Despite the road warnings our 6 meter Fiat Ducato camper handled it fine tho road can be narrow in places.

If you want to experience some West Coast isolation this could be it (we were there July 2020). Flush toilets w/paper. Bring your own water; pack out rubbish. Learning the history of the area made it even more interesting ... visit the old graveyard nearby.

Reviewed about 4 years ago

This low key relaxed campground (with cabins and houses also) is great to chill out for a bit.

We arrived for 1 night and spent 4 here! The campground has all the necessary basics - flush toilets (2 per gender), showers (2), kitchen - with limited number of pans; gas burners (4) are in the covered outdoor area along with a wood fired pizza oven (make your own pizza) and outdoor fire pit. Washing machine tho no dryer - clothesline and clothes racks instead. The above was plenty for usage at the time we were here (Sept 2020) but in peak season may be a bit stretched. The center is the “Cowshed” , a cafe and hangout space with excellent free WIFI and plenty of charging outlets for devices open 24/7. Coffee available in the morning plus biscuits/cookies any time. During summer muffins and a breakfast menu is available. Much of the smaller payments are based on an honesty system which is very refreshing eg. Showers $2/five mins but no timer; washing machine $2; cookies - put money into the honesty box and help yourself. The owners are always helpful, kind, willing to answer questions and suggest places to visit. In like manner the success of this camping spot is consideration to your fellow campers, so there’s requests to cleanup after using kitchen etc.

All pitches are on grass - find your space and set up; many areas are protected with plantings and give privacy, close enough to hear the surf and walk to the beach for your own driftwood fire at night.

There’s a large grassed area for games, soccer balls and net supplied.

This is not your Top 10 Holiday Park but a family run genuine Kiwi experience on the wonderful West Coast of the South Island where you get to meet and chat with other campers - don’t miss it!

Reviewed about 4 years ago

Very few campers (July 2020) Grounds well maintained tho choose site carefully because of wet conditions.

Clean flush toilets w/paper, small outside shelter area with cold water and sink. Beautiful lake views and walks through the bush.

Reviewed about 4 years ago and experienced in July 2020

This is one of those older NZ campgrounds which has its own charm.

Facilities kept clean and in good order. Paid for extra WiFi which worked fine at our site closer to the office and near the beach. Showers and toilets clean; owner friendly. Local pub with meals 3 mins drive away. Perfect for our July 2020 overnight.

Reviewed about 4 years ago and experienced in July 2020

Basic older first come small campground with only one functioning flush toilet; shower $2; powered site $16 for 2 pp -cash; dump station and water; minimal cell signal; WiFi can be purchased online.

Across the road from the longest sand beach in NZ - strewn with lots of huge tree logs, wild and worth the 5 min stroll. OK for overnight July 2020 but other (more expensive) choices in the general area.

Reviewed about 4 years ago and experienced in July 2020

Wonderful overnight spot for up to 6 SC campers in a fenced predator free preserve.

Well worth a visit with the possibility of seeing kiwis at night (tho we were not lucky enough!) 1.5hr walk around the lake with lots of native birds to see and hear. Clean public toilets and information on wildlife available 24/7. Quiet when we were there in winter mid week tho it may not be during the summer months as boating on the lake is allowed. Suggested donation of $10pp to help support local volunteers and the Taranaki Regional Council in improving and maintaining the preserve.

Reviewed over 4 years ago

Very pleasant camping spot which was not overcrowded while we were there.

Freedom camping anywhere around the lake but there are 4 designated placed near the toilets for NSC vehicles. Below this level are designated spots for SC vehicles. We camped further round the lake in a large pullout which is “legal” tho locals did “check us out”. Close to central New Plymouth - we found the i-Site folk very helpful and encouraging of SC freedom camping in the area in designated spots

Reviewed over 4 years ago

As others have said you do need to be here early - in winter (July 2020) & NZ border closed b/c COVID - we got the last spot ~ 6pm and there were others who missed out.

Close to the seal colony and cliff walkway which is well worth doing. Very clean new toilet facilities, rubbish/recycling; quiet tho parked right next to the road.

Reviewed about 4 years ago and experienced in July 2020