Legendary spot.

Staid there with 7 more vans, plenty of space (space for 50 maybe). Toilets were disgusting though. Do watch the stars at night.

Reviewed 8 months ago

Epic spot!

Wonderful views with a bunch of very pretty hikes through goblin forests with a bunch of waterfalls. Cold and damp at night, even in summer, but gorgeous stars when the clouds clear. Carpark is pretty flat with plenty of space but it does get busy. Toilets clean but basic. Visitors center worth a quick visit with friendly staff.

Reviewed almost 2 years ago

Nice spot, I would recommend it!!.

It was winter… windy, frogy, raining and cold but nice place to stay some nights and take nice pictures frim Mt, Taranaki. Toilets and always there are others campers around it.

Reviewed almost 2 years ago

Easy 10 stars for this stunning location.

Our family of four stayed a night in a campervan in late June with no issues at all (18 months & 3 year old). Toilet is ok clean, surrounding areas feel very safe. There were two other campervans in a large car park on the night we stayed. Enjoyed amazing view of snow peaked mt Taranaki & a big full rainbow after the rain side by side after our brekkie, unforgettable memory!

Unfortunately we missed out on any walk due to leaving straight after breakfast. But I would come back for another night and do some walks next time. My kids loved running around in the huge flat carpark with My Taranaki as a backdrop

Reviewed over 2 years ago

No complaints from us.

As you’d expect. Toilets clean, no smell, floor dirty. Need to be self reliant for drinking water. About 7 other vans here and some cars- no occupants, presumably hikers out and about. Great setting. Adequate space. Got windy in evening but we felt relatively protected.

2a 2c 1 night motorhome.

Reviewed about 1 month ago

Nice place to stay next to Dawson falls, lots of campers when we were there so it made it feel safer.

A few boy racers turned up in the night with full beams on and revving engines which lasted around half an hour.

Reviewed almost 2 years ago

A nice carpark with a good view of the Taranaki.

There is a lookout point just 1 min wall from the carpark. Toilets are oké and close to the carpark. A nice visiters centre and enough space. There was only one other campervan. It was Saturday night and there were a few teenagers with cars. But they left at 12pm and didn't make a lot of noise.

Reviewed almost 2 years ago

To get here was a windy drive on a sealed road through a tunnel of cloud forest which was like an enchanted forest.

Winter review:

We had the entire place to ourselves so chose the upper car park- nearest view of Mt Taranaki. Lower carpark had closer access to the toilets.

Many walks from this base- we did a winter suited walk that enjoyed different views of Mt Taranaki.

The forested walks all around were unexpected & entirely enchanting as was waking up to the misted magical view of Mt Taranaki.

Reviewed over 2 years ago

Wonderful spot near the base of Mt Taranaki.

Public fishing toilets open 24/7 and reasonably clean.

Information centre open Thursday to Sunday.

We were the only freedom campers. There are bookable lodges nearby all run by DOC.

Dawsons Falls is stunning. One of my favourite walks, it has such a variety of native plants and trees and moss lined paths, with twisted tree roots and stones, it has an enchanted forest look about it. Take the longer loop track walk to really enjoy or go direct to the falls via the road.

The road is sealed all the way but it is narrow and windy for the last 6km trip so might be best to drive during the day.

Lovely and peaceful, spotted several Kereru (wood pidgeon) and heard Ruru (Morepork) at night.

Views of the Maunga were stunning despite us going in summer when there is relatively no snow.

Good coffee at Coffex coffee roasters in Hawera.

Reviewed almost 3 years ago

Perfect place to stay with your camper.

Amazing location with the best views to the Tongariro summit. Plenty of space for a lot of people. Best is to go to the upper parking where less people and couple of dining tables. Best star gazing of NZ!! Great toilets open 24/7 as they are at the I-Site centre. One of the best campgrounds of our entire 28 days trip around NZ!!

Reviewed about 5 years ago

Beautiful place, at the end of a 6 km dead end street, with only the sounds of birds and wind and beautiful scenery/lookout.

Nice walks with beautiful vegetation.

Reviewed almost 9 years ago

Visited the car park.

Again a wonderful location and opportunity to camp for free on the mountainside. However, we stayed over at North Egmont where there were a few more facilities.

[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]

Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014

I reckon that 2 days here is a must.

Heaps of walks, long and short, take your pick. Remember a warm hat as this place is at high altitude. Which makes for great views, but remember that in winter it snows up here. To say that the native bush here is mature, is an understatement - it feels prehistoric. A must in the Naki.

Reviewed over 11 years ago