Laura
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Driftaway Queenstown
4.5/5
Hands down the best facilities of any campground I have ever stayed at.
Yes, it is more expensive than most but the value for the money was up there with the best I have experienced. Kitchen was fully kitted out and had the best views in Queenstown to boot, bathrooms plentiful, modern, clean and excellent quality. Hair dryers and straighteners provided- I’ve never known this level of luxury!
Don’t bother booking the “site with a view” unless you’re absolutely sold on needing an unobstructed view across the lake. The whole park looks up at the Remarkables and you can see the mountains from every site.
-1 point for squeezing 3 camper vans into a tiny corner space when half the park was empty, not sure why they would do this! Luckily my neighbours were lovely but it would have been pretty awkward if they were not.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Lumsden ▷
Lumsden Information Centre
5.0/5
This was a lovely spot to set up for the night.
Toilets were clean and well lit, the dishwashing station was much appreciated and overall I felt very welcome as the community has clearly put some thought and care into this place.
Check the information booth sign as you come in for information about where you are allowed to set up- there are different spots for self contained vs not, and basically the whole carpark area is free game, including behind the trains and in the carpark on the far side of the toilets. Note some parks are reserved for staff. The sign is just outside the craft shop.
Finally, I highly recommend getting a coffee from Roasted and Toasted just next door- one of the best coffees I had in NZ!
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Mount Cook ▷
White Horse Hill Campground
4.5/5
This was my favourite campsite of the trip.
Cop a clear night and you are in for an absolutely unreal view of the Milky Way! 360 degree views so there’s a good angle for sunrise, sunset, everything in between. I had no wind overnight but it was blowing a gale in the morning- something to keep in mind when selecting your spot as most are pretty exposed. Perfect position for walking the Hooker Valley first thing in the morning before the tour buses arrive.
-1 point only because of the toilet situation; the usual amenities (including any running water) are not available in winter due to freezing pipes, however this leaves only the very over-subscribed long drops which were not in a good state from the high volume of use during the day. DOC staff absolutely doing their best but two toilets are not enough for literally thousands of people every day, the majority of whom don’t seem to understand the concept of leaving the toilets in a state that is considerate of everyone else.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Greymouth ▷
Cobden Beachfront, Greymouth
4.0/5
Very clean and well serviced toilets, I couldn’t believe the quality for the price of nothing!
Views across to the mountains are beautiful.
I imagine this place would fill up quickly in summer; even on a cold, rainy Monday night in September there were several vans around.
Note that the section of the carpark along the waterfront is not available for camping (signs are pretty clear). Some locals were telling me that those in charge will not hesitate to boot you out if you camp in the wrong place.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Cron street ▷
Orange Sheep
4.5/5
Great value for money, great place.
The layout was lovely for feeling like you have a bit of privacy with each site tucked in amongst the greenery. Some sites had awesome views of the mountains- choose carefully! Lovely friendly staff and a chill vibe. Non powered sites aren’t allocated so bear in mind that if you leave and come back, your favourite spot might have been taken.
Showers were unreal- better than mine at home! Not many of them though; wasn’t an issue for me but I imagine this might be a choke point when it is busier.
Lots of mozzies near the “lake”- would recommend picking a spot not near there…
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South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township ▷
Mt / Mount Aspiring Holiday Park
3.5/5
Great location, not far from town but also close to Roy’s Peak.
Views across to the mountains were beautiful.
Heaters were on in the communal kitchen which was much appreciated. Note the kitchen didn’t have anything provided for you to use, fully BYO all pots, pans, crockery, utensils. Bathrooms were fine but nothing special. I copped a dud shower but I think I was just unlucky!
Unlike most other campgrounds in NZ they didn’t have a single occupancy rate so this place was not the best value for money for me.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
4.5/5
Loved this camp site.
Other people have mentioned the wind- they weren’t joking! I wondered in the middle of the night how much windier it would need to get to tip my van over… would do it again for the views.
Toilets were clean and well serviced. This was a popular camp spot- can’t imagine how busy it would be in peak season.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels
4.0/5
I enjoyed my stay here.
It was pretty cold so the nice heated kitchen was lovely! The vibes were good here, other campers up for a chat in the communal spaces which was lovely.
Only part of the park was open in the off-season but it looked like there were more amenities blocks that would handle a full camp ground well. Showers were awesome- better than mine at home!
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Twelve Mile Delta Campsite
2.0/5
Was going to stay here but got a weird vibe.
Lots of what looked like longer term set ups and unbroken stares from their occupants when I drove in. I kept driving and stayed somewhere else.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo ▷
Lakes Edge Holiday Park
3.5/5
I was right up the top, views across the lake to the mountains were awesome but the wind and dust was ferocious!
A small hill climb to get from my site to the facilities but I would do it again.
They very kindly applied a single occupancy rate when I asked- not advertised on the website and very much appreciated.
The bathrooms were modern and clean. 6 minute timer on the shower was a bit rough but I understand, otherwise the shower was great so at least it’s a quality 6 minutes! The kitchen was well set up but not big enough for the demand, even when the campground was at half capacity. I didn’t cook in there as there simply wasn’t space.