A Front Row Seat to the Best of Hawke’s Bay
Havelock North Holiday Park from above, with Te Mata Peak in the background.
Living on the road full-time means I’ve stayed at more holiday parks than I can count, and it takes a lot for one to really stand out. Havelock North Holiday Park did exactly that.
Set at the foot of the iconic Te Mata Peak, this brand new holiday park offers a rare combination of space, modern comfort, and views that genuinely stop you in your tracks. The kind of place where you arrive and immediately slow down.
Whether you’re just travelling through Hawke’s Bay or looking for a base to explore the region properly, this place shows what happens when passionate owners with years of experience are given a blank canvas.
Spacious Sites With Uninterrupted Te Mata Peak Views
One of the first things you notice when you arrive is the size of the sites. We’re talking 10 by 12 metres. Every site is thoughtfully laid out, completely flat, and designed for easy access, even for the biggest caravans.
A different aerial angle, showing just how much space this park really offers.
Each site comes equipped with power, fresh water, and even grey water disposal, which makes a real difference if you’re staying for more than just a night or two.
If you’re not travelling with your own setup, the park also offers a range of accommodation options, including modern motel units, multi-bedroom cottages, and even a beautifully restored four-bedroom Art Deco house.
The cottages and motel units, offering a comfortable alternative to camping.
Brand-New Facilities That Feel Seriously Luxurious
This is where things shift from “great” to something else entirely. Because the park is brand new and still in development, I was lucky enough to watch parts of it being completed while I stayed there.
The bathrooms are beautifully finished and don’t feel like campground bathrooms at all, more like something you’d expect in a boutique hotel. The communal kitchen and dining space have been designed with both comfort and functionality in mind. With multiple cooking stations and high-end appliances, it feels less like a shared space and more like you’re cooking dinner at home, while everyone else relaxes nearby in a lounge that somehow manages to feel like a comfortable living room and a fine dining space at the same time.
The laundry follows that same standard, and yes… the dryers actually dry your clothes in one cycle. Anyone who has spent time travelling around New Zealand will understand just how rare that is.
The centrally located heated swimming pool and well-equipped playground make it easy for kids to burn off energy, while you can keep an eye on everything without leaving your chair. The whole space feels open, safe, and relaxed. The park is also pet-friendly, and the owner’s dog, Flake, does his evening rounds of the park, stopping in to check on campers before settling in to guard the entrance for the night.
Another huge bonus is Off The Track Restaurant, located right on site. With Te Mata Peak views and open for both lunch and dinner, it adds a completely different layer to the experience. Having a quality restaurant just a few steps from your site or unit makes things incredibly easy, whether you don’t feel like cooking, don’t want to drive anywhere, or you’re travelling for work and need to claim for your accommodation and meals.
Location, Location, Location
Havelock North Holiday Park’s location is a big part of what makes it so special. You’re close enough to everything to make day trips easy, yet far enough out that you can properly switch off and enjoy the slower pace of rural Hawke’s Bay.
Havelock North Village is only a three-minute drive away, with its cafés, shops, and that relaxed small-town charm.
The nearby Havelock North Village, offering shops, cafés and local charm.
If you’ve brought your bike, you’re in for a real treat. With direct access from the park, you’re already on the Hawke’s Bay Trails network, which stretches over 200 kilometres through vineyards, orchards, and along the coastline. It’s the perfect laid-back way to explore the region at your own pace.
Te Mata Peak is only a ten-minute drive away, and whether you drive or walk up, the views from the top are something you don’t rush. Just down the road, Craggy Range Winery offers world-class wine and one of the most scenic dining spots in the region.
If the heated pool and playground at camp still aren’t enough to wear out the kids, Splash Planet is only about 2 kilometres away and remains one of the best family attractions in the region. For something indoors, Velocity Entertainment is a solid backup, with enough going on to guarantee a quiet evening afterwards.
Splash Planet is just a short drive away and a great option for a day out.
If you feel like heading a little further out, Napier is only about 25 minutes away. Spots like the National Aquarium of New Zealand and Ocean Spa are great options, especially on slower days or when the weather turns.
If sand between your toes is more your pace, Waimārama Beach is about a 25-minute drive from the park and is one of those classic Hawke’s Bay beaches where the sand stretches wide, the surf rolls in clean, and time slows down without asking permission. For something slightly quieter, Ocean Beach offers that same beauty in a more understated way.
For something completely different, Gannet Safaris at Cape Kidnappers takes you out to one of the largest mainland gannet colonies in the world. It’s one of those experiences that reminds you just how unique this part of New Zealand really is. And if golf is your thing, the nearby Cape Kidnappers Golf Course is consistently ranked among the best in the world, sitting high above the ocean on dramatic cliffs.
Gannet Safaris at Cape Kidnappers is one of those experiences you don’t want to miss.
Food Stops That Derail Your Whole Day (In the Best Way)
If you’re chasing something sweet after a swim, The Strawberry Patch is only 500 metres from the park and is perfect for fresh produce or a proper, real fruit ice cream.
Fresh chocolate-covered strawberries at The Strawberry Patch.
If you’ve never had a Peach Bomb from Hawke’s Bay Brewing Company, you’ll never understand why Adam was so easily convinced to take a bite of the forbidden fruit. Sadly, the Filter Room is currently closed due to cyclone damage, but you can still grab it online or at local retailers.
Three Wise Birds’ Garden Bar, a great spot to wind down after a day of exploring.
For the best ribs in the region, Three Wise Birds’ Garden Bar will have you extending your stay just to go back again the next day. With live music, orchard views, and ciders so good you’ll want to try every single one, be prepared for lunch to quietly turn into dinner.
Then there is Birdwoods Gallery & Sweet Shop. Between the sculpture garden, café, and old-school sweet shop, it’s easy to lose track of time. On the way back to camp, the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre is another must-stop, especially if you’re travelling with kids.
A look inside Birdwoods Gallery & Sweet Shop, full of character.
Final Thoughts
After spending time here, it’s not just the facilities or the location that stay with you; it’s the feeling of it all coming together. The space, the views, the people, and the pace of life that naturally slows the moment you arrive.
Havelock North Holiday Park isn’t just new, it’s been done right. It’s the kind of place you arrive at thinking you’ll stay a few nights… and then quietly start extending your stay.
And honestly, that says everything!
