KiwiCamp Tongariro
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Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
KiwiCampCommercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Freedom Camping
Reviews
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4.0/5
Bit impersonal but cool concept.
Would be good if it accepted contactless - the kiwi cash thing seems a bit of a faff, we didn't end up using it. Bright lights on all night - bring an eye mask. Also freight trains. Great views of Ruapehu.
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4.0/5
A car park for free and every facilty you might need for a few dollars.
But to use them you need a kiwi card, not that practical. Good toilets, perfect for one night before the Tongariro Crossing.
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5.0/5
Unexpectedly had to stay here for another full 2 days because our van broke down after the first night in the lot, amenities were always clean and maintained regularly, hot showers available, washing machine
worked great and free drinkable water. Just make sure you have a KiwiCash tag, which you can buy in shops in the village as well if you don’t already have it (list of places stated at the entrance or online)!
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4.5/5
If you just want to freecamp you don't have to pass the barrier.
Go further and turn left as you see the Park&ride sign.
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4.0/5
Beautiful views and very convenient in the National Park but it took me a while to get used to being in a park and ride.
Only two toilets for all those spaces - we were lucky it wasn't busier. All very functional
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4.5/5
A great spot to stay with all the amenities you might need while traveling.
Parking lot is huge (you can go to the right side unsecure parking lot for free, or pay to be in the smaller secure parking lot with power through the gate). Bathrooms were clean, shower pressure was great, washer/dryer were easy to use, and there were multiple cooking stations and community sinks. Dump station and potable water fill up are right at the entrance. If you plan to do the Tongariro alpine crossing, most of the shuttle companies pick up right in that parking lot which is very convenient. Not secluded, but there’s a great view of the surrounding mountains, and we saw a rainbow every day we were there!
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4.0/5
Huge parking lot that is free unless you want to pay for a powered site.
The facilities are good, but are undersized for the number of people that stay here - it's a busy site. It wasn't noisy though and the proximity to the tongerero crossing and hikes make it an convinent place to stay in the area.
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4.0/5
The free parking lot is huge and easy, with access to toilets and a water spigot.
If you want tonuse any of the other amenities, you need a Kiwi Card fob and app. We arrived late so there was no way to use the shower since we didn't have a fob.
Shuttle to Tongariro Crossing can be booked at the hostel down the street for $55 return -- they pick up right at the lot.
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3.5/5
Très grand freecamp Toilettes proches et propres Passage régulier de trains qui font énormément de bruit Lampadaires qui éclairent tout le parking toute la nuit et qui ne permettent pas un sommeil
très réparateur
Bonne localisation
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1.5/5
Big car park so level ground.
Nothing special, convenient for the route we took. Does have some good views. However massive drawback is it’s by a freight train line… 3am thought we were under attack as air raid siren went off. As we not near any natural disasters area had no idea what was going on. A lot of panicked people outside their vehicle's, until we realised a train was rolling in. Don’t remember seeing any signs for this or reviews so hopefully a rare occurrence.
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4.0/5
Bit impersonal but cool concept.
Would be good if it accepted contactless - the kiwi cash thing seems a bit of a faff, we didn't end up using it. Bright lights on all night - bring an eye mask. Also freight trains. Great views of Ruapehu.
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4.0/5
A car park for free and every facilty you might need for a few dollars.
But to use them you need a kiwi card, not that practical. Good toilets, perfect for one night before the Tongariro Crossing.
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4.0/5
Beautiful views and very convenient in the National Park but it took me a while to get used to being in a park and ride.
Only two toilets for all those spaces - we were lucky it wasn't busier. All very functional
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4.0/5
The free parking lot is huge and easy, with access to toilets and a water spigot.
If you want tonuse any of the other amenities, you need a Kiwi Card fob and app. We arrived late so there was no way to use the shower since we didn't have a fob.
Shuttle to Tongariro Crossing can be booked at the hostel down the street for $55 return -- they pick up right at the lot.
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4.0/5
Huge parking lot that is free unless you want to pay for a powered site.
The facilities are good, but are undersized for the number of people that stay here - it's a busy site. It wasn't noisy though and the proximity to the tongerero crossing and hikes make it an convinent place to stay in the area.
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4.5/5
If you just want to freecamp you don't have to pass the barrier.
Go further and turn left as you see the Park&ride sign.
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4.5/5
A great spot to stay with all the amenities you might need while traveling.
Parking lot is huge (you can go to the right side unsecure parking lot for free, or pay to be in the smaller secure parking lot with power through the gate). Bathrooms were clean, shower pressure was great, washer/dryer were easy to use, and there were multiple cooking stations and community sinks. Dump station and potable water fill up are right at the entrance. If you plan to do the Tongariro alpine crossing, most of the shuttle companies pick up right in that parking lot which is very convenient. Not secluded, but there’s a great view of the surrounding mountains, and we saw a rainbow every day we were there!
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5.0/5
Unexpectedly had to stay here for another full 2 days because our van broke down after the first night in the lot, amenities were always clean and maintained regularly, hot showers available, washing machine
worked great and free drinkable water. Just make sure you have a KiwiCash tag, which you can buy in shops in the village as well if you don’t already have it (list of places stated at the entrance or online)!
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3.5/5
Très grand freecamp Toilettes proches et propres Passage régulier de trains qui font énormément de bruit Lampadaires qui éclairent tout le parking toute la nuit et qui ne permettent pas un sommeil
très réparateur
Bonne localisation
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5.0/5
Even though it’s just a big parking lot it’s got everything you need including a beautiful view of the mountains!
Super convenient in the winter if you’re meeting a hiking company in National Park. If you want a powered site and bathroom/shower facilities you do have to pay but it’s super cheap. You must make a kiwi cash account and load your account with some money, then pick up a kiwi cash tag from a convenience store. To use the facilities you just have to tap your loaded tag. The showers were hot and the water pressure was insane! And a bonus there’s free wifi :)
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4.0/5
One of my faves, even though it was a giant car park.
Because 1) it was the pickup for multiple Tongariru shuttles (check your Jucy experiences discount btw, a shuttle may be one of them) and 2) it was attended by who I assume were other Tongariru trekkers which was heartwarming and made me feel safe. For me, safety > view. Did not use any paid amenities.
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5.0/5
Great place to stay with a lot of space for cars and the bathrooms was really nice recommend 100%
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5.0/5
Gorgeous view of the mountains.
Brand new kiwi camp facilities! Free Council public WiFi
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1.5/5
Big car park so level ground.
Nothing special, convenient for the route we took. Does have some good views. However massive drawback is it’s by a freight train line… 3am thought we were under attack as air raid siren went off. As we not near any natural disasters area had no idea what was going on. A lot of panicked people outside their vehicle's, until we realised a train was rolling in. Don’t remember seeing any signs for this or reviews so hopefully a rare occurrence.
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5.0/5
Great free option near Tongariro!
We stayed two nights. Bathrooms are really clean and free, there's tons of space to camp in the parking lot, even when it got busy we were all pretty spaced out. You can pay if you want to use the showers, kitchen, or laundry. Showers were $2 for five minutes, kitchen sink was $0.50 for five minutes, laundry was $4 for a wash and $4 for a dry.
You can buy the Kiwi camp tag at the local gas station and then load it up using their app if you want to use the paid facilities. They also have a "secure" camping area, but that didn't seem worth it unless you need power.
We would definitely stay again.