Janet Lewis
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
5.0/5
Stayed two nights to do the Tongariro Crossing (lived up to all expectations).
We booked TCS who picked us up from the site
Well kept, beautifully landscaped area with lovely, friendly mix of nationalities, young, old, families, couples, campers, tents, lodges all together.
Decent hot shower and clean facilities.
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Havelock ▷
5.0/5
We'd booked a powered site but on arrival the lady at reception recommended the unpowered sites right on the river.
SO glad we took her advice - Got an idyllic pitch (39) and swam in the river right there. Even better swimming spots over the road too.
Great facilities and landscaping. A few sandflies but heyho.
The powered sites are away from the river and in not much more than a car park under trees (giving the lower reviews on here).
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Waikawa ▷
4.5/5
We were self contained so requested a pitch on the headland to get the brilliant views.
Great location between Porpoise Bay (with the dolphins) and fossilized forest beach
Beware though some pitches are v tricky to get to and a bit precarious in big vans. Ask friendly guys at reception if you can check the pitches before choosing.
Other pitches are sheltered by flax hedges.
Didn't see penguins at dusk, but plenty of dolphins and a sea lion lolling around our pitch! (a few sandflies too).
Free hot showers and cafe on site.
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Mount Cook ▷
4.5/5
Stayed a couple of nights as we couldn't get in to White Horse Hill.
We were glad we did though - hot showers, clean and no queues at all in the block we used. Sheltered spacious pitches with views out over the lake. The drive up and back to Mt Cook each day was no problem.
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Banks Peninsula ▷
4.5/5
The first stay of our camper trip.
A lovely quirky little place with a bit of a hippy vibe. Lots of bush/trees made for particularly pretty and private camping pitches. Clean long drops. Friendly owner gave us first time camper tips which were invaluable - thanks 😊