Clive
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti ▷
Piropiro Campsite
A 14 km drive on a gravel road takes you to a very large clearing in the forest.
Plenty of room for the 20 maximum sites stated, but (according to locals) can be taken over by hunters and/or cyclists. Basic facilities.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Raglan ▷
Karioi Lodge Campervan Sites
Very steep entrance in native bush.
Clearly the emphasis is on backpackers/cabins. Camper vans an afterthought. Pitches little more than small laybys with extremely difficult access. One van on its side as we entered. 15 NZD per person. Decided not to stay.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Tokoroa ▷
Ngaherenga Campsite
Very well maintained site adjacent to forest and with pleasant views over countryside.
Tables and fireplaces available on many pitches. Excellent flush toilets on main site, long drop on other. Litter bins available. A credit to DOC and the staff involved. 6NZD per person, no power.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Raglan ▷
Te Kopua Whanau Camping Ground
This has been renamed Te Kopua Whanau Camping Ground.
Nice large flat scenic field and basic but clean facilities. 10NZD per person, without power. So OK value for money.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mokau ▷
Seaview Holiday Park
Area at far end has lovely views of sea, otherwise many statics and no views.
Access to beach and facilities for fishermen. Very Busy at weekend, otherwise delightfully quiet. Clean facilities. 22 NZD for two, without power.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Wilderness Motorhomes
We have hired a Base Jumper 2 for 3 weeks for the last 3 years.
Its design meets our requirements for New Zealand exactly. It incorporates good storage, good cooking facilities (2 gas cylinders), large bed, good-sized fridge and an inverter for charging electronic items (beware, some devices get trashed: check compatibility). All this in a standard van which is consequently easy to drive, especially on unpaved roads which take you to the best spots! So, why only 4/10? Reliability! In 2011, we had several irritating problems. As a result, Wilderness assured us that, if we re-booked in 2012, we would have an excellent vehicle. How wrong they were! Spongy brakes, neglected dry habitation batteries, leaking water system (pump coming on at regular intervals day and night), damaged fridge door which failed to close securely (flying open whilst travelling and spewing items all over the floor). To the company's credit, we were offered our next hire free (except for insurance). So, in 2013, we returned. The van we had was very well-worn with 226,000 km on the clock, though serviced only days before. It drove well and seemed OK, until the clutch went! The van had to be replaced (with a new up-market Burstner, Escape 4 – very different!). This was done quite quickly (we were 100 miles from Auckland), but even so we missed a key birding event.
Would I recommend hiring from Wilderness? No, unless you establish that the vehicle which meets your needs in NZ is new or nearly so. I am sad to say this, because the concept of the Basejumper and related older models was good and the front line staff personable and helpful. But if the most suitable vehicles for NZ conditions are unreliable, what other conclusion can one come to?
We were really disappointed to learn that your Wilderness experience didn't meet your expectations Clive. We wanted the opportunity to show you during this hire that we had learned from the mistakes we made when you hired from us last year. Clive, as a result of the lessons we learned, we made significant improvements to our preventative maintenance programme to increase vehicle reliability and reduce the likelihood of breakdowns due to maintenance issues. As you have indicated, you had no reliability issues during your 3 week hire this year with the exception of the broken clutch. Clutch failure is not related to preventative maintenance so there was nothing we could do to prevent this. A driver can burn a clutch in a couple of days through poor driving technique. When you contacted us to report the clutch failure, we organised a replacement vehicle to be delivered to you immediately. We had the vehicle (a brand new Escape 4) to you within 4 hours - our driver having to navigate rush hour traffic to make our deadline! Clive, we take full responsibility for ensuring our vehicles are fully maintained and we believe we do an excellent job of this. However, we cannot guarantee 100% reliability due to driver factors. We are passionate about ensuring we exceed our hirers' expectations and will continue to give this our unswerving commitment.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Taumarunui ▷
Bushlands Holiday Park
6km up unpaved track off SH43.
Valley setting, flat site, clean facilities, generous hot showers. 10 NZD per person without power. Quiet but for the incessant barking dogs.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Raglan ▷
Ruapuke Beach Motor Camp
Delightful well landscaped site.
Very friendly manager in a quiet way, who has looked after site with loving care for 30 or more years. Nice clean facilities including kitchen. At 10 NZD per person without power, really good value for money.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Taumarunui ▷
Ohinepane Campsite
Free for motor campers; those doing kayak journeys pay in advance.
Beautiful spot on river bank, toilet and cooking/eating area under cover.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Ohakune ▷
Mangawhero Campsite
Delightfully situated with views of mountains.
A credit to DOC. 6 NZD per person (no power).
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Putaruru ▷
Little Waipa Reserve
Spacious local council site beside lake.
Some nice shade trees and pleasant views. Basic but clean facilities.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Kawhia ▷
Kawhia Beachside S-Cape Holiday Park
Scenic but scruffy surroundings.
Very small pitches, even for a tent let alone a camper van. Nice view across bay if you are lucky enough not to have someone else in front of you. Very Nice facilities. Expensive @ 38NZ dollars for two, with power. Score based on out of season experience when site virtually empty.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mt Taranaki ▷
North Egmont Carparks
Adjacent DOC Visitor Centre.
Superb location for overnight stay for viewing and access to mountain walks. Toilets available at visitor centre overnight. Restaurant serves breakfast. Centre staff very helpful.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Taumarunui ▷
Taumarunui Holiday Park
Conveniently positioned and immaculate site, complete with its own herb garden!
Owners cannot do more to ensure your full enjoyment of the area. Great pity about the road and train noise. 17NZD per person with power.