Pitch your lifestyle in a tent

Val and Jim Russell's days of 'roughing it' are over. Photo / Dave Roche

Getting close to nature doesn't always mean cold showers and long drop toilets - at least not on a "glamping" holiday.

Families will pay up to $76 a night this summer for a glamorous canvas experience with internet access, spa pools and children's playgrounds.

And holidaymakers are setting up camp with all the comforts of home, including fridges, en suite bathrooms, showers and televisions.

"The days of gumboots and cleaning your fish on the bench in the campground are long gone," said Dave Roche, owner of Waihi Beach's Bowentown Beach Holiday Park.

"You've got to provide a lot more these days. People bring fridges, some even bring TVs, as well as their tents.

"That's been a real change in the past few years."

During peak summer months, a family of four would pay $71 at Bowentown, which boasts facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms and separate TV rooms for adults and children.

But Roche said camping was still a cheap family holiday, and having the right gear wasn't essential.

"You can just throw an airbed on the ground and put your tent up. It's a great life."

At Taupo's Top 10 Holiday Resort, facilities include a thermal pool, bathrooms with underfloor heating, petanque, tennis courts and a children's "jumping pillow".

Trish Lusty, owner for 14 years with husband Lloyd, said two adults and two children would pay $76 for a tent site during peak season.

"There are people who want basic camping, but don't want to pay anything for it, but there are plenty of families who are willing to pay for more facilities on site," she said.

"We try to give people lots of fun things to do.

"It also gives mum or dad a chance to read a book or have a glass of wine and the kids will be safe on the playground."

Hot Water Beach Holiday Park owner Grant Webster said Christmas and New Year had been booked out for four months.

And he confirmed most campers weren't prepared to forgo modern conveniences.

"They bring most things with them, even the kitchen sink," he said. "We have a locker with power points in it because there is so much demand for recharging everything."