National Army Museum
Overnight Campervan Parking
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National Army Museum
Park at the back of the Museum in the last bay of the car park closest to the old Headquarters building - this location provides a bigger area for larger vehicles.
You are welcome to stay in the Museum car park but they only allow self contained campers to park there overnight. Please note they have overnight security guards who come around and check that you are self contained.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
National Army MuseumCommercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Waiouru |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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4.0/5
Like the other reviews, fine for a one night spot.
It's quiet, more than enough space and the museum opens early so it's possible to get an early coffee.
The toilets outside were closed when we were there...
Great for a quick stop.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(212,18,29)" /><path d="m 150 661 Q 298 2 -361 150 Q 298 298 150 -361 Q 2 298 661 150 Q 2 2 150 661 z" fill="rgb(61,2,53)" /><path d="m 150 316 Q 182 118 -16 150 Q 182 182 150 -16 Q 118 182 316 150 Q 118 118 150 316 z" fill="rgb(194,253,202)" /><path d="m 150 133 Q 144 156 167 150 Q 144 144 150 167 Q 156 144 133 150 Q 156 156 150 133 z" fill="rgb(43,237,226)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Great free spot for self contained behind the museum.
Security guard on site. I'd say there was about 15 vehicles here. It was grassed area but some started parking on the tarmac. No facilities but cafe/museum (woth toilets) opens at 9am. They just ask foe a voluntary donation. More places should do this!
LS![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(230,92,232)" /><path d="m 150 500 Q 83 217 -200 150 Q 83 83 150 -200 Q 217 83 500 150 Q 217 217 150 500 z" fill="rgb(140,182,119)" /><path d="m 150 393 Q 157 143 -93 150 Q 157 157 150 -93 Q 143 157 393 150 Q 143 143 150 393 z" fill="rgb(115,73,136)" /><path d="m 150 326 Q 92 208 -26 150 Q 92 92 150 -26 Q 208 92 326 150 Q 208 208 150 326 z" fill="rgb(25,163,23)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
A great spot.
Felt very secure and the tanks at the front of the museum are fun. Minimal amenities but would still recommend if you need to stay the night while in the area.
K![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(48,149,102)" /><path d="m 150 624 Q 123 177 -324 150 Q 123 123 150 -324 Q 177 123 624 150 Q 177 177 150 624 z" fill="rgb(56,33,79)" /><path d="m 150 417 Q 71 229 -117 150 Q 71 71 150 -117 Q 229 71 417 150 Q 229 229 150 417 z" fill="rgb(199,222,176)" /><path d="m 150 218 Q 86 214 82 150 Q 86 86 150 82 Q 214 86 218 150 Q 214 214 150 218 z" fill="rgb(207,106,153)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Great place to stay.
Clean, tidy and safe. Lots of room to park with a mix of grass and asphalt. Kids loved playing in the car park and on the tanks. Amazing views of the mountain.
JF![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(185,123,122)" /><path d="m 150 500 Q 160 140 -200 150 Q 160 160 150 -200 Q 140 160 500 150 Q 140 140 150 500 z" fill="rgb(234,8,78)" /><path d="m 150 532 Q 251 49 -232 150 Q 251 251 150 -232 Q 49 251 532 150 Q 49 49 150 532 z" fill="rgb(21,247,177)" /><path d="m 150 162 Q 94 206 138 150 Q 94 94 150 138 Q 206 94 162 150 Q 206 206 150 162 z" fill="rgb(70,132,133)" /></svg>)
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3.5/5
Great spot- view of a gorgeous mountain on a clear day and overnight public toilets located just across the road from the service station.
S![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(224,82,105)" /><path d="m 150 592 Q 275 25 -292 150 Q 275 275 150 -292 Q 25 275 592 150 Q 25 25 150 592 z" fill="rgb(243,205,69)" /><path d="m 150 460 Q 202 98 -160 150 Q 202 202 150 -160 Q 98 202 460 150 Q 98 98 150 460 z" fill="rgb(12,50,186)" /><path d="m 150 261 Q 132 168 39 150 Q 132 132 150 39 Q 168 132 261 150 Q 168 168 150 261 z" fill="rgb(31,173,150)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Feeling safe :) and public toilets just few minutes walk .
Nearby Z station , if you want can grab something anytime
V![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(125,137,52)" /><path d="m 150 695 Q 249 51 -395 150 Q 249 249 150 -395 Q 51 249 695 150 Q 51 51 150 695 z" fill="rgb(201,89,220)" /><path d="m 150 365 Q 99 201 -65 150 Q 99 99 150 -65 Q 201 99 365 150 Q 201 201 150 365 z" fill="rgb(54,166,35)" /><path d="m 150 277 Q 80 220 23 150 Q 80 80 150 23 Q 220 80 277 150 Q 220 220 150 277 z" fill="rgb(130,118,203)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Really nice freedom Campground with super friendly security guards.
There are no toilets but you can walk to the public toilets. The tanks around the museum are also quite interesting.
A![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(66,24,233)" /><path d="m 150 742 Q 245 55 -442 150 Q 245 245 150 -442 Q 55 245 742 150 Q 55 55 150 742 z" fill="rgb(10,172,150)" /><path d="m 150 510 Q 174 126 -210 150 Q 174 174 150 -210 Q 126 174 510 150 Q 126 126 150 510 z" fill="rgb(245,83,105)" /><path d="m 150 112 Q 76 224 188 150 Q 76 76 150 188 Q 224 76 112 150 Q 224 224 150 112 z" fill="rgb(189,231,22)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Nice location, security guard checks self contained toilets across road 5 min walk Can be cold and windy as up in mountains
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3.5/5
Simple to find, loads space on hard standing, felt very safe.
Nearest public toilets are across the road but not that far. Given it’s the only freedom site in the vicinity it’s a solid choice for staying a night.
H![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(119,1,100)" /><path d="m 150 550 Q 117 183 -250 150 Q 117 117 150 -250 Q 183 117 550 150 Q 183 183 150 550 z" fill="rgb(12,19,88)" /><path d="m 150 473 Q 211 89 -173 150 Q 211 211 150 -173 Q 89 211 473 150 Q 89 89 150 473 z" fill="rgb(243,236,167)" /><path d="m 150 191 Q 222 78 109 150 Q 222 222 150 109 Q 78 222 191 150 Q 78 78 150 191 z" fill="rgb(136,254,155)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
A very safe, secure overnight stop.
No public toilets available on site but they are available down the road. You can park up either on a grassy area or in the car park which was another plus given the weight of our vehicle and the slightly boggy grassed area. And the bonus....waking up to a magnificent view of snow covered Te lka-a-Maui!
P![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(222,108,0)" /><path d="m 150 649 Q 77 223 -349 150 Q 77 77 150 -349 Q 223 77 649 150 Q 223 223 150 649 z" fill="rgb(111,28,216)" /><path d="m 150 335 Q 99 201 -35 150 Q 99 99 150 -35 Q 201 99 335 150 Q 201 201 150 335 z" fill="rgb(144,227,39)" /><path d="m 150 350 Q 271 29 -50 150 Q 271 271 150 -50 Q 29 271 350 150 Q 29 29 150 350 z" fill="rgb(33,147,255)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Great location with a security guard patrolling the lot throughout the night.
Great views of the mountains in the distance. Bathrooms were closed so we had to go across the highway
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5.0/5
For a low cost place to stay this is great.
Parked up round the back of the museum after hours. There’s a few tanks to look at and a garage down the that has some supplies. Security guards patrol the area and it feels nice and safe. No facilities but none needed if you’re self contained.
RT![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(227,95,175)" /><path d="m 150 748 Q 194 106 -448 150 Q 194 194 150 -448 Q 106 194 748 150 Q 106 106 150 748 z" fill="rgb(48,129,241)" /><path d="m 150 311 Q 158 142 -11 150 Q 158 158 150 -11 Q 142 158 311 150 Q 142 142 150 311 z" fill="rgb(207,126,14)" /><path d="m 150 164 Q 248 52 136 150 Q 248 248 150 136 Q 52 248 164 150 Q 52 52 150 164 z" fill="rgb(28,160,80)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Place dans l’herbe à côté du parking arrière du musée.
Très bien pour une nuit, sécurisé (un agent vient régulièrement et vérifie si nous sommes self contained)
Calme et propre.
Dommage que les lumières restent allumées toute la nuit.
L![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(102,213,18)" /><path d="m 150 552 Q 281 19 -252 150 Q 281 281 150 -252 Q 19 281 552 150 Q 19 19 150 552 z" fill="rgb(162,168,159)" /><path d="m 150 490 Q 80 220 -190 150 Q 80 80 150 -190 Q 220 80 490 150 Q 220 220 150 490 z" fill="rgb(93,87,96)" /><path d="m 150 118 Q 214 86 182 150 Q 214 214 150 182 Q 86 214 118 150 Q 86 86 150 118 z" fill="rgb(153,42,237)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Secure and safe stopover with 24hr access, great if you are arriving late or needing to catch some sleep before leaving early.
Just take into account that Waiouru is high elevation so will be colder than most places you stay. Definitely self contained only and checked everytime by security. The mueseum is defintitely worth a visit too if you have time
PT![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(6,21,110)" /><path d="m 150 665 Q 132 168 -365 150 Q 132 132 150 -365 Q 168 132 665 150 Q 168 168 150 665 z" fill="rgb(15,27,166)" /><path d="m 150 438 Q 91 209 -138 150 Q 91 91 150 -138 Q 209 91 438 150 Q 209 209 150 438 z" fill="rgb(240,228,89)" /><path d="m 150 283 Q 279 21 17 150 Q 279 279 150 17 Q 21 279 283 150 Q 21 21 150 283 z" fill="rgb(249,234,145)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Great spot, but c as n get muddy and soft during the rain.
Second time we’ve stayed here. Definitely recommend it.
D![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(121,1,79)" /><path d="m 150 642 Q 90 210 -342 150 Q 90 90 150 -342 Q 210 90 642 150 Q 210 210 150 642 z" fill="rgb(148,69,248)" /><path d="m 150 315 Q 58 242 -15 150 Q 58 58 150 -15 Q 242 58 315 150 Q 242 242 150 315 z" fill="rgb(107,186,7)" /><path d="m 150 260 Q 178 122 40 150 Q 178 178 150 40 Q 122 178 260 150 Q 122 122 150 260 z" fill="rgb(134,254,176)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Nice quiet and safe spot.
No toilets on site, they are a few minutes walk towards the high street. We are SC but no one checked or knocked. Would stay again.
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2.5/5
Parking lot behind the museum, many places.
Good to stay for a night, a public toilet (Open 24h) can be found across the street opposite the gas station. However, security was very unfriendly to us, made us feel uncomfortable. Be aware that there's 24/7 video surveillance. Lights are very bright.
D![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(173,35,207)" /><path d="m 150 591 Q 100 200 -291 150 Q 100 100 150 -291 Q 200 100 591 150 Q 200 200 150 591 z" fill="rgb(243,1,221)" /><path d="m 150 371 Q 294 6 -71 150 Q 294 294 150 -71 Q 6 294 371 150 Q 6 6 150 371 z" fill="rgb(12,254,34)" /><path d="m 150 178 Q 245 55 122 150 Q 245 245 150 122 Q 55 245 178 150 Q 55 55 150 178 z" fill="rgb(82,220,48)" /></svg>)
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3.0/5
Good place for One night.
Friendly Personal.
Camping is free, Only self contained.
Public clean toilets ca 200m on the other side of the street.
S![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(51,186,200)" /><path d="m 150 506 Q 216 84 -206 150 Q 216 216 150 -206 Q 84 216 506 150 Q 84 84 150 506 z" fill="rgb(14,135,113)" /><path d="m 150 488 Q 193 107 -188 150 Q 193 193 150 -188 Q 107 193 488 150 Q 107 107 150 488 z" fill="rgb(241,120,142)" /><path d="m 150 352 Q 73 227 -52 150 Q 73 73 150 -52 Q 227 73 352 150 Q 227 227 150 352 z" fill="rgb(204,69,55)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(25,45,250)" /><path d="m 150 582 Q 298 2 -282 150 Q 298 298 150 -282 Q 2 298 582 150 Q 2 2 150 582 z" fill="rgb(136,202,233)" /><path d="m 150 399 Q 73 227 -99 150 Q 73 73 150 -99 Q 227 73 399 150 Q 227 227 150 399 z" fill="rgb(119,53,22)" /><path d="m 150 123 Q 201 99 177 150 Q 201 201 150 177 Q 99 201 123 150 Q 99 99 150 123 z" fill="rgb(230,210,5)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(225,26,167)" /><path d="m 150 594 Q 154 146 -294 150 Q 154 154 150 -294 Q 146 154 594 150 Q 146 146 150 594 z" fill="rgb(224,98,220)" /><path d="m 150 515 Q 195 105 -215 150 Q 195 195 150 -215 Q 105 195 515 150 Q 105 105 150 515 z" fill="rgb(31,157,35)" /><path d="m 150 309 Q 215 85 -9 150 Q 215 215 150 -9 Q 85 215 309 150 Q 85 85 150 309 z" fill="rgb(30,229,88)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(162,176,251)" /><path d="m 150 663 Q 105 195 -363 150 Q 105 105 150 -363 Q 195 105 663 150 Q 195 195 150 663 z" fill="rgb(123,141,197)" /><path d="m 150 414 Q 106 194 -114 150 Q 106 106 150 -114 Q 194 106 414 150 Q 194 194 150 414 z" fill="rgb(132,114,58)" /><path d="m 150 262 Q 73 227 38 150 Q 73 73 150 38 Q 227 73 262 150 Q 227 227 150 262 z" fill="rgb(93,79,4)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Like the other reviews, fine for a one night spot.
It's quiet, more than enough space and the museum opens early so it's possible to get an early coffee.
The toilets outside were closed when we were there...
Great for a quick stop.
M -
5.0/5
Great free spot for self contained behind the museum.
Security guard on site. I'd say there was about 15 vehicles here. It was grassed area but some started parking on the tarmac. No facilities but cafe/museum (woth toilets) opens at 9am. They just ask foe a voluntary donation. More places should do this!
LS -
4.5/5
A great spot.
Felt very secure and the tanks at the front of the museum are fun. Minimal amenities but would still recommend if you need to stay the night while in the area.
K -
4.5/5
Great place to stay.
Clean, tidy and safe. Lots of room to park with a mix of grass and asphalt. Kids loved playing in the car park and on the tanks. Amazing views of the mountain.
JF -
3.5/5
Great spot- view of a gorgeous mountain on a clear day and overnight public toilets located just across the road from the service station.
S -
4.5/5
Feeling safe :) and public toilets just few minutes walk .
Nearby Z station , if you want can grab something anytime
V -
5.0/5
Really nice freedom Campground with super friendly security guards.
There are no toilets but you can walk to the public toilets. The tanks around the museum are also quite interesting.
A -
4.0/5
Nice location, security guard checks self contained toilets across road 5 min walk Can be cold and windy as up in mountains
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3.5/5
Simple to find, loads space on hard standing, felt very safe.
Nearest public toilets are across the road but not that far. Given it’s the only freedom site in the vicinity it’s a solid choice for staying a night.
H -
5.0/5
A very safe, secure overnight stop.
No public toilets available on site but they are available down the road. You can park up either on a grassy area or in the car park which was another plus given the weight of our vehicle and the slightly boggy grassed area. And the bonus....waking up to a magnificent view of snow covered Te lka-a-Maui!
P -
4.5/5
Great location with a security guard patrolling the lot throughout the night.
Great views of the mountains in the distance. Bathrooms were closed so we had to go across the highway
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5.0/5
For a low cost place to stay this is great.
Parked up round the back of the museum after hours. There’s a few tanks to look at and a garage down the that has some supplies. Security guards patrol the area and it feels nice and safe. No facilities but none needed if you’re self contained.
RT -
4.5/5
Place dans l’herbe à côté du parking arrière du musée.
Très bien pour une nuit, sécurisé (un agent vient régulièrement et vérifie si nous sommes self contained)
Calme et propre.
Dommage que les lumières restent allumées toute la nuit.
L -
4.5/5
Secure and safe stopover with 24hr access, great if you are arriving late or needing to catch some sleep before leaving early.
Just take into account that Waiouru is high elevation so will be colder than most places you stay. Definitely self contained only and checked everytime by security. The mueseum is defintitely worth a visit too if you have time
PT -
4.5/5
Great spot, but c as n get muddy and soft during the rain.
Second time we’ve stayed here. Definitely recommend it.
D -
4.0/5
Nice quiet and safe spot.
No toilets on site, they are a few minutes walk towards the high street. We are SC but no one checked or knocked. Would stay again.
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3.5/5
The Car park is rear the museum.
Many spaces are available. It is pretty quiet with a nice view of the mountains ! A guard checks your self-contained certification not only the sticker. Clean public toilets are close to the car park, about 3 min by walk to go there. There are many spotlights that can be disturbing during the night. It is a nice spot for a night.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(2,93,155)" /><path d="m 150 539 Q 176 124 -239 150 Q 176 176 150 -239 Q 124 176 539 150 Q 124 124 150 539 z" fill="rgb(48,50,40)" /><path d="m 150 459 Q 117 183 -159 150 Q 117 117 150 -159 Q 183 117 459 150 Q 183 183 150 459 z" fill="rgb(207,205,215)" /><path d="m 150 220 Q 86 214 80 150 Q 86 86 150 80 Q 214 86 220 150 Q 214 214 150 220 z" fill="rgb(253,162,100)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Very safe location, had a security guard patrolling all night and checked SC cert.
Toilets short walk across the highway. Plenty of space and Lovely view of the mountains. Donations can be left at reception in museum
A![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(86,128,91)" /><path d="m 150 693 Q 57 243 -393 150 Q 57 57 150 -393 Q 243 57 693 150 Q 243 243 150 693 z" fill="rgb(108,2,234)" /><path d="m 150 477 Q 137 163 -177 150 Q 137 137 150 -177 Q 163 137 477 150 Q 163 163 150 477 z" fill="rgb(147,253,21)" /><path d="m 150 152 Q 266 34 148 150 Q 266 266 150 148 Q 34 266 152 150 Q 34 34 150 152 z" fill="rgb(169,127,164)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Great late night stopover safe with plenty of light and ample parking spots Never to be forgotten
T![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(129,198,139)" /><path d="m 150 648 Q 285 15 -348 150 Q 285 285 150 -348 Q 15 285 648 150 Q 15 15 150 648 z" fill="rgb(49,162,201)" /><path d="m 150 469 Q 213 87 -169 150 Q 213 213 150 -169 Q 87 213 469 150 Q 87 87 150 469 z" fill="rgb(206,93,54)" /><path d="m 150 338 Q 90 210 -38 150 Q 90 90 150 -38 Q 210 90 338 150 Q 210 210 150 338 z" fill="rgb(126,57,116)" /></svg>)
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