Profile
Zoe
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Waiomu Domain Beachfront Reserve
A primo spot only 10-15 minutes north of Thames.
Across the road from the local store, covered area with coin operated BBQs, public toilets with a covered in picnic area beside the playground and beautiful big trees for shade - another great waterfront gift from the good people of the Coromandel.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Waiomu Valley Old Campground
Quite a random fenced in area of gravel only moments down the road from a 10/10 freedom camping spot.
Heaps of lovely manicured grassy area surrounds it, but I would head down the road if there was space for sure.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Rhodes Park Reserves
Not a bad option if you arrive in the area late at night after a long drive, and can't be bothered trying to find anything else, but if we had the time and energy we would definitely head north of
town a bit to a slightly more scenic site. A large, level gravel car park with some big trees - it served us well in the torrential rain, thunder and lightening storm.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Coromandel Town ▷
Little Bay Recreational Reserve
Lovely half moon beach with Pohutukawa trees for shade from the heat.
Busy spot in the summer months. The parking area is nothing to write home about but access to the beach is on your doorstep. Only room for 1-2 campers. Public toilet.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Tairua ▷
Ocean Beach, South End, Pauanui
Another cool spot in Pauanui - a Doc walking track also starts from this carpark if you are into seeing the countryside on foot.
Quite a rugged beach - I'm not sure it would be great for swimming but certainly a good vantage point to watch a storm roll in.BBQ and picnic tables for true alfresco summer living
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
Buffalo Beach, Whitianga Beachfront
Just out of town - nice walkway along the beach.Right on the main road with quite limited space but ideal if you are stopping for a stock-up before heading north to the wilderness
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Tairua ▷
Pauanui Waterways Parade Carparks, Pauanui
A bit of a strange spot tucked away in suburbia - in a world where the houses (baches) have their own private jetty.Only room for one vehicle so you would get it all to yourself.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Tapu Domain and Beachfront Reserves
Another primo waterfront location.
Plenty of flat space to choose from - though make sure its between the signs
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Tairua ▷
Royal Billy Point Reserve
Premium location under big trees but still on the tarseal.
Coin operated BBQ's, picinic tables, surf breaks.....very civilised living. Surrounded by holiday homes so likely a busy spot in summer
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
Lee Street Carpark, Whitianga
A rather uninspiring spot right in town.Good if you wanted to have a night on the town with a few bevvies and get home safely but that's about all
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whangamata ▷
Aickin Road Sports Reserve, Whangamata
A couple of minutes drive out of town - if you are into practising your golf perhaps you could make use of this spot
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Tairua ▷
Waitoko Stream Esplanade (Grahams Creek), Tairua
Not a bad option if Paku Drive down the road is full.
Not really any outlook except the houses across the road, and the dump station also situated here. The ground feels a bit boggy in the rain so be wary of getting yourself stuck
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Te Mata Point Reserve
My pick of the bunch along this stretch.
Close to the shop for supplies, waterfront vista - what more could you want
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Little Waikawau Reserve
Beautiful outlook, quite hard to find a flat spot for a bigger vehicle.
Backs onto the main road
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
Waikareao Foreshore Reserve
Rather noisy - situated about 50 metres off a busy expressway.
A nice grassy area and shady trees, if you are feeling energetic tackle the 9km walking/cycling track that loops round the estuary.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Ohope ▷
Maraetotara Reserve
A primo spot to camp……..pretty much beachfront though unfortunately you cannot see the beach from the parking area.
Huge playground and lots of grassy areas
Walk 2 minutes down the road to small grocery store and liquor shop. Is a bit further away from eating outlets (fish and chips) but possibly a bit quieter away from the main village centre.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
Memorial Park
Loads of positives - +walking distance to city centre (about 5-10 minutes), +playgrounds for africa +waterfront (estuary) +fountain (if you need a bath) +mini putt, swimming pool, skating rink +big trees
for shade
+coin operated BBQ
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Ohope ▷
Mahy Reserve Overnight Campervan Parking
Right in the heart of where it all happens in Ohope.
Wander over the road to the Ohope Scenic Reserve, or along the beach to the Kohi Point Walkway.
Takeaway shops only a moments walk away, plenty of playgrounds to keep the kids happy, and excellent swimming on the Ohope Beach under the watchful eye of the Surf Lifesaving Club.
The only reason it gets a 9 not a 10 is there is limited parking space (very strict on where you are allowed to park) and the park gets VERY busy on a nice day.
All in all an excellent spot
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Waituhi Viewpoint
A great view on a clear day from the lookout structure.
Sealed area accessed by a steep sealed road, camping spots are few and far between out in this area so there's not to many to choose from.
A bit of graffiti around could indicate a favoured spot for local youths?
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
Maramatanga Park
Not a bad spot if everywhere else is full but I would go for the coastal options.
We used to run circuits around this park as kids for cross country - it doesn't seem to have got any more interesting since then! If you are into large expanses of manicured grass - this is the spot for you!
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Hinemaiaia Reserve Carparks
A pretty tight gravel road to access - at the very end is a massive open space by a hydropower structure.
Cute little stream with fishing access tracks along the edge, not marked trails.
Nicely situated between Taupo and Turangi
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Stag Pool Carpark
This little spot is far enough off the highway to be peaceful but close enough to town to duck in for a morning coffee - or walk along the river if you are feeling energetic…..
Surrounded by native bush, metres from the Tongariro River - try your hand at catching your dinner (fly fishing only) or cool off after a walk or mountain bike along the Tongariro River Trail.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Omokoroa ▷
Omokoroa Sportsground
A nice enough spot but definitely not as aesthetically pleasing as a couple more just along the road.
Situated on a sports ground you could be inundated with hoards of kids early on a weekend morning.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Umukarikari Carpark
Lovely and shady, feel dwarfed by a stately stand of natives.
A good spot if you want to get an early start up the Umakarikari Track, but again if you you are after more space try down the road.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Omokoroa ▷
Pahoia Domain
What a hidden gem!
Waterfront location, plenty of trees for shade, public toilets, big grassy area with picnic tables and even swings. Seems it would be a quiet spot during the evening, small ramp may attract some keen early-morning boaties.
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Whanganui River ▷
Bridge to Nowhere Walk
A pretty random structure seemingly in the middle of nowhere - good information boards explain what it is all about.
Great scenery - watch out for mountain bikers flying towards you as you walk up the track from the river.
If you walk up the track a few extra minutes there is a crystal clear spring flowing out of the rocks to top up your drink bottles.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Omokoroa ▷
Omokoroa Domain
A very busy spot on summer weekends for boaties launching at the ramp, families picnicking and utilizing the extensive playgrounds, people fishing off the wharf and locals eating ice-creams from the dairy
. An Italian Restaurant and the boat club provide a couple of dining options, and the ferry to Matakana Island also leaves from here.
Overnight parking is in the main carpark right beside the shop near the dump station. Some lovely established trees for shade, trailer parking for boaties is in the same area so you may get an early morning wake-up call.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Taumarunui ▷
Whakahoro Campsite
A MASSIVE grassy paddock that you are likely to share with the sheep but they are very friendly.
If you want a slice of real NZ then this spot is worth the drive (you definitely have to earn it, along a very long, narrow, winding gravel road)
Walk 350m down the road to watch paddlers launch on the Whanganui Journey or take a dip in the swimming hole.
The Blue Duck Cafe over the road offers some meals, snacks, cold drinks and internet access. There is no cellphone reception - part of the beauty!
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Kaimanawa Forest Park Access via Poronui
Park by the Heli Sika base at the gates to Poronui Station, the track is well marked with orange triangles on the gravel-road verge.
A rather un-inspiring hour or two walking along dusty gravel roads before getting into some small patches of eucalyptus and finally native before hitting the river.
Take care to find orange marker over the river when you cross - can lose your bearings on the river flats. Oamaru hut has a lovely outlook over the river valley - very popular with hunters and the odd adventurous fisherman.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
Greerton Park
A pretty random spot to park up - rugby clubrooms and tennis courts may mean inundation by sporty types if you park here on a weekend.
Plenty of grassy areas for running around and some shady trees, but you could definitely find somewhere a bit more scenic without too much of a drive.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
Mount / Mt Ruapehu
Jaw dropping views for very little effort.
Hold onto your hats (and your kids) the sheer drop over the back of the wall is extreme.
If you are into geology this formation is probably quite exciting for you to see - if not then it still looks cool.
You may see some climbers clambering around on ropes - don't stand directly under them you could end up with lose rock landing on your head.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
Wairoa River Reserve
For some reason I have a feeling that rest areas under bridges attract undesirable people….totally unfounded but it has taken a point or two off the rating.
Right under a main highway - lots of trucks could make for a noisy night. Other than that a nice spot on the river, plenty of grassy areas. Has a resident flock of chickens - at least one rooster so you may be in for an early-morning wake-up call.
NOTE: clearance height under bridge is 2.5m - you can access parking spots from both sides of the bridge.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
Scoria Flat Carpark
THE BEST VIEW to wake up to, on the flanks of Mt Ruapehu with views over the entire Tongariro National Park.
A sealed parking bay, very exposed to the weather, quite likely to be in the snow in winter, but can be pretty windy even on a sunny summer's day.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Omokoroa ▷
Waitui Reserve
Deep in the heart of orchard country - another quiet waterfront location.
Boat ramp, public toilet, and directly across the water from another freedom camping spot at Kotuku Reserve. Specified overnight parking is right on the water - a nice spot.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Pillars of Hercules Carpark
Another tight little nook in the Kaimanawa Forest Park.
At the start of the walking/mountain biking track loop for Tree Trunk Gorge.
A very cool swing bridge, the best view of the Pillars is actually over the bridge and to the left.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Urchin Carpark
Not a bad spot if you are into peace and quiet and the other places are full but I would definitely prefer one of the more open areas back down the road or along the river
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Omokoroa ▷
Omokoroa
Another great spot in Omokoroa - walkways along the waters edge in both directions.
Not quite uninterrupted water views but pretty close. Quieter and more private than down the road at the domain
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Urchin Campsite
Definitely one of the best spots in the area.
Good fire pits, wide open grassy areas with trees for shade and access to the beautiful Tree Trunk Gorge walking/mountain biking track. Top notch
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Tongariro Loop Track
This trail now joins tracks along both sides of the river so you can do about a 15km loop if you are feeling enthusiastic!
Easy access from lots of points along the track - stunning views of the river, lake and Turangi township, and 2 massive swing-bridges from where you can usually spot trout. The whole track has been resurfaced in hard-packed gravel which makes for a sweet ride on a bike and jandal-friendly walking.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
Rotopounamu Track
An initial uphill effort makes the views and swim in the lake totally worth it.
Seemingly untouched native bush teeming with bird-life. Beach is perfect for picnics and paddling. A good distance for the little tikes (and those who end up carrying them)