Profile
Teb
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds ▷
Parklands Marina Holiday Park Picton
This is easily the biggest park I’ve stayed at and with that comes its own set of challenges.
One big open area with space for probably 60+ powered sites, more non-powered sites, cabins and tent areas. Can you tell I’m not fond of crowds? :)
That being said, the receptionist was polite, the facilities clean (the kitchen might not be big enough for this size though), the showers hot. But beware they’re limited in quantity too compared to the size of the place so you may end up with a queue.
It is convenient to the ferries and that’s a plus for the early out...
Thanks for your review, however please note that there are actually two amenities blocks. During your visit the other block, which you clearly didn't notice, was closed as it was off-peak (winter). We have never had any complaints with regards to queues as you suggest.
Hayley and Nick
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ New Plymouth ▷
Waitara Holiday Park- formerly Marine Park Motor Camp
A good place to stay.
Right on the ocean, but fortunately the sites are surrounded by a large hedge. Kept the howling wind at bay! Great hot showers, clean toilets, washer and dryer on site (although cheaper in town).
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
Pakawau Beach Camp
A bit run down and dated.
BUT, really nice hosts, great location (almost step outside your camper onto the beach), a little convenience store, both petrol and diesel, and it’s kinda at the end of the world. What did you expect? :) Things were clean and the shower was hot. Can’t ask for more!
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaikohe ▷
The Cowshed
A nice place to stay.
A bit off the road which keeps the noise down. As others have noted there is a shower here with hot water now!
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
Trounson Kauri Park Campground
A decent place to stay.
Off season so only three other camper vans there. We were all in powered sites. Only a little off the road so some road noise. Showers and toilets were clean. Hot water! Not much else in the area so you take what you can get! :)
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
Cheviot Motels, Cabins & Camp
Small, yes.
Quirky, yes. But clean and well run. Hot water was *HOT*! Also a quiet site off the main road.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Holdens Bay Holiday Park
This was a great place to stay.
Everything from the toilets and hot showers, to the pool (unheated!) to the hot pools (two!), to the kitchen and playground, and the wonderful staff were spot on.
The only niggling negative would be that it’s right under the flight path for the airport, however I was there most of the day and there were only two flights.
It’s in a quiet neighborhood which is a plus, but a long way from services so be prepared.
I would stay multiple days here if needed.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Hokitika ▷
Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation
This is the first time in two weeks of travel, moving every day, that I have given any site a 10.
Great hosts, great site, clean toilets and showers, with good hot water. Right next to the beach and a short walk to a well equipped little town. Good sites with some (or a lot!) of shrubbery between. Stayed two nights I liked it so much. Saturday was packed (end of school break?), but still quiet, Sunday there were but a few of us. Would stay again if I ever travel to NZ again and am in the area.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast ▷
Haast River Motels and Holiday Park
A good facility, clean and well maintained.
Best part was the heated toilet and shower rooms. Heaven as this time of year every other place I’ve stayed has had outside temps inside. Brrrr... I was the only one there so very quiet.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Leith Valley Holiday Park
A small place but that worked out fine.
Large kitchen and relaxation area. Bathrooms were cold, especially the floors but hot water was fine. However, really annoying to have to push a button on the wall for hot water when it affected every shower. No way to know when it had been pushed or when it would shut off. Brrrr...
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Oamaru ▷
Katiki Point Lighthouse Walk
An easy walk and nice views, but the lighthouse is fenced off.
What’s up with that? :(
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Stratford ▷
Kapuni Loop Track to Dawson Falls
A spectacular view!
I was there when the wind was howling, the rain was dumping, and the falls were roaring! The loop was completely out of the question as even the road was like a stream. The Ranger was shocked when I walked in, but we had a nice chat and look around the facility. Don’t miss the power plant either. The steps down to the base of the falls are quite steep in places.
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North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Opotiki ▷
Island View Family Holiday Park
A nice park right on the beach.
It’s fairly large so I suspect it can get crazy in the summer. :)
Overall I liked this park, but the toilet and shower facilities are pretty utilitarian, concrete block and very basic. Gated access and no sign of the wrist bands while I was there. The games/relaxation room was being remodeled and the kitchen is pretty small.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Hokianga ▷
Yakas Walk
Very impressive.
They remind me of the redwoods in America. Not as tall though! :) You’ll also walk by the Cathedral Grove, a collection of 10+ “smaller” trees. I did the walk in 40 minuets, but it was a hustle to beat the arriving dark. A calf-strainer in places.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Waikanae ▷
Waimea Road Beach Carpark
Right on the beach, but you can hide from the weather behind the parking lot wall.
A quiet area during the winter, but it’s next to the boat club so it may not be so much in the summer! Great view across the bay.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Hokianga ▷
GAS Waimamaku
This gas station and the one just north of here close about 6pm or so.
They are the only ones for a long way both directions! Don’t get trapped!
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Ngawi ▷
Pinnacles Track
Very impressive and more so the further you go up the streamside path.
Beware this path though, for it’s really not a path but a scramble up the streambed. As noted you will be crossing back and forth across it several times and you really do make your own way. Good shoes are a must! It’s posted as 1.5 hours round trip but that’s only if you hustle and it is a challenging scramble both ways. Probably best to plan two hours at least.
Well worth the effort though and push all the way up, the view back down is amazing!
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Napier ▷
Hawkes Bay Holiday Park
An ok site.
The lady at reception was helpful and put me in the back corner by the facilities and away from most everyone else. I was away from the road, but being right next to the highway there was a fair amount of road noise. You’re directly under the approach and departure path for the airport. Facilities were clean and well laid out. A bit of a walk to the beach and you have to cross the highway. An ok place to stay for the night, but I wouldn’t make it two.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Martinborough ▷
The Gateway Motel Holiday Park
A cute little bug of a place, only three available power points.
But this is not the place to stay if you need a good strong shower. They are on tank water, but the pressure is so parsimonious that even a balding guy like me with very short hair found it difficult to wash the soap out. I appreciate the constraints, but that’s a bit much even for me. The kitchen is well appointed with a tv and a selection of DVDs if that’s your thing.
It is north of the Cape Palliser road intersection on the west side. They’re a bit hidden. :)
Hi Teb, thanks for your review. We have 5 power sites room for tent sites. I know the shower you mentioned, but you were not aware of adjustable nozzle ??. Sorry Teb we are in the middle of no-where hence the pressure.
warm regards Renee and Chris.
Renee Bougen
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
South Auckland Caravan Park
First off when you’re looking for this site on the road or Google Maps, it’s Ramarama Country Caravan Park.
It’s a mixture of permanents and travelers, but they’ve done a good job of separating the groups.
Gravel pads, clean and adequate facilities, a good location not to far from SH1 but not much noise and a nice view. A good place to stay if a bit expensive at $30 for one person powered.
Would stay here again.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Capital Gateway Motor Inn
As the saying goes, location location location.
If you’re catching the early morning ferry, there’s no better place to stay than this. It’s literally <10 minuets from both cross Cook Straight ferries. It’s clean, has good hot showers, a nice cooking area, a lounge, a bar on-site (if you’re into that), and easy bus access into Wellington.
The negatives? You’re right next to SH1 so there’s road noise, you’re under the flight path for the airport and it’s literally a parking lot. But the parking is flat, bonus!
As I said, this one’s all about location to the ferries and NOT having to deal with the morning traffic and motorworks.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Hokianga ▷
GAS Omapere
Be careful!
This gas station closes early, 6pm. The only other gas station south of here about fifteen minutes closes not soon after. These are the only gas stations for a long ways both directions! Don’t get trapped!
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Hokianga ▷
Opononi Beach Holiday Park
A decent place to stay.
Off season so only three other camper vans there. All in powered sites. Unfortunately not to far from the road so some road noise. Clean showers and toilets. Hot water! The only place for a long ways both directions.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Pukekohe ▷
Sandspit Motor Camp
I should have guessed when the last review was eight years ago...
This is not a campervan/ tent/ anything site for travelers. They may have two powered places for campervans, but when I got there everything was blocked with multiple vehicles and it’s strictly a bunch of permanents. There were old mattress’ and trash stacked around the dumpster and lots of old junk stacked around the property.
No, there’s just no reason to call this a place to stay as it isn’t. Fortunately I was given my $30 back after declining the opportunity to park in the road and run my power cord to an outlet. No thanks, not gonna work. :(
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Bluff ▷
Bluff Camping Ground
A really nice campground with great views!
However, if the wind is blowing there’s no place to hide. Clean toilets and showers with with hot high pressure water. Large kitchen/relaxation area however minimally equipped, bring your own.