Tasman Holiday Parks

Snookball – The Ultimate Activity in Christchurch

Snookball is a fun, family-friendly game that can be played at Tasman Holiday Parks – Christchurch.

Snookball is a fun, family-friendly game everyone can enjoy. What is Snookball you ask? Originating in Europe, it combines elements of soccer and pool. Just like in pool, you have eight solid balls and eight striped balls that you aim to sink in the pockets. However, you don’t need a pool cue for this game, you just need your feet.

Picture a giant pool table on the ground with soccer balls painted as pool balls. The aim is to kick the white ball at the coloured balls to knock them into the pockets. Sounds fun doesn’t it. So where can you play it? On your next trip to Christchurch stay at the contact Tasman Holiday Parks – Christchurch and you and the family can play until your heart’s content.

family-friendly game everyone can enjoy

There are many variations of Snookball but the standard rules are:

  • The game is played by two people or two teams.
  • The coloured balls are arranged in a triangle shape with the first player breaking them apart with the cue ball (white ball).
  • The player or team that sink the first ball will decide which ball they are going for, solid or stripes.
  • The aim of the game is to get all your balls into a pocket and sink the black ball last. 
  • The game is lost if you sink the white or black ball mid-game or if the white or black ball leaves the table.

Just remember the number one rule of Snookball is to have fun. Number two is that the rules can be changed to whatever you want. Number three is heckling is encouraged. Sike your opponents out to win the game.

Book your stay at Tasman Holiday Parks – Christchurch to not only enjoy a game of Snookball but enjoy everything else this holiday park has to offer. It’s only 15 minutes from Christchurch’s CBD and airport. The kids will love the pool, water slide, jumping pillow, and playground and the adults will love its proximity to local cafes, shops, markets, and stunning natural surrounds. Accommodation options range from standard studios that sleep two to a four-bedroom house that sleeps 11. There are also powered and unpowered sites for camping or parking your caravan.

Five Tips for the Perfect Family Getaway

Family holidays are all about spending time with kids, making beautiful memories, exploring new places, making new friends, and taking a break from the everyday stresses of life. There’s no denying it can be tough travelling with kids but with our top five family holiday tips, we hope it makes things less stressful so you can focus on having a great time. After all, that’s what holidays are all about.

Don’t travel too far

You’d be surprised with how many great places there are close to home for the perfect family getaway. Don’t overcomplicate things by travelling hours in the car. Kids don’t really like being strapped in the car for hours on end and if they’re unhappy, you’ll hear about it. Check out Tasman Holiday Park’s timeless locations and see what’s close by for you. Three hours seems to be the sweet spot for travelling time. And remember, less time travelling means more time relaxing.

Keep kids entertained

Even if it’s just a three-hour car ride, you’ll need something to keep the little ones entertained. Remember the classic car trip games you used to play like I spy with my little eye, number plate bingo, or trivia. This ought to keep them entertained for a while. You could also pack some car-friendly games like cards, colouring and reading books, or an iPad to watch movies or listen to music.

Here are some more tips to survive the car trip with kids.

Family holidays are all about spending time with kids.

Choose accommodation wisely

When travelling with the family, choose accommodation that has plenty of facilities and close by attractions to keep everyone entertained. A big part of having a holiday is to relax and unwind without the stress of having to rush around here there and everywhere. With Tasman Holiday Parks there is plenty to keep everyone entertained both young and old. Some of our fantastic facilities include swimming pools, hot spas, water slides, jumping pillows, playgrounds, kid’s activity clubs, games rooms, pedal cars, mini-golf, and one of our parks even has a ninja course! All our holiday parks are conveniently close to amazing attractions, so you won’t have to go far to enjoy some quality family time exploring new places and embracing new experiences. Tasman Holiday Parks are the perfect place to create some amazing memories you’ll treasure forever.

Here are some more reasons the kids will love a Tasman Holiday Park

Let the kids have their say

Keep in mind that this holiday is just as much theirs as it is yours. Let the older ones choose some fun activities to do whilst on holiday, within reason of course. The younger ones may need a little guidance so you could visit reception to grab some brochures or speak with one of Tasman’s friendly staff members who could give you some ideas. It could even be as simple as letting them choose where to have dinner. Not only will they love having their say, but it’s also good for developing kids internal voice and decision-making skills.

Have fun!

Last but not least, have fun! Let your hair down, be silly with kids, take loads of pictures, make new friends, laugh a lot, stay up late, and try new things. These moments are so precious and something you will hold dear for years to come.

Book your family holiday at one of Tasman Holiday Parks in Australia or New Zealand. All our holiday parks are safe, clean, comfortable, and conveniently located for you to do as little or as much as you like. We create beautiful holiday parks so you can have beautiful moments.  

Best Nature Walks from Waihi Beach

On the northern end of the Bay of plenty lies the vibrant coastal town of Waihi Beach. A nine-kilometre stretch of white sandy beach with plenty to do from shopping, dining out, surfing, fishing, and walking amongst nature. Taking a walk in this beautiful part of the world will help you unwind and relax as you fill your lungs with that beautiful sea air, listen to the sounds of the ocean and feast your eyes on stunning views and beautiful towering trees. Here are a few walking tracks we think are the best in Waihi Beach. So get your walking shoes on and start walking.

Orokawa Bay Track

For an easy to moderate walk with stunning views over the Pacific Ocean, take the Orokawa Bay Track. This track starts at the northern end of Waihi Beach and winds around coastal headlands taking you through beautiful bushland with towering Pōhutukawa trees, Kauri, Puriri and native Nikau Palm trees. The walk takes about 45 minutes and finishes on the white sandy beach of Orokawa Bay, a perfect little spot to stop for a picnic and a dip. Note: time your walk for low tide as the track isn’t accessible during high tide.

Waihi Beach to Homunga Bay

For a longer more challenging walk, continue your walk from Orokawa Bay to Homunga Bay. This will take you another hour and a half to complete. From Orokawa Bay, take the track along a narrow and in some places steep track to Homunga Bay. Make sure you have good shoes on and leave the kids at home as there are a few steep drops. From the top, you will enjoy stunning views over Orokawa Bay. As you continue along the track, you will see the rugged coastline between Orokawa Bay and Homunga Bay. Marvel at the interesting shaped Pōhutukawa trees that line parts of the track and cliff faces with beautiful patterns caused by erosion. Once you reach Homunga Bay, stop for a picnic, or just sit back and enjoy the sound of the ocean.

Waihi Beach to Ngatitangata Road

If you’re not too tired and want to keep on going from Homunga Bay, continue your walk to Ngatitangata Road. This track is a steep climb to Ngatitangata Road and will take you about 45 minutes. From here you can have someone pick you up or if you’re still keen to keep going, turn around and go back the way you came.

The Trig Trail

The Trig Trail is a three-kilometre return trail that takes you up through dense bushland to the top of the coastline. From here, take in stunning views over Waihi Beach, up the Coromandel coast and east across the Bay of Plenty. This trail will take you about an hour and a half to complete and has some steps and steep parts. You start this trail at the water reservoir which branches off the Loop track near the bridge.

The Water Reservoir Loop

If you’re doing the Trig Trail you may as well squeeze the Water Reservoir Loop in as well. It’s an easy 20-minute walk along a flat surface with a few inclines around the old Waihi Beach reservoir.

Waihi Beach Accommodation

When staying in Waihi Beach you can’t go wrong with Tasman Holiday Park – Waihi Beach. This holiday park is on the northern end of Waihi Beach where you can enjoy swimming, surfing, fishing, exploring or just relaxing. You will find everything you need here to make your stay fun and relaxing. The kids will love the 25m heated pool, adventure playground and kids hang out room. Get closer to nature with beachside camping or enjoy the creature comforts with motel units, self-contained units, or cabins. No matter who you are travelling with or what your budget is, there is something for everyone.

Another great little holiday park in Waihi Beach is Tasman Holiday Park – Beachaven. Situated just 100 metres from the beach, you will be front and centre of all this laid-back coastal town has to offer. It’s a safe, friendly holiday park set on four acres of land where relaxation is the name of the game. We have a wide range of accommodation options including cabins, lodges, motel units and campsites to cater for all walks of life from families, couples to single travellers. Even the family dog can come along as this is a New Zealand pet-friendly caravan park.