This restored 1970s caravan at the Cosy Corner Holiday Park in Mount Maunganui even has vintage lino.
This restored 1970s caravan at the Cosy Corner Holiday Park in Mount Maunganui even has vintage lino.
Summer holidays should be about sunshine and relaxing, but if you have young children just packing to get away can be stressful. For me, "staycations" are the solution. After all, we live in one of New Zealand's best holiday destinations, so why leave?
This summer I took the kids fora retro camping weekend, but the best thing about it was that our destination was just a short drive away - just over the harbour bridge to the Cosy Corner Holiday Park, Mount Maunganui. It used to floor other Kiwis when I mentioned that I had never been camping, so much is it part of New Zealand life. Now, the traditional camping holiday is making a return with caravans in particular being selected over holiday homes or motels.
It's so authentic that the vintage lino sent my partner off in Proustian reminiscence about his childhood caravan holidays.
Holiday Park owners Greg Davidson and Vicki Pike have been running the park for more than 45 years, and the personal feel of the park is one of its strengths. It feels safe, family-friendly, and many campers return year after year. One group we saw even brought their Sky satellite dish with them - all the way from Rotorua.
The park has a range of accommodation options that suit different budgets and camping styles: tent it on a powered site, or choose a unit, studio or deluxe kitchen unit. There are also caravan options and we chose the gorgeous vintage caravan that Greg and Vicki have lovingly restored in the spirit of the 1970s.
It's so authentic that the vintage lino sent my partner off in Proustian reminiscence about his childhood caravan holidays. There is thoughtful attention to detail from the side table with tea set and doily, to the swan-shaped plant pot outside. I was pleased it came with luxuries, too, to ease me gently into the camping experience. I bagged the double bed in the solid annex that came complete with pillows, sheets, duvet and electric blanket. The kids were happy to snuggle down in their sleeping bags on the sofas that converted into beds. The kitchenette inside the caravan comes complete with pastel crockery, cutlery, cooking equipment, a cook top and electric frying pan. A fridge and microwave in the awning area make this "glamping" rather than camping, and that is how I like it. There was also a selection of amusing activities for the children such as skipping ropes, board games and cards. However, the kids headed straight to the 20m-long swimming pool to cool off while I enjoyed supervising them in the adjacent hot tub. Although we had only travelled a few kilometres, after an hour I really started to feel like I was on holiday. The bathroom facilities were spotless throughout our stay and the children particularly enjoyed the piped music in the toilets and showers.
This restored 1970s caravan at the Cosy Corner Holiday Park in Mount Maunganui even has vintage lino.
The great thing about this holiday is that the campsite really does feel safe for the children to roam. They soon hooked up with other littlies and there is a coded entrance to the park next door, too.
The vintage experience has all the nostalgia of yesteryear, without roughing it so much. We did things in the caravan that we wouldn't have done in a motel, such as playing charades.
Vicki also compiles a list of what events are on in the Mount, and even though we are from here we got into the holiday spirit.
Food Friday-night dinner needs were met at the Gourmet Night Market, which launched last year and is growing in popularity. The great thing about this is you can make an evening of it, and each member of the family can get their own personal favourite with everything from pancakes to Thai food to kale chips - which I was eager to try - from an organic stall. I had read that kale is the vegetable of 2014, but maybe the vege itself tastes better than the chips, which had all the flavour of an old sock. However, we loved the Zeytin stall where we chowed down moist falafels and garlic kebabs.
Saturday morning we had brunch at the newly opened Dixie Brown's, by Oceanside Resort's Twin Towers. With its beachside location, it is a perfect spot for a leisurely holiday or weekend breakfast, and we sat outside enjoying views of the Mount. The menu is comprehensive whether you feel like something light and healthy or a big English breakfast. There is also a full children's menu. I went for an egg-white, spinach and mushroom omelette that was stacked full of juicy mushrooms and very filling. The kids had bacon and eggs, plus pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. Portions were hearty, the service was attentive and the restaurant had a professional but homely feel.
The vintage experience has all the nostalgia of yesteryear, without roughing it so much.
Things to do on a weekend in the Mount Walk around Mauao, or up if you're feeling energetic. Icecreams at Copenhagen Cones. Gourmet Night Market, Coronation Park.
Brunch at Dixie Brown's, 4 Marine Pde by the Twin Towers. Picnic in Main Beach - there are plenty of beach activities, or just relax on the sand.
Visit Mount Hot Pools for a soak, spa or massage.
Go shopping - Mount Mainstreet is home to a plethora of shops from surf and swimwear, gift shops and fashion boutiques like Repertoire, Wallis, BlakChaos, Harper, Augustine, Evolution and Sisters Boutique.Cafe-hopping: make a meal of latte lounging in the Mount's plentiful cafes - try Tay Street Beach Cafe, Gusto and Sidewalk.
Get active on the water - why not learn surfing, stand-up paddleboarding or take out a kayak or jet-sk?The Little Big Markets run on Saturdays and offer local crafts, clothes and goodies.
