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Finalists for the 2025 Holiday Park of the Year
Athenree hot springs and campground
Maggie O’Rourke
Near Waihi, Bay of Plenty.
Hot pools all year around is a treat if you stop and stay at Athenree Hot Springs and Holiday Park. This is the first campground I’ve been too that offers this many free nights: stay 4 pay 3 or stay 7 pay 5. With a max stay of 7 weeks this is a great winter stay-over.
Close to Waihi, Waihi Beach and Katikati this is a prime campground. They offer an All Points Camping discount on nightly rates if you aren’t staying long enough for their special deal. There is a shuttle service to Waihi and Katikati; Waihi Beach RSA will do pickups and drop off; and a local taxi driver is available (talk to reception).
This is a pet-friendly camp though there are restrictions over Christmas and Easter.
The owners/management and staff are awesome and treat you like you’re not just a guest. Just recently after 100km plus strong winds, they rang everyone in campers and caravans to check if they were okay — I’ve never before been to a campground who would do that. This is true service, thanks Peter and Belinda. This camp was one of the finalists for the 2025 Holiday Park of the Year.
Cabins, motels and camping sites are available. Facilities are clean and they offer hot-pools, shop, kiosk with coffee and pies, TV room, laundry, dump-station, kitchen and bathroom of course, and they are pet-friendly.There is a children’s playground across the road; kayaks and bike buggies are available for hire.
Do not book online, contact them directly for all discounts and availability.
Site fees (Oct 2025): Adult $28, children $19 per night. Don’t forget to show your APCNZ card to receive your discount.
Cabins from $95; there’s a dog friendly cabin. Check their Facebook pages and website for cabin deals.
Camp sites only: April through to November, excluding school and public holidays: choose either the club discount or these special deals.
Stay 4, pay 3 — Stay 4 nights on one camp site and only pay for 3.
Stay 7, pay 5 — Stay 7 nights on one camp site and only pay for 5. n
1 Athenree Road, Athenree, Bay of Plenty
07 863 5600
Photos: ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke
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Summer 2025
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