A Queenstown (New Zealand) holiday park reopened earlier this month following a three-year revamp focused on sustainability and cutting its power use.
According to a report, Driftaway Queenstown holiday park features a total of 58 solar panels along with a heat recovery system that takes hot shower wastewater and the heat from laundry driers to warm cold water.
New transformers will permit the holiday park to accommodate electric campervans in the future.
Co-owner and General Manager Rochelle Peychers said the campsite is really proud of its revamp. Everything we’ve done we’ve not seen in any other holiday park in New Zealand,” Peychers said.
They were amazed to see 25 visitors in attendance on the first night, followed by 65 the next.
Peychers and co-owners Bryan and Georgia McChlery have taken a 20-year lease with the Queenstown Lakes District Council on the Frankton site, perched above Lake Wakatipu with The Remarkables mountain range in the background.
The redevelopment included the removal of almost all the existing underground infrastructure used for water, power, and stormwater and installing new infrastructure, according to Peychers.
Transformers were upgraded to ensure that enough power was available. Only minor modifications would be required to accommodate electric campervans when they become more in demand.
Recycled materials were also used in the development, such as soft floor matting on the outdoor playground made from recycled tires that would otherwise go to landfills.
The campground was ideal for those who use low-carbon transport methods, including cyclists and walkers on the Queenstown trail and the Queenstown water taxi.
With ten rooms and 115 sites, the facility could accommodate up to 400 people.
“We could see the potential. We were just so excited to do it justice,” Peychers said.
This story originally appeared on Stuff.co New Zealand. Featured image from Driftaway Queenstown.