Excellent freedom camping right on a wild West Coast beach, can be windy and a lot of seaspray if the sea is rough.

Self-contained vehicles ONLY- do not be tempted, you must have a CSC sticker- the council do a check every morning around 5am. Two sleeper vans got $200 tickets this morning, one yesterday and 3 on the weekend! 3 Night maximum stay.

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Small DOC camp with fabulous views, ideal spot to stay if driving to French Pass.

Watch if its windy though, the wind can come from all quarters. Don't know what Ann from Germany was expecting, it's a DOC camp for goodness sake, it's about getting back to basics. At least there is a toilet(and it was clean), saves people in their happy crappers fouling our beautiful countryside.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago

Excellent holiday park in great location, plenty of shade trees and space.

Close to ferry and marina. Godd clean amenities.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago

DOC campground at the end of the road in the busy(sometimes) settlement of French Pass.

Right on a lovely sand beach. Good facilities but a little regimented for my liking. Sites marked out.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in October 2014

Fantastic walk, may sure you go at low tide and do the round trip (approx 2hrs) otherwise you can't walk the whole beach or see the Archway Islands in their full glory.

Plus huge sea caves and beautiful white sand dunes. Make sure a fine day too and no wind(sea spray) for best NZ photo opportunies.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in September 2014

Typical Top 10 Campground, large & busy during the high season, in a great position on the beach although sites have bushes between the campsites and the beach.

Clean facilities.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in September 2014

Fabulous day trip and or camping site.

Road is very, very narrow and steep after the powerhouse. NOT SUITABLE for anything other than a small van or car. NO MOTORHOMES. Amazing views & scenery and beautiful walks at the top of the range and at the end of the lake.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in August 2014

Stayed 12 days at Cascade Creek, great location for exploring Milford Road.

Good DOC site except in need of a couple more toilets along bush edge particularly in the middle of this large site. Get there reasonably early for a good site and don't stay under the trees if you want to avoid the sandflies or at least some of them.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Excellent walk, well worth it.

Beautiful scenery. Be aware that this is a 10 hour return tramp if you walk to the Wisp. Better to walk to the first swing bridge (Franks Stream) if you don't have a whole lot of time, it's a 5hr return walk. Be aware that there are many tree roots and climbing up & down steps. It is a quite strenuous walk if you are not fit. But it's well worth it if you have the time. Read my blog here;

http://tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/catlins-river-walk.html

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Fabulous DOC campground on the banks of the Catlin River and at the beginning of the Catlins River Walk.

Large grassed areas to camp, if you are self contained drive down the gravel track to smaller more intimates area right beside the river. Quiet & peaceful.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Excellent site, 10kms out of town surrounded by native bush (lots of bush walks) with large grassed areas & great childrens playground.

Camping sites have good access to toilets(public) and kitchen block. Shower available, power available if required. No cellphone reception.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Excellent walk to the lighthouse, make sure you take binoculars to see the seals on the rocks & beach far below.

Seals are also on top of the Nuggets if you look carefully.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

A great little gem hidden off the main road, the Holiday Park is very quiet.

Individual sites with own toilet/shower ensuite. No kitchen facilities, free laundry(cold wash) Overlooking sheep paddock and Middle Dome, trout river just across the paddock.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Nice little site tucked into suburbia but with plenty of space & large trees for shade, very close to town.

Great amenities but as with all city camp grounds, shower is on a timer & gate closes at 8pm although code gets you in and out. Very well looked after, nice grounds, friendly hosts.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Great camp ground right on a beautiful near deserted beach.

Lots of sites on two levels, this is how NZ camp sites used to be. Very friendly hosts. Basic but adequate facilities. Peaceful & quiet.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

The best spot to see yellow eyed penguins, give the hide a miss and walk the track out to the point(if the gate isn't locked) Be careful you don't trip over seals in the grass and watch for the penguins

thay can climb high up through the grass. What an experience!

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Fan-bloody-tastic experience!!!!

If you only do one attraction this year do this one. Excellent amazing display. Allow plenty of time, you'll still want more.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Large grassed reserve beside river for self contained vehicles only.

There are two reserves make sure you have the one just over the bridge from the Gladstone Pub- the other one further down river is a bit suspect.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Great little DOC camp, 8kms or so up a narrow gravel road but plenty big enough for our 14metre rig.

Site is quite small but enough room for about 10 or so vans. The walk through the bush needed a lookout over the river. Plenty of bird life.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Fantastic camp ground with well equipped amenities.

Close to river & Mt Peel walks. Not suitable for large rigs as there's a glen of low height trees to pass through to the powered sites.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Large area to park in with lots of mature trees right on the lake, very picturesque especially in the autumn.

Lake not ideal for swimming but great for trout fishing, kayaking & bird watching. Handy to plenty of hikes, bush walks & waterfalls.

Reviewed about 11 years ago

A must do on visit to the Mount, 3.5km reasonably easy walk around the base of the Mount.

Great views of the entrance, inner harbour & Pilot Bay & especially good if there's a rough sea. Climb to the summit if you'tr fit for awesome 306 degree views, perfect to watch the sunrise too.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Not much choice in the upper Coromandel for accommodation but Colville Farm is an excellent place to stop.

Huge house paddock to park in if you're in a van or motorhome, internet, powered sites & facilities available if required. Plus cottages & rooms available. Excellent price too. very down to earth friendly farming family, farm activities available if you want to join in. Glow-worms & gold mine to explore, keep an eye out for the cave wetas. And be warned it's quite a steep hike to the mine.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

This walk was a little more interesting but needs more signposts as the turn around point is not that obvious.

The mine & jail are worth exploring, take a torch or use your cell phone for light. Look for the cave wetas in the mine. And look out for the props some wag has added to the jail.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Very reasonably priced $5 per night per van parking in the front paddock right on the beach, very welcoming hosts who have been doing this for eons.

For self contained vehicles only. Very popular during holiday season & long weekends.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Well laid out spacious & family orientated camping ground.

Excellent, clean facilities, only 4 years old. Lots of space for everyone, fish 'n chips available from small on site restaurant, 10/10 for them, very tasty. Handy to HWBeach (obviously)

Reviewed over 11 years ago

I should be giving this experience a 10/10 for the entertainment factor alone.

Could have spent hours watching dozens of people from all nationalities and walks of life try to find their little spot in amongst the sand pools. Too many people on weekends & when low tide is during the middle of the day. Try to go when the tide is late afternoon or very early morning. Even better late at night with a full moon for light. Worth the experience if you're in the area but there are plenty of other "hot water" places in NZ that have less hype.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Fantastic location, worth the long drive on a narrow winding road (an experience in itself).

No shops or facilities anywhere close so come prepared. Beachfront DOC camping ground with basic facilities & very friendly & helpful managers. Very busy long weekends & holidays so make sure you book.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Iconic kiwi camping ground, just like they used to be, small & compact.

Excellent location with clean stream & swimming hole beside camp ground, very peaceful & relaxing. Hosts very welcoming. Great facilities although kitchen may not be every ones cup of tea. Great BBQ & pizza oven area. Great place to meet other traverllers

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Excellent location and very welcoming hosts but facilities are a little tired.

Very handy to town & some great short walks.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Excellent freedom camping on edge of shell banks overlooking Firth of Thames, 2 night maximum for self contained vehicles only.

Ideal for nature lovers & birders, thousands of birds feed and roost on the shell banks. World class Miranda Shorebird centre & hides are just along the road.

Reviewed over 11 years ago