Awastone
4.6 49 reviews
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Awastone
A riverside campground, accommodation and adventure hub in Mangaweka, perfectly placed halfway between Wellington and Taupō. Camp, stay, eat and enjoy river activities, ideal as a road-trip stop or a destination in its own right!
Awastone is a safe and secure location, with sites set along private river front property, awesome for families, anglers or those that just want to relax. This quality camper van park offers powered and non powered sites inclusive with a full shared kitchen, WiFi unlimited hot shower / toilet facilities, all HC accessible. The 2 cabins available include a 4 bedroom ensuite and studio that looks over the river. The private cedar hot tub is a great way to soak your body under the New Zealand stars. Laundry facilities are available at an extra cost.
Sorry no dump station and no pets.
Awastone is a licensed cafe and acts as the base for a 40yr old family river adventure company. Even children as young as 3yrs old can enjoy the "splash n giggle" of the Rangitikei River. Trips depart 3 x daily during the main summer season. Bookings are essential during off season.
The licensed cafe is open daily from 8am - 8pm during the main summer months, weekends only in off season and closed June and July.
Explore all that Mangaweka has to offer: rafting, kayaking, cycling, hiking and heaps more, right at your doorstep.
Awastone is a riverside campground, accommodation and activity base located in Mangaweka, on the banks of the Rangitīkei River.
Mangaweka Campground operates under Awastone, offering a range of camping and accommodation options in a relaxed, well-serviced setting.
Perfectly positioned halfway between Wellington and Taupō, Awastone is an ideal place to break the journey north or south. It’s also well located for travellers heading to or from Tongariro National Park and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Awastone isn’t just a stop for the night. Many guests choose to stay longer and make the most of the river, space and on-site facilities.
Accommodation options range from powered and non powered campsites through to studio and groups cabins.
Awastone offers a range of on-site facilities and experiences:
– Licensed café on-site - offering a daily breakfast lunch and dinner menu, cabinet food and specials, coffees + hot drinks, and a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
– River activities including guided rafting, kayaking and scenic float trips
– Cedar hot tub available for private hire
– Massage studio on site
– Open riverside grounds for swimming, relaxing and exploring
The Rangitīkei River runs alongside the property, and the surrounding area offers access to walking tracks, fishing spots, river gorges and the Ruahine Ranges, making it a great base for outdoor-focused travellers.
Please note: pets are not permitted at Awastone. Due to wandering birds and wildlife across the property, we are unable to accommodate pets.
Awastone suits campers, couples, families and groups looking for a relaxed riverside stay with good facilities, easy access to activities, and a location that makes sense whether you’re travelling through or staying put.
Accommodations
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Standard
Awastone
Powered Riverside Camping
Riverside campsites on the Rangitīkei River. Well-spaced sites with easy access to toilets, hot showers and swimming spots. Ideal for couples, families and road-trippers wanting room to unwind and relax.
Extra Adult (16+)
$10/night Extra Child (5-15)
$5/night Children Under 5
FREE -
Standard
Awastone
Tuis Flight
Tuis Flight | Quaint Studio at Awastone
A comfortable cabin overlooking the Rangitīkei River with a hot drinks station, fridge, Wi-Fi and shared toilets and showers. Close to the licensed café, hot tub (bookable) and on-site river activities - ideal for couples and solo travellers.
Tui's Flight Nightly Rate
$120/night -
Standard
Awastone
Non Powered Camping
Grassy non-powered campsites with access to shared facilities including toilets, hot showers and a kitchen. A relaxed, affordable option for tents and self-contained campers up to 6metres.
Non Powered Site Price (Includes first 2 people)
$55/night Extra Adult (16+)
$10/night Extra Child (5-15)
$5/night Extra Child Under 5
FREE -
Standard
Awastone
The Pavilion
Pavilion | Groups Cabin at the Mangaweka Campground
A flexible group accommodation option by the Rangitīkei River in Mangaweka. Ideal for large families, clubs and groups, with indoor space, shared kitchen with a large paddock for tents + campers.
The Pavilion Base Rate
$70/night Adult (16+)
$15/night Child (5-15)
$5/night Child Under 5
FREE -
Standard
Awastone
The Bach
The Bach | Studio Cabin at Mangaweka Campground
A classic kiwi style studio cabin overlooking the river. Ideal for singles, couples or small families, with a kitchenette, outdoor cooking area and shared campground facilities. Pet friendly (outside only)
The Bach Nightly Rate (Includes 2 people)
$90/night Extra Adult
$15/night Extra Child (5-15)
$5/night Extra Child Under 5
FREE -
Standard
Awastone
Pukeko Palace
Pukeko Palace | Ensuite Cabin at Awastone
Four-bedroom ensuite accommodation at Awastone for families or groups of up to 10. Includes a small kitchenette, Wi-Fi, linen and laundry access, plus easy access to on-site café, shared kitchen, hot tub and river activities.
Pukeko Palace Nightly Rate (Includes two people)
$150/night Extra Guests (All Ages 5+)
$30/night
Details
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Organisation |
Mangaweka Adventure CoCommercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Mangaweka |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Accommodation & Camping:
Café:
River activities:
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Reviews
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Okay it’s perfection.
Laura E -
Lovely, peaceful place to stay.
Peter Waller -
One of the best spots!
Brooke Hammond -
Best campground we have stayed at!
Nik -
Brilliant place to stay.
Linda Eagleton
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Beautiful spot down the river (great for a dip).
Plenty of shaded spots about. A few bugs but not too bad. Decent facilities with a good hot shower ($4.5 for 7/8 minutes). Overall good site
Thanks Sol!
Kelsey
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Lovely spot right next to the river!
I didn't realize they had non-powered sites on their Awastone side of the bridge, so chose that in hopes it might offer a bit of privacy given it was a weekday. But that area is quite crowded with just 4 or 5 sites in a small grassy area. The unlimited hot showers was a bonus and being right next to the cafe, but ultimately probably should've opted for the Mangaweka side on those non-powered sites.
Otherwise friendly staff, beautiful spot and great atmosphere, would highly recommend!
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Nice place.
Great views. Tile showers. Friendly staff. Clean. Not crowded. Water at the site. Restaurant and bar. Live music. Hot tub for $25/hr.
Only reason I give it a 9 is no dump station and no good advice for where I could dump. Otherwise, best place we've been at. Would 100% return.
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Excellent campsite!
Friendly staff.
Clean, beautiful, and cosy.
We enjoyed our stay for 2 nights.
/Nik
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A little gem, great facilities and lovely people with amazing views and super quiet.
One of our favourites
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Great spot, nice amenities and right next to the river.
The cheaper campground of the two had a wedding going on so we stayed near the cafe which was quiet and enjoyable. Wifi was bad though where the non powered sites are.
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Perhaps the best camp ground of our trip so far.
Great location, facilities and staff.
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We chose this campsite because we could have a fire which is unusual around NZ, camped down on the right hand side of the bridge.
Awesome stone cliffs, beautiful, camped right buy the river, hidden gem. Hot shower and toilets. Walked over to Awastone for lunch, reasonable prices even for drinks. If you camp on the right can have dogs, but powered sites up top away from the river. Lovely site.
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Awesome place and superbly friendly and helpful hosts.
We popped in for the night and ended up staying an extra night and would definitely book again on future trips. We stayed right by the river and the facilities are clean and up to date. Highly recommend hiring the hot tub for an hour at the end of a long day driving or just for a bit of self indulgent pleasure during your stay. The cafe on site has great food and is well priced. It's been a pleasure staying here.
Thank you for your lovely review. Great to hear you enjoyed your stay..
Tricia Eames
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Okay it’s perfection.
We ended up staying an extra night because it’s so lush. $24 pp per night for a powered site (they don’t have unpowered sites unfortunately) and $25 for an hour in the hot tub for up to 6 people. It’s really close to the river which is warm enough to swim in! It’s very quiet at night and there’s enough solar lighting to see your way around but it doesn’t disturb you when sleeping. There’s grass by the parks which they said was fine to set up our awning on :) the parks probably suit smaller vehicles better though. There’s free hot showers and the bathrooms are very clean. There’s also a cafe/bar/restaurant which is very reasonably priced with a lot of nice seating. Oh and there is a kitchen with everything you need including a fridge. Full on glamping.
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Brilliant place to stay.
Cafe open in summer - Sunday evening session with love band. Parked right beside river. What a treasure of a find.
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Quiet, restful campground by the river, great amenities, lovely and clean, highly recommended, we will return.
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Wonderful place to stay.
We were not many campers, so we had plenty of space. Showers and toilets very clean. Burgers looked good. Close to the road but really quiet.
-
Best campground we have stayed at!
Amazing views of the river, great facilities and the friendliest hosts. Fantastic atmosphere. A must see in NZ.
-
Beautiful spot down the river (great for a dip).
Plenty of shaded spots about. A few bugs but not too bad. Decent facilities with a good hot shower ($4.5 for 7/8 minutes). Overall good site
Thanks Sol!
Kelsey
-
Lovely spot right next to the river!
I didn't realize they had non-powered sites on their Awastone side of the bridge, so chose that in hopes it might offer a bit of privacy given it was a weekday. But that area is quite crowded with just 4 or 5 sites in a small grassy area. The unlimited hot showers was a bonus and being right next to the cafe, but ultimately probably should've opted for the Mangaweka side on those non-powered sites.
Otherwise friendly staff, beautiful spot and great atmosphere, would highly recommend!
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Nice place.
Great views. Tile showers. Friendly staff. Clean. Not crowded. Water at the site. Restaurant and bar. Live music. Hot tub for $25/hr.
Only reason I give it a 9 is no dump station and no good advice for where I could dump. Otherwise, best place we've been at. Would 100% return.
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Excellent campsite!
Friendly staff.
Clean, beautiful, and cosy.
We enjoyed our stay for 2 nights.
/Nik
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A little gem, great facilities and lovely people with amazing views and super quiet.
One of our favourites
-
Great spot, nice amenities and right next to the river.
The cheaper campground of the two had a wedding going on so we stayed near the cafe which was quiet and enjoyable. Wifi was bad though where the non powered sites are.
-
We chose this campsite because we could have a fire which is unusual around NZ, camped down on the right hand side of the bridge.
Awesome stone cliffs, beautiful, camped right buy the river, hidden gem. Hot shower and toilets. Walked over to Awastone for lunch, reasonable prices even for drinks. If you camp on the right can have dogs, but powered sites up top away from the river. Lovely site.
-
Perhaps the best camp ground of our trip so far.
Great location, facilities and staff.
-
Awesome place and superbly friendly and helpful hosts.
We popped in for the night and ended up staying an extra night and would definitely book again on future trips. We stayed right by the river and the facilities are clean and up to date. Highly recommend hiring the hot tub for an hour at the end of a long day driving or just for a bit of self indulgent pleasure during your stay. The cafe on site has great food and is well priced. It's been a pleasure staying here.
Thank you for your lovely review. Great to hear you enjoyed your stay..
Tricia Eames
-
Okay it’s perfection.
We ended up staying an extra night because it’s so lush. $24 pp per night for a powered site (they don’t have unpowered sites unfortunately) and $25 for an hour in the hot tub for up to 6 people. It’s really close to the river which is warm enough to swim in! It’s very quiet at night and there’s enough solar lighting to see your way around but it doesn’t disturb you when sleeping. There’s grass by the parks which they said was fine to set up our awning on :) the parks probably suit smaller vehicles better though. There’s free hot showers and the bathrooms are very clean. There’s also a cafe/bar/restaurant which is very reasonably priced with a lot of nice seating. Oh and there is a kitchen with everything you need including a fridge. Full on glamping.
-
Brilliant place to stay.
Cafe open in summer - Sunday evening session with love band. Parked right beside river. What a treasure of a find.
-
Quiet, restful campground by the river, great amenities, lovely and clean, highly recommended, we will return.
-
Wonderful place to stay.
We were not many campers, so we had plenty of space. Showers and toilets very clean. Burgers looked good. Close to the road but really quiet.
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Best campground we have stayed at!
Amazing views of the river, great facilities and the friendliest hosts. Fantastic atmosphere. A must see in NZ.
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Lovely spot by the river, very friendly staff.
Only a few spaces for campervans but parked right by the river. Kitchen and bathrooms clean and well maintained.
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- Lack of privacy because the spots are right next to each other - feels like a parking lot.
- Showers included, but not very clean.
- Kitchen isn't fully equipped and most of the stuff was dirty.
+ River is awesome.
+ Staff is very friendly.
>> Payed 34$ for 2 people - would have expected more.
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Highly recommended.
Beautiful spot next to the river, nice little cafe/bar on site, clean showers/toilets
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Powered site for 1 is a tad bit expensive but worth the price if you’re after a nicer experience.
Sites back onto the river with an amazing view. Hosts are wonderful and super helpful. Get in early to get a more private park but either way you will still have amazing amenities, limitless shower time, good clean kitchen facilities and laundry area.
Many thanks for taking the time to review our riverside haven. Hope we see you again.
Tricia Eames
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We stayed at Awastone with our little non-self contained camper van.
The place is beautifully located right at the Whanganui River. The toilets, showers and the kitchen are very clean and tidy, WiFi is free and fast, and most of all: People are extremely friendly and helpful. Would have loved to stay longer, take a kayaking trip and have a few more beers at the bar.
What a lovely review. Great to hear you enjoyed it here at Awastone - by the Rangitikei River ;)..Cheers
Tricia Eames
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Stunning, quiet spot right beside the Rangitikei River with towering white cliff backdrop.
Loved that we could have campfires and there was a bar/cafe. Amenities clean and tidy, owners friendly. No cost for showers and free 1 GB wi fi. Both Awastone and the basic Mangaweka Campsites are unique and special. Highly recommend.
Cheers for the great review. We really appreciate it. Hopefully we will see you again soon.
Tricia Eames