Sarah Mitchell
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Glenorchy ▷
Diamond Lake Campsite
3.5/5
Gorgeous spot but very small and does not have a lot of sites so you would need to be early.
Down a narrow gravel road so be careful as on the way back I had to stop because a crane was lifting a camper up from where it has run off the road and fallen down a gully. Positive is that the site is close to Paradise which is given that name for a reason.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Glenorchy ▷
Kinloch Campsite
3.0/5
Very small campground so if you arrive late there will be no spots.
However, I can imagine being great if there are only a few of you - as there is a guesthouse nearby where you can enjoy meals and coffee with a view and then your site is across the road next to the river.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Moke Lake Campsite
5.0/5
Best DOC campsite we stayed at.
Lots of sites to choose from and lots of space. Great clean drop toilets and washing up facilities. Wonderful views and outlook, access to walks. However watch out on the road there - it's long and narrow gravel, which is fine except some drivers go fast and don't move over which can be frustrating and dangerous.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Deer Flat Campsite
4.5/5
Lovely outlook and decent drop toilets.
Lots of sites to choose from if you have four-wheel drive. It was wet when we were there so some of the road was a bit boggy but no problem for 4WD. Choice of sites on flat near the river or under trees. Can get cold at night if camping and you can see the snow on the mountains even in mid Summer. Coffee cart around the corner at Mirror Lakes was a nice surprise.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Twelve Mile Delta Campsite
3.5/5
Good as a last-minute spot as there are many sites of all descriptions but very noisy.
We happened to be here on a Friday night and there was still music pumping at 2 am. Also people tend to turn up late and set up anywhere between 10 pm and midnight. Lots of sandflies. Clean drop toilets. Close to Queenstown.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
Lake Poaka Campsite
4.0/5
Very crowded although it was just after Christmas.
Lots of spots but be aware if you are next to the river someone might come and set up right next to you when it's busy. One toilet was clean and the other one was very smelly and dirty. Close to Twizel for supplies.
Bonus is one of the most used viewpoints for Lake Pukaki is just around the corner so if you are staying a couple of nights you can go back when it's quiet and have those million dollar views to yourself.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Geraldine ▷
Waihi Gorge Campsite
4.5/5
Our first DOC campsite in NZ.
Wonderful outlook towards the mountains. Lots of campsites. Clean flush toilets. Lots of nice walks and close to Geraldine for supermarket and internet. Beautiful river and rapids.