Lucia
North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Whanganui ▷
The campsite was great, small place and good value for money.
Very close to the beach which is an amazing place with beautiful sunset. The campsite hosts were so friendly. It was quite windy when we were there, another family gave up on trying to set up their tent and left. Other than that it was a nice and quiet, remote place to spend a day at the beach.
South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
If you are farther away from the trees, it might get windy around you.
Nice spot, we were camping next to the creek close to the forest - far enough from the toilets so we weren't disturbed by the smell :)
It gets quite crowded towards the evening and in the morning people get up and leave early for the morning cruises. But still it is a relaxed spot and you can enjoy the nature around you.
You can access the nice little Lake Gunn walkway, which is actually more a forest walk through the amazing rainforest.
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo ▷
We liked the campsite, had a beautiful spot on the highest terrace with lake view (unpowered spot for a sleeper van).
We have seen other, more expensive campsites on our trip which were not better or less equipped. So I don't understand the many complaints about the campsite being over-expensive.
Regarding the showers being extra priced: The $2 gives you 10 minutes of hot water, which even for a person with long hair is too much. So if you have to save on the shower money, why don't you share those 10 minutes. The mixed bathrooms make it possible even for couples.
We loved the free barbeques with stunning lake views. The kitchen was ok, we only used it for doing the dishes though. You also have covered picknick areas in case the weather is not nice...
All in all a good place to stay!
South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
wonderful place with the seals so close by!
Self-contained only, and no facilities around. You see seals that are alive and if you look around you also see some bones and furs from seals not so alive... but sitting there on the rocks with a beer in your hand in the evening watching the seals and waking up to the beautiful sunrise makes up for it. one of my favorite freedom camping spots on our trip.