Nina S. Larsen
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Sandfly Bay Track
4.5/5
This was a super afternoon walk with remarkable views and quite a few bull sea lions - wow the're big!
This walk is a wee way out of the way, but well worth it - we enjoyed it. Very few people here.
We were here early February.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Portobello ▷
Albatross Viewing at Taiaroa Head Carpark
4.0/5
We were here late in the day so didn't go on a tour but watched the albatross from the carpark - they are really amazing.
The centre is very informative and we had a short walk around before they closed for the day.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Oamaru ▷
Moeraki Boulders
4.0/5
We made a fairly quick stop here as the tide was not optimal but the boulders are quite special and the kids (13 and 11) thought they were cool.
They are best seen a few hours either side of low tide.
You're not alone on this beach - but good for a pit stop.
We were here early February.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Oamaru ▷
Bushy Beach
4.0/5
Nice short walk to the viewing platform.
We brought binoculars but didn't spot penguins but saw many sealions.
We were here early February.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Brighton Domain
4.5/5
This is a spot that fills up quickly in the busy season so come earlier rather than later.
There are some nice short walks along the coast and just hanging around on the beach is really nice. The morning sunrise was stunning and we sat right on the beach and enjoyed our breakfast - beaut. It's a bit like a big parking lot but off the main road so there are quite a few people here, but we didn't find it noisy.
We were here early February.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
The Antarctic Attraction
4.5/5
Since going to Antarctica was not an option this is a real cool way to get at sense of the cold south.
There are many cool things to do for both adults and kids - seeing the penguins up close is cool and petting the huskies was a highlight for our daughter. It's very informative and highly recommendable - especially on a rainy day in Christchurch. We spent 3 hours here in the beginning of February.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Timaru ▷
Waihao Box, Willowbridge
5.0/5
We really liked Waihao Box freedom camp.
It's a wee drive off SH1 - well worth it to get to the coast for the night. It's sheltered from the wind, rubbish bins, tables and benches overlooking the small inlet. Very clean modern long drop. Fantastic evening and morning walks on the stone beach with views up and down the coast that seemed neverending.
We were here early February.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
He Puna Taimoana
5.0/5
This is a great place to hang out for a few hours.
very clean and with a superb view - if you're in the city and freedom camping around here this is great. Sure, it's not the wilderness experience but it's still great - our kids (13 and 11) loved it.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Akaroa ▷
Akaroa Freedom Camping Area
4.5/5
This fills up fast, so get there early in the busy season.
We were lucky to get a spot here. It's the only freedom camping spot (it's a carpark area) very close to the small city centre. Akaroa is quaint but we preferred the areas outside Akaroa city - le Bons Bay is fantastic!
We were here in the beginning of February.
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South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Cromwell ▷
Lowburn Harbour
4.0/5
Big gravel spot with even surfaces.
Beautiful lake views and nice with a refreshing swim :) It's close to the road but we we're too bothered with noise. There were a lot of people here in the beginning of Feb. Toilets were nice a clean.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Mount Cook ▷
White Horse Hill Campground
5.0/5
We loved this place It was busy (early Feb), but what a fantastic spot.
We came early (recommended) and stayed 2 nights, so had three days to explore the Hooker Valley Track, the Sealy Tarns track and Tasman Glacier View track. The visitor center in Mt. Cook Village is definitely worth a visit. This is also a dark sky reserve and we were lucky to be here on clear nights which meant mind blowing stargazing. Well worth the DOC fee - remember to prepay online or pay in cash when you arrive.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Bluff ▷
Slope Point Freedom Camping
4.0/5
This is a fairly big grassy campground next to a lagoon.The dump toilet was clean and not smelly.
We hit Slope point when a storm came in from the South so we didn't venture far from the camping area and only stayed for a one night pit stop.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
4.5/5
This freedom campsite has a stunning view of Lake Pukaki and Mt.
Cook. It's big, all gravel and with both even and uneven areas. If you get here early (before 2pm in peak season) you can get a spot close to the riverbank and thus unspoiled views. We were here in early Feb and got in around 5.30pm - found a spot and took a walk along the lake. It would get 10 for the views - 9 because it was very busy :)
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
Air Kaikoura
5.0/5
We booked a flight with Air Kaikoura to see whales - of course they cannot guarantee that you'll see any but we were really lucky and saw a blue whale and a huge pod of pilot whales.
What a ride. A side from the whale spotting seeing the Kaikoura area from the air including fantastic views of the Kaikoura Ranges was amazing.
We flew in late January.
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
The Point Campsite & Bed and Breakfast
5.0/5
Great spot with fantastic views.
It was 20NZD for the motorhome and well worth it as there were tables and benches to use and a nice grassy area. The free freedom camping spot (Armer's) just across the way is really small so we much preferred this. Easy access to the great walk around the point to the seal colony - there were pups when we were there - a true delight watching them play from afar. We were here late January.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
North Beach Car Park
4.0/5
This is a good spot for a night and close to Christchurch city.
It's a carpark but there are toilet facilities and it's just on the beach so quite the spot for a beautiful sunrise. As in most parking lots you're not alone and there's a bit of noise from the streets, but for a night or two it's just fine. You can walk to the long pier or spend a few hours in the outdoor hot pools (fee to get in) which is a hit with the kids. We were here late January.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim ▷
Marfells Beach Campsite
5.0/5
This is a wonderful DOC camp site.
Right on the beach with stunning views. The DOC camp host was there when we visited, he had just been fishing and gave us a fish lecture on the spot - cool for the kids as well. Remember to pay your DOC fee :)