Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

Ohope Beach TOP 10 is the heavyweight champion of New Zealand holiday parks. Voted “NZ’s Most Loved Beach,” the location is unbeatable, but the real “Dad Win” here is the Dual Water Strategy. You have the open ocean surf right over the dunes for the older kids, but you also have Ohiwa Harbour just 500m away on the other side of the spit. The harbour is shallow, warm, and lacks waves, making it the ultimate safety net for toddlers when the surf gets too rough. Inside the park, the Hydroslides (water slides) are the main event—they will keep the kids occupied for hours while you actually sit down. For the fishing dads, this place caters to you specifically: there is a dedicated fish filleting bay and boat washing area, which is essential given the boat ramp is just down the road. The Peak Season Warning: This is a high-density park. In January, it is packed, loud, and energetic. If you want silence, go elsewhere. If you want your kids exhausted by 8:00 PM so you can have a beer in peace, go here. Pet Policy: Strictly seasonal. Dogs are allowed on designated sites from February (after Waitangi weekend) to mid-December, but are banned during the peak Christmas/January school holidays.