Many of our guests are churches and community groups, who come to El Rancho to unwind. Choose to stay in our conference venue, enjoy a holiday in our self-contained units or let the kids have fun in our classic bunkrooms. Our delicious catering service is extremely popular, or you can choose to self-cater.

For private family holidays, the holiday park is ideal with its 55 tent and caravan sites and 19 holiday units. Over the Christmas holidays 10 of our Elm Court conference units are also available for families. 

Our renowned children' s school holiday camps are run every school holiday for children from 8 – 14 years. The format changes over the years, but the purpose is always the same; to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to young people in a relevant way, through an exciting, fun and safe holiday experience.

The park is very popular with school camps and our trained instructors work with schools to provide programmes which meet EOTC objectives. Safety is paramount and all the activities are supported by risk management systems.

Choose from a range of activities all ages can enjoy. Go horse-riding or boating, take the kids over the confidence course, or test your skills at rifle shooting or archery. Later, put your feet up and enjoy a warm, pleasant evening by the barbeque.

A small sweet shop offers holiday treats. A morning paper, bread and milk can be purchased during the school holidays.

"Encourage children, support families and grow God's Kingdom."

In 1961 a small group of Christian businessmen began with a strong desire to encourage and minister to all Christians, in a way that would build them up and help them grow in their walk with God. They started searching for a place where they could establish a holiday park; somewhere quiet and peaceful where holidaymakers could relax and be refreshed and where the gospel of Jesus Christ could be proclaimed.

The land they found was partly swampland, situated along the Waikanae river and close to the beach. It was purchased and landscaped, and the building work began. "Waikanae Christian Holiday Park" was set up as an interdenominational trust, with the first camps being held in tents and caravans. “El Rancho” was the name given to the children’s holiday camps held every school holidays.

Since those early beginnings, El Rancho has grown and flourished. Each year we host over 200 groups as well as hundreds of families; altogether totalling some 16,000 guests annually. We still hold true to the founders’ vision of developing a place where people can draw aside from their busyness, find refreshment, encouragement and a deeper knowledge of the Lord.