Jackson's Retreat Alpine Holiday Park

Jackson’s Retreat Alpine Holiday Park is set on 15 acres of terraced grounds at the foot of the Southern Alps, overlooking the Taramakau River and surrounded by native rainforest. It is the only camping and holiday park on the Great Alpine Highway 73, positioned 33 km west of Arthur’s Pass Village and approximately 2.5 hours’ drive from Christchurch. The park offers accommodation for all budgets, from cosy cabins and self-contained units to powered, non-powered, and bush tent sites, as well as unique award-winning all-weather covered sites.

Facilities are rated Qualmark 5 Star with Enviro Gold accreditation. The modern self-catering kitchen is fully equipped with pots, pans, cutlery, and crockery, alongside a large comfortable lounge and dining area with TV and log fire. Beautifully appointed heated bathrooms feature free hot showers and a mobility access unit. The park also provides coin-operated laundry, free BBQ and pizza oven, free adult bike usage, a dump station, WiFi, a camp pantry selling fresh homemade bread and free-range eggs, and a children’s playground. A gym and hot tubs are available for a small additional cost.

Exclusive to park guests, the Ngarimu Walking Track leads into pristine native rainforest to Totara Falls and an 1860s quartz mine site. Four on-site glow worm viewing areas offer a magical night-time experience. The park is home to an extensive range of native birds including kiwi, which can be heard calling at night. Nearby attractions include Lake Brunner (15 minutes’ drive), Arthur’s Pass National Park, Temple Basin ski field, and the West Coast Treetop Walk. The park also serves as a base for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast event.