Coromandel has thrifty options for rugby fans

Miranda Holiday Park's hot pools are just an hour away for World Cup supporters. Photo / Jim Eagles

Area offers alternatives for cup visitors squeezed by greedy Auckland providers

The Coromandel is promising to offer cheap Rugby World Cup rates that will undercut Auckland's.

The peninsula's tourism sector says it can put people up for a fraction of Auckland hotel rates and offer luxury on a basic budget.

One of the cheapest options, the Miranda Holiday Park, will charge $22 a night per person for campervans or tents during the cup - $1 more than the peak rate.

The announcement comes as packages for Auckland hotel accommodation and tickets to matches reach into the thousands of dollars.

But pitching a tent in the middle of winter in the Coromandel may be for only the bravest cup visitors.

Hadley Dryden, Tourism Coromandel's media and marketing manager, said: "Okay, it's a drive, but don't forget when the Lions tour was on, people came and stayed in the Coromandel. Miranda is only an hour away from Auckland, and you could get the ferry from downtown Auckland to Coromandel township in just two hours.

"We're going to have special events around both sides of the matches," Mr Dryden added, citing the annual Scallop Festival, heritage, road trips, fishing and diving.

"The accommodation selected is spread throughout the region and includes a range of options from luxury to camping."

Many of the places will charge peak-season rates but some will stick to off-season prices.

"The Coromandel wants to make sure we don't exclude people who aren't here for the rugby, or domestic travellers either, especially as the final weeks of the tournament fall within the school holidays," Mr Dryden said.

"We would like to think that the Coromandel, as always, will be good for your soul ... and your pocket."

Martin Snedden, chief executive of cup organisers Rugby NZ 2011, this week warned against greedy providers cashing in on the 44-day tournament, which will draw about 60,000 visitors.

Hoteliers and renters looking to make a fast buck have the potential to harm the nation's reputation, he said.

Meanwhile, some businesses on Auckland's North Shore say they plan to keep their rates low.

The Peace and Plenty Inn, a five-star heritage-style boutique hotel in Devonport, is refusing to raise its prices of $265 to $350 a night during the World Cup.

The Takapuna Beach Holiday Park charges $40 a night for a caravan site and is reported to be expected to increase that to just $50 to $60 during the rugby tournament. It isn't taking bookings for the cup period yet.

CHEAP STAYS
Miranda Holiday Park
* Campervan/campground site: $21/person (Sept/Oct 2010) $22/person (Sept/Oct 2011)
* Apartments (2 people): $189/2 people (Sept/Oct 2010), $195/2 people (Sept/Oct 2011)

Anchor Lodge Motel, Coromandel
* Spa suite: $145-$195 (Sept/Oct 2010), $220 (Sept/Oct 2011)
* Spa apartment: $225-$295 (Sept/Oct 2010), $335 (Sept/Oct 2011)

Mussell Bed & Breakfast, Mercury Bay
* Twin share: $250 (Sept/Oct 2010), $275 (Sept/Oct 2011)

Breakers Motel, Whangamata
* 1 bedroom, sleeps 4, with spa: $170 (Sept/Oct 2010), $170 (Sept/Oct 2011)
* 2 bedrooms, sleeps 4-6 with spa: $180 (Sept/Oct 2010), $180 (Sept/Oct 2011)

Manawa Ridge, Waihi
* Suite,2 people, with breakfast: $650 (Sept/Oct 2010), $850 (Sept/Oct 2011)

Source: Information supplied to Tourism Coromandel.