Hampshire Holiday Parks -- Glendhu Bay

Glendhu Bay is the strategic alternative to the crowded parks in Wanaka township. You stay here for two specific reasons: Sun and Access. Uniquely for this region, the bay faces North, meaning you get sun all day long (vital for drying gear) and stunning sunsets over Mt Aspiring that you simply don’t get in town. It is also the tactical base for hiking Roys Peak; the car park is only 5 minutes away, so you can beat the 8:00 AM Instagram crowd without a pre-dawn wake-up. For the boating dads, this is paradise: the park has its own boat ramp and calm water, making it the premier spot for water skiing and biscuiting away from the main lake chop. The Trade-off: While the sites are massive and waterfront, the facilities are “classic Kiwi”—functional and clean, but not resort-luxury. Be aware that showers cost extra (coin or QR code), so budget for that. It’s also the gateway to the Matukituki Valley, so if you’re planning to head deeper into Mt Aspiring National Park, this is your last comfortable stop. Strictly no pets during peak summer (Christmas to Waitangi Day), but dog-friendly the rest of the year.