We were pleasantly surprised here.

Although it's basic, it is quiet (surprisingly), with reasonable facilities. It is expensive, but this is near to a city centre and extremely convenient for the ferry terminals. These is a nice bar where bar snacks (good quality ones) are available, as well as a more formal restaurant. You can sit comfortably with a drink, read the free papers they supply, watch TV and eat a bit. For travellers passing through, it's pretty well perfect.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago

Lovely simple quiet camp next to a beautiful beach.

The sites are alongside a stream.The price is very reasonable - a great place to stay.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago

Interesting place and well done, but as others have also said it is much too expensive.

Also, I know they pay their taxes, but why let in New Zealanders for free when foreigners have to pay ? Not many such places in other countries do that. There are too many staff who seem to spend time chatting and joking with one another instead of attending to visitors.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago

large peaceful extensive site, by a river.

You can't see, but can occasionally hear, the close-by road and railway. Good BBQ facilities.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago

Extensive gardens, relatively new so some of the planting still needs to fill out.

Well signposted with informative signboards. Good selection of New Zealand flora and shrubs, as well as some from other places - we liked the African section. Good quality leaflet to help guide yourself around. Free ! Pity the café & info centre close at 4pm, although the gardens stay open till 8pm

Reviewed almost 13 years ago

Relatively expensive - why ?

The site is clean enough but as other reviewers have pointed out, it lies between a road (not that busy, but nevertheless with some traffic) and a railway along which a noisy train occasionally rumbles, and the facilities aren't that good for the number of campers. Still, the walk through the local park/botanic garden into the town is pleasant

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

A cheerless place.

Poorly lit. The main building was freezing cold despite there being a stove (which wasn't lit for long). The metal showers and toilets had a prison-camp feeling. Not that cheap, for what it was.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

We'd give this place 11/10 if that were possible !

Beautiful site, clean, great views, spacious pitches, more than enough excellent showers/toilets and laundry facilities for everyone. Two very well appointed giant kitchens with ample cutlery, crockery and cooking equipment to hand (this is not that usual, we found). Nice dining and sitting areas with big screen tv - although you can get away from it if you want to, Lovely lakeside walks from the door - either into town, or away along the lake and past the free bird sanctuary.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

Saw lots of seals here - families, babies, big daddies - and, 200 metres or so out at sea, a few orca who were diving and showing their flukes.

We were anxious for the seals, but that's nature in the raw.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

This is a nice if pretty basic little rural site, but far far too expensive.

Also, the sites are right by a main road, protected by a hedge.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

This was the most disappointing place we visited in NZ.

They have really lost the plot. 5 of the ‘spacious avaiaries’ were empty (signs on them saying so), and only 3 therefore contained birds. One of them had birds that are scarcely endangered – red crowned parakeets. There were 2 poor kiwis kept in night cages. The maintenance of the site was a bit lacking too. We reckoned that we each paid $20 for a shortish bush walk which we’d had for free, and better, in many other places.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

Noisy, crowded,expensive, poorly lit with a dirty kitchen (blamed by the site on other campers, but most other sites manage somehow to keep their kitchens clean).

Next door to an industrial estate where lorry and machinery activity starts noisily in the early morning.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

A very nice, clean and well appointed park with great views.

A bit more expensive than other Top 10 parks we went to, though

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

This is a wonderful museum, and we could easily have spent lots more time at it.

As it was, we were there for 2 hours but had to leave in order to catch our ferry. The local society have decided on 'preservation' rather than 'restoration' of the old ship, and the displays and video tell you why. It's a good idea, and the result is a much more interesting ship to look at, compared with restored ships elsewhere. There was a nice helpful lady volunteer there, too.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

This is a smaller operation than its main rival, with smaller boats and a nice intimate connection between the crew and the guests.

It was also significantly cheaper when we went. (Even so, the price is indeed high). We had a great full day out, starting in warm sunshine in Manapouri, going through falling snow on the Wilmot Pass, and experiencing rain, drizzle and mist on the Sound. Nigel, the part owner, is a mine of interesting information. A highlight of our tour to New Zealand.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

Beautiful riverside location, tree-lined shady sites, nice short walks next to the site possible, friendly and helpful staff, - and a fire to sit around in the kitchen/lounge in winter.

What more could we want ?

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

an interesting museum with good exhibits, giving information about Southland.

Some art works too, but these are of moderate interest. The baby tuataras are worth seeing. In the entrance hall there are computers with internet access.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011