Holiday destinations with a family-friendly vibe

HOKITIKA'S HOLIDAY PARKS

Hokitika may be a little town but it has many attractions for family holidays, not the least four great holiday parks either in town and close to the beach, or within easy access of both.

Surrounded by countryside on the outskirts, Hokitika Holiday Park has space galore for kids to run around and play in, including a clever pirate-themed adventure playground where imaginations can run wild. Climb the lookout tower for sea and sunset views, zip down the flying fox, slide, swing and dig in the sandpit. It’s green, too, with nearly 3,000 native trees planted on site.

The hosts at this pleasant, family-run facility like to keep things simple. There are camp sites, motor home parks and a selection of roomy cabins, plus great basic facilities — two well-equipped kitchens, covered BBQ areas, cosy lounges with heating, free WIFI and TVs, and a laundry. No surprises, everything is covered in the booking prices including free, unlimited hot showers.

Only 5 years old, Hokitika's Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels is one of most modern holiday parks in Aotearoa New Zealand. Spacious and with sparkling facilities, guests regularly heap praise on the amenities and the hospitable hosts, Kevin and Lois (twice nominated for the Holiday Parks NZ ‘spirit of hospitality’ award). The pristine park setting is bordered by native forest home to tui, bellbirds, kereru and cheeky weka.

With dedicated bike facilities, it’s a great base for cyclists on the West Coast Wilderness Trail but also family-friendly with a large children's playground featuring a popular jumping pillow. Varied self-catering and serviced accommodation includes 1- and 2-bedroom motels and units, cabins and powered tents and motorhome sites. The 2-bedroom motel has a good view of the playground to keep an eye on the younger family members. Shared facilities include two well-equipped kitchens, bathrooms with good showers and laundry, family lounge and TV rooms, table tennis and board games.

Travel Tips — Hokitika family fun:

• Adventures for little people in the vibrant new ‘Hokitika icons’ playground at Cass Square
• Hokitika Glow-Worm Dell and Hokitika Gorge
• Kiwis, eels, tuatara and other wildlife attractions at the National Kiwi Centre
• Mudfish Railway at Westland Industrial Heritage Park
• West Coast Treetop Walk & Zipline

STAY OVER IN A GHOST TOWN AT WAIUTA

For something completely different, check into an authentic ghost town. At Waiuta Lodge, on the historic goldfields near Reefton, you can experience a comfortable version of life in an old-time gold town. Book a 4-person private room or a bunk bed with shared facilities (24 places) and walk back in time.

Waiuta was New Zealand’s third biggest, and the West Coast’s richest gold mine producing nearly 750,000 ounces of gold with an equivalent value today of NZ$1.6 billion. Once a bustling town of 600 residents, it was deserted after the mine was shut down in 1951.

No one lives here any more and many buildings are in ruins but there are still plenty of relics from the past, largely due to a passionate volunteer group whose work has seen it emerge as a Tohu Whenua Department of Conservation heritage site. Several original buildings are still standing, the former police station, three cottages and the old barber shop, plus the ruins of the old Olympic-sized swimming pool.

There are interesting short walks around the town’s streets, and the nearby mine and battery sites. It’s a 30-minute walk to the original gold discovery site, and the Prohibition mine where New Zealand’s deepest mine shaft goes 879 metres underground to below sea level. Another track descends to the Snowy Battery site where gold-bearing quartz was crushed.

Travel Tips — Waiuta

• On SH7, near Ikamatua — about halfway between Greymouth and Reefton — take the turn-off to Waiuta, 16 km further on.
• Book Waiuta Lodge online with DOC (Department of Conservation) or contact the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre for bookings.
• Visit the replica underground quartz mine experience at the Reefton Visitor Centre.

SETTLE INTO GLENFERN VILLAS, FRANZ JOSEF

Settle in for some family time in a home away from home. At Glenfern Villas (just out of Franz Josef village) everything’s been thought of from the fully-equipped kitchens to the DVD library and children’s play area. On hand also, a bunch of friendly locals — the hosts and their woolly co-hosts, the residents of Tatare Peaks farmlet.

Nature is all around. The 18 self-contained villas are carefully spaced around a quiet country garden with a backdrop of forest and mountains. On clear days, enjoy magnificent views of the glacier and the Milky Way stars by night. Each villa has a private outdoor deck (bbqs available), covered parking and extra spacious living areas with two couches. The large 2-level 2-bedroom family unit sleeps up to 6 people.

The play area features a springless trampoline, plenty of room to run around in, and a pétanque court for the adults. Guests are welcome to pet or feed the four-legged locals — three happy sheep and a super cute Highland cattle couple named Pumpkin and Spice.

Glenfern Villas are 3 km north of Franz Josef village and the glacier walkway, and 23 km from Fox Glacier village. Several Franz Josef restaurants offer diners free transfers.

Travel tips — Franz Josef family activities

• See rowi kiwi at West Coast Wildlife Centre
• Check out family-friendly walks in Glacier Country
• Glacier Valley Eco Tours run family-friendly guided walking tours.
• Learn to kayak or fish on Lake Mapourika with Franz Joseph Wilderness Tours