Nicky Westlake
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
5.0/5
We hired a Pod camper (ours was Little Sefton) to take us around the South Island for a week, and we loved every minute.
The van was very comfortable and had everything you needed to make the trip awesome.
Picking up Pod was easy, and we were walked through everything in detail before driving away. Little Sefton was very smooth and easy to drive, and ate up the kms with ease, though she needed a few breathers on the steep uphill climbs (understandably!!).
Overall, we really loved our week in our Pod camper, we were sad when we had to give her back!! Would definitely recommend this great company if you're looking for a small and comfy camper to show you the sights.
Thanks for the review Nicky :)
podrentals
South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township ▷
5.0/5
Free campsite well hidden off the beaten track.
We missed the turning initially, but soon found our way trundling up Old Faithful Road slowly. It is a bumpy gravel track but not too bad. It was bone dry when we ventured up there so can imagine it can be a bit troublesome after rain. It is also a long road, but the campsite is at the end (through two gates), so just keep going until you get there.
Very quiet there, plenty of space to set up with the small ruins on one side (we didn't venture in).
One very clean long drop toilet, hardly any smell at all.
Fantastic views of the milky way on a clear night, great little gem.
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Lumsden ▷
4.0/5
Lovely place but not straightforward to find - it's quite far back from the main road with no signposts or signs at the campsite itself.
Check-in was a bit confusing as it wasn't very obvious whether pitches were already booked or were available. There was no one on site so you have to park up and check the guestbook in the laundry to see whether there are pitches free. You also pay here in an honesty box. Three of the powered sites were reserved for people staying in the unpowered sites (as each powered site had a small shower/toilet unit, but the unpowered had nothing otherwise).
Shower units were nice - they were fairly clean but none had lighting that worked, one had a broken lock (says on the outside of the door to knock first), and one had no hot water.
The light in the laundry room also didn't work (so bring your own lights!!) but there was a clean, working fridge/freezer and a cold-water washer plus a line to dry clothes.
Lots of greenery around the campsite with chickens, alpacas and goats to greet you in the morning.
Overall I would recommend this campsite, it is a sweet little gem but I think it's in need of a little TLC and don't forget to bring a light!!
South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Manapouri ▷
5.0/5
Really great location, very easy to find.
Facilities were great - lounge, dining room and lots of kitchen space, hobs and sinks, plus toilets and bathrooms with loads of hot water. All very clean and tidy.
We had an unpowered site which was very quiet and nice and close to the facilities. Lots of washers and dryers too but we didn't use them. Overall would highly recommend a stay before heading over to Milford Sound :)