SOUTHLAND FOCUS » Colac Bay Tavern & Holiday Park
Business South / December 2013
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‘Seaside gem’ has plenty to offer There is a definite shift
Jo Bailey Colac Bay is a seaside gem attracting an increasing number of visitors says Jilly Brown and Warren Bevin (known as Wazza), who took over the Colac Bay Tavern & Holiday Park in the small township in February last year. “There is a definite shift back to traditional caravan and camping holidays, with more people choosing this less expensive way of seeing the country,” says Warren Bevin. The couple is gearing up for the busy summer season at the southern bay, 9 kilometres from Riverton. It is a well known surf spot, and has excellent fishing, swimming, walking and shellfish collecting at low tide. Visitors can enjoy comfortable accommodation in one of seven “tidy backpacker” units at Colac Bay’s friendly, modern holiday park. “Each of the rooms opens to an enclosed courtyard with undercover barbecue area. We also have plenty of tent sites and 30 power sites for campers, who have full access to the kitchen, lounge, laundry, showers and toilets,” he says. The park also has a beach volleyball court, pool table and children’s playground across the road to keep the kids amused. Free wi-fi is also available for guests who find it hard to leave their technology behind. Jilly Brown says the adjacent Colac Bay Tavern is a “big part of the business” and the perfect complement to the holiday park, as it provides an important income stream for the couple when guest numbers are down during the off-season. “The tavern is well supported by the locals, and wider farming community in Riverton, as well as the people who own permanent holiday homes here. During the busy season, we also get a lot of business from the guests at the holiday park, who pop over for a drink, or even dinner or a takeaway if they don’t feel like cranking up their own barbecue.” Since taking over the tavern the couple has made extensive improvements to its outdoor entertaining area including the addition of a large deck, outdoor bar, and wood-fired pizza oven.
back to traditional caravan and camping holidays, with more people choosing this less expensive way of
seeing the country.” The tavern has a good reputation for its familyfriendly bistro fare, with its Blue Cod, caught fresh from the bay or Foveaux Strait a big seller. “Our wood-fired pizzas and gourmet burgers also go down a treat, especially Wazza’s steak burger,” she says. Bookings are already strong for throughout the Christmas and New Year period, which really “goes off”. “The whole bay gets pretty booked out for New Year’s Eve. We have a band at the tavern and are looking forward to another great night.” There will be more light entertainment at the tavern throughout the summer, with a music festival being planned at the holiday park site in February. The couple, who previously worked in the supermarket industry, says they are thrilled to have been welcomed so warmly by the Colac Bay community of 82 permanent residents, as they look to continue to improve and grow the holiday park and tavern. “Their support has been just fantastic. We also try to give back by sponsoring local sport like the Riverton netball and rugby clubs, Southland Rodeo events and the Great Western Steeplechase horse race at Riverton. It’s great to be part of such a wonderful community.”
Colac Bay Tavern & Holiday Park 03 234-8399 jilly.wazza@xtra.co.nz
The Colac Bay Holiday Park has a beach volleyball court, pool table and children’s playground handy.
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Riverton Real Estate proudly supports Colac Bay Tavern and Holiday Park 125 Palmerston Street, Riverton P: 03 234 8756 AH 03 234 8256 E: admin@rivertonrealestate.co.nz www.rivertonrealestate.co.nz
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