Slice of paradise on the market

BUYER WANTED: The beachfront camp is up for sale. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE

Another slice of traditional Kiwi holiday paradise in Northland is for sale with the Whangaruru Beachfront Camp on the market.

The waterfront camp, near Oakura, is to go under the hammer on October 28. The 59ha property is in one title but can be split into four.

The freehold land, buildings and business are being sold by Bayleys Whangarei, which said there are property developers eyeing up potential conversion of the beachfront site into an exclusive holiday home development.

The campground overlooks the golden sands of Parutahi Beach, about 50km north of Whangarei and caters for all levels of holidaying campers. At peak-use periods such as Christmas and New Year, the campground accommodates holidaymakers in four bach-type motel units, five basic cabins, 42 powered caravan and tents sites, and 40 non-powered tent sites.

It also has an administration building and on-site manager's accommodation. The camp owner/manager's accommodation is a four-bedroom home with a new kitchen. The building's ground level contains the camp utilities " encompassing the communal kitchen, boiler room, and toilet facilities.

Bayleys Whangarei agent Ross Blomfield, who is marketing the property, said that while the land and buildings had a 2012 council valuation of $3.7 million, it was much harder to place a market value on the site as the campground was being sold as a going concern with a proven six-figure revenue stream.

"The Whangaruru Beachfront Camp turned over in the region of $220,000 in the 2014/15 financial year, and is forecast to turnover more than $250,000 in the current financial year," Mr Blomfield said.

"The camp already has a near capacity number of bookings over the Christmas/New Year period, with strong reservations throughout the remainder of summer leading right up to Easter.

"The nature and aesthetic feel of the camp is very much what could be described as 'traditional Kiwiana' " that is, set up for tents, caravans, motorhomes, and budget-level bunk cabins."

The land is zoned Countryside and Coastal Countryside Environments in the Whangarei District Plan and consists of one single title but Whangarei District Council has issued a resource consent for the subdivision of the land into four smaller titles. Under this plan, Lot 1 of 12.83ha would house the beachfront campground business " with vehicle access through two sides of the property.

The remaining three sites on the hills overlooking the campground would all become coastal lifestyle block sized parcels under the Whangarei Coastal Management Strategy Structure Plan. Lot 2 would be of 3.87ha Lot 3 would be of 17.27ha and Lot 4 would be of 25.79ha.

According to the Companies Office Graham Craig Stokes, from Ruakaka, is the sole director of Whangaruru Beachfront Camp (2014) Ltd.