Travis Clark
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Marton ▷
Vinegar Hill Reserve
Technically Vinegar Hill is NOT free.
They have a posted fee of $15 (on the toilets) but don't seem to enforce it. Although, the payment methods are either mail-in or directly to the ranger so that would suggest that the ranger does come along once in a while to collect.
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Woodville ▷
Woodville Camping Ground
Woodville Camping Ground is a nice park by the police station so you know it is secure.
A nice officer came by to check and make sure my motorbike wasn't stolen and even showed me a little security feature I was unaware of. The site has a clean toilet and shower facility as well as a counter with a sink (fresh water) for cooking, cleaning, etc. Note that the price for tent sites has actually increased to $5 p/p but is well worth it considering what you get.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Kaimanawa Road Campsite
I give this one a 10 simply because it is accessible (sealed roads), has a toilet and, of course, it's FREE!
Also, the view isn't half bad and it's only about 20 minutes from Turangi.