Mike&Fe
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Hastings ▷
Haumoana Domain
5.0/5
Felt so lucky to be able to camp here!
Loads of space, picnic areas, clean toilets and just over the rise the beach. Not a swimming beach but there is surf by the river mouth for surfers.
Stayed here with our dog. There’s a really good cycle m/walking track that goes all the way to Napier.
Beautiful spot. Came back for another night.
And there’s good coffee just around the bend at Haumoana Coffee.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Waiomu Domain Beachfront Reserve
5.0/5
Feel quite lucky being able to camp free in such a lovely spot.
Amazing views, great toilet facilities. BBQs and picnic tables. The designated camping area is for CSC only. There is space for around 7-9 campers. Get in quick. It was full with 7 large motorhomes when we came.
Cafe across the road has an awesome menu, and next door a tackle shop for boaties.
You’ll hear the water at night. The beach is rocky/stony. The reserve has wonderful large pohutekawa trees.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Bluff ▷
Bluff Lodge & Guest House
4.5/5
The manager lets you park your campervan there and sleep in it.
You pay $25 and you’re able to access the showers and lounge and kitchen facilities.
Not the flashiest but a welcome stop over when we were looking at going to Stewart island.
Kay will also let you park your van there (small campervans not large motor homes) while you visit Stewart island.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mt Taranaki ▷
Dawson Falls Carparks
5.0/5
Wonderful spot near the base of Mt Taranaki.
Public fishing toilets open 24/7 and reasonably clean.
Information centre open Thursday to Sunday.
We were the only freedom campers. There are bookable lodges nearby all run by DOC.
Dawsons Falls is stunning. One of my favourite walks, it has such a variety of native plants and trees and moss lined paths, with twisted tree roots and stones, it has an enchanted forest look about it. Take the longer loop track walk to really enjoy or go direct to the falls via the road.
The road is sealed all the way but it is narrow and windy for the last 6km trip so might be best to drive during the day.
Lovely and peaceful, spotted several Kereru (wood pidgeon) and heard Ruru (Morepork) at night.
Views of the Maunga were stunning despite us going in summer when there is relatively no snow.
Good coffee at Coffex coffee roasters in Hawera.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Evans Bay Marina Carpark
4.5/5
Great place to stop if you’re catching the ferry.
Very clean toilets available. The carpark for campers is to the right as you enter. It filled up quickly but there were still a few spots left by the end of night.
We did find it difficult to sleep because traffic runs late in Wellington of course, but quietens after 11pm.
Great access to bus stops, there’s the #24 route heading right into town as the bus stop is just across the road. We caught a bus into town to Courtenay Place for $4 each cash and walked to Cuba St and the Waterfront for drinks.
Good coffee almost everywhere in Wellington. Home of Havana and many other delightful roasters. Go for Raglan Roast if you’re up for the devil’s tar. But hey I’m biased.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Oamaru ▷
Moeraki Boulders Holiday Park @ Hamden Beach
4.5/5
Great camping ground with all the amenities you need.
Just be aware that the grounds for non powered vans is a bit lumpy and not level everywhere but the good thing is you can park with a great view of the beach.
Very clean well maintained toilets, showers and kitchen. Bikes available for kids and a great park and even a skate half pipe.
Sadly we arrived and there was dense fog! But we managed to still catch low tide to view the boulders which are a 2km walk away along the beach or 4 minutes drive. You just have to make sure you time it so that you’re back before the tide comes in if you’re walking.
Good coffee at Vanessa’s Cafe just up the road and she opens at 6am and the place is warm and inviting with a great selection of in-house made pies and cabinet food.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Hanmer Springs ▷
Hanmer Field Base and Picnic Area
5.0/5
Referred to on Google Maps as Hanmer Springs Parking Freedom Campersite and also as Hanmer Amenities area.
It was a welcome relief when we realised we could stay here after finding the River Reserve was coned off and closed - possibly due to bad weather and rising river.
Doesn’t appear to be a limit on number of campers, surroundings are lovely with trees and grassy areas. Quite level and 3 flushing toilets available including one disability toilet.
Not far from town and what looks to be some nice walks.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Waiouru ▷
National Army Museum
4.5/5
Large carpark allowing self contained camping.
We arrived late after 10.30pm and museum toilets were closed but public toilets are just a short walk across from Z service station.
Well lit and seems very secure. Was nice an quiet. About 5 other motorhomes there. Plenty of space for larger motorhomes.
Wonderful view of Ruapehu.
It’s asked that a donation is given to the museum.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds ▷
Parklands Marina Holiday Park Picton
5.0/5
Ignore that 1/10 review.
It’s obviously just sour grapes. Fantastic campground. All the facilities are clean and well maintained. Host is so friendly.
Showers are lovely and hot and they’re not timed.
You will need your own kitchen utensils, cutlery, pots etc.
We came right after Cyclone Dovi so there has been a few trees down apparently and the host said the park was a mess but it seemed fine to us.
Great stay. No complaints whatsoever.
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
Kaikoura Peketa Beach Holiday Park
5.0/5
Can see why this campground gets great ratings.
All facilities available. Great showers which are included in stay price. Clean toilets and kitchen areas.
We got a site next to the beach and it was wonderful. Saw some dolphins and believe they were hectors. The proprietor told us that’s common there. Beautiful sunrise. Wonderful wave beach for a swim though the drag is pretty strong so just be aware.
Go to the world famous Kaikoura Seafood BBQ trailer on Fyffe Quay just before Point Kean and have the platter (good for two) or the crayfish.
Good Allpress coffee at Beebox in Kaikoura.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
5.0/5
Came across this site on our way to intense stop as we thought there were no toilets here.
But there are!
100% agree with others regarding the views of the lake, mountains and the stars at night. Does not disappoint for the sunrise either. Plenty of room.
Do not think of the toilets as your traditional long drops. Yes they might be a little smelly but they’re super clean and modern looking. Found these toilets even cleaner than many flushing or exeloo toilets we’ve come across. There are four of them.
No water here. They do have hand sanitiser.
Otherwise there are flushing toilets only a little up the road at the Salmon shop.
Great coffee at HYDRO in Twizel. Twizel also has the best Hardware store called Jake’s Hardware which is like the stores of old pre-Bunnings and where you can get pretty much anything you need. Also some great camping and hunting stores in Twizel.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Pouto Peninsula ▷
Glinks Gully Campground
5.0/5
Definitely lives up to the hype.
Wonderful seaside campground with $1 4-minute hot showers, clean toilets and very practical communal kitchen.
The sunset is spectacular here. Great small community vibe, we got invited by some locals who have been camping there 40 years to join them net fishing. Was a really good experience. Loads of friendly campers.
Barry comes around with tokens for the shower which are just $1 for 4 minutes. Shower and toilet block may older style but they are very clean and functional.
Cell tower on the hill so great 4-bar 4G coverage if you’re with Vodafone.
Will definitely be back.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
Kai Iwi Lakes Campsite
4.5/5
Stayed at Pine Beach campground.
Stayed at Pine Beach campground. Beautiful lakeside camping. And nice bush/lakeside trail walk that goes right around I believe.
Very busy with a lot of day visitors and the campground itself full of families. Sheer volume of people generated a lot of rubbish but camp was kept well maintained and clean.
No kitchen or laundry but there are sinks for doing dishes. $2 coin 4-minute showers which are cleaned regularly. No lights in the toilets or showers so bring a torch for at night.
They had a coffee/fast food trailer and ice creams which was cool. 3G Vodafone coverage was good in spots.
Apart from all that come for the Lake. Absolutely stunning.