Excellent freedom camping right on a wild West Coast beach, can be windy and a lot of seaspray if the sea is rough.

Self-contained vehicles ONLY- do not be tempted, you must have a CSC sticker- the council do a check every morning around 5am. Two sleeper vans got $200 tickets this morning, one yesterday and 3 on the weekend! 3 Night maximum stay.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2015

The real McCoy kiwi camping ground- $5 a head, toilets and wash basins.

Park in a paddock surrounded by sheep & weka. Fabulous white sand beautiful beach in the outer Sounds. A very long drive in to site along Kenepuru Sound Road and a very steep drop down a winding road to camp site. Not suitable for large motorhomes. Magnificent outer Sound views.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2014

Small DOC camp with fabulous views, ideal spot to stay if driving to French Pass.

Watch if its windy though, the wind can come from all quarters. Don't know what Ann from Germany was expecting, it's a DOC camp for goodness sake, it's about getting back to basics. At least there is a toilet(and it was clean), saves people in their happy crappers fouling our beautiful countryside.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2014

Large area with plenty of spots to park, good facilities and not too far from Picton, the road in is pretty winding, do keep left.

Also make sure you pay your fees and are certified self contained- DOC ranger comes early morning & late evening to check.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in October 2014

Fantastic walk, may sure you go at low tide and do the round trip (approx 2hrs) otherwise you can't walk the whole beach or see the Archway Islands in their full glory.

Plus huge sea caves and beautiful white sand dunes. Make sure a fine day too and no wind(sea spray) for best NZ photo opportunies.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in September 2014

A very interesting walk and well worth the effort especially the steep and uneven climb up to the walkway from the carpark.

Amazing feat of engineering and a thrill to walk the narrow walkway attached to the side of the cliff. Look out for freshwater crayfish (Koura) in the channel.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in August 2014

Stayed 12 days at Cascade Creek, great location for exploring Milford Road.

Good DOC site except in need of a couple more toilets along bush edge particularly in the middle of this large site. Get there reasonably early for a good site and don't stay under the trees if you want to avoid the sandflies or at least some of them.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2014

We have been travelling the South Island for the last 5 months and the Manapouri Motorhome & Caravan Park is one of the best we have visited on our travels, Selwyn & Gloria are very helpful &

run a great ship, everything is spic 'n span and the grounds are very well maintained. There's plenty of space on the grass sites, or gravel if you prefer, and various options available depending on whether you're wanting power or not. The amenities block is fabulous, large lounge & kitchen, nicely appointed toilet & shower ensuites & near new washing machines & dryers. Everything is spacious, the clothes lines are fantastic and have their own large hedge enclosed lawn, water is available on most sites & the dump station is easily accessible from small to very large vehicles. Highly recommended. And only a 15 minute drive from Te Anau, why would you want to park up with the multitudes in close little sites?

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2014

Fabulous DOC campground on the banks of the Catlin River and at the beginning of the Catlins River Walk.

Large grassed areas to camp, if you are self contained drive down the gravel track to smaller more intimates area right beside the river. Quiet & peaceful.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2014

Excellent walk to the lighthouse, make sure you take binoculars to see the seals on the rocks & beach far below.

Seals are also on top of the Nuggets if you look carefully.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2014

A great little gem hidden off the main road, the Holiday Park is very quiet.

Individual sites with own toilet/shower ensuite. No kitchen facilities, free laundry(cold wash) Overlooking sheep paddock and Middle Dome, trout river just across the paddock.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2014

Beautiful walk through stunning native bush to beautiful double falls.

Well worth the 40 minute walk.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2014

Still one if the best spots to visit on the way past.

Great for photography if not too many people about. Don't be a stooge, pay the $2 to walk from the café if you want to save your legs.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2013

Can't get better than this for coastal camping in NZ, fabulous campsite will new clean amenity block.

Could be exposed to wind if your site isn't tucked behind scrub. Well worth a walk to Mussel Point & further on to Cape Campbell Lighthouse. Allow plenty of time, must walk at low tide.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2013

Fan-bloody-tastic experience!!!!

If you only do one attraction this year do this one. Excellent amazing display. Allow plenty of time, you'll still want more.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2013

Fantastic camp ground with well equipped amenities.

Close to river & Mt Peel walks. Not suitable for large rigs as there's a glen of low height trees to pass through to the powered sites.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2013

Very well placed camp ground for visiting Boulders, penguins & Fleurs(a 5 min walk away) Also has a resident sealion on the beach below.

Grounds tier up from the road, the front sites are great for views but more like a shingle parking area. The grassed area up the back is lovely. Good facilities.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2013

A DOC (Department of Conservation) compact campground (12 sites only although tents can be pitched on the grass) right on the lake front.

A little too regimented for us with camp sites lined up side by side on hard clay/lime ground with gentle slope for rain runoff. Has toilet facilities. And a large covered area with BBQ tables for communal meeting. Would be very busy during summer so arrive early to get a site.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2013

Large area to park in with lots of mature trees right on the lake, very picturesque especially in the autumn.

Lake not ideal for swimming but great for trout fishing, kayaking & bird watching. Handy to plenty of hikes, bush walks & waterfalls.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2013

A must do on visit to the Mount, 3.5km reasonably easy walk around the base of the Mount.

Great views of the entrance, inner harbour & Pilot Bay & especially good if there's a rough sea. Climb to the summit if you'tr fit for awesome 306 degree views, perfect to watch the sunrise too.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2013

Well maintained excellent DOC camping ground with basic facilities(long drop toilets & taps).

Very private with lots of sites in amongst native bush. Runs along side the Tairua River which is very picturesque too. Some excellent walks in the area. Be careful to get road name correct as there is another road into Broken Hills with the same name just missing the "valley" out of it. Bird life is fantastic.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2013

I should be giving this experience a 10/10 for the entertainment factor alone.

Could have spent hours watching dozens of people from all nationalities and walks of life try to find their little spot in amongst the sand pools. Too many people on weekends & when low tide is during the middle of the day. Try to go when the tide is late afternoon or very early morning. Even better late at night with a full moon for light. Worth the experience if you're in the area but there are plenty of other "hot water" places in NZ that have less hype.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2013

Very reasonably priced $5 per night per van parking in the front paddock right on the beach, very welcoming hosts who have been doing this for eons.

For self contained vehicles only. Very popular during holiday season & long weekends.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2013

Stunning views along Pinnacle coast line, walk through farmland & regenerating native bush.

Quite strenuous with lots of hill climbs especially from the Fletcher Bay end. Walking through the manuka forest at the Stony Bay end is amazing.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2013

Worth it if you're in the area but be prepared for the walk, take water, it's two & half kms even though it doesn't look like it from the carpark lookout & it's quite a strenuous

walk with a steep climb out of the cove on the way back. Do not wear high heels or pantyhose or carry your handbag like I saw many people doing. the track isn't smooth in a lot of places, be careful where you place your feet. A blue sky also helps with photos and 2 hours either side of low tide allows good access through the "arch"

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2013

Not much choice in the upper Coromandel for accommodation but Colville Farm is an excellent place to stop.

Huge house paddock to park in if you're in a van or motorhome, internet, powered sites & facilities available if required. Plus cottages & rooms available. Excellent price too. very down to earth friendly farming family, farm activities available if you want to join in. Glow-worms & gold mine to explore, keep an eye out for the cave wetas. And be warned it's quite a steep hike to the mine.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2013

Great holiday park with plenty of interesting sites amongst mature trees & shrubs to choose from.

Good facilities and a fabulous hot pool complex within the grounds (along with the public hotpools next door) One negative was the entry gate being locked at 8pm. We had to hurry back from watching the shorebirds arrive on the shell banks & see the sun set.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2013

Excellent location and very welcoming hosts but facilities are a little tired.

Very handy to town & some great short walks.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2013