(Putai Ngahere)
Vinegar Hill Reserve
Overnight Campervan Parking
Check Availability
Accommodation
Maps
Camping NZ NEW
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
Photos
Images
Information
Vinegar Hill Reserve
One of the district's most popular and well-used picnic and camping reserves.
The name of the reserve, "Putai Ngahere" or "Putai's Forest" is named in remembrance of Putai, the ancestor of Utiku Potaka, a prominent Ngati Hauiti rangatira of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Putai Ngahere reserve is situated on an expanse of land known as Otamakapua which is an integral part of the Ngati Hauiti tribal estate. Some culturally significant sites in the immediate vicinity of the reserve
include the cemetery of Manukahoka (father of Putai) and the river crossing called Tauahuruhuru (named after an incident involving Hauiti's mother Paratuae).
At the northern end of the reserve itself are the rapids known as Hauhau which were notoriously hazardous to the old totara dug-out canoes traditionally used on the Rangitikei River.
The other name "Vinegar Hill" was derived after a bullock cart carrying barrels of vinegar overturned on the muddy track on the hillside, covering the hillside in vinegar.
There are large open grass areas to recreate and a great river for swimming, canoeing, and fishing. There are two main camping areas shown on the map.
This is a beautiful and special site. Please help us care for and protect it.
Main attractions
The bush entrance to the reserve features giant redwood, totara and other native species. The reserve provides for a range of recreation activities including swimming, fishing, whitewater rafting and canoeing. It is a popular holiday camping spot for families and large groups. There are three main camping areas but people can camp where they wish. There are showers (cold) available but no BBQ's.
We have been working hard to ensure we provide a safe and enjoyable place for everyone over summer so we ask that you read and respect the following guidelines:
• Use the litter bins provided or take your litter away with you.
• Be considerate. Other people have the right to stay here as well.
• Please keep noise down to a respectful level after 11pm. For New Year's Eve this will be after 2am.
• Bonfires and the use of wood fires is prohibited.
• Drink driving laws apply within the reserve.
• No dogs are permitted on the reserve between Labour weekend and Easter weekend.
Summer season
Vinegar Hill is the place to be over the Summer months. It is the hub for our LGBTQ community over New Years as well. Fees to stay at Vinegar Hill come into effect December 15th through to February 9th. Outside of that period camping is free.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Organisation |
Vinegar Hill ReserveCommercial organisation |
|
|
Location |
North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Marton |
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
|
Coordinates |
||
|
Websites |
|
Basic Camping
Nearby
Reviews
-
4.0/5
Nice spacious area down near the river, plenty of shade.
Toilets and cold showers, peaceful spot comfortably off the main road.
-
-
3.5/5
Beautiful place nice and quite even on Easter weekend river current is very stronge showers are cold only toilets we're average
-
4.0/5
Good little spot.
Quiet, clean and lots of space. You are allowed a fire if you want.
Free in March
-
4.0/5
Tons of land and not many other campers staying in march.
Free during the off months. Toilets were fine and it looked like they had cold showers but we didn’t use them. Land was kinda wet and you could tell it had recently flooded but our van didn’t have any issues getting out.
-
5.0/5
What can I say absolutely tons of space one side of the park is locked after 8 p.m.
and I think that has better access to the river and swimming spots nice and flat for tenders we stayed in a self contained van everybody was friendly no issues looks like someone has abused the skip that would take away the general rubbish though over the holidays cell phone reception is extremely spotty I advise paying your fee ahead of schedule to avoid walking around with your phone in front of your face aimlessly who does that these days 😄
-
4.5/5
Stayed here for one night in october.
Much space and amazing to spend the night close to the river. Its’s a big open field but there’s also space near trees for more cover. Facilities were basic and clean, bring your torch as there is no light.
-
3.5/5
We were here a few days before New Year's during which half the campsite was taken up with an LGBT+ Festival of sorts.
Toilets were in a pretty poor state, certainly not enough considering the size of the site.
Otherwise its a nice place to be, essentially a big field at the bottom of a gorge with some trees
-
5.0/5
So much space!
Toilets and showers very well maintained. Great quiet winter stop over with very few people, and North end only is open over winter months. Walking along the river, and through the bush is lovely. Imagine this is super popular in summer. River current dangerously strong in the wet months. History of the area is very interesting. Perfect stop over if you're doing the Manawatu Scenic Route loop through the Rangitikei and Manawatu.
-
4.0/5
Huge grassy area alongside a beautiful river.
Plenty space to find your own private campsite. We found a spot in the trees overlooking the river. No road noise unless you park near the bridge.
Clean toilets and cold showers.
Unfortunately some locals seem to use this space as a Saturday night haunt and they aren’t interested in cleaning up after their riverside fires and booze fests. We did our bit and picked up a couple of bags of cans and broken bottles once they had their fun.
-
-
3.0/5
A lovely spot beside the river under the trees, but spoilt by broken glass bottles through the reserve, and some agressive behaviour and uncalled abuse by some drunken iwi
-
4.0/5
Nice spacious area down near the river, plenty of shade.
Toilets and cold showers, peaceful spot comfortably off the main road.
-
-
3.5/5
Beautiful place nice and quite even on Easter weekend river current is very stronge showers are cold only toilets we're average
-
4.0/5
Good little spot.
Quiet, clean and lots of space. You are allowed a fire if you want.
Free in March
-
4.0/5
Tons of land and not many other campers staying in march.
Free during the off months. Toilets were fine and it looked like they had cold showers but we didn’t use them. Land was kinda wet and you could tell it had recently flooded but our van didn’t have any issues getting out.
-
3.5/5
We were here a few days before New Year's during which half the campsite was taken up with an LGBT+ Festival of sorts.
Toilets were in a pretty poor state, certainly not enough considering the size of the site.
Otherwise its a nice place to be, essentially a big field at the bottom of a gorge with some trees
-
5.0/5
What can I say absolutely tons of space one side of the park is locked after 8 p.m.
and I think that has better access to the river and swimming spots nice and flat for tenders we stayed in a self contained van everybody was friendly no issues looks like someone has abused the skip that would take away the general rubbish though over the holidays cell phone reception is extremely spotty I advise paying your fee ahead of schedule to avoid walking around with your phone in front of your face aimlessly who does that these days 😄
-
4.5/5
Stayed here for one night in october.
Much space and amazing to spend the night close to the river. Its’s a big open field but there’s also space near trees for more cover. Facilities were basic and clean, bring your torch as there is no light.
-
5.0/5
So much space!
Toilets and showers very well maintained. Great quiet winter stop over with very few people, and North end only is open over winter months. Walking along the river, and through the bush is lovely. Imagine this is super popular in summer. River current dangerously strong in the wet months. History of the area is very interesting. Perfect stop over if you're doing the Manawatu Scenic Route loop through the Rangitikei and Manawatu.
-
4.0/5
Huge grassy area alongside a beautiful river.
Plenty space to find your own private campsite. We found a spot in the trees overlooking the river. No road noise unless you park near the bridge.
Clean toilets and cold showers.
Unfortunately some locals seem to use this space as a Saturday night haunt and they aren’t interested in cleaning up after their riverside fires and booze fests. We did our bit and picked up a couple of bags of cans and broken bottles once they had their fun.
-
5.0/5
Absolutely beautiful -- stayed two nights.
Parked our rented camper overlooking the river and listened to the water rushing by 24/7. Flush toilets and cold showers provided. Cost $6 per person. Not crowded, but enough people nearby to feel comfortable. We understand that it can be rather crowded Christmas/New Years, but was most pleasant late January. Will be back!
-
5.0/5
Secluded valley.
For self-contained vehicles only. Woke up to beautiful sound of birds. Nature at its best. When you come out of the very small road through the woods, check out the left side then the right side. Right side is better, we think. Very bright in the morning. Awesome view.
-
5.0/5
This a great spot, right by the river, lots of space & toilets.
Showers too but didn't test those, was too cold!
-
3.5/5
The area was nice and peaceful with the river just around.
We had a lot of space. The toilet was very dark, it felt a bit creepy. But it was not too dirty. Theres a shower (cold water, you gotta be brave) which is a plus.
-
4.0/5
Great swimming hole.
Plenty of spaces to camp. Busy in weekends and can get bit loud during summer weekends, and therefore unfortunately there can be bit of rubbish around. New toilet block clean and tidy. Lovely place for families, can take pets and great to have fire to toast marshmallows!
-
-
4.0/5
A lovely secluded spot by the river.
You can make your bonfire and watch the beautiful starlit sky. A bit dirty though but wonderful and free!
-
3.5/5
Technically Vinegar Hill is NOT free.
They have a posted fee of $15 (on the toilets) but don't seem to enforce it. Although, the payment methods are either mail-in or directly to the ranger so that would suggest that the ranger does come along once in a while to collect.
-
-
3.0/5
A lovely spot beside the river under the trees, but spoilt by broken glass bottles through the reserve, and some agressive behaviour and uncalled abuse by some drunken iwi
-
3.5/5
Lovely spot by the river, heaps of room to spread out.
There is a very tired amenities block at one end, and a newer one at the other. Disappointed that so many other users had left their rubbish behind - please please PLEASE be responsible and take it with you! - this is why freedom campers get a bad reputation! Otherwise lovely reserve - keep an eye out for the apple trees and olives in season!
-
5.0/5
Free staying near by a river.
So quiet and peaceful with no one around! A romantic little camp fire in the starlight made it complete!
-
