8 Rankers Reviews
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Large gravel and sand area just off the Desert Road - State Highway 1.
Stunning views of Mt Ruapehu on a clear day
Very exposed to the weather so plan accordingly - this area does get snow in winter.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Central North IslandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must display the "Responsible Camper" sticker. |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 4 nights You are permitted to stay at this campsite for up to four nights in a row. |
Maximum Sites Available |
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Maximum Sites AvailableHow many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? Up to 5 sites There are only between one and five camping/parking sites available. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? No water supply There is no supply of fresh water. |
Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available. |
Dump Station |
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Dump StationDump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles. |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Powered Sites |
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Powered SitesDoes this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. Be mindful of the soft sandy areas |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Restricted Freedom Camping Site Department of Conservation Restricted Freedom Camping Sites are for Self Contained Vehicles only with restrictions over length of stay. Some of these locations may have a toilet, but this can't be expected. |
WiFi Internet |
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WiFi InternetWhat type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? No toilet There are no toilet facilities available. |
✓ Spectacular mountain views
✓ Large open space
✓ Quiet spot
✓ Wicked sunsets
✓ Few people around
𐄂 No signage
𐄂 Traffic noise from highway
A sandy area just off the highway.
Great views and very quite.
Great views of snowy mountains.
Amazing spot on a clear day.
Don’t stay here!!
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 1 |
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13% |
9/10 | 4 |
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50% |
8/10 | 1 |
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13% |
7/10 | 0 |
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0% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 1 |
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13% |
1/10 | 1 |
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13% |
0.5/5
Don’t stay here!!
No signage and right next to the highway. Much better off driving on to the national army museum car park in Waiouru.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
A kind police officer informed us that this area is not actually permitted for freedom camping (hence the lack of signage etc.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.0/5
Great views and very quite.
There are no DOC signs and the ground is very soft so make sure you stick to the hard ground leading from the road.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
5.0/5
Awesome place got right up to the 3 lodges camped one nite there then another nite further down the hill, first nite got to -4 and bit of a storm loved it for the start on Jan 2022… no people and not hot
perfect.
Second nite was amazing had a wicked sunset can’t wait to return
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.5/5
Amazing spot on a clear day.
Incredible views of the mountains and large open space for our campervan! Only downside is the traffic noise from the Hiighway, but worth it for the view.
Reviewed about 3 years ago
1.0/5
Felt uncomfortable parking here as there was no DOC freedom camp signage here
Reviewed about 3 years ago
4.5/5
Great views of snowy mountains.
Big sandy area to side of road. Kids had fun playing in the snow.
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.5/5
A sandy area just off the highway.
(No toilets.) It's an amazing, unique landscape with a great view of the mountain. Kids can play among the grassy bumps. We loved it.
Downsides are the road noise from the highway, and that people sometimes drive through on their way to the Tukino skifield.
The site was deserted when we stayed in July, although people turned up in the morning.
Reviewed over 4 years ago