Time for glamping

Those looking for a bit of luxury while they camp will soon have the option of a glamping site in Wanaka's Dublin Bay, after a council planner recommended the proposed luxury camping site be approved. Photo by Sean Davis.
Those looking for a bit of luxury while they camp will soon have the option of a glamping site in Wanaka's Dublin Bay, after a council planner recommended the proposed luxury camping site be approved. Photo by Sean Davis.
Campers will not have to worry about sorting out tent poles and airbeds, after council staff recommended consent be given to a luxury camping site on the shores of Lake Wanaka.

Queenstown Lake District Council staff on Tuesday recommended consent be given to Explore Life Luxury Camping to operate a luxury visitor accommodation site on farmland in Dublin Bay.

Owner Amy Northcott said there had been quite a lot of interest in the camping sites and they had already taken bookings for when it opened on November 1.

Only two tent sites would be run this year, but it could be expanded to four if this season proved successful, Mrs Northcott said.

Campers, also known as glampers, would have a different experience from what was normally considered camping, she said.

The tents used for accommodation were about 5m wide and 3.2m tall, and each tent featured a queen-sized bed with linen, quilts and soft furnishings.

Flush toilets, hot showers, hammocks and natural lounging areas would also be part of the experience, Mrs Northcott said.

Prices started at $350 a night for a basic camping package.

All sites would have chemical toilets and all of the water used for washing would be stored and then transported to a dump station away from the campsite.

In her review for the council, landscape architect Hannah Ayres agreed with Explore Life's proposal that there would be minimal to no impact on the environment and landscape of the area, which was part of an outstanding natural landscape.

Ms Ayres also agreed while the tops of some of the tents would be visible from Lake Wanaka and surrounding tracks, the visual impact of the camping site would be negligible to slight.

The site would open from November 1 to April 30.

tim.miller@odt.co.nz

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