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placed near your tent ; all BBQs are located in a covered BBQ area with seating , which you will be allocated once you ’ ve reserved the BBQ . Meat and vegetables can be pre-ordered and collected at reception to save you lugging them with you ( leaving more capacity to bring specialised items or a bottle of nice wine ). You can also rent an esky and buy ice . There is a shop at reception , but it sells mostly crisps and sweets , ice cream and drinks etc .
As well as being a campsite , Saiyuen is also an adventure park . Day passes are available , dependant on COVID-19 restrictions . Recently only staying guests have been able to enter the park and enjoy the activities . Activities available include Bubble Soccer , Disk Golf ( which looks fun , but seems expensive for what it is ), Bubble Waffle Workshop , Beggars Chicken , Archery , Climbing Monkeys , Junior Abseiling and Tree Top Canopy Walk .
As we are here for two nights we have time for the kids to try the climbing package , which consists of several of the climbing activities and costs $ 780 per person . This activity is suitable for
children age 12 +. For our older children the Tree Top Canopy Walk is a hit while the younger ones like the Monkey Climb . Both are smaller than they appear in the pictures so manage your expectations . The cost of the activities soon add up , but it ’ s all part of the fun and if it ’ s your first visit to the camp , I recommend getting stuck in .
We also sign up for Beggars Chicken , which has the benefit of being a fun activity as well as providing dinner . It ’ s actually pretty strenuous to prepare , covering the chicken in clay takes some effort , but is very rewarding when we get to enjoy the fruits of our labour in an open air BBQ area later that evening .
Saiyuen has lots of places to sit outside , and it is just a few minutes walk to a small ungazetted beach , so families are well entertained even without booking any activities . There is a wooden climbing frame with a small zip line that has no charge . Plus plenty of trees to climb , places to explore and space to kick a ball around . And there are goats . Younger children love seeing the goats , which are released to roam around the grounds several times during the day .
Be warned , though , they do like to join you for breakfast and will eat whatever is within their reach ! And I mean Whatever !
Cheung Chau itself has lots of great cycling and walking paths and plenty to see and do . Take a stroll to Cheung Po Tsai Cave , or try some watersports at Cheung Chau beach . If you find yourself craving food that you didn ’ t bring , there is a lovely little French restaurant called Pirate Bay within walking distance . It ’ s pretty small so best to book during peak times . The crepes are delicious .
All in all , our group thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Saiyuen . While it may not be cheap , and arguably we could have booked a hotel package for less ( given current promotions ) it is an unforgettable experience and one that I ’ m very happy we tried . Visiting with a few families works especially well and will ensure your children , and you , have a blast .
* As a disclaimer , when we visited the weather was perfect . Blue skies ; warm enough to swim at the beach , but cool enough not to need the air conditioning . I still consider myself a fair weather camper , or should I say “ glamper ”. I ’ m not so sure I ’ d brave it in hotter and wetter climes .