Mike1952
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Wellington Waterfront Motorhome Park
Very central and convenient for both city sights and the ferries.
Other campsites require driving some distance in to Wellington.
Right in the public eye but we felt very safe.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Hokitika ▷
The Hokitika Glowworm Dell
This is great.
Take a torch!!
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Fox Glacier ▷
Fox Glacier / Te Ara o Tuawe Walk
Nice walk with good views.
Not too long and not at all difficult apart from a couple of sets of stepping stones.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Miranda ▷
Miranda Shorebird Centre
A 'must-see' for anyone interested in birds.
Literally thousands of birds close to the hide (Check and time your visit to coincide with high tide!)
Could be improved with a bit more information (on the likely sightings) in the hide itself rather than just at the Centre.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Fox Glacier ▷
Gillespies Beach Campsite
Well, it is a nice spot but soooo crowded.
Basic DOC site. Ideal for Lake Matheson walk and Fox Glacier. The small miners cemetery is interesting.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Orewa ▷
Te Haruhi Bay Camping Ground
A really nice site run by Auckland Council.
Lots of space, clean loos and cold showers. Nice walks and nice beach. Lots of interesting birdlife. Great place for first night(s) if you are landing in Auckland. Be sure and visit the Titiri bird Island which departs from the next bay round.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast ▷
Haast Beach Holiday Park
I certainly wouldn't say it was the worst site we stayed in, in our four week tour, although there was no internet or cell phone coverage.
The estuary boardwalk is great for birds. We saw terns, kingfishers (lots), three types of heron and ...a SPOONBILL!!
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Fox Glacier ▷
Lake Matheson Walk
Quite an easy walk through a magical lake and forest setting.
Unfortunately it was misty and we didn't get great views of the mountains. Even so - a fabulous experience.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Cascade Creek Campsite
Spacious DOC site.
Very scenic.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
The Rock Adventure Cruise
What can one say that hasn't been said?
Must be one of the best trips in NZ. Never a dull moment!
Hi Mike, we have to agree! Thank you so much
Jonny Greener
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
Trounson Kauri Park Campground
Must be the only DOC site in New Zealand which offers powered sites.
Very nice walk through Kauri forest. We spotted a kiwi just outside the campsite. Also lots of glow worms if you do the trail at night.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Mount Cook ▷
Hooker Valley Track
Really nice, varied walk.
Definitely a couple of hours each way for the average walker. (If you do the shorter walk up to Kea point you can get a different view down over the first lake.)
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
Cathedral Cove Walk
A beautiful walk with super sandy beach and sea-cove scenery at the end.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Mount Cook ▷
Glentanner Park
We thought the facilities were quite good.
However there were no lights outside and we had real trouble finding our camper-van in pitch black.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
Hot Water Beach
VERY crowded...and let's face it..if you've seen one hot water beach, you've seen them all.
;)
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu ▷
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Great site to stay at in the Rotorua area.
The fabulous, free hot pools are what gives it the high ranking.
(Sorry, this was meant to be a review of Waikite Pools Campsite, next door)
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Westport ▷
Cape Foulwind Walkway
This is a really great cliff walk with a fur-seal colony at one ned and lighthouse at the other.
Well worth doing the whole walk both ways if the weather is good.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Coromandel Town ▷
Driving Creek Railway & Potteries
Very nice experience.
Choose a clear day for great views at the top.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo ▷
Mount John via Lakeshore
We did several great hikes on our NZ tour, but this one was the best.
First a climb up to the observatory and those stunning 360 views. Then lose most of the tourists by continuing on down to the lakeside for the return route. We had great weather but with a layer of snow on all the mountain tops. Breathtaking!!
The peninsula walkway (nearby) is also well worth doing.
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South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township ▷
Rob Roy Track
An outstanding scenic walk but only a 9 because of the terrible access road.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo ▷
Lakes Edge Holiday Park
Top 10 prices but not really up to Top 10 standard.
We had trouble finding a spot in (either) kitchen late in the evening. Toilet block clean but a little drab. However...it is ideally placed for the **absolutely superb** walk (from the campsite) up Mt John. Make sure you carry on down and do the whole loop.