The family’s campervan ended up in Henley Lake last Tuesday night. PHOTO/ JADE CVETKOV
An Australian family’s holiday plans were temporarily derailed last week when their campervan took an unfortunate dip in Henley Lake on Tuesday night, but local hospitality managed to turn the pit stop into a whirlwind tour of the best Masterton has to offer.
Regional tourism organisation Destination Wairarapa stepped in to lend a helping hand to the stranded family of six.
Staff helped facilitate afternoon tea at Café Solway, and golf at the driving range before dinner at The Farriers.
They also took the family sight-seeing around some of Masterton’s leading attractions, including The Wool Shed and Queen Elizabeth Park.
Travel arrangements to Auckland were sorted too. They are due to fly home on Saturday.
Destination Wairarapa marketing manager Barb Hyde said locals and local businesses managed to show the family a good time.
“The community has rallied together and shown generous hospitality with Trust House and many individuals going above and beyond to make this family’s unintentional stop in Wairarapa a positive one.”
She praised the owner of BK Chardonnay Motor Lodge Barbara Woolford, “who looked after the family with great kindness”.
Woolford washed and dried the family’s soaked possessions – free of charge.
“The family couldn’t believe how kind, friendly and helpful everyone was. They ended up enjoying a few days in small town New Zealand soaking up the best of Kiwi hospitality and kindness,” Hyde said.
