Tony Waters
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
Cathedral Cove Recreation Reserve Carpark
Great spot to stay.
Magnificent sunrise and able to walk the area later in the day and then the next morning.
Drop toilets are always a bit ick, but this one had paper and sanitiser
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Taumarunui ▷
Ohinepane Campsite
Gorgeous free spot.
Farmland on camp side of the river but looking a pristine bush at the cliff opposite.
Long drop loos - take your own paper- and no water or sanitiser.
Good large spots.
Picnic tables
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Miranda ▷
Rays Rest Camping Reserve
Gorgeous spot.
It was stormy and we were probably a bit keen parking as close to the waves as we did but a great safe spot.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Timaru ▷
Kia Ora Campers
We had previously travelled the North Island in a Wilderness Camper so knew it was a style of travel we really enjoyed.
A late decision to visit NZ saw us with few options and we were delighted when Vicky and Steve had a van for us.
From the moment we made the booking they were friendly and replied promptly to every query.
The van was spotlessly clean and very well equipped - providing extras like additional towels and dish washing liquid was really helpful.
The solar panels on top and excellent battery system meant we could freedom camp for days on end, which enabled us to keep costs down and stay bush rather than in parks.
At less than 12 months old our van - the 2015 Fiat -had lots of conveniences such as multiple USB ports to recharge devices and a real bathroom We were travelling with my 82 yr old mother in law so that convenience was essential..
Separate bags for grey and freshwater hoses (loads of tap attachments for the dedicated freshwater hose) and crates storing the power cord etc was very professional, as was a folder with every manual for the van
One thing I particularly appreciated was that this company unlike some of the big ones did not demand an exorbitant bond.
Be aware this company is based in the south and if hiring in Auckland you will go through euro campers. The Euro guys were lovely to deal with and super helpful but they need to lift their game regarding what they think are business hours. Charging an additional $80 dollars to pick up or drop off after 11.30 on Saturday is just not fair, particularly as many Australian families arrive mid afternoon on a Saturday.
For us personally our preferred van would have large windows at the rear while this had a permanent bed so didn't offer this but it worked really well. The over cabin bed where my husband and I slept was huge and had good height above.
Mechanically it drove well, no worries heading up steep hills or over bumpy 'stone' roads.
I really recommend this company.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Cosy Cottage Thermal Holiday Park
Cozy Cottage offers the opportunity to camp on the shores of Lake Rotorua in a park with its own boiling mudpit.
Cozy Cottage offers the opportunity to camp on the shores of Lake Rotorua in a park with its own boiling mudpit. communal steam oven and 3 thermal pools - what's not to like?
I know there are more 'resort' options out there but if you are looking for comfortable, clean camping in a place that exemplifies the reasons people come to Rotarua this is it.
unlimited free wifi was a bonus.
Dear Guest, thanks for your comments. We are happy you have a pleasant stay with us. See you next time.
Cosy Cottage
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Five Mile Bay Recreation Reserve
Great spot easy to find.
Quite a few vans here but still room to be right next to the lake.
The lake shore line was covered in pumice, so much fun throwing in rocks that float!
There is a long drop loo, although if you head south along the walking track you'll find a much nicer one 5 minutes away but you need to be self contained anyway.
There was a bit of highway noise and planes from the airport.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Lake Taupo Holiday Resort
Ridiculously expensive - $23 each for an unpowered site.
That's $92 for the four of us for a patch of grass and a shower. We were probably naive choosing this accommodation, but we did so because of the good reviews on Rankers. Let's face it if you want to pay top dollar it is probably value for money. And if you want to pretend you are at an island resort complete with a bar in the thermal pool you wont mind. For a party of freedom campers who just wanted a decent shower it was obscene. Particularly poor form on the part of the office to tell us that was the powered site rate and then realise they had made a 'mistake' and that hooking up to power would cost us an extra $16. Most disappointing NZ experience.