Aspiring Campervan Park

Happy Camping Review

Wanaka is a beautiful mountain town an hour and a half drive from Queenstown, and one of New Zealand's fastest growing small towns. Set by lake Wanaka, it's as attractive as Queenstown, and offers a wide variety of activities. It was founded in the 1860s as a service centre for local mining, but only became popular in the mid-twentieth century when it became more popular as a holday and camping destination. For many it's a more chilled out alternative to Queenstown's intensity.

Things to do in the area include kayaking, jetboating, rock climbing, horse riding, canyoning and more. It also has a charming little cinema / cafe, the fun Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World, a shooting range, and a very popular Warbirds air show every other year at Easter. The Wanaka River Journeys trip is highly recommended, comprising a three hour trip that includes a walk and helicopter tour of the mountains, lakes and canyons of the area.

Mount Aspiring is a relatively new family-run site, opened in 2000. It can be found a couple of minutes outside Wanaka town centre. It consists of 34 powered sites, an ensuite cabin, 2 self-contained cabins and a 3 dorm lodge. The sites are nicely arranged, each perched on it's own flat gravel allotment, separated by grass or hedges. The site is located on the side of a hill, set back a few hundred yards from the road, and commands impressive views across the Remarkables and Wanaka Lake.

The site is one of the few to have the Qualmark 5* rating, and deservedly so. The toilet / shower block is temperature controlled, spacious and modern, and is connected to a spa room for those who enjoy a good soak. The kitchen and dining area is equally nice, with an attached decked area with picnic table positioned to enjoy the views. There is a free BBQ pavillion, and the lodges have a pleasant grassy area out front that also takes in the views.

While it may be a couple of dollars more expensive than some parks, Mount Aspiring is a lovely, quiet, welcoming and luxurious site, I will certainly be back to when visiting Wanaka.

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