Steven
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Ashburton ▷
Rakaia Huts Reserve
0.5/5
Unsafe.
Avoid until there’s a notice that the local council has made changes. Signage is good, and I think the intent is good, but there are some really bad apples on-site, and it’s not safe.
I arrived around 2pm, used the (pretty sketchy - one toilet, no door) restroom, paid the donation ($5 requested), and parked in the last available spot, ready to settle in and make some food.
Random dude comes out of the bushes (literally), and starts yelling that I can’t stay there, and that I should go up to the beach and park in the soft sand. I try explaining that I’m in the marked camping ground, the beach is a no-go (both posted as no camping, and I’d get stuck), and that I’m following posted signs.
Guy becomes increasingly irate, and it’s made very clear to me that if I stay in that spot, I’m doing so at the risk to my personal safety throughout the night. Got in, and drove off. No amount of cheap stay is worth being threatened.
There’s a sign that no long-term stays are allowed, but clearly the council either doesn’t care, or doesn’t know about this creepster living permanently with a car under a tarp, atv under a tarp, and a whole house build out in the bush.
Avoid, avoid, avoid. I can’t imagine this is what the nice folks in the surrounding community wanted to have happening, but in April 2021, it’s what’s there.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Mossburn ▷
Mossburn Country Park
5.0/5
Great campground, friendly owners, excellent setup.
Lots of animals around, free, hot showers, water at the site, recycling, dump station, powered sites. It’s a big open field with lots of spots to choose from, good shared facilities, and overall great value. I’d happily stay here again.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Invercargill ▷
Riverton Longwood Holiday Park and Camping Ground
1.0/5
Dismal.
I would never, ever stay here again, even if you paid me. Campers packed in like sardines, screaming children everywhere with no parents in sight, dogs barking in trailers, folks nattering until the wee hours and again in the morning. When that stops, someone else has a TV blaring - and again, you're packed in like sardines. Noises all night. Awful, awful, awful. No sandflies. $25 for one person for a night.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Hutt Valley ▷
Brewtown Upper Hutt
5.0/5
If you’re thinking..
hang on. Is that really a self-contained spot in the middle of five craft breweries? Can I really go eat and drink fabulous beer and then retire to my campervan?
Yes. Yes it is, and yes you can.
Just spent two nights here mid-week. Phil and Anita and co were great, the beer and breweries are great, the experience is great. Breweries open up in the afternoon and close by nine or so, so there’s plenty of time to get around to everything, and still quiet for a good night’s sleep.
One of my favorite spots - I’ll defintely be stopping by again on my way back North!
Note: Do give a ring or send a request through the website before turning up, and make sure it’s available. They often have bigger events, and it’s more of a spot on the side of what they’re doing than a proper campground.
But if you can make it work, Brewtown is a *wonderful* place to spend a night or two.