Kirsty
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Miranda ▷
Hauraki Rail Trail Terminus
Lovely beach front view, next to main road but didn't notice any noise.
Lots of spaces but filled up on a sunny weekend. Drinking water fountain and toilets a few minutes walk away, but be warned it gets cold in the wind even on a sunny day!
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Huka/Aratiatia Rapids Scenic Reserve
Excellent location with lots of space for all sizes of campervan.
Make sure to go and see the Aratiatia Rapids at one of the three times a day (four in summer) when the sluice gate is opened, it's really cool to see. There's some info next to the car park about the sluice gates and the filming of the Hobbit scene with the dwarves in barrels for Tolkien fans. Car park has a toilet and is relatively quiet despite the road next to it. Nice views across the river too.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Tokoroa ▷
Lake Whakamaru Reserve
Beautiful views with loads of space for campers to spread out, toilets and a lake to swim in.
What more could you ask for!
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
TECT Park
Great location with all the KiwiCamp facilities i.e.
laundry, dish washing, cooking, toilets and showers. Keypass needed to pay. Sheltered picnic table area was useful since there was a lot of rain when I was there
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Taumarunui ▷
Te Maire Carpark
Quiet little spot with room for 3 if parked sensibly, more if you can agree to blocking others in.
Remember to close your van doors especially at dusk as there were loads of mosquitos! Drop toilet a few metres down a path in one direction, Te Maire path in another and picnic table a few metres in another.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
KiwiCamp Tongariro
Great location for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttles with all the KiwiCamp facilities i.e.
laundry, dish washing, cooking, toilets and showers. Keypass needed to pay. Loads of spaces for vans and cars. Felt very safe
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Tokoroa ▷
Tokoroa Memorial Sports Grounds
Relatively quiet spot not far from the main road but right next to another road.
There were truckers stopped over for the night too. There's no sign to say camping is allowed but it's on the council website. They say to get a permit from them, for free, if you stay more than one night. Near the excellent bike park and toilets a few minutes walk away, although only one was unlocked while I was there.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whangamata ▷
Whangamata isite Carpark
Nice little spot with space for 4-5 vans.
Toilets in the car park which shut overnight but cleaned every morning at 7.30am so no complaints. I tried a couple of other freedom camping spots in Whangamata but they only had space for two vans and we're both full whereas it was just me and one other here. It's not far to get to the beach and round the corner from the shops but still quiet enough.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Warkworth ▷
Tawharanui Regional Park Camping Ground
Beautiful white sandy beach nearby, loads of pukekohe wandering about, basic toilets and drinking water available on site.
Went a walk after dusk and managed to spot a kiwi! Lots of space to spread out so very quiet except for the birds
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Cambridge ▷
Horahora Domain
Excellent spot by the river with a spot for swimming and plenty of space, decent distance from the main road that I didn't notice any noise.
Only downside was the toilets were absolutely full of flies
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Colson Lane Overnight Parking
Two very tight spaces but just off the main road so quiet at night and very close to the beach with a cafe around the corner.
Ice cream was excellent, as was live music from 5pm on Friday. There were two more spaces a few mins walk away next to the toilets which seemed more convenient but possibly noisier. Local kids were out and about playing loud music from cars as they drove by but everything was quiet by dark (8pm).
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Rarawa Beach Campsite
Beautiful spot!
Loads of space and I was able to find a sheltered and flat spot to park my van despite strong winds. 5 mins walk to the white sandy beach, no noise except the birds and some cattle nearby. Basic toilets, cold showers and drinking water available on site.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Opua ▷
Hundertwasser Carpark, Kawakawa
Plenty of spaces (but they got full by evening), hot showers for $4 with paywave and 24 hour toilets nearby.
More toilets near the main road (famous Hundertwasser decor) and fresh water for bottles across the road. A dump station and drinking water refill are a few mins drive away
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Sunset Ridge
Peaceful, safe and quiet with nice views from the ridge, owners were really lovely to chat to.
The sheep and hen neighbours were fun too! Cold shower and filtered drinking water available as well as a portaloo on site