Russell - Orongo Bay Holiday Park

Had a lovely weekend here. Friendly staff are super accommodating. Great place to take the family. So much to do we didn't even make it to the beach. Kids wouldn't leave the pool/play ground and they have hammocks and swings spread throughout the park. Pizza oven was a hit and we were treated to in ground hangi. Awesome space for larger groups, Can't wait to return

We love the off grid feel of this campground. No light pollution and lots of native bird calls, including kiwi. Staff are super friendly. We had good quality family time, playing board games, exploring the stream and bush, ligting the firepit and cooking pizzas in the pizza oven. We will be back.

What a waste of an amazing setting! After setting up camp we were asked to move our tent after the first night as we didn’t setup to the right of the peg. No one told us when we arrived and the borders of the stands weren’t marked so that you could see. The manager only came and indicated the area with spray paint after asking us to move. The lady at reception also said to us that we shouldn’t worry when we asked her, only to be told later to move.We were there over the peak period (new years) and they packed in campers everywhere. Even in areas that were originally used as driveways of boat parking. Our neighbors left after one night of camping as the sewage came through their tent after the first little hit of rain. The bathrooms couldn’t cope with the influx of people, they were either breaking or just the fact that you couldn’t get to it.What this place lacks is proper management. You are promised wood, but it wasn’t there. You pay for showers, but you can’t get in. There was one water point close to our tent, with a mud bath underneath.Rather make the effort to go to the ‘other’ holiday park. If it was a cheap price you’d understand, but you pay a premium and for us it was an expensive lesson, leaving 5 days earlier and losing $300 as the rain and the sewage started encroaching our camping area and we just didn’t trust how the soil will hold when it started pouring down.It’s a pity, as it’s a great camp. Maybe they’re still getting the hang of things, but then don’t overbook the camp and cause so many unhappy campers.

Holly and her colleagues were efficient and welcoming. Our eco lodges were clean and comfortable and looked out across a wetland. Birds of various kinds wandered about the well kept green spaces. The pool was gleaming and well equipped with loungers and inflatables. Russell with all its charms was only a 5 minute drive away. A great stay thank you.

Great place to stay with well laid out cabins. Very clean and tidy.Wonderful staff who go out of their way to ensure everything runs smoothly. Sitting on deck watching sunsets over the bay was a highlight.

We stayed in the lodge accommodation for 6 nights. Toilet and shower blocks were consistently filthy and not well maintained. They smelt awful and the wastewater alarm kept going off over the duration of our stay which was a concern.The kitchen facilities were also very run down and not very clean. One oven and microwave were not functioning meaning there was only one oven to service many guests.The park itself had no security gate so anyone could just come and go as they please.The pool was not opened until 1pm on most days we were there due to cleaning, even with the very hot weather. It did not appear to be very clean.Talking to the other campers many had the same feeling about the park - a lot of potential but poorly maintained.The managers were working as hard as could be expected (they were friendly and accomodating) but the park needs investment in key areas.I couldn’t recommend a visit to this park to anyone in its current state. We won’t be coming back.

An amazing place to stay and explore the area. The grounds are beautiful and well kept and the rooms are cozy and clean. The kiwi trail is great for those who want to experience the NZ bush and maybe even see some kiwis. The staff are lovely and manage the place perfectly.

We had a great family holiday staying in the Bay view cabins. It was exactly what I would expect from staying in a holiday park. Having a woodfired pizza night with the pizza oven on site was a real treat! The pool was fantastic for a Northland summer and I love that it was salt water rather than chlorine. Holly and Jake were super lovely and helpful, despite having only been at the park for a month and learning the ropes at the busiest time of the year. Would definitely recommend for a great Kiwi holiday spot

One of the most beautiful campsites on our 6 weeks trip. Very personal and individual touch as it’s a family-run business. Unique spot within nature, lots of Kiwi and other bird sounds at night. We loved it!

We arrived late in the afternoon with a last minute booking and were greeted with smiles, such a warm welcome and a joyous attitude!Holly & her husband (the new owners) went absolutely above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable with our stay! We even upgraded our booking after Holly showed us a cute cabin.Everything was very clean and tidy and we loved the little kiwi walk around the campsite!Hearing the children playing and having fun in the pool added to the relaxing Kiwiana experience.We have vowed to make this a compulsory stop when travelling to Russell in future!!Thank you so much!