Waikawa Campsite
Otaki
Reviews
Alice
Ranking: 7/10
We were alone at this large DOC campground. Gravel area for self-contained campervans is limited though. There was a shelter with a fire pit that was cluttered with random rubbish. Total fire ban signs were displayed though. Long drop toilet is ok. No cellphone reception.
Ian Dustin
Ranking: 1/10
Yes, you can camp easily. Sadly the bush is in soul destroying state, with Wandering Dew on all forest floor, and Vines over the canopy. The only native birds would be Owl and Hawk, as there is no trapping of pests.
Site is near the end of North Manakau Rd, with DOC signs. Search around for tracks in poor state.
Unnaleese Groom
Ranking: 8/10
Our camping experience at Waikawa Campsite was very pleasant. There is usually plenty of space to set up and do your own thing. There are bush walks to do, easy access river (boil before using), and we particularly loved waking up to the birds. For a free campsite, Waikawa is nice.
Kiwiguy
Ranking: 7/10
Fairly basic camp site. Long drop toilet and sheltered area only 2 buildings. Short nature walk was a nice way to start the morning.
JT
Ranking: 7/10
the little dump toilet was horrible. uneven surface but a lot of space and a good place for one night. take a bath in the river if you want to.
QueeenBeee
Ranking: 4/10
This is a free campsite, but don't expect too much.. Although it is in nature, the facilities are not so great. Water supply is only from a river, but the toilets are much worse. Even though there are 4 of them, only one was opened and that was really something - everyone rather went to the woods... The only plus was the short walk you can take before going to bed.
Jeyeol Rhyu
Ranking: 10/10
한적하고 조용한 캠핑장. 화장실이 깔끔하게 유지되고 있습니다. 아침 산책로도 잘 안내되어 있습니다. 화장실 근처에 3G가 터진다는 안내가 있네요
Nad 05-66
Ranking: 7/10
Beautifull place but the toilets are not so clean !
Jacqui Hutchins
Ranking: 7/10
The long drop is still there but out of use. There are now well maintained portaloos with not a singke sandfly in them.
Isabel van Megen
Ranking: 7/10
It is a beautiful spot right within nature. There is plenty of room for vans, tents and larger motorhomes. Only negative is the little dump toilet. It really should be renewed and is just nasty.
Apart from that it is a great spot and a good starting point for some walks and hikes as well
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Amy Lord
Ranking: 5/10
It was near the river but the toilet was horrible! It smelled, didn’t have toilet paper, lots of spiders and only one onsite. The trash was overflowing and the campgrounds smelled. It was worth the price...free!
Lizzy Cobeldick
Ranking: 7/10
Really pretty area and nice areas to walk around and nice to hear the river. Had a cool shelter with fire pit. Someone had ripped up the grass so was muddy and could not camp in a lot of the grounds and the long drops were pretty gross. We would still stay here again.
Kirsty B
Ranking: 10/10
Nice little campground amongst the birds and the trees. Drop loo problem seems to have been sorted -it was nice and clean and even had toilet paper. Would happily camp there again.
Sheila Webb
Ranking: 9/10
Fabulous walks in the area.
Rhea Welsh-Hussain
Ranking: 7/10
Really pretty DOC campground but the drop loo was terrible. There was also a cat (from a caravan) that kept trying to get or food! Also a few sand flies, but the stunning waterhole made up for it all.
Tatiana Rochereau
Ranking: 7/10
DOC basic campsite. Not far from the main road. Easily accessible. So many places. Shelter to cook. Shade. Really cool. Protect and respect nature !
Loic JOURNET
Ranking: 8/10
Grand espace de verdure proche d'une rivière avec des gouilles pour se baigner
Mabel Vanasperen
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful spot. Several good places hard to find after dark. Very basic facilities but there is a shelter. Excellent place to stay on the way to take the boat in Wellington, but you risk staying too long in the morning.
CMG
Ranking: 7/10
Great overnight camping/parking. Basic campsite, but pretty, sheltered and quiet. Easy access of the highway.
Arvid Hellquist
Ranking: 7/10
Basic campsite. FREE! Nice river after about ten minutes walk.
James Webster
Ranking: 5/10
Free campsite but unfortunately not a very nice long drop and badly signed. A good distance down Manukau Road North.
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Vojtech Mejzlik
Ranking: 7/10
Nice quiet free camping, very large area, lots of green and trees, 2 dry wc, there's a small bay/pound in bush where you can dip called Swimming hall-5min walk, the place is well maintained.
Joanna Doran
Ranking: 8/10
Stunning spot, very quiet. Not loads of sites but we had no issue. Great stop over spot on the way south. We drove from here to Wellington and had most of the day to explore the city and museum before an evening ferry.
Meredith Griffiths
Ranking: 10/10
Free campsite with toilets, a shelter where you can make a fire and a nice walking track right next to the campsite. Really enjoyed camping here.
Aurelien Noailly
Ranking: 7/10
Beautiful place, no showers, no rubbish bins.... but free.
Pei
Ranking: 9/10
Awesome place with a good view during autumn time, could see tui, and if you are lucky, you will have some fruits on the trees. Pitching a tent, lights a fire, having a cold bath, great!!
ramy
Ranking: 8/10
Campground was a nice quiet campground with lots of places to camp. Loved the Tui birds. There were fruit trees that I cannot identify and other unique vegetation. A nice free campground if you are self-contained and on your way North or South. There is a shelter house built to accommodate a fire in the center and seating along the outside for groups.
Mycall
Ranking: 8/10
Equally well resourced and looked after as many DOC sites that you have to pay for. This free site is very well situated if you are travelling on SH1. Just to update or correct other reviews, there are long drop toilets but not that many so I could imagine they might get a bit scuzzy if the site is busy. There is also a large shelter which has a purpose made opening in the roof to facilitate an open fire under cover. Nice touch.
Dick Kooij
Ranking: 3/10
Along the river, grass was high, toilets were dirty, we drove away.
rhoskin
Ranking: 9/10
excellent camp ground. quiet, even in the height of summer holidays you can still find a nice private area there. a nice small bush walk. good river. we were pleasantly surprised and will definitely go there again!
sidcupjon
Ranking: 7/10
A free DOC campsite, no different to some of the paid DOC campsites, so its a bargain!
Andrew Hammond
Ranking: 8/10
Very basic campsite but FREE. No toilets or showers but a great spot right beside the river.
Very quiet and had a nice fire.