Kiwi landscape becomes masterpiece on canvas
Lucia and Tom were among the first customers to buy glamping tents from Safari Tents NZ for their successful business venture - Clifton Glamping
In 2016, Lucia Gordon transformed an unused pine paddock on her husband’s family farm in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, into a thriving glamping retreat.
A 38-square-metre tent, made of high-quality European canvas, was pitched on the paddock overlooking the Maraetotara River, which meanders through the farm. This glamping retreat quickly became the farm’s most profitable area; a second tent was added two years later.
Despite hosting just four guests a night, Lucia reports that Clifton Glamping has been a highly successful business venture for their young family.
“The decision to install the glamping tents was spontaneous,” Lucia said. “We’d camped out on the property ourselves, saw these tents advertised, loved them and chose beautiful spots on the farm to put them. We’ve had a fantastic response; they are very popular and are especially attractive to international visitors. Guests love experiencing nature up close but with modern luxuries.”
Glamping at the Gordons’ Clifton Station allows visitors to immerse themselves in the fresh waters of the Maraetotara River, inhale the coastal sea breeze of New Zealand’s North Island, relax and find comfort in the peaceful safari tents. Guests can swim in the river or warm themselves with a glass of wine in the property’s steaming hot outdoor baths.
Lucia and Tom were among the first customers to buy glamping tents from James Lamb of the Hawke’s Bay-based business, Safari Tents NZ. In 2015, James became the first distributor outside of Europe for Netherlands-based Luxetenten who since 2009 had been the driving force behind the glamping phenomenon in Europe. James still works very closely with the original founders of Luxetenten, Sandra and Leon Juffermans who now run Glamxperience in Australia.
“Lucia has a great sense of style,” James said. “She and Tom fitted the tents out to a very high standard and have attracted high-end clients. Spending that little bit more on quality soft furnishings resulted in guests paying $395 per night, a rate which is reflected in our tents all over New Zealand. Clifton were trailblazers and their business has really taken off!
“So far, we’ve put over 200 tents into New Zealand where glamping is still in its infancy, but we are confident that its popularity will continue to grow. It offers New Zealand’s holiday parks a product that can attract a new high-spending demographic with a great ROI.”
This interview featured in our newly published
Caravan Industry Spotlight HERE
Grantlee Kieza OAM has won three Queensland Media Awards, two Australian Sports Commission Awards and has been a finalist for the Walkley and News Awards and for the Harry Gordon Award for Australian sports journalist of the year. In 2019 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his writing. You can find more of his work in our AccomNews & Resort News print magazines.
He has written 22 acclaimed books, including bestsellers Hudson Fysh, The Kelly Hunters, Lawson, Banks, Macquarie, Banjo, Mrs Kelly, Monash, Sons of the Southern Cross and Bert Hinkler.
