The Cliffside Story
Our mission…. To foster unforgettable experiences connecting people with nature to truly relax and unwind.
Our names are Serena and Jasmine Shine, and we are the local sister duo behind Cliffside. We have a shared lifelong passion for nature and the reviving outdoors for all the many benefits it brings us. Addedly, being able to relish this experience with a partner creates special memories we hold with us for years to come.
Our passion to share this with as many people as possible saw our business Cliffside being born. A combination of luxury and nature in our spectacular New Zealand outdoors, and for us a dream turned reality.
Our vision is to provide stunning glamping experiences that will lead people off-grid to reap the rewards of disconnecting from busy life and instead connecting with nature, ourselves and loved ones.
By combining a luxury aspect with our dramatic and breath-taking off-grid settings, we allow guests to get into the outdoors without forgoing home comforts. Thus, encouraging all types of people to experience the soulful recharging energy that nature provides.
Where it all began.....
Our entire family share a love of the outdoors, which led our father, Gavin Shine, alongside developing and running a successful business, to build the first Cliffside glamping tent in 2013. As one of New Zealand’s pioneering glamping sites (if not the first!), the experience Gavin crafted left guests buzzing with excitement, prompting him to build three more tents. Over the past 10+ years these four tents have continued to grow in popularity, with many customers returning time and time again.
With daughter Serena excited to share this special experience, Cliffside was then founded in 2014 with a father daughter partnership, Gavin and Serena. Serena ran and further built up the business and Gavin nurtured and assisted the Cliffside business with his wealth of knowledge whilst further working on and growing Castaways Developments Ltd.
With Gavin and Serena's shared vision to take the concept of luxury glam camping experiences further by offering glamping in a group setting, Gavin then designed and planned a glamping venue to host group events like conferencing, retreats, celebrations, bespoke weddings and more... Gavin and Serena spent a year building the Cliffside Venue almost entirely themselves.
Opened in 2018, the secluded events venue became a very popular group experience and allowed colleagues, friends & families to immerse themselves in a luxury nature base experience where everything is taken care of, so that guests could focus on soaking in the stunning environment and focus on the purpose of the event, be that business, pleasure or celebration.
By 2019, the stars then aligned with sister Jasmine returning from working in Alaska as a dog sledding tour guide, and the business being too much for Serena to solely manage; a new & exciting partnership was formed.
Serena and Jasmine continue their partnership in this small family run business, fuelled by not just a deep sisterly bond, but a shared passion for bringing the benefits of the outdoors to as many people as possible. As owner-operators of Cliffside, they are dedicated to delivering unforgettable glamping experiences, supported by a remarkable team of like-minded individuals who share their values and are downright wonderful people.
Serena & Jasmine Shine - Owners
Serena & Jasmine Shine, sisters from a family of 6, have always had real love for adventure and the great outdoors.
Serena started out as a Combat Field Engineer in the New Zealand Army. Enthusiastic for more, she then moved to Perth to work in the underground gold mines. Next onto open pit mining as an Emergency Service Officer. After breaking her back on a snowboarding adventure and wanting to avoid the long recovery time to return to the mines, she took this opportunity to move back to NZ and pursue a business venture she was passionate about – Glam Camping. Outside of glamping, Serena is a keen outdoors woman & adrenalin seeker. With years of jumping out of planes, mountaineering, hunting & multiple adventures all over the world, Serena & her twin sister started "The Wild Twins" to inspire others to get into the outdoors and show fellow females that anything is possible. Serena & Amber have starred on survival TV shows, interviews, & are involved in motivational speaking throughout NZ. Serena's passion & determination has allowed her to grow the business from day one into what it is today. Now a new mum, she is juggling running the business with the help of the amazing Cliffside team.
Jasmine started her career in the world of adventure guiding abroad. She completed a short season of glacier guiding here in the South Island of NZ - Franz Josef before kicking it all off with a -40degree winter as an overnight dog sled guide in northern America. Jasmine's passion for adventure & the raw environments then led her to Alaska where she worked as a glacier guide running ice hiking & climbing trips. She was then led to running 2-week adventure tours back in her home country before getting itchy feet for adventure & flying back to start an expedition in the most northern & remote part of Alaska. As the seasons changed, Jasmine followed the adventure, her work took her all over Alaska, Canada, Croatia, Iceland etc. In between, Jasmine travelled the globe on personal trips & expeditions - ultimately leading her back to New Zealand where her next business venture awaited. Jasmine worked hard to grow and nurture the Cliffside business to what it is today alongside her sister. The business starting with just one employee (Serena) in 2014, to up to 15 employees in the summer months of 2024.
Nikki - Cliffside Manager
Nikki has been with Cliffside since 2021 after coming from a banking background with a love of the outdoors & her horses. Nikki began as bar manager, she loved the event side of the business & wanted more. Nikki raised her hand & trained up as event coordinator/facilitator. Nikki has been a Cliffside superstar from the get-go. She has worked her way up the ranks & is now manager for the business & we are so very lucky to have her!
Carrie - Sales & Marketing Co-Ordinator
Carrie has a wealth of knowledge & experience from running her very own business for many years. Carrie is a jack of all trades & is heavily involved in strategy & marketing alongside our marketing manager allowing Carrie to thrive in her sales role. Carrie also balances work life with mum life & out does herself in both, often enjoying hikes & the outdoors on her weekends.
Kelly - Events Coordinator/Facilitator
Kelly began with Cliffside as we kicked off again after covid at the beginning of 2023. With Kellys diverse background she's a jack of all trades and is ready to jump into anything that comes her way. With this go getter attitude Kelly has worked her way up in the business in just over a year, & is now our event coordinator running events on the ground.
Mayu - Couples Glamping Supervisor
Our superstar Mayu started with Cliffside at the start of 2022. Mayu very quickly climbed the ranks to become a supervisor & now soley runs the couple's department. Mayu's problem solving allows her to strive & excel in her role & her hard work & effort allows her to run a great team.
Natesha - Events Facilitator & Head of House Keeping
Tesha started with Cliffside in 2022 & within weeks was asked to step into head of housekeeping. Tesha's attention to detail & ability to run a team allowed her to very quickly climb the ranks. Tesha showed a large interest in the running's of events also & soon started training. Today Tesha not only runs a full set up of our amazing Cliffside events, but then step in & facilitates the event also.
Jessica - Accounts Admin
With a varied background in marketing, PR, HR & payroll, Jessica joined the Cliffside team in 2022 in a casual capacity. She jumped at the opportunity to come on board permanently to manage Cliffside's marketing & social media, & soon after, utilised her number-crunching background by taking on some accounts work. This role allows Jessica to juggle work & be a mum to two gorgeous girls who keep her on her toes daily!
Sonja - Housekeeping
Sonja began with Cliffside at the start of 2022 on a part time basis. Sonja is amazing at what she does & is our second in charge at our couples' tents & has jumped into supervisory roles as needed. We couldn't get though our weeks on the ground without her hard work and dedication. Sonja balances work & mum life on the daily and is now training up in event set up.
Petra - Events & Setup
Petra has spent most of her life working in the hospitality industry with a rich background in growing & cooking nourishing food. Petra is such an important part of our Cliffside Team. Petra brings a wealth of knowledge in the food industry but is also amazing in any role she is working in for the day. Now a mama, Petra works on a casual basis & hopes to pass her skills on to her lovely son.