Tukino Mountain Road

Overnight Campervan Parking

Photos

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Information

Tukino Mountain Road

Large gravel and sand area just off the Desert Road - State Highway 1.

Stunning views of Mt Ruapehu on a clear day

Very exposed to the weather so plan accordingly - this area does get snow in winter.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Central North Island

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandTaupo RegionTaupo

Categories

  • Activity__freedom_campingFreedom Camping
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-39.29648048426

175.740187072754

Take a peak
Latitude
-39.29648048426
Longitude
175.740187072754

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Reviews

    ✓ Great mountain views

    ✓ Quiet and peaceful

    ✓ Low number of people

    ✓ Large open space

    ✓ Sunset views

    𐄂 No official signage

    𐄂 Traffic noise from highway

    • Amazing spot on a clear day.
    • Great views of snowy mountains.
    • Great views and very quite.
    • A sandy area just off the highway.
    • Don’t stay here!!
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 1
    13%
    9/10 4
    50%
    8/10 1
    13%
    7/10 0
    0%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 1
    13%
    1/10 1
    13%
  • 0.5/5

    Don’t stay here!!

    No signage and right next to the highway. Much better off driving on to the national army museum car park in Waiouru.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    S
    Steph's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    A kind police officer informed us that this area is not actually permitted for freedom camping (hence the lack of signage etc.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    J
    JR's avatar

    JR

  • 4.0/5

    Great views and very quite.

    There are no DOC signs and the ground is very soft so make sure you stick to the hard ground leading from the road.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    C
    Craig's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Awesome place got right up to the 3 lodges camped one nite there then another nite further down the hill, first nite got to -4 and bit of a storm loved it for the start on Jan 2022… no people and not hot

    perfect.

    Second nite was amazing had a wicked sunset can’t wait to return

    Reviewed about 3 years ago

    R
    Ramjet's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Amazing spot on a clear day.

    Incredible views of the mountains and large open space for our campervan! Only downside is the traffic noise from the Hiighway, but worth it for the view.

    Reviewed about 3 years ago

  • 1.0/5

    Felt uncomfortable parking here as there was no DOC freedom camp signage here

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

    W
    WWW's avatar

    WWW

  • 4.5/5

    Great views of snowy mountains.

    Big sandy area to side of road. Kids had fun playing in the snow.

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

    LJ
    Lisa J's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    A sandy area just off the highway.

    (No toilets.) It's an amazing, unique landscape with a great view of the mountain. Kids can play among the grassy bumps. We loved it.

    Downsides are the road noise from the highway, and that people sometimes drive through on their way to the Tukino skifield.

    The site was deserted when we stayed in July, although people turned up in the morning.

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

    J
    Jo's avatar

    Jo