Profile
Jack Clise
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
Farewell Gardens Holiday Park
I really didn't like this place much.
It's basically a families spare lot with room for maybe 8-10 campers. Small spaces, no picnic tables, nor bar b que grill or anything much in the way of facilities. The site is located across the street from the beach and within 1-7kms of DOC access sites. The area is stunning but with lots of open areas you'd probably be better off freedom camping.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Punakaiki ▷
Punakaiki Beach Camp
One of my favourite places in all of the South Island.
Nice pub within walking distance. The bush and beach around here are simply stunning. Plan on two nights and do some of the walks in the area.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Abel Tasman ▷
Old Macdonalds Farm and Holiday Park
I loved this place!
Stayed here three years ago and it is just as great as before. Huge sites set in among native and planted foliage which provides good privacy. It really is or was a farm so you get the feeling of being at a farm stay. Facilities were okay but after hiking the Abel Tasman Track this is a very welcome place to call home...
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast ▷
Lake Paringa Campsite
Great place.
Wish I had had a boat. Did go swimming in the clear fresh water. This is a DOC site and campers just kept coming in. There must have been 25 or more in a 10 site facility. No problems however as everyone was well behaved. I doubt many actually paid as they know the chance of actually seeing a DOC ranger is about the same as seeing a Kiwi ( the bird that is).
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Gunns Historical Hollyford Valley Camp
I'm usually not too picky about facilities at these camps but this one was just okay.
Very historical area that served as a construction camp when the road was being built in the 1930s. Really interesting little museum too. I rented a cabin which served as a bunkhouse for the workers years ago as it had been raining for days and I was tired of getting wet to go pee. The beds weren't too comfortable with no sheets and only a smelly pillow. Like everything in Fiordland there is mildew everywhere. However the place was dry and a welcomed respite from days of camping rough.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Manapouri ▷
Manapouri Motorhome and Caravan Park
Excellent facilities-best I have seen.
Beautiful of the snow coverd mountains of Fiordland. Big spaces. Only reason I didn't give it a 10 is that the place has the faint feel of a military compound. People looking for a really well developed,independent, park will love this place.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Taieri Mouth Holiday Camp
This is one of my favourite places in a month of camping.
Right on a beautiful beach in a funky beach camp setting. Facilities were noting to brag about but clean and adequate. Big spaces to camp. Loved the kitchen area, felt like home. Very laid back atmosphere. No one was trying to chase us out by 10am. Was sorry to leave.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Hampshire Holiday Park Queenstown
For those who are all about clean facilities this is a 10.
For those who are all about clean facilities this is a 10. For atmospherics it's a 1. Basically a car park in town. No privacy, no view (despite its name), large and a bit noisy. Expensive, $55 for two. Industrial camping personified. I was equally unimpressed with Queenstown. The guide book calls it a flawed jewel and that is fitting. The one day I endured there the town was over run by Chinese package tourist taking pictures of ducks and such. I couldn't leave fast enough.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Reefton ▷
Marble Hill Campsite
Very nice DOC campsite along the tree line overlooking the mountains below Lewis Pass.
$5/person. Toilets were okay but no toilet paper, so bring your own. Make sure you walk down to the river and check out the Sluice Box. Very cool...
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Nelson ▷
Tahuna Beach Holiday Park
Fairly average place but clean.
Lots of asphalt. Not much on the atmospherics but handy if you're visiting Nelson, although a long 5 km walk into the heart of town. Gates close at 9:00 pm and you need to secure access if you're going to be out later by making prior arrangements. Some kind of electronic gate opener that they require a $20 deposit to use. No free wifi is a draw back. All in all just a squat to get you closer to Abel Tasman.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Kiriwhakapapa Campsite
Beautiful campsite at the end of a 10 km road, half of which is gravel.
Only one other camper there. Good toilets and running water right by a pristine stream. Great little tracks. Went up to the Blue Ridge Hut and it was straight up 3+ km. Rewarding views and good for the appetite! Only negative was the wind. Don't know if this is common but it howled all night when we were there December 4, 2014.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Springs Junction ▷
Deer Valley Campsite
Too cold and closed in.
Close to Lewis Pass so the altitude is an issue in any season other than full summer.