Erin Decker
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Glenorchy ▷
Glenorchy Camping Ground
Perfect launching spot for several tracks, including the Routeburn and the Rees-Dart.
Facilities are older, but perfectly fine, especially for trampers. There really is no reason for codes to get into the kitchen and bathrooms; those should be removed.
I had trouble booking a spot in advance via internet/email, and ended up calling them once I got to New Zealand to reserve. Probably didn't need to book in advance; there were only a handful of people there. I guess most people stay in Queenstown and get transported out...which would have been MUCH more expensive. You can leave your vehicle for $3.50 a day in a fenced in pasture with sheep. We felt the van was safely guarded. ;-) I was impressed that upon returning from our four-day tramp, there was a note on our van letting us know that we had accidentally been charged $10 too much and to come to the office for a refund. I really appreciated the honesty.
Also, I recommend booking with the local transport company, Glenorchy Journeys, instead of Info&Track. The local company is a couple bucks cheaper and we really enjoyed hearing about Glenorchy and the Rees Valley from a local's perspective...made the experience that much more meaningful and intimate.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Q Box Motorhome Park
First, the pros: cheapest holiday park we stayed in, in all of New Zealand...
which is really something since this one was in such a sought-after location - Queenstown. Beautiful grounds with flowers, bridges, trees and a stream running through. About a 20-minute walk into the center of the city. A great place to meet young travelers. Friendly staff.
Cons: By far the dirtiest place we stayed in all of New Zealand. Trash overflowing from all the bins and left outside by the fire pit, puddles of water in the bathrooms, food left out in the kitchen, not one clean spot in the entire kitchen to cook food. Cash only. Not a good place for families or those looking for peace and quiet. Not all spaces are level and they tell latecomers to double park their vehicles to fit more in, therefore, encroaching on what you may have thought was your spot.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Nelson ▷
Nelson City TOP 10 Holiday Park
Very helpful and pleasant host, extremely clean facilities.
Just a bit further from the center of town than I had hoped. It was probably a good 30-minute walk from Nelson town center. The holiday park is not scenic, but it is well-kept and we enjoyed our stay.
thank you for your lovely review we hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday!
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels
Favorite holiday park we stayed in during our three-week trip to New Zealand.
The views are INCREDIBLE. I can still see the stunning sunset, the mountains, and the crystal blue lake... Book early and ask for a lake view. Location is ideal: right next to the DOC visitor's center (watch the short film) and wildlife/bird preserve (worth checking out the tekahe!) and a short walk to town (maybe 10 minutes). Facilities were impeccably clean and extremely spacious. There wasn't a crumb on the counter in the kitchen. Staff are very friendly and will help you book tours of the sounds. Many of the tours will pick you up right from the holiday park! And you can leave your vehicle there while you are away, for a minimal fee. Te Anau is also a wonderful town...wish we could have stayed a few more days. I cannot say enough good things about this holiday park. STAY HERE. You will LOVE it.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Wellington Waterfront Motorhome Park
It is what it is...as close as you can possibly get to the center of the city; right next to the ferry; and right between the harbor and a busy city street.
You have to use a code to get into the very small bathrooms, but that's the only way to keep them from being accessed by the public. This is really just a parking lot...and it's pricey at $50. However, the location was exactly what we were looking for. We walked everywhere.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
Discovery Lodge Campground
Great location for the start of the crossing; plus a shuttle right from the lodge!
Facilities a bit dated, but sufficient. We did encounter a rather rude hostess working at the front desk who refused to acknowledge us when we arrived after the front desk closed, although we were standing two meters away from her through a transparent glass door. We also saw her later yelling at guests in the campervan area. Other staff members, however, were extremely helpful and pleasant.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Ohakune ▷
Raetihi Holiday Park & Cabins
Ben and Rebecca are lovely hosts (with adorable children who greeted us and performed their haka), the facilities are clean and spacious, and this is the perfect launch point for the Whanganui River Journey
. The owners of the holiday park also operate Whanganui River Canoes, where you can freedom hire canoes or sign up for a guided canoe trip, including transportation to and from the river. Canoeing the Whanganui was my absolute favorite part of my 3-week holiday in New Zealand, and I would highly recommend staying at the Raetihi (pronounced REH-dih-hee) Holiday Park and booking with Ben and Rebecca. They gave us the opportunity to pack our barrels the night before and gave us hourly weather/river updates when we were concerned the river might be too high for the trip (turned out perfectly!). Ben also operates a jet boat company, so if anything were to happen on the trip, he can come to your rescue! Also, you can leave your vehicle on site during your trip, free of charge.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Matamata ▷
Opal Hot Springs Holiday Park
Stayed here the night before our tour of Hobbiton.
Although it is the closest holiday park to the movie set, still allow 30 minutes or so for the drive...It is confusing and very easy to get lost! Holiday park has extremely friendly hosts; facilities are older, but clean enough; camper spots are spacious; the location is peaceful. Only complaint would be the state of the public hot spring pools. They need a MAJOR overhaul. Clumps of rust from the pipes were floating around everywhere and pieces of the side of the pool were flaking off in chunks. Also, the pools were more "warm" than "hot." Could use some major TLC.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Wainora Campsite
Beautiful, peaceful campground in the native bush.
Bird calls, trees and ferns abound! If you are looking for a nice day hike/walk to see some kauri trees, this is a great launching point. The Cookson Kauri Walk begins at Wainora Campground. The drive is quite far from Thames and from the Kauaeranga Valley Visitors' Center, but well worth it.