresh clean water at each site. the facilities are clean and have some pretty wallpaintings. you may see some glowworms at the campground's flank and some more in a 20-min-walk-distance.
only two irritating items for us:
- a list of loooots dos and don'ts... there will be a reason for this but it gave us a little feeling of being in a german authority
- definitely winner in the category "thinnest toilet paper" ;)
nevertheless a really fine place with great attention on environment and conservation.
Mark Sandbrook
Ranking: 10/10
We found this campervan park at the end of a 15 day tour around the South Island. What a paradise. Excellent facilities, friendly staff and the best showers of any park we stayed in on our trip. Wake up to a fantastic view every morning. We'll be back.
Andrew Jones
Ranking: 8/10
Great campsite at the starts ( or end depending on your trip) of Arthurs Pass. Lovely facilities, glow worms it was a really nice campsite to spend an evening.
Jan Collins
Ranking: 10/10
Our first night in New Zealand and we start off at this beautiful campsite. All facilities first class, good pitch and wonderful views and the owner was extremely helpful.
Christian Roerig
Ranking: 10/10
very nice place even when it rains. The facilities are better than in some better hotels. Newer seen that before! The owner is very nice and helpful. Even we were staying there onl one night it is truely one of the best.
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SUE COLEMAN
Ranking: 9/10
Travelling in a 6m campervan we stayed here Nov 2014 crossing from West to East Coast. Stayed one night. Beautiful location and facilities. Very quiet. Pitches quite small however.
Andrew Stace
Ranking: 10/10
Our family come here after New Years most years and really enjoy the experience of the native birds tuis,wood pigeons,bellbirds,fantails.also there are glow worms you can see at night at the camp ground.It is usually quiet and lots of space to park and pitch a tent.If you are into trout or salmon fishing there is a few lakes nearby and also a big river across the road.there is also a walk to a waterfall and an old quartz mine there.the pub down the road does great meals but you need to book,you also get a discount if you are staying at the camp ground.the hosts there are very friendly and quite helpful.The facilities are kept very clean.well worth the money you pay.i have talked to a few other holiday people and they love it also as the top 10 sites tend to get quite crowded but there is plenty of room at jacksons.love the experience.
Sidney Stokkers
Ranking: 9/10
One of the best campings we stayed, we spend two days in the rain here but that did not wash away our spirits! Especially the shelters for the campers were very convenient, and the facilities were top-notch.
Elham Isari
Ranking: 10/10
One of the best camp grounds we have stayed in, beautiful location, nice amenities, great showers.. totally loved it!
Thanks to the owners who made this experience for us
Heike Heller
Ranking: 9/10
Facilities were great, very clean and well equipped (eg hair dryer), nice trail through the rainforest to a little waterfall, nice and friendly owner.
Derek van Niekerk
Ranking: 10/10
Extremely clean and well managed. Undercover parking for campervans if required. Bathrooms heated (a must in the winter). Lovely kitchen and dining area with a real log fireplace. Easily the best campervan site we've stayed at.
Andrew Kermode
Ranking: 10/10
This place is brilliant. I used Rankers to plan my trip and Jackson's Retreat was on my list of places we just had to stay based on the previous reviews and we weren't disappointed. The facilities here are beautiful and so well maintained. You can tell they take pride in the retreat and I would recommend everyone to stay here. We only stayed the one night before having to fly home but I could have easily used this as my base to explore the region if we had more time.
Ara Moore-Tuwhangai
Ranking: 10/10
BIG WOW FOR 5 STAR GLAMPING.
What a paradise wonderland this wee gem is.
Clean, well presented BEST campsite I have seen.
Eco Friendly and value for your dollar.
A MUST VISIT!
Eve Clemens
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent place. So glad we decided to stop there. Bevan, the owner, is fabulous and friendly. The amenities were the best we've had yet. Definately recommend this spot.
Michelle K
Ranking: 10/10
Jacksons Retreat was the first and best park we had been to on our NZ trip! We were unsure what to expect and as we were driving through the manicured lawn and nicely placed stones/children's playset, we were thinking we were in the wrong place (at more of a hotel resort).
The bathrooms are very modern, well-designed with paintings along the wall, clean and way better than most hostels and hotels we've been to. I was surprised with how clean and new everything was. I went over to the shared space and everything from the carpet to the stove/fridge/couch was kept to the cleanest degree. Everything seemed new.
The best part was the owner was really cool and you could tell he put a lot of effort in making it the best park you could ever visit. He especially helpful and nice about us staying longer during the day (during low season and to check out the waterfall right near their site - there's glowworms which is a 10 mins walk) and walked with me to help turn on the stove. Overall an awesome experience with a caring owner (who really took the time to explain things) and it made all our other visits to the 7+ sites a drag as they increasingly became worse. If I were to ever go, I will go back to Jacksons Retreat without a doubt!
Mark Ovens
Ranking: 10/10
We stayed at Jacksons holiday park for an overnight stop in April 2014 and this place is magnificent. The owners were so helpful and the amenities were top class, the showers were better than ours at home and the campers kitchen was magnificent with everything required to cook or relax in comfort. The bays were big and clean the gardens were first class. I recommend this park to everyone who wants a clean and relaxing park to stop at and Arthur's pass is just down the road so you travel through there and double back and head up to the North.
Well done to the owners for this well presented park.
Regards
Ovensy
Walter Neff
Ranking: 10/10
Stayed here one night, loads of space as not busy. A real gem, lots of nice touches, obviously set out by someone who has done a bit of camping
Pros - Lovely park, well set out, friendly reception
Excellent kitchen / common room, all facilities very clean
Walks to waterfall etc
Tame wekas wandering aroundCons - None that I can think of
If you're heading to the West Coast it's worth taking the road opposite the camp to go via Lake Brunner, nice quiet back road.
Simon Heffer
Ranking: 10/10
Definitely the best place we stayed at. Couldn't understand why the place was almost empty!
We liked the layout, GAS hobs in the kitchen, free showers.You even get a friendly Weka to talk to.
Susan Kirkham
Ranking: 10/10
Clean and spacious kitchen, comfortable lounge chairs. A number of tables and chairs and a number of hot plates and sinks to assist and allow for easy access with no waiting. The additional of a number of little touches made the park a special place to stay - several barns to allow campers and vans to stay undercover, soap, hand towels, glass doors to separate the changing and shower areas, large mats in the shower cubicles.We stayed an extra day because it was so wonderful.
griff griffiths
Ranking: 9/10
Ideally located for a break driving down the West coast, very good facilities, made to feel very welcome by host Bevan, impressed us that much we booked in for our return journey,looking forward to visiting again!
Marianne Bergstrøm Matzen
Ranking: 10/10
Nice and clean. The best holiday park we have been on yet.
Paul Wood
Ranking: 9/10
Friendly welcome from the owner. Lovely site as other reviewers have said. Facilities modern and immaculate but would be queuing for showers and toilets I think if park were full. Highly recommended - well worth the extra half hour drive from Arthur's pass.
J Murphy
Ranking: 9/10
A wonderful Holiday Park and must stop for the journey between West and East Coasts along Arthur's Pass. Great for a family and kids, see the glow worms and a great walking track. The shower, toilet, laundry, kitchen and other facilities are all high class some of the best we saw at five Holiday Parks..
Kiwix3
Ranking: 10/10
Most excellent camping spot. We are halfway through our trip and don't expect to find better than this place. The owners obviously take great pride in their facilities. Lovely power sites surrounded with native plants. Water at each site. Undercover sites available too. Lovely views on all sides. Bathrooms and showers were top notch. More like a hotel crossed with a camp bathroom. Kitchen and lounge area was clean and comfortable with views.
Stayed in October 2013 and it wasn't busy at all. Bring your insect repellant though! Highly recommend this place.
Przemystaw Tymizyszyn
Ranking: 10/10
The best camping I have ever been.
Michal
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent facilities and location. Attractions include waterfalls and glowworms.
M Branche
Ranking: 9/10
Very good place, lots of activities and some beautiful landscapes.
I & K Urquhart
Ranking: 10/10
Outstanding holiday park, clearly set up with love. Everything was beautifully laid out, the shower facilities were better than many hotels, all the little details had been thought of. Bevan was very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the walk through the rainforest to the waterfall, the local wildlife, the setting.
Pierre Cinquin
Ranking: 9/10
Very good view. We saw glowworms!
Gary Greenwell
Ranking: 10/10
What an awesome place. Bevan is such a good host. Lovely amenities and an excellent log fire to keep you toasty on those chilly night.
Elizabeth Stenhouse
Ranking: 10/10
This campsite was of an excellent standard. The power showers were brilliant and the facilities of an exceptionally high standard.
Ron Stenhouse
Ranking: 10/10
Facilities were simply different class - kitchen and showers/toilet very upmarket. Fees reflect this - $40 for a powered site. Good internet access at $6 per hour.
Malgorzata
Ranking: 10/10
Really nice camping, with everything inside.
Chris Quarre
Ranking: 10/10
We just stayed at Jacksons Retreat on 5/15/13. We stayed at six other Holiday/Campervan parks during our campervan trip around the South Island and looked at several others and while we liked them all, Jacksons Retreat was by far the nicest of the lot. Great location, nice sites with lawns and park benches around, great views of the river, mountains and valley. And all the facilities are first class, clean, modern and have everything you need, they have really thought of everything. They even have a nearby waterfall and some glowworms by the stream! The grounds are manicured and beautiful. I know this sounds like too much, but we really loved NZ and this was without a doubt the best park we stayed at. We were only there one night but wish we had had more time there.
Congratulations Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park
Rankers TravellerVoted Awards 2014 Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks Finalist
Julian Roots
Ranking: 9/10
This camp deserves to be high up in the must stop lists. At the entrance to Arthurs pass it is ideally located between the two coasts. The amenities block is as good as anything we tried, the showers are truly quality hotel standard. The camp is however up for sale. Hopefully someone with a like mind will take it on and continue the good work.
Ted Pointing
Ranking: 10/10
Susan and I have stayed in many holiday parks and camp grounds throughout Australia and Brittain. We have never stayed in one of such quality in the 10 years we have been on the road. Bevan and Donna have built a park that rates as the bests we have ever stayed in. The words "Camp kitchen" does not describe these facilty adequately. The lounge which is included in the Kitchen /dining room is very spacious with furnishings that maintain their high standard. They are beyond what you would expect. The bathroom faciliies are of high quality Hotel/Resort standard.
We stayed for 5 nights while touring the west coast and surrounding areas. The quality of the park was a common topic among ouselves and the other guests each evening. Like us everybody had high praise. We wil certainly organise our travel arrangements to stay here again.
Grantygrant
Ranking: 10/10
Bevan the owner ( I presume) sat down one day and obviously thought through "how can I design the perfect campervan park". The big parking sheds for the campervans to keep you out of the rain are truly inspired. Toilets and showers like you would find at the Hilton Hotel.
M Morgan
Ranking: 10/10
We were not expecting much for a caravan park so far from anywhere. What a pleasant surprise! Extremely clean, good facilities, good sites, and environmentally friendly. Our best camping experience to date!!
brian barran
Ranking: 9/10
Great site. Owner very friendly. Nice bushwalk up the back of the site. One of the 2 best sites of our holiday
Peti 10
Ranking: 10/10
Absolutely suberb - highly recommend!! I definitely would like to go back - we stayed in the self-contained unit which was home away from home - a tranquil retreat :) The unit was clean, modern and well equipped. Thank you to the friendly hosts too.
Moni Sangoi
Ranking: 9/10
A blessing in disguise!
We arrived at Jackson park at the nth hour of closing since it was sunset time and Greymouth was still an hour away. So we decided to take a chance and stay here.. To begin with, the entrance and park site seemed very scary to stay.. It was pitch dark when we came, but then having no other option we stayed.
What we saw next morning was magic. The pitch dark and scary park was actually a scenic paradise.. With the Western rainforests in the backyard, it was d most picturesque of all parks!!
Also, their restrooms were one of the best among all.. Amazing kitchen & bbq and a small glow-worm den.. Wow!!!
This park is a must-stay place in NZ if you're camping..
Frank and Suzanne
Ranking: 9/10
With a scenic view. Really good camp kitchen.
William Notcutt
Ranking: 10/10
wonderful hospitality and superb facilities. what more could a family of 4 ask for, except fewer sand-flies outside - all the doors to the communal facilities have meshes. .
Nigel Williams
Ranking: 10/10
Having spent 2 months touring with a campervan we have no doubt that Jacksons Retreat is best site for location and standard of accommodation in New Zealand. There are just no negatives. Superb.
Steve Canner
Ranking: 8/10
I agree with everything said about the standard of the site and the facilities they are first class.
But and I'm sorry to have to say this the resort has the largest collection of don't do this and don't do that signs I have seen anywhere. They are not even "polite" in that they ask you not to do this or that - they are blunt, to the point orders "Do not ...... or else!". The one I most remember is the one warning, no, ordering you, not to charge mobile phones in the lounge/kitchen area.
Further down South Island we had stayed at much "scruffier" sites that made us feel far more comfortable and "at home".
doepie277
Ranking: 10/10
Wow! I read most reviews here before booking a powered site and all I can say is that this campsite was by far the best we visited during our travels through the lower South Island. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are 5 star and site offered excellent views! Size of the park is also very good and one does not feel cramped for space. Bevan also made us feel very welcome upon our arrival and quickly recommended 2 walks - one to a waterfall and the other to glowworms. Unfortunately rain set in shortly thereafter which meant we could not do either. Will have to go back one day!
Alex Laidlaw
Ranking: 10/10
Very well set up with spotless facilities in a beautiful setting - even had its own waterfall walk.
paulchris
Ranking: 10/10
Jackson's Retreat was our last and best stop for 2 nights during a 3 week holiday in a camper van. The site is beautifully situated and left us with so many lovely memories. The facilities are first class and Bevan looked after us very well. We explored around Arthur's Pass, Otira and Moana and this provided a fitting conclusion to what was a wonderful holiday.
gigi29
Ranking: 10/10
What a great experience, we loved the scenery, the facilities, the kitchen and the lounge. Best campsite since we started travelling on the 8th of August. ( Australia and New Zealand ) Why is this little gem not better known?
Anthony Croton
Ranking: 10/10
We arrived after coming over from Christchurch to a completely empty camp ground. 5 of us in the group had the entire facility to our self. This was a retreat all facilities were like New and the check in was a breeze I would say on our trip all over the south Island this was by far the Best one ......Would recommend to everyone and we will be back thanks....
Ryan J
Ranking: 10/10
I'm lucky enough to have stayed in literally hundreds of camp sites all over New Zealand and Jackson's Retreat hands down is the best I have ever experienced. The service was perfect, the shower and toilet facilities would give most hotels a run for their money and the kitchen and lounge areas were as good if not better than as at home. We were travelling with a 1 year old and offered a baby bath to use the second we got there and there was even a fully stocked toy box in the lounge. The undercover camper-van parking is something unique and actually works really well. Next time I'm camping in the South Island I would go out of my way to go and stay at Jackson's Retreat again. Great job guys, you have set the new standard as far as I'm concerned and its easy to see where that 5 star qualmark rating came from.
Daniel Patricia
Ranking: 10/10
Great, clean facilities, quiet place, friendly owner.
CollyLuke
Ranking: 10/10
We just stayed here for our honeymoon, and we haven't been to a Campervan Park that could match it! The owner was so lovely and friendly and gave us a site away from others, and with the best view in the park. The facilities were spotless, and the night walk up to the glow worms is worth it, away from the crowds. Do not miss this gem, it is worth planning your holiday to NZ just to see this place!
Adam_Heath
Ranking: 10/10
Incredible place!!
My partner and I were spending 3 weeks in the south Island with an idea to see as much as we can when we came across Jacksons Retreat 33 kms west of Arthurs town ship. It was the cleanest place we stayed in with great friendly services awesome bush walks and a few glow worms.
Would highly recommend staying a few nights if your passing. Even if your not it's worth making a trip :-)
Carlin
Ranking: 10/10
Drove past on the way through Arthurs pass and decided to have a look. Ended up staying for two nights. Loved it. Great facilities. Excellent guest lounge and kitchen with fire place. Short walk to waterfalls. Native Weka running around. Can even hear Kiwi at night in the bush.
sueadegizmo
Ranking: 10/10
What a fabulous site! Probabaly the best one in our month in NZ. Really well maintained, great location, spotless facilities...carpets in the toilet/shower block. Great location and views
Hazel & Alan Damerell
Ranking: 10/10
Wonderful walk up to waterfall through the forest.
Mike & Julia Stone
Ranking: 10/10
On Highway 73 from Christchurch to West Coast. The best site anywhere and great travern nearby. Site spotless, scenery dramatic, very welcoming and personal.
Marian Stolker
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent facilities, clean! Top10+++. And a great location, its for sale!! Who could run it better???
Waldo Andersen
Ranking: 10/10
Best Camper van ground we stayed at over our two week holiday in the South Island. This is the 2nd time, first was two years ago. Host is still the same friendly guy who cares for his customers... A+++ defiantly stop in here for a night or 2.
Robert McIlraith
Ranking: 10/10
The nicest campground but beware of sandflies. Big showers, hairdryers, paper towels.
elaineandbob
Ranking: 10/10
Brilliant, unbelievable facilities. The best we experienced in our 5 weeks campervan holiday in NZ. The owner was extremely helpful. Great location for Arthur's Pass exploration. Highly recommended.
Bottoms
Ranking: 9/10
Site remote, facilities excellent.
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park is open for business… Visit Website …now's your chance to take a closer look.
Lyn Deavin
Ranking: 8/10
Very good site - facilities excellent, would have really rated it if it hadn't rained all the time.
Dieter Mangold
Ranking: 9/10
Quite small but very nice campground, friendly hosts and great facilities. Unfortunately loads of sandflies.
Berry
Ranking: 10/10
Lovely camp - 360degree views and a walk in the forest. Best ladies loos in New Zealand!!!
Richard Lechevallier
Ranking: 10/10
Calm and comfortable.
Stephen Hunt
Ranking: 10/10
5 star campsite just after Athurs Pass on way to westcoast. Great shower facilities, BBQs and spacious van sites overlooking mountains. Walks from the site to waterfalls/glowworms etc.
qofd
Ranking: 10/10
One of the best value parks we stayed out during our trip, lovely setting (weather was horrible so didn't get to do the bush walk), reasonable price, very clean bathrooms and a really nice lounge area. Very friendly, helpful staff. A great place to base yourself for travelling around the Arthurs Pass area. Keen to visit again.
Diane Johnston
Ranking: 9/10
Facilities very good. Odd place.
Weez18
Ranking: 10/10
We've stayed all over both north and south island, this is the best kept park by far. Outstanding. Spotlessly clean. Lovely staff. Homely kitchen and lounge. Great stop along the only route from the West Coast to Christchurch, along the Arthurs Pass Road.
Ellie Thompson
Ranking: 10/10
Absolutely spotless. Brilliant location and relaxed feel.
Karin Kueng
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful, handsome and clean. Excellent campground.
Patrick Schaad
Ranking: 9/10
Nice amenities, beautiful location (every site with a 'view'), friendly staff, spacious kitchen.
Pein van Nosrt
Ranking: 9/10
Nice location, beautiful sites, great staff.
Simon Vickers
Ranking: 10/10
5 star campsite. Amazing facilities and extremely clean. Deserved its 5 star rating. Native bush walk, lovely behind site.
Beat & Connie
Ranking: 10/10
Ammenities way beyond everything else we have seen so far! Surroundings well taken care of.
Adrian Beckett
Ranking: 10/10
5 star site and more than lives up to its status. Spectacular views. Superb facilities and even some fun off track hikes, we went on the waterfall hike (30mins each way) and was not disappointed!
LandJ
Ranking: 9/10
A real find.
Very friendly welcome. Site is on a steep slope but excellently designed to give all the campervan pitches great views across the valley.
The walk from the park through native bush up to the waterfall was a bonus.
Eva Bock
Ranking: 9/10
Used Jacksons as a base to walk the Ngarimu Track. Half hour walk through REAL rainforest! Very nice.
Plomp
Ranking: 9/10
Friendly receipt by owner very clean and nice.
Robert Smith
Ranking: 10/10
Without doubt the best campsite we stayed at, fantastic ammenities, friendly, helpful owners and lovely roomy pitches. A must stop.
Kiefer Osterrieder
Ranking: 10/10
Facilities like in a good hotel.
bryfrance
Ranking: 10/10
Brilliant, panoramic views of the mountains. Facilities were spotless and have a homely touch.
Eva Stauderova
Ranking: 10/10
Nice views and modern facilities.
Derek Archibald
Ranking: 9/10
Hideway campsite. Bellbirds, streams and views. Beautifully presented and individual sites with own grassed area and parking spot. Home from home facilities (5 star).
Bas Geerts
Ranking: 9/10
Friendly staff, nice view, sheltered tent sites for tent and campervan. Lovely weka wandering around.
Anne Heriot
Ranking: 10/10
A fabulous location. All the sites are terraced so everyone can enjoy the view. The amenities are luxurious, the common room is beautiful. There's undercover camping in purpose built sheds for bad weather. Brilliant!
glenmh
Ranking: 10/10
Great facilities and good views. Clean and well cared for site and good to see such a focus on green business practices. Bear in mind that the site is quite high so gets cold at night compared with either coast!
CarolB
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent, very welcoming owners, lovely facilities, kitchen and bathroom areas - just like home.
John Winter
Ranking: 9/10
Excellent, clean well managed facilities, beautiful location (unfortunately up for sale)!
catdonjaime
Ranking: 10/10
Lovely grounds. Bevan is a delightful host. Fantastic location and ammenities.