Andy and Julia
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
Waitapu River Bridge
Just off the highway, drive down to a bit of rough land next to the bridge.
Patchy grass and deep ruts, so it’s tough to find a level spot. Lots of room though, and a drop toilet, and at the moment Portaloos in better condition than the long drop, but all were clean. Right on the river, so was pretty chilled, other than the roadworks in the morning. Was a bit of a downer.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Nelson ▷
Isel Park, Main Road Stoke Carpark
We were lucky to grab one of these 3 spaces as we got there around 4pm.
Still, we were the first there. Great spot in the park, perfect place to enjoy the afternoon sun, or play some disk golf. Toilets a little wall away, but clean and in good condition. Not a place for large vehicles.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Abel Tasman ▷
Old Macdonalds Farm and Holiday Park
Spacious farm ground, which had excellelent amenities.
Clean and well kept shower and kitchen blocks. Was a much needed hot and powerful shower after our walk. Only downside was paid WiFi...
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Woodville ▷
Woodville Ferry Reserve
Large and spacious camp ground just outside Woodville.
The view of the river, cliffs and bridge were fantastic. It was perfectly quiet and peaceful throughout the night. Only problems were smelly drop toilets and no water, and just a little out of the way, but that’s just being picky.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mt Taranaki ▷
North Egmont Carparks
Great camping car park to start a hike up Mt.
Taranaki. The staff there are wonderfully helpful as I hit my head pretty hard on the boot of our van and seeked medical attention... Plenty of room, with clean toilets available all night and drinking water from the water fountains. Top spot.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Greymouth ▷
Cobden Beachfront, Greymouth
Amazing spot next to the sea front.
Excellent toilets plus a cold shower (I braved it, but it was worth it). Room for 12+ Vehicles, so a decent sized car park. Can’t beat a sunset over the ocean.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim ▷
Lake Argyle
Weird spot to find, this one...
Turn off the highway at the sign for Lake Argyle, follow the road and gravel track up and over the hill past the hydro works, camping is allowed on the other side of the lake, drive round and you’ll see the toilets and picnic bench next to the boat ramp. We liked this place. Popular with fishers, and we were the only non local camper, but all were friendly. Flushing toilets with lights for night time peeing, plus non potable water. Lovely sunny afternoon spent there.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Motueka ▷
Port Motueka Beach Reserve
For a free camping spot, you can’t ask for more.
Large parking bays, decent flush toilets (no light in the night), cold shower, water supply, and 2 separate sinks for dish washing (cleaning liquid somehow provided!). Great place to stay before and after journies to Abel Tasman. Just get there before 4 as spaces are limited. The sunrise over the ocean in the morning is incredible.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Porirua ▷
Ngāti Toa
Great spot away from the craziness of the city.
Beautiful camp site next to the water. Good amount of spaces, we never had trouble to find something. Toilets are available and in ok condition.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Evans Bay Marina Carpark
A 9 is pretty justified here.
We actually spent 5 nights in total here due to its convenience. Only 4 nights are allowed in a calendar month, so we lucked out by the month change. Get there early as it gets full mid afternoon, although there are many spaces. Toilets are a short walk, but only 2, which for the amount of campers was a bit less. Fresh water and dump station. Bus routes close by, as well as your usual supermarkets. Swim centre and library both in the near, so win win.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Westport ▷
Kawatiri Beach Reserve – Westport
Large area right next to the beach.
Single drop toilet, with a sink! Was quite smelly in the evening, but was all clear in the morning... may have been from the heat of the day. We liked it.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Ngawi ▷
Cape Palliser
We arrived at the wrong time of year for the weather, but we liked this place anyhow just for the amount of seals in the near.
For a real wild seal experience, this cannot be beaten. Take a drive up to the lighthouse and see them all relaxing on the grass and coastline. A lot of space on a grassy and gravel area. Drop toilets were the cleanest we’ve experience and many bins for waste and separate recycling.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Castlepoint Carpark
This is a must do for the east coast.
A little hidden gem. Views of the lighthouse and incredible stars. Beach either side, and a cruisy little trek towards the cliff and back. Toilets available all night. Basic, and remember your torch. Amazing slights of the lighthouse at night, definitely worth a visit.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ New Plymouth ▷
Lake Rotomanu, New Plymouth
Plenty of space here next to the lake.
It is monitored for SC and there are a few spaces for Non SC also, so be sure you park in the right places. Was a tad windy there, but didn’t bother us. Toilets were decent enough. There’s Te Rewa Rewa Bridge a short walk on the otherside of the lake. Go check it out!
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Huntly ▷
'The Point' Ngaruawahia Domain
Odd place, this one.
Arrived at 8:30pm, toilets already closed. Limited places available, majority taken up by one huge motor home. Near a train track, but stopped a little after 10pm. When the toilets are open, very friendly voice, and music playing. 10 min limit though. Good stop off if you’re passing through and need a place to stay.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
Hahei Beach Resort
A second time stay here for one of us in Hahei, and it will be worth another visit.
Large campground right next to absolutely stunning beach, and an hour walk Cathedral Cove, plus a short drive to hot water beach. So perfectly located. Clean toilets always close enough to the camp sites, and drinking water stations everywhere! Good size kitchen with many places to cook. Same with the showers, always available. A couple of downers, the tv room was out of action, which would of been handy on the rainy day we had there, and a fair few ants in the kitchen grabbing loose scraps. But, was free WiFi for March, good connection throughout the park, managed to watch Netflix in the evening. Staff were super friendly, really helpful for everything we needed, they pushed the score to a 9. We will be back!
Thanks for the feedback. Very delighted that you enjoyed the beach and nearby activities. The direct walk from the resort to Cathedral Cove is about 3.5 kms each way but there is a track all the way so you don't have to walk on any roads which is great. We are always striving to keep the kitchen immaculate by having it routinely cleaned three times a day.
hahei_holiday_resort
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Te Aroha ▷
Te Aroha Holiday Park & Backpackers
First stay at a holiday park, and it was everything we needed.
$35 for 2 people in a camper. Unsure if that including power, but they offer it. Hot showers, tv room with a $5 key deposit to charge all your gear up. Good size kitchen with 8 hot plates, fridges and freezer. Unfortunately there was no toilet paper in the morning, and the laundry only washes with cold water. Otherwise it could’ve been a 10/10. Real good campground, for a real good price.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Coromandel Town ▷
Kapanga Road
Lovely little spot opposite a police station.
Felt pretty secure knowing the police were opposite, kept peace of mind. Grass area next to a stream with a picnic bench, pretty relaxing. It is next to a ‘main’ road. But not much traffic going past. Toilets a little walk away and closed in the night. Clean and open fairly early. Beautiful sunset. Not so many places, so get there before the evening time.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Otorohanga ▷
Lake Ngaroto
Both of us really liked this place.
A little away from everything, and you have to drive all the way to the end for the campground. But once you’re there, it’s a very quiet and peaceful place next to the lake. New drop toilets are a little walk away (about 500m), but clean, and with sanitiser. No water available which is always a downer. But a relaxing spot with a beautiful sunset.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
Omara Boat Ramp Reserve
This is an amazing hidden gem.
Beautiful spot next to the water away from busy streets and car parks. A few people jetting off with their boats at the wharf, so good to watch. Flush toilets open all night and were clean enough. You can fit 6 in there comfortably, or 8 with a squeeze. Can’t complain about this spot. One of our favourites.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Whangarei ▷
Sandy Bay Carpark, Whangarei
Beautiful sunset spot by the beach.
A pretty small camp place, so be sure to get there before the evening as we had to squeeze close together. Ok toilets, male and female separated, but no one really cared. We still really enjoyed our night, and who doesn’t love waking up next to the beach.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Raetea North Side Campsite
Relaxing place off of Highway 1, right next to a beautiful stream.
Didn’t hear the traffic at all which was a nice surprise. A lot of space for camping. Only issue was the toilets are on the other side of the wir, so meant jumping over the water. A local eel is swimming in the stream which was cool to see. Drop toilets were clean, no water around, so no sink. Was a pretty chill spot.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Whangarei ▷
Reyburn House Lane Carpark, Whangarei
This one is a mixed one.
Close to the centre and next to the water which was pretty sweet. We parked in the bays next to the walkway, so many passers by and runner. Toilets were a little walk away and were closed in the night, but they were clean and look quite new. We arrived at 5pm after our walk around the Falls and there were not many places left. Not a bad spot for staying a night.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Orewa ▷
Laurie Southwick Parade, Gulf Harbour
Sweet and quiet spot.
It’s a designated area away from the rest of the car park, so no one who is in and out. We got there around 7pm and was nearly full, so make it an early stop. Toilets were good enough, and also a dumping station. Beautiful sunset to end our first day camping. Would recommend!
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Tapotupotu Campsite
A large, family run camping ground next to Cape Reinga, right next to the beach.
It’s down a gravel road so take care. We paid $26 for 2 people in a camper, which we thought was a little excessive. I guess they make the most out of being so close to a tourist attraction. Drop toilets and outside cold showers, but all were clean. Was a pleasant night, great for stargazing, just a little pricy.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Whatipu Lodge Campground
A massive thanks to Pete and his wife for the help and the beautiful campsite.
The campground is after a 5km gravel road, which gave us a small puncture along the way. But Pete, our saviour, came along with a jack and wheel brace to help us change our wheel. $15 for 2 people was quite reasonable. Drop toilets, cold showers and small kitchen. So basic amenities. A short walk away from a beautiful black sand beach, perfect for a stroll. Amazing owners, would give them 10/10 if it wasn’t for the gravel road. Thanks again!
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Whangarei ▷
Ocean Beach Carpark, Whangarei
One of our favourite spots on our trip.
Only 4-5 places available for camping in a bigger car park, but people just camped close by anyway. Even for a car park, was an especially beautiful place. Trees, bushes, picnic benches all through the car park made it a scenic place. Just a small walk over the sand dunes to the beach. Was a little windy on the beach but we found our good spot to sunbathe and swim. Toilets were fairly new and clean, with a cold shower on the outside. Water is a tad murky, but it’s not meant to be drunk. Also this spot was a great place to see the stars. Loved it.