Van of Green Fables
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Woodville ▷
Woodville Ferry Reserve
2.0/5
Very Large and open grassy area prone to bogging after rain.
No wind protection or privacy offered at all, and this area is very popular with dog walkers and bored teens. There is no lasting beauty in this campsite, though the area is steeped in history and Woodville is a lovely little town. There are toilets onsite and back in town there is both a dump station and fresh water. Though I appreciate the effort it is not what I look for in a camp spot.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Kiriwhakapapa Campsite
5.0/5
Kiriwhakapapa is exactly what freedom camping in New Zealand is all about; Wilderness, nature, bush walks, seclusion & a sense of adventure just getting there.
The site itself offers privacy with a few tucked away spots right by the stream and a larger open area. There are toilet facilities here and it costs $8 per person per night. Wake up to the sound of a babbling brook and then climb a mountain.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Holdsworth Campsite
5.0/5
Is Epic too strong of a word?Nah, this DOC campsite is Epic.
How a campsite can be so large yet feel secluded I an unsure. There is vast amounts of grass campsites and several tucked away corners that offer privacy and wind protection. Only three flush toilets for a site this big is not enough, but there is a fresh water supply with taps throughout the camp. The real gems are the incredible bush walks suitable for a range of fitnesses; you can literally climb a 1700m mountain from here. Plus, and it is a big plus, there a several wild swimming spots to discover for those hot summer days. Epic.
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Dannevirke ▷
Beach Road Holiday Park
5.0/5
A gem on the east coast this camp is close to perfection.
There a several spots individually nestled in amongst the tall trees and dunes and there are evne more sties located on open grass. Take your choice; protection from wind and sun or, on a cold day, all day sun to warm you up. Both secluded and sheltered with direct access to a large and beautiful beach, flush toilets, fresh drinking water and cellphone service.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Waipukurau ▷
Pourerere Beach Freedom Camping
1.0/5
An exposed site at the south end of Pourerere that will provide a cooling breeze on a summers night or an intolerable experience in a southerly wind.
Rather muddy and rough, there are no flat spots in this “out of sight out of mind” freedom camping spot. However, on a nice evening you will enjoy a fantastic sunset. No privacy, no shelter, 1km from toilets and 500m from any beach access. Two stars because you can camp for 3 nights.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Waipukurau ▷
Aramoana Beach Freedom Camping
3.0/5
A lovely view out the back window through tall trees and onto the sea.
Though you are in a carpark and will have other campers less than 2 feet away, it does mean flat ground. I hid here in a howling southernly and it offered reasonably good protection though it was still harrowing. The toilets are close at hand and the is good beach access. Camping is only for one night and due to the size of the carprak it is only suitable for sub 6 foot small campervans.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Waipukurau ▷
Kairakau Beach Freedom Camping
5.0/5
An easy 5 stars and a must stay freedom camping location.
Access is via a fully paved and well maintain road suitable for any camer. The freedom camping is located at the very end of the road you cant help but drive into it and it's well sign posted.
There are about a dozen camping bays where you can back up your camper up with views over the ocean. Each spot is separated by foliage which provides both privacy and a wind block. There is a well cared for bathroom at the start of the freedom camping area and would be a short walk from any of the camping bays.
I loved this spot as you can watch an idyllic sunset in the evening, the moon glistening over the ocean at night and a bright red sunrise in the morning.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Waipukurau ▷
Elsthorpe Carpark
2.0/5
Perhaps a quick stop and a bush walk on your way out to Kairakau Beach as the bush is nice, but very small.
There are no facilities, no atmosphere and with other freedom camping spots so close (Kairakau Beach) I would not recommend it.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Havelock North ▷
Mohi Bush Picnic Area
4.0/5
Nice and flat with great views out over farmland.
Fairly good wind protection. There are bathrooms a short walk from the park up spot but looked like cows use them more people. Small but incredibly beautiful forest with short and easy walks. Highly recommend this spot over Maraetotara Falls.