Jan
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Whanganui ▷
Turakina Beach Camp / Koitiata Camping Ground
Great facilities, $2 showers (5 mins of warmth — choose wisely), playground right at your door.
A bit tight when every powered site is taken, but super friendly owners and even free plums for everyone. Beach is an easy walk.
At midnight, local drunks stormed in like a low-budget action movie, yelling through our van because the light was on. We hope whoever they were looking for stayed mythical.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Patea ▷
Wai-inu Beach Domain
Ultra-nice, right by the ocean, where your campervan basically has beachfront property.
You pay online via the website like a civilized human. Two campgrounds sit side by side — just similar enough to keep things interesting. Ours had a sign. It simply skipped the toilet part. Bold concept.
Bins, loads of space, pure sea-and-wind bliss. The sunset was insanely beautiful. 10/10 coastal magic.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Henley Lake Freedom Camping
Basically just a public lakeside car park — about 20 spots — shared with joggers, dog walkers and overnight campers.
The accessible toilet is open all night — technically usable, emotionally demanding.
A few local “entrepreneurs” seem permanently stationed there. Random cars roll in, pick someone up for a very quick drive around the block, then return. Efficient logistics. Everyone’s peaceful though.
Geese, ducks and heroic amounts of droppings. Nice lake views. Social experiment camping. 🚐🦆
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Ohakune ▷
Ruatiti Domain
30 mins from Tongariro National Park and about 300 years from civilization.
No reception — just sheep and your thoughts. The drive in is absolutely worth it, despite locals in pick-ups drifting into your lane like extras from True Detective.
Flushing toilets. Running water. Shockingly clean facilities. Huge space, several slightly hidden bays — walk the whole site before choosing. Possibly camped next to a cult. 10/10. 🚐
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Coddiwomple Motor Home Park Taupo
Stayed at Coddiwomple Motor Home in Taupo—so good we stayed two nights.
Clean showers with impressively strong water pressure, working washing machine, and Steve always reachable (he even made a fire one evening). Tiny hill to climb, glorious sunset, and a touch of highway nearby for that gentle hum of life passing by. Perfect little escape with everything you need.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Miranda ▷
Rays Rest Camping Reserve
Absolutely stunning.
Camping right by a shell-covered beach, shared with only a handful of other campers. Quiet, simple, and genuinely special.
There are no facilities of any kind — which somehow feels exactly right. Very much worth the stop on the way to Coromandel or Auckland.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Putaruru ▷
Arapuni Landing
A stunning lakeside spot with views that make you forget you can’t swim thanks to blue-green algae.
Toilets suspiciously clean for the wilderness. Only two other campervans — perfect for polite nods at mysterious locals. A long-term camper with two very alert dogs adds character (and mild intimidation). Bonus: this idyllic spot apparently once hosted a body, quietly reminding you that even paradise has its quirks. Peaceful, scenic, unforgettable.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Mangawhai ▷
Mangawhai Riverside Holiday Park
Very friendly, family-run campground.
We arrived late and were still warmly welcomed. They even left us a very clear information letter — which we confidently failed to notice.
Free showers (always a win). Clean throughout, a little on the old side, but well maintained. Potable water right at the site felt unexpectedly luxurious. Calm, easy, and refreshingly unproblematic.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Whangarei ▷
Whangarei Central Holiday Park
Right in the middle of town — convenient if you like walking to everything, less so if you enjoy personal space.
Sites are tight and you’ll get to know your neighbours quickly. Many long-term campers, all very friendly.
Facilities were good, with reliably hot water. Strong Wi-Fi. No fresh water to refill, but there is a dump station.
The reception appears to be permanently unoccupied, yet somehow always reachable. A small modern miracle.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
Trounson Kauri Park Campground
Very run-down campground.
Toilets were genuinely unpleasant, and the shared facilities didn’t look much better. Powered sites are available, although our power post appeared to double as an insect graveyard.
Heavy rain ruled out the Kauri walk, and there’s no mobile reception — which means you’re fully present for the experience.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
Hahei Beach Resort
Only option near Cathedral Cove — and they charge accordingly.
Expensive, underwhelming, very commercial.
Facilities are a mess: some toilets disgusting, showers often unacceptable (at least one mixed shower hosted a full family in a grimy stall), and one set awkwardly next to a fish-cleaning station with endlessly swapping radio.
Bonus: you could borrow a shovel for Hot Water Beach — probably for a fee.
Beach itself is lovely; everything else feels like a theme park for campers. Not for anyone seeking peace.