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Tīwai
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Hipapatua / Reid's Farm Recreation Reserve Free Campsite
Here during winter (is first gate before the proper Hipapatua reserve) it was absolutely freezing, had ice form inside the van.
Bring a hotwater bottle. The toilet was a portaloo, and it seemed to be cleaned daily.
Get here fast because the camp area is small and it fills up fast.
Beautiful view of river if you park near the edge.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ New Plymouth ▷
Lake Rotomanu, New Plymouth
Was a very busy spot during July.
We arrived when it was already dark and we squeezed in next to some motor homes, noise wasn't a problem. There are flushing toilets up the hill near the NSC (non self contained) parks.
The view lake side is amazing, and a little drive around the lake brought us to the Rewa Rewa Bridge.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Hawera ▷
Waihi Beach Reserve, Hawera
There spots here for staying overnight.
The toilets were clean but no lights at night time.
It is a very cold spot at night time. The beach is really cool to explore, there is a decent hill to walk down and up though.
There was one asshole who drove through the reserve at 5am honking the horn.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mokau ▷
Tongaporutu (The Three Sisters)- Overnight Campervan Parking
Stayed here in winter, pretty cold off shore wind.
Toilets were gross. Stayed one night, walked to Elephant rock at low tide. Stick to the walls of the cliffs and you won't get stuck in the estry mud.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Lakefront Carpark, Rotorua
There are three Campervan parks near the church, get in there if you can There are another five parks and two disabled parks that you will drive passed first but just keep going.
When we stayed here there were people that parked in those unmarked parks and looks like they were ok. It was kinda noisy throughout the night with cars and people and talking, as it was Friday night, and then the recycling truck came through at 3am.
The toilets are open all night and are about a 2min walk.
Lake looked so beautiful in the morning if the sun is out. Super close to the city too!
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Oakura ▷
Upper Lucys Gully Carpark
Keep driving until you reach the spot, it does take abit of effort.
We arrived about 7pm, it was dark but felt warm because of the tall trees, however I could not hear any nightlife. The toilets are flushing ones which was really good to discover. No reception there at all.
In the morning I heard a chopper overhead, then a car raced up. Once we emerged from the van. We began talking with this guy, he seemed abit odd and asked us if we knew of the stories of this place while smerking. Thankfully a DoC ranger came up and interrupted this weird interaction. However she told us that there was currently a 1080 drop happening. And looking around at the ground I could see the green pallets. We hurried out of there in no time.
Like overall it was ok there, but once was enough for us.