MissRed
North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Whanganui ▷
3.5/5
Cheap little campsite at $10/night for an unpowered site.
Showers are $2 and flush toilets, although no toilet paper for over 24 hours while I was there and it could all do with a really good hose out and clean. Tent sites were nicely mowed and rubbish bins available. Also a coin operated gas bbq further down the reserve, along with a playground. The surrounding landscape of wetlands means the water table is very high and as a result the unpowered sites were a bit soggy in places but still ok to use, just be aware if it’s been raining. A short and pleasant walk to a lovely beach with plenty of driftwood and pumice treasures to find and plenty of bird life to see in the wetlands area. I stayed 2 nights and enjoyed my time.
North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Carterton ▷
4.0/5
Spent 2 nights camping in a tent here and found it very pleasant and would stay again.
PROS
Flat site with mown grass
2 very clean long drop toilets
Rubbish and recycling bins
River close for swimming
Wild blackberries in summer
Gladstone Inn close for meals
15 minutes from Masterton
Free
CONS
Close to road so get some traffic noise
Not a lot of shade
No water tap
North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Featherston ▷
4.5/5
Spent 3 very happy nights here in my tent and can’t wait to go back again.
Honesty box payment system and saw the ranger once while there.
PROS
Stunning scenery and very peaceful
Beach very close and suitable for fishing and diving
Plenty of shade
Very affordable
Spaces for campfires
2 long drop toilets that were tidy
Large shelter with table and seating to share, plus sink
Tap water available but needs boiling
Bike tracks to explore
CONS
Road quite rough and rocky and not good for very low vehicles and best in fair weather
Tent sites are small, rocky and not very flat...best suited to small tents
Has the potential to be very windy!
Beach not ideal for swimming
Limited cell cover
Quite a bit of rubbish in the bushes.....needs a clean up