Holiday park haven for the birds
Alarge holiday park is for sale in Russell, Northland, encompassing an area of 5.59 hectares and containing a wide variety of powered and unpowered campervan, tent and “glamping“sites; cottages and lodge accommodation.
“Russell-Orongo Bay Holiday Park possibly comprises the largest piece of flat land near the village with a wide high profile road frontage on the only road into Russell,” says Rudy Kokx of LINK Business Broking of Northland.
In conjunction with his colleague, Michael Osborne, Kokx is seeking expressions of interest for the holiday park at 5960 Russell Rd as a freehold property and going concern business.
He says the appraised value range for the business only is $471,500 to $565,800 while the approximate and rounded off value of land and improvements is estimated at $2m.
“We feel that the business by itself is worth around $600,000 to $650,000, based on last year’s performance, and this will increase year on year, given good management.
“A Quotable Value report from three years ago valued the land and buildings at $1.7 million and over $300,000 has been spent on upgrades since that last QV. A recent insurance valuation estimated the replacement cost of buildings at $2,694,000 so as a going concern with land and buildings we are comfortable with starting negotiations in the region of $2,550,000.”
Kokx says current trading figures show substantial increases in turnover on previous years. “An increased emphasis on marketing to schools and other groups is a contributing factor to this. It is the only campsite in the area that is a part of the Bay of Islands Education Network and also hosts a number of weddings, family reunions and sporting and activity groups like competitors in the BDO Northland Cycle Tour, the Cape Brett Challenge, the Bay of Islands Walking Weekend, corporate team building events and company staff Christmas trips.
“In addition to its current status as a hospitality-based property, the land, just three minutes’ drive from the Opua ferry, would be ideal for a range of alternative businesses and commercial ventures,” Kokx says.
Osborne says that in June, the holiday park won the PGG Wrightson Holiday Park Grounds Award at the Holiday Parks Association of New Zealand conference.
“It has increased its Qualmark rating from three to four stars, and has held an Enviro Gold Award for more than four years.
“The owners have undertaken extensive landscaping, creating habitats for thriving populations of native bird life, including weka and kiwi. Some 46 species of bird have been identified at the park, in which about 25 per cent of the property is dedicated to a walking trail and bird sanctuary.
“It is the only holiday park nominated as a member of Birding New Zealand and was chosen by the BBC to film rare wildlife,” Osborne says.
The park has a professional website, with an online booking system in five languages. The business is also a member of the Family Parks marketing group.
Kokx says the vendors are at retirement age. “They understand a fresh pair of eyes and renewed energy could inject a good boost into this business. Potential expansion could include extending the shop into a cafe or introducing kayaking and walking tours. Bikes are already hired with the business and could be promoted for use on the developing Twin Coast bike trail.”
The well maintained buildings include the two-storey owner/manager’s building with four bedrooms and two bathrooms which incorporates the reception/shop area, linen room and laundry.
A 12-room lodge with large stone open fireplace has three rooms which sleep four with built-in kitchenettes. Eight rooms are standard without kitchen and sleep six; and the one selfcontained tourist flat has two bedrooms. The lodge has a fully equipped communal kitchen, lounge and dining area with a big flat screen TV.
Other facilities include a one-bedroom cottage sleeping up to six people with a private small courtyard, bathroom, full kitchen and deck; and a three-bedroom self-contained holiday house with 1.5 bathrooms, sleeping up to eight people. A campers’ amenities block has metered showers, coin laundry and kitchen along with an adjoining covered dining/barbecue area.
Eight standalone cabins have double beds and a single bed or set of bunks, while a fully contained bungalow contains two bedrooms.
Two “eco” chalets comprise free standing timber studio cabins with kitchenettes and bathrooms while The Bach has a double bedroom and separate kitchenette/living room.
The park has 50 powered sites and 60 non-powered, and two safari styled tents offer a “glamping” experience on timber platforms. Additional accommodation is provided in three “retro“vintage caravans and The Whare, a small hut rented long term. A 7m van and annexe serve as staff accommodation. For more content and thousands of listing go to www.truecommercial.co.nz