Jo
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
South End Railway Station Carpark, Kaikoura
4.5/5
Stayed for one night (which is the max).
There are 6 bays and you must park between the signs. The sign also states that you must have a self-contained certificate and the rules are different in Kaikoura.
Car park is right on the beach. The town is small and the car park is one end of it, West End car park is the other end. The toilets are located on the in the West End car park - about a 5 min walk along the beach path to get to the toilets - pretty sure they are 24 hr. Clean enough. South End Railway car park is definitely a better place to camp because you park right up to the beach and good views for sunrise. West end car park does not have a view but closer to the toilets.
Town has a few bars and restaurants, convenient place to camp. Had fish and chips on the beach.
We parked there about 5pm and there was one other space. Later, about 9pm, a car left a space and it freed up another spot. So you may get lucky if arriving later on.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds ▷
Momorangi Campsite
4.5/5
We stayed for one night in the waterfront jetty zone.
You pick your spot when you book online, and can see which spots are occupied. On the reception door it says book online and they have a computer you can use from outside when reception is shut. Phone signal is limited but they have WiFi $5 for 10gb.
Great views, right on the beach and quiet except other campers. It was mid December and I'd say about a third of spots taken.
The facilities are good for DOC which are usually basic. In the section we stayed in, there were clean flushing toilets (need a code from reception). They're male and female but only have one toilet and a shower/ toilet in each. Showers are $1 for 5 mins, cold works without coins though. There's one washer and dryer - both $3 each and take only $1 and $2 coins together. Can get change from reception in opening hours. There was also a small kitchen but we didn't use this. There are other toilets and showers on site but didn't use them either. There was drinking water but no dumpsite.
Found reception staff to be lovely and friendly. Reception is not always open. I think in the afternoons it was 2-3:30pm and 5:30-7pm. We arrived inbetween those times and they leave the check in sticker on the window and say go to your campsite and come back to reception in opening hours. There's no shops around.
Views were stunning and saw lots of 11-legged starfish in the water from the edge/jetty. Nice campsite overall, didn't have an issue with waiting for facilities but could be an issue if it is busier.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kerikeri ▷
Wagon Wheel Holiday Park
5.0/5
Martin greeted us on arrival, despite it being out of office hours, and was friendly and helpful.
The toilets and showers were really clean, the cleanest out of the places we’ve stayed. Lovely hot water for a shower and for washing up. Laundry facilities that take 2 x $2. It is a nice campsite, good location to stop off on the way up the coast. Would definitely recommend staying here. There are only 2 showers and toilets but was not very busy when we were there and was not a problem.