Phil & Laura
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka ▷
Purakaunui Bay Campsite
4.5/5
The DOC paradox; the harder you look for off the beaten track, you realise lots of others are too.
Basic facilities, but....outstanding views, wildlife (sea lions) and a fantastic beach. Quite crowded though, and we struggled to find a slot. Long gravel roads on the approach, but with beautiful flora.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Akaroa ▷
Akaroa TOP 10 Holiday Park
3.5/5
Our only top 10 pick of this holiday, selected before we got the iPad App, which opened up a whole other world.
However, this was fine. All mod cons for comfortable camping. Close to Akaroa itself, a short walk down a steep hill. Staff were not as engaged with us as campers as others we subsequently came across in the smaller independent sector camps. More expensive than we had anticipated, and we didn't get the full benefit of the infrastructure because we only stayed one night.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo ▷
Lake Alexandrina
2.0/5
Overpriced and crowded when we were there.
Head further along the lakeside going north and you will find Lake McGregor campsite; McGregor is a basic campsite, lots of space when we were there and a small lake in which to swim. Doesn't feature as a separate campsite in NZ Camping, but it was there. Low score for Alexandrina purely based on cost which at $20 for two of us which we felt was a lot for sitting in a parking lot with views of the backs of sheds in a shanty town. Loos were a modern form of the composting DOC type, but ensure you have your own paper
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Waihi ▷
Dickey Flat Campsite
3.5/5
Simple and basic DOC.
Twin loos in the main site with another located away from the van park in the area for tents. Adjacent to a river, with a handful of picnic tables available for use. Handily located for several beautiful trail walks
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Hutt Valley ▷
Kaitoke Regional Park Camping Ground
3.5/5
Vast site with basic facilities.
Lots of people there, including two guide troops, but with so much space it was easy to find a spot away from the madding crowds. Very peaceful at night
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Manapouri ▷
Monowai Campsite
3.5/5
Basic DOC campsite.
Lovely location. Quite a few campers there when we arrived but it was tranquil. Nice short walk away from the campsite along the lakeside offering the chance of secluded swimming. First contact with sandflies, so repellant necessary, plus insect killer if they get into the van. Set into a wooded area, most vans were parked on raised ground away from the lakeside. There was some construction work underway on the river, but it did not disturb us. Loos were a bit below par here.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast ▷
Lake Paringa Campsite
4.0/5
Another good value DOC.
Basic facilities, lovely lakeside location. Popular so an early arrival would secure the best pitch. Sandflies abound, so wrap up or apply the repellant. The only disappointment was other campers leaving their refuse outside the loo block where there was no bin set aside for the purpose. We should help the DOC and at least carry our rubbish away with us for disposal elsewhere.
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South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Lake Hawea ▷
Lake Hawea Holiday Park
4.5/5
We are normally DOC campers, but ended up here after a long drive.
We arrived late and pitched next to the lake. Fantastic. The next morning it was quiet, and we were more alone than on some DOC places. We had the lake to ourselves first thing (it was cold). The facilities were excellent, and the owner very helpful about our next moves and relaxed about our departure time
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Cosy Cottage Thermal Holiday Park
4.0/5
Not a pretty campsite, however the facilities were fine.
The extras such as the ability to dig your own pool in the hot sands on the lakeside, and the hot pools in the campsite were a bonus. The receptionist was very helpful and the handyman filled the thermal pool early for us after cleaning so we could use them before we moved on.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Waikawa ▷
Curio Bay Camping Ground
4.5/5
A great location easy to find.
The phormiums (plants) provided great seclusion and shelter from the very windy weather we had. Handy for the penguins and dolphins and petrified trees. I loved the showers (in concrete pill boxes) my wife less so, but they were hot and welcome none the less
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ St Arnaud ▷
Quinney's Bush
3.0/5
The facilities (loos, showers etc) were fine, clean and tidy.
A highly ordered site, lots of signs about hand hygiene in the loos, what fridges and freezers do (fridges make things cold, freezers cold and hard). The chain across the road in and out was a little unwelcoming. Not travelling as a family we didn't use the other stuff on offer, but it was fine for us as an overnighter on the way north
Thank you for your response. Signs are always interesting...why do folk put their salads and beers in the clearly labelled freezer instead of in the fridge??? Or their ice cream in the clearly labelled fridge???Ah well, try another sign...
The chain across the road is intended to be unwelcoming to those people who like to come in and help themselves to our facilities. Paying guests are always welcome of course and we usually help out by undoing the chain for them!
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Okarito ▷
Okarito Camping Ground
4.5/5
Wonderful place.
All very clean and tidy and well looked after. The warden places a selection of fresh herbs for sale at the entrance for use in cooking. Nice touch. Adjacent to the beach so the opportunity for swimming and long beach walks. Plenty of driftwood available for the BBQ. Not too busy.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Hokitika ▷
Lake Mahinapua Campsite
4.5/5
An excellent campsite.
Lots of space in a field adjacent to, but separate from the lake. Good facilities, clean and well maintained. Full recycling facilities too. We thought the lake was beautiful, set away from the main site. Some interesting fact boards about the local history, the original lake steamer (what remains of it) is set into a display. Several short bush walks easily accessible.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo ▷
Lake McGregor
4.5/5
A fabulous location with stunning views and very quiet.
An open campsite with plenty of space for campervans, alongside Lake McGregor. Basic facilities in terms of loos, but close to Mount John, so very handy for the night visit to the observatory. We booked a visit and arranged with them to collect us at the road entrance to the observatory.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Havelock ▷
Pelorus Bridge Campground
5.0/5
This one scores a 10.
Excellent facilities, cooking area, loo' and hot showers for a reasonable DOC sum. The river was a joy to swim in, and a 1 hour walk into the glorious bush gives you another fine waterfall and pool in which to swim.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Manapouri ▷
Possum Lodge Motel and Holiday Park
3.5/5
Compact site, very handy for the early start to Doubtful Sound.
Well equipped kitchen, WiFi for campers was a bit slow but fine for emails. Laundry available, plus a communal lounge for those with an urge to stretch legs outside the confines of the vans. A fair price for a touristy area. We booked in early and drove to Milford ( a long way). When we got back at 7pm the site was full.
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South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Alexandra ▷
Omakau Recreation Reserve and Camping Ground
4.0/5
Nice, well run little site.
After a long drive we found the facilities clean and tidy. Well appointed kitchen area fully equipped, laundry was reasonable value per wash and dry. Quiet when we were there - the joy of travelling out of season I suppose. Handily located for access to the Rail Trail
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Ohakune ▷
Mangawhero Campsite
4.0/5
Secluded campsite, with sneaky glimpses of Mount Ruapehu.
The usual basic DOC facilities; single long drop loo, and a cold wash hand basin. Hard standing for campervans and a small orchard area for tents. A few picnic benches located on a central grassy area. Handily placed for the national park and good value at $6. Stand pipe for refilling campervan tanks
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
Kuaotunu Campground
4.0/5
A quiet, sheltered site.
Two minutes walk to the beach. Helpful staff, and the facilities were freshly decorated. A lot of 'fixed' campers and mobile homes on the site so it felt crowded, but when we were there at the end of February most were not in occupation so the site was very quiet.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Murchison ▷
Lake Rotoroa Campsite
4.0/5
A very quiet site, near to some residential houses close to the lake.
The views were spectacular by the lake, but as well as those pesky sand flies we had a plague of bees to contend with. Hundreds of them. Facilities were DOC basic, and there were not many other campers there. Good value at $4 per person