While the saying goes “age before beauty”, when it comes to the 90-plus-year-old Mount Beachside Holiday Park, beauty trumps age.

Established in the 1930s and nestled at the base of majestic Mauao, the popular holiday park’s stunning location has guests coming back for more each year, including Helen Beilby, who’s been staying at the campground for more than 60 years.

“I have lived all over New Zealand and travelled throughout the country and overseas, but we continue to return to our beloved Mount as it has so much to offer. I guess we are here partly because of tradition, fond memories and, of course, our friends.”

As a child, Helen’s parents bought a family caravan and each summer they returned to the Mount for four weeks, often joined by extended family.

“My grandmother, aunties and numerous cousins joined us and we had many barbecues around the Mount and progressive dinners at the different caravans.”

Helen’s parents stopped coming to the holiday park at only 90 years young, after which she and husband Philip took over their camping spot.

“While no other family members camp there now, we have an amazing social group who we love to spend time with every year.”

Holidaying in the BOP wasn’t enough and Helen and Philip chose to retire in Tauranga.

“We decided this was where we want to be. I have returned to the place where I had my first memories.”

Despite living locally now, Helen and Philip have continued camping at the Mount with other lifelong campers at the holiday park.

“We love the social life and the beautiful walks the Mount has to offer. A short walk into cafes and shops and, of course, the beautiful beach.”

Backing on to the Mauao Historic Reserve, Mount Beachside Holiday Park boasts one of the best holiday locations in the country.

Mount Maunganui was one of Aotearoa’s most popular holiday destinations, said Jen Scoular, deputy mayor of Tauranga and Mauao/Mount Maunganui ward councillor.

“Not only are we spoiled with this special location, we have an incredibly rich history to draw upon with the significance of the area and the length of time some of our visitors have been staying.

“With a stunning surf beach on one side of Mauao and the beautiful Tauranga Harbour and Pilot Bay on the other, the Mount is a slice of paradise for everyone. We’re so lucky to call this awe-inspiring place home.”