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Scooper
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Waihi ▷
Beachaven Tasman Holiday Parks
Lovely clean, well-lit park with good facilities.
Short walk to the stunning beach, reserve and Flatwhite Cafe. Staff were extremely helpful. As is typical for some Top 10’s, it is a bit pricey and the sites are just that bit too small for larger motorhomes - they fit but they are all pretty close together. Suppose though you are there to spend your time at the beach, not in the van. Recommended.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Waitomo ▷
Waitomo TOP 10 Holiday Park
Located very close to caves.
Nice, clean site and facilities. Young lady on reception was really helpful with everything including booking cave tour. The sites were quite close together and we actually had to ask to move to another site as we couldn’t fit in the original site and reach the power. Also the second site wasn’t completely flat which was weird because all the sites have been completely landscaped and gravelled. Still, would recommend.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Taumarunui ▷
Bushlands Holiday Park
This place is awesome.
We stopped here in the dark mid-way in our trip down the Forgotten World Highway. We did not know what to expect. There was a sign inviting us to make ourselves at home and the owners would see us in the morning. We picked a site and plugged into the power. Wole to a beautiful, peaceful setting. Huge trees. No passing traffic. No sounds except the birds and the river. Quaint showers and toilets spotlessly clean. Invitation to help yourself to $7 frozen pizzas and pay when you leave. So hospitable. Great history display in the kitchen as well as in an old building, setting out the history of the place including the old “ghost” railway construction town. Quaint tiny cabins dotted around the site. We had to keep going but would have loved to have stayed longer. Owner was so nice in the morning. Very inexpensive $. This is an excellent spot to break up the long Forgotten World Highway journey. Don’t be put off by the drive in on the dirt road, it’s worth it. Highly recommended.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu ▷
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Campground
Loved it here.
Camp fees include entry to hot pools which are excellent with fresh water pumped in every day. Steam coming up all around the site from the natural hot springs, simply amazing at sunset and in the morning in the quiet, natural setting. Enjoyed looking out the back window of our van watching the steam rise out of the hot streams below. Sites are small but adequate. Showers were excellent - large, hot with plenty of pressure. There are showers near the hot pools and near the camp sites but it is all close together so you can use either. Little cafe you can get dinner at if you want. Kitchen was small and basic but clean and had everything you need - we were very happy using it. Laundry OK, another washer and dryer would be good, given everyone has wet towels. Nice staff. Really loved it here, well worth the stop and being able to use the pools into the evening and again early in the morning. Recommended.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Affordable Willowhaven Holiday Park
Good little site right on the lake and far enough from downtown Rotorua that there is no smell (a positive which should not be under-estimated!).
We were given a site right on the water and woke up to the view as per the photo for this site. It was lovely; ducks sleeping, swans and cygnets swimming past, little jetties you can walk or sit on. Bathroom facilities were not flash but just fine for us. I read reviews saying they weren’t clean and had cobwebs. The showers, toilets, basins, floors, etc were all very clean and well presented. The ladies bathroom had very high pitched ceilings which yes did have some cobwebs but I mean who cares 3m above you, they would be very hard to keep clear all the time with many insects near the water. Our only problem was no microwave in the kitchen. The owners should address this, an easy and inexpensive fix. The lady (owner?) on Reception was a bit quirky which was cool, and the gentleman (owner?) helped out some elderly ladies near us for quite some time as they had van trouble, which I thought was lovely. Great spot. Recommended.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
Mount / Mt Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park
Fantastic location right under the mountain with walking paths going straight past between the park and the beach, and lovely salt hot pools next door.
Sites are a bit tight. This park is Council run which is a little different and shows in the customer service. Some of the people with caravans were pretty selfish parking both their van and vehicle plus having a big awning out in their site - we had one big vehicle parked ~80cm from the door side of our motorhome and the staff did nothing about it. The facilities were clean, but the showers were pretty ordinary - no temperature adjustment, just a button for warm water with average spray and the button needs to be pressed every 9-15 seconds (yes I timed it because it was so ridiculous...). For the prices at this park, the shower system is really annoying and unnecessary - if you have to have the button, 40-60 seconds is reasonable, not 9. I would recommend this park for the location but beware this is not a quiet, relaxed kind of place. It’s on the edge of a high-rise accommodation precinct with restaurants, shops, cinemas, etc nearby and loads of people walking past. We enjoyed the location for something different but prefer other quieter locations in NZ and would not stay here for an extended period of time.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
This place is terrific.
Flat, spacious motorhome sites. Spacious, clean facilities. Great play areas and activities for kids. Onsite fish&chips shop. Walking distance to Hot Water Beach along beautiful, well maintained boardwalk and track. Staff were extremely helpful and friendly - really appreciated their advice and suggestions. Easy short and scenic drive to Hahei Beach, possibly the most beautiful beach in NZ. We stayed two nights instead of one because we liked this park so much. Recommended.
Hi there Scooper,
Thanks so much for your great review and appreciation of our park and our beautiful area.
Cheers
Lynette
Sheree
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Russell ▷
Russell TOP 10 Holiday Park
We loved Russell and the Bay of Islands so much we stayed three nights and really enjoyed this ground.
Like other reviewers, we paid extra for a site at the top with a view which was lovely. The staff here were all awesome - friendly, interested in what we did each day, gave us really great advice and information. The facilities were clean, but I never enjoy the timed showers like they have here and quite frankly for the price of the site it was unexpected and not appreciated. Also the kitchen, while clean, had a very odd smell. Our kids enjoyed the play facilities. It is a short walk into the township. Would stay again but really hope they change the showers!
Hello Scooper, unfortunately, the shower times are here to stay. Russell is regularly low on water and this way we are doing our bit to preserve what there is and ensure the shower lines are nice and quick during our peak periods. Sorry you don't like them, however our intentions are pure and good. We're pleased you enjoyed your stay regardless of your negative shower experience and hope you'll come back and stay with us again soon. We look forward to welcoming you.
Einnee Facey
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Lake Taupo Holiday Resort
Most expensive site we have ever paid for in NZ (more expensive than one in walking distance of Queenstown CBD) which is quite unbelievable because it was definitely NOT worth it.
Not in walking distance to anywhere or anything. Majority of the park was closed for site grass maintenance. After paying our $$$ and signing weird digital T&C document, drove first to the dump site. Road was blocked off. Drove back to Reception “oh it’s closed as part of our site works” I was told. “Should have disclosed this before taking our $$$” I replied “as we need to use it/was one of the reasons we are paying to stay here”. Had to walk our tank way down a road and through worksite to empty it. NOT COOL when you were just charged over $90 for one night. Our site was not quite level but spacious. Wanted a swim and drink at the swim-up bar in the much advertised heat pool. Entered pool gate at 7pm only to see girl locking bar up for the night. Website and sign on gate all say bar open until 8pm, but no. More people joined us in the pool over the hour all commenting re why is bar closed early? Pool not hot enough, needs at least 2 degrees more to be confortable, freezing when we got out. Back wall of shower cubicle was shuddering / vibrating like a generator or similar on the other side - really, really loud. No relaxing here! Kitchen and laundry facilities also insufficient. Over-rated park, would not go back.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Methven ▷
Abisko Campground
This place is small, but nice.
Clean showers with good pressure - kidlets particularly enjoyed the colour-changing showerhead! Right in the centre of town. Good facilities. Lady owner was lovely, friendly and helpful. A bit of noise in the morning from a truck idling in a nearby location? Not a big deal though. Recommend and would stay again.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Hokitika ▷
Hokitika Holiday Park
If you have kidlets, then check this place out because it has the most awesome play area known to campgrounds.
The flying fox is wicked - massive, fast and central to the ground. Owners are very personable. There are nice, modern facilities, although the showers have the annoying button to push every 20 seconds, not enough hooks, and the whole cubicle is wet by the time you are finished. It is a bit out of town and not very picturesque - kind of plonked down in amongst a number of small landholds with some nearby residents looking down on the campground. It desperately needs some established trees to be planted and more attention to the landscaping on the medieval large earth mound that surrounds it. It’s a shame that this hasn’t been done already by the owners as it could be so much nicer. Still, would stay there again.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Springfield ▷
Porters Lodge
Awesome location, great people running the place, lovely food.
So nice to stay somewhere a bit different, and so close to the ski field. You can use the Lodge bathrooms, lounge, games room, etc and dine there if you wish (recommended!). Power available while generators are running. They turn them off at 10pm which is perfect, because then you can enjoy the peace in the remote location knowing you have given the batteries some charge. Showers nice and hot, heaters in the bathroom, managers turned them in in advance for us so ready and warm (thank you!). Note-the road in was in poor shape and badly needed grading, but wasn’t a long drive. It’s an old Lodge, but charming and authentic. Totally recommend, even if you don’t want to ski.
:)
Benjamin Dooms
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South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township ▷
Wanaka Tasman Holiday Parks
Great place, nice sites, clean facilities.
Enjoyed using the courtesy bus and a complimentary discount at a Wanaka restaurant. Staff were excellent. Would have liked to use the spas but didn’t have time. Would stay again.
Hi Scooper, Thanks for giving us a 9 out of 10!
Tasman Holiday Parks Wanaka
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Arrowtown ▷
Crown Range Summit
Wow! This spot was terrific.
No facilities, but felt reasonably safe as there is a traffic camera watching the location and you can check your van out while there - the location has great phone service - you can look it up on the metservice web page, search for traffic camera crown range. The sites aren’t completely flat but almost, and the view is spectacular. We stayed overnight during a snowstorn and were snowed in until the grader came to clear the carpark in the middle of the day. We were prepared for this (batteries charged, plenty of gas, chains, snow gear, etc) but most of the other vans weren’t. Don’t stay there in the cold months if you aren’t prepared for it because you could be there for a while. Our neighbours were freezing and one group got so desperate they tried to dig themselves out with chopping boards (FAILED, BTW...). In the cold months you must have chains for your van. We had an awesome time there and will stay again.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
Do you want to free camp in one of the most amazing locations in NZ?
Then this is a no-brainer, you must stop here. Stunning, spectacular, sensational view. Very large space so lots of vans can stay the night. Not all areas flat but plenty to choose from, just get there early. This was our favourite camping spot, no contest. The photos we took there of Mount Cook reflected in the lake as the sun was setting bring the same response from everyone we show... WOW! Recommend you see it for yourself.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde
Stayed two great nights here.
Excellent staff, good facilities, cute setting next to a little stream. Kidlets loved the ducks and ducklings that kept visiting us. It is more expensive than other grounds and the sites are small BUT... you are staying right in Queenstown, within easy walking distance of the main street and lakefront! I believe Queenstown has some of the most expensive real estate in NZ? So given all this we thought the price was very reasonable and were pleasantly surprised with the nice and fairly private setting. My one complaint was the windows were wide open above the shower and couldn’t be closed-and there was snow on the ground outside. A bit chilly! Owners could easily fix this for cold weather. Would definitely stay there again.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast ▷
Haast River Motels and Holiday Park
Stayed here with some reservations after reading reviews.
Did not cross paths with a grumpy owner (employee receptionist was lovely and very helpful), however could understand what other reviewers might have experienced. There are signs everywhere, many of them SHOUTING AT YOU IN CAPS. Note to owner - this is not necessary and achieves nothing. People who are going to ignore the rules will do so no matter what size font you use... The facilities in the aircraft hanger (very novel!) where great, the site was nice, and the view of the surrounding mountains excellent. Kidlets had fun in the little playground. Would stay there again.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Ashburton ▷
Mount / Mt Somers Holiday Park
Lovely little old fashioned campground.
Owners obviously take a lot of pride in their ground as it is neat as a pin with beautiful trees/garden. Very quiet and clean. I would prefer the bathrooms to be warmer, even if I had to put coins in a heater? But not a big deal. A nice option to stay in the countryside and also close to Mt Hutt, which is where we were headed after our night at Mt Somers. Would stay again.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Greymouth ▷
Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park
This place is “the bomb”.
Absolutely the best place we stayed at on the South Island. Owner/manager was lovely and helpful, and kind to our kidlets - even gave them coins to throw into maori water spirit statue. The bathrooms were SPOTLESS - wish mine at home were that clean! They were also spacious and beautifully decorated. Owner/manager apologised because bathrooms were being used as unisex due to renos in mens. Was not a problem because of cubicle sizes. Excellent laundry. And everything is done with the environment in mind - for example, they compost the used hand towels, use this to grow vegies, and you can pick up some of their fresh produce in their little reception shop. We all loved going on a bush adventure and seeing the gloworms - stay here just for this bit! Big open playground, huge mountains all around. Spacious, pebbled parking spots. Simply brilliant. Stay here if you can.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Franz Josef ▷
Rainforest Retreat
This place was actually disappointing as we had been expecting more from reading reviews and their website.
It is WAY overcrowded - yes you are surrounded by some rainforest-style greenery but you will also have another van parked about 2m from you, and you will look directly into the window of cabins/apartments/whatever that are opposite and all over this over-built site. There were quite a few vans overnight even though off-peak, yet they closed at least half of their bathroom facilities meaning the remaining facilities were crowded and a bit grubby. There is also insufficient lighting and signage, so can actually get a bit lost trying to find your van after a swim at the hotpools. Not what we were expecting and for the price, would look elsewhere next-time, including just parking the van and staying in a motel room instead.