Tasman Holiday Parks - Papamoa Beach

The kitchen setup is pretty minimal, just a fridge and stove, and the bathrooms are fine. The location is handy for shops at Pāpāmoa Plaza and several places to eat, including The Island, a great little spot for a drink and a bite. Our standard tent site cost more than average, but with the location and facilities it didn’t feel unreasonable. The staff were lovely, and there was a great range of activities for the kids each day, including a trampoline, playground, outdoor theatre screen and pedal trikes for hire. The highlight was the really nice heated pool, with big separate hot pools too. We’ll happily come back.

After a long drive, we found out our original accommodation had sold our room even though we’d paid in full. We were left with nowhere to sleep, then found this gem. The location was perfect, the cabins were really nice and comfortably furnished, and the pool area was amazing. The staff were super friendly and helpful. It was raining when we arrived, so we didn’t get to check out the beautiful beach. My only suggestion is to put a mat outside or just inside the entrance, since the floor got a bit slippery.

We had a great time in the pool and hot pools, and the park is really close to the beach. The facilities were clean and tidy, though there were no pots, pans or utensils to use like at other parks. Paying $60 for an unpowered grass patch at the back of the park that allows dogs felt steep. The beachfront unpowered sites are $80, which seems a lot when we've stayed right on the beach at quieter campsites for a fraction of the cost, with incredible views.

We had a brilliant time at Papamoa Tasman Holiday park, easily the best holiday park we've visited so far. The kids had plenty to do without needing to go anywhere: pools, a playground, movies playing all day at the outdoor cinema, an onsite real fruit icecream truck and a barista truck with snacks. There's beach access, a fishing spot, surfing tutors you can pay for onsite, a massage therapist and an outdoor wood fire pizza oven too. Our first time tenting wasn't ideal because the tent we borrowed got ripped in the wind, but we still loved the communal feel. We'll definitely come back and try another accommodation option.