I can't believe how fun it is to be campervan traveling in new Zealand, and top 10 holiday park…read morecampsites are great for first timer / beginner for campervan experience. This is my second time doing campervan traveling in new Zealand, but first time at the hot water beach top 10. Like all the other Top 10 Holiday park. They offered full kitchen, full hot showers, and also powered parking for campervan . If you are just driving a car and wanted to use their facilities, they also have cabins for rental. They all look pretty cute from outside. I've always told my friends, I am really doing "glamping" than camping. We never have through it out in the wild , but fully equipped kitchen and bathrooms with good hot water pressured shower. The staffs are also very friendly in terms of helping you to book activities around and for recommendations. The unique name of hot water beach comes from the beach has lava rocks underneath that heat up the sand . At low tides, you can dig your own spa spots to lay around for hot water sipping through the hot sand by the beach. Ita quite an interesting experience. It is about 10 to 15 minutes walk from this camp ground and the holiday park do provide shovel for rental. It did took us about 30 to 45 min to finally got a spot that gives really good very warm water , so you definetly want the shovel. This park is also very close to the Hahei and catherdral cove and other small towns with lots of good restaurants, gardens and wineries. We can easily find things to do around regardless of the weather. Since we arrived with a rainy day, we end up walking around the nearby town and spent the next day by the beach. Another great thing at the top 10 park is that, they have a fun jumping pillows that we have not seen in the states. Not only.kids enjoys bouncing around, so do all the adults. It was such a fun easy, non attraction activities. Great for all ages. We even star.gazed at night in the magical new Zealand campgrounds. I am already missing the great time in new Zealand. Tips: reception closed at 8. So make sure to arrived before then, or you might not find your parking spot at the campground and your complimentary limited WiFi. We got 2- 250MB WiFi for free for 2 night stays. And check out time is at 10 am.

OK OK OK you have to do this!!!…read more Think about it, where else can you make a hot spring sand tub on the beach, watch a beautiful sunrise, and be surrounded by some of the most breath taking scenery... Nowhere! (if there is another place like this don't ruin it for me, I like to think it's one of a kind). I traveled all around New Zealand and did a lot of fun things, but this was and experience that I'll never forget. Of all the things we did in the North and South island this was my favorite. You need to time your visit with the low tide, I would suggest the morning time (check with the Holiday Park staff, they will let you know when the low tide is). Also, you can pay them $5 to rent a shovel if you don't have one. I'm sure the afternoon is fun as well, but I heard there are just more people and it gets crowded fast. Morning time you get your sunrise, and it's just an amazing way to start your day. This is a must, but I'd say it's only for the adventurer type.