Whangapoua Holiday Park is a holiday park on Te Punga Road in Whangapoua, Thames-Coromandel. It opened in December 2012 on the site of the old Whangapoua State Forest headquarters, and its cabins are the restored forestry cabins from the early 1960s. The deluxe two-person cabins have polished matai floors, a double bed, a kitchenette, a dining table and a heater for winter. The deluxe family cabins sleep four, with a double bed and bunks. Linen and towels are provided in both. Campsites sit in a rural setting with views of bush and farmland, and guests share a communal kitchen and clean toilet and shower block.
The park is in a place with a long history. Whangapoua means harbour of shellfish, and the area was known for kauri, gum and gold. Across the road, the foundations and gold safe of an old stamper battery from the 1890s can still be seen. The hosts, Aaron and Suzanne, can share local information. Our pick in Whangapoua for a quiet cabin stay in a working piece of forestry history.