Andrew Cattanach
-
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo ▷
Lakes Edge Holiday Park
In a word - disappointing.
Given the price - when compared to what other similarly priced parks charge (we were charged $10 for our 3 year old where at most other parks he was free) - and the state and age of the facilities - which appeared to be in original 1970's condition - including the power-boxes at each camp site.
The powered site for our motorhome, for which we booked in advance, was not level (and neither were the others adjacent) and under a tree which we didn't quite fit (and our motorhome wasn't particularly high as it didn't have an 'overhead' sleeper).
We had a wonderful view of the back of the Lake Tekapo Powerboat and Water Ski Club building. The campsite is separated from the lakefront by a road and the club building - not absolute lake frontage as the website photos would suggest.
Whilst not the worst park we stayed in, we expected so much more based upon their marketing material and the cost.
We booked and paid for 2 nights but left after one.
-
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
KJet Queenstown
Great fun and good service - and long duration (about an hour).
One of the few companies we found who would accommodate children under 5 so would recommend to younger families. We were well looked after from start to finish.
Both our 9 & 3 year olds had a ball. Mainly on the lake and open (but very narrow and shallow) rivers - not up the river gorges - so not the full thrill for the adrenaline junkies, but pretty exciting all the same.
-
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Akaroa ▷
Akaroa TOP 10 Holiday Park
Park has great views, but our experience was pretty much ruined by the site we were allocated.
Our powered site for our motorhome backed onto the communal kitchen, playground and rubbish area (which consisted of two box trailers). The noise and light from the kitchen went on until about 11.00pm - as did the playground which some campers seem to use as a babysitter. We were then woken early again by the same - with the added noise of people emptying their bins early as they prepared to leave.
We were travelling with 2 kids (3 & 9) so being close to the playground is more of a hindrance than a benefit - if there are kids playing, they want to join in no matter the time.
We planned to stay for 2 nights, and probably would have if we'd had a better site - instead we moved on.
We sincerely thank you for your comment. In our effort to provide the best service possible we always endevour to meet guests requests for a particular site or change their site if they are unhappy with what has been allocated to them. However in the busy season this might not always be possible.
-
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
Iconic Motorhomes
We had a Voyager for 2 weeks and toured the South Island with two kids - aged 3 & 9.
From the initial email enquiry to our last day returning the motorhome, everything was more than excellent.
The motorhome was all ready to go when we arrived and Kelly took us through the full workings of everything - and for those things we forgot, she left mobile phone numbers with us to contact her if we had any problems. She also helped with an itinerary that suited the needs of the kids and gave us directions to the nearest supermarket to load up on groceries before we set off.
The motorhome itself was very flash (it drew attention at all camp sites) and was as luxurious as it looks in the pictures on the website. Importantly, it drove like a big car, not like a flat bed truck with a caravan tied to the back. It cruised happily along the highways and was equally comfortable over steeper roads (Arthurs Pass, Mt St John, Akaroa etc). The 'NavMan' GPS unit made finding our way around too easy.
The camper was very easy to operate - emptying waste water, refilling etc, and the on board computer was easy to understand and operate. There was also plenty of storage - both inside and in the generous storage compartment accessed from outside.
Being able to rotate the front seats to be at the dining table was very handy.
Kelly, you're a star - we forgot to thank you for adding the in-house movies on the TV for the kids - it was a life saver at times.
We had the best holiday and would happily rave about Iconic to anyone and everyone.
Thank you Kelly and Iconic
-
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Punakaiki ▷
Punakaiki Beach Camp
Reasonably priced for the facilities on offer.
Well located and maintained. Not overly crowded (we were there mid January).
Given the number of sites, the Laundry facilities (x1 washing machine and x1 dryer) weren't enough but the heated drying room is a nice touch for those in tents or without much space.
Our powered site was on a slight slope so levelling the motor home was an issue.
Hi Andrew.
We are sorry you were unable to locate the two washing machines next to each other, the drying room is heated up to make room for high demand.
We apologise there was no space in the dryer and drying room.
Being not overcrowded im sure there was another space we could have found if yours had a 'slight slope'.
Regards
Jed
-
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ St Arnaud ▷
Kerr Bay Campsite
A fairly basic camp ground in beautiful surrounds - but with good, well maintained facilities.
Non-powered sites were of varying degrees of 'levelness' so getting a level one for the motorhome was a bit of a challenge.
Plenty of space for the kids to run around.
PS - we had the best meal (breakfast) of our entire trip around the south island at Clinkers Cafe (behind the service station in St Arnaud).
-
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim ▷
Marfells Beach/Cape Campbell Route
Small camp ground, good facilities, great location - you can't get much closer to the beach in a motorhome than this.
-
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Hokitika ▷
Hokitika isite Visitor Information Centre
Lots of information available - but staff weren't particularly knowledgable.
-
South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
Kaikoura isite Visitor Information Centre
Very helpful and knowledgable - gave us good accurate advice.
-
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
Christchurch Tasman Holiday Parks
We stayed on our last night before returning our motorhome.
Convenient location with good, well maintained facilities but at capacity and powered sites somewhat crammed together.
Kids playground was excellent.
Staff a little disinterested.
-
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim ▷
Blenheim Bridges Holiday Park
We found this campground at about 10.30pm with help from the receptionist at Blenheim Hospital where we had spent most of the evening with one of our kids who had fallen ill.
On top of that it was pouring rain and we'd been driving all day and at that stage were looking to spend the night in the hospital car park.
Despite the office being closed, the managers gave us directions to follow to find both the park and a site (which we found at about 11.30pm) and sorted everything out for us in the morning (we lingered well past check out time) - thanks Murray.
Murray gave us help with things to do locally with the kids (rather than handing us brochures) - they loved the fruit picking at Jones' Berry Farm.
The park was well maintained and laid out with good facilities in a nice setting by the river. Despite being adjacent the railway & road bridges, it was not noisy at all.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your feedback. Despite the bad start with your young one, it's nice to hear that things started to work out for you. We hope that there haven't been any more health emergencies since we saw you last.
Regards
Murray Chisholm
-
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Skyline Luge Queenstown
Fantastic fun - both our 3 year old (in tandem) and 9 year old loved it (as did I).
We came back for a second go the next day.
Friendly. helpful staff, but idiotic 20 years olds racing 5 abreast disregarding the safety of little kids and adults alike needs to be controlled.
As with most things in Queenstown, starts to get expensive once the kids get hooked and want to go again and again and again.
I'd recommend buying a gondola/luge package at the base if you want to control the budget.
-
South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Leith Valley Holiday Park
We stayed two nights in a motorhome with two kids (3 & 9).
Relatively small campground with good, well maintained facilities and well located to the city centre. Facilities more than appropriate for the number of sites.
We were there in bad weather (cold and very windy) and camp ground is well protected from southerly winds.
Playground for the kids which was a bonus.
Managers friendly and helpful.
Thank you for your feedback. We are glad you had a good stay and that the kids enjoyed our playground. Hope to see you again in the future.
Leith Valley HP
-
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Hampshire Holiday Park Queenstown
We stayed 3 nights in our motorhome with 2 adults and 2 kids.
Easy walk to town (albeit down a big hill) and directly adjacent the gondola - being able to walk everywhere was a bonus with the kids.
Whilst the designated power sites were narrower than we typically experienced at other places (no allocated grass area next to you) - the camp emptied out during the day, and only filled up again in the late afternoon.
The facilities were easily the best we experienced throughout our two week trip around the South Island. The showers and toilets plentiful in number (we never once had to wait) as were the laundry facilities.
The reception gave good advice on the various activities (jet boating etc) and can book them for you.
Great views in every direction.