A new short term campervan park at Ellerslie Racecourse has been given the green light, opening up some additional accommodation options in time for World Masters Games 2017 and the DHL New Zealand Lions series.
With Auckland hosting a plethora of sporting and cultural events throughout 2017, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) has been working to ensure the region is ready to cope with the influx of visitors.
This has included working with a range of stakeholders like the Auckland Racing Club to identify additional accommodation options such as short-term campervan parks.
The Auckland Racing Club will run a pop-up campervan park in the Ellerslie Racecourse infield, with 350 non-powered sites for self-contained campervans, available 18 April – 3 May, and then again during the Lions series.
A range of facilities will be available to campers including toilet and showers. For those looking for some onsite entertainment, The Pop Up Globe will be running shows at the Racecourse throughout World Masters Games 2017, and there will be racedays on until June.
ATEED General Manager Visitor and External Relations Steve Armitage says Auckland is experienced in supporting the demands of hosting major international events but is aware there can be challenges for some visitors around accessing affordable accommodation.
“We know there are a number of visitors interested in using campervans during events like the World Masters Games and Lions series, so it’s great to have the Auckland Racing Club stepping in to open up the site at Ellerslie,” he says.
“We appreciate there are capacity constraints during some of this peak period but encourage people to get in touch with our iSITEs, or through other online booking sites to see what is available. There are a range of accommodation options in Auckland, from 5-star hotels to motels, backpackers, luxury lodges and holiday parks. There are also options like Airbnb and organisations such as BookaBach and Bachcare where visitors can rent directly from the owner.”
Auckland Racing Club and Ellerslie Event Centre Chief Executive Cameron George says Auckland Racing Club continues to enjoy contributing to the footprint of major Auckland initiatives.
“We are committed to working with external partners to promote Auckland and to provide local residents and visitors the best experience possible,” he says.
“Our recently refurbished Event Centre is home to over 1000 events a year and now providing accommodation options is another sign of Ellerslie’s versatility. During 2017, our venue sees a world class theatre (Pop-up Globe) on site along with the best thoroughbred racing in the country (Auckland Cup Week 4 & 11 March), all of this is testament to the Auckland Racing Club’s commitment to making Auckland the best city it can be.”
WMG2017 Chief Executive Jennah Wootten says the campervan park at Ellerslie is a welcome addition to Auckland’s accommodation landscape ahead of the Games.
“We’re expecting more than 18,000 participants from outside Auckland, a good number of whom are still trying to secure reasonably priced accommodation, so this broadens the range of options available to them.”
Notes to editor
World Masters Games, 21 – 30 April 2017
For the first time ever, World Masters Games – the world’s largest multiple-sport event by participant numbers – will make its way to Auckland. The 10-day festival regularly attracts upwards of 25,000 participants from more than 100 countries.
DHL New Zealand Lions Series, 7 & 24 June, 8 July 2017
Auckland will host three matches during the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017, including two tests. The 2005 tour brought nearly 20,000 visitors to Auckland.
More of Auckland’s events, attractions and openings for 2017 can be found aucklandnz.com.