This is a nice quiet place to camp and fish.

Good clean facilities. Rubbish needed to be picked up. Good fishing in the lake for large rainbows.

Reviewed about 11 years ago

Nice freedom camping area just a block off from main street and next to the highway.

A sports field is behind the area. A short walk to toilet facilities and mall with grocery store. We were very pleased that the Thames-Coromendel Council provides this as we were able to shop and stock up on our camping needs. We wish more towns would provide this type of experience. Since we usually camped in basic and standard DOC campgrounds or areas for freedom camping, we were often at some distance from places where we could purchase supplies. Thank You Thames!!!

Reviewed about 11 years ago

Small campground near the river.

Great trail down the gorge with bridges and historical mining information along the way. A bit of a winding road to get to it but worth it. Fantastic place to see birds.

Reviewed about 11 years ago

This campground was poorly maintained.

There was a lot of evidence of vandalism in the area...the ground was torn up by 4 wheelers and signs were knocked over or broken off. Rubbish was piled high in containers or spilling over on the ground. This campsite has loads of potential but needs help.

Reviewed about 11 years ago

Very expensive.

Tiny campsites. Very crowded. Staff less than helpful in giving directions to campsite. Large boulders set around campground making it difficult to maneuver. Facilities were OK but the campground had an overall run down appearance. The only plus comment we can make is it was close to our pick-up site for our camper and the grocery store to stock up. It was the most expensive campground of our entire 7 weeks in New Zealand.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013

My husband and I spent 47 days in a Base Jumper 2 camping around both New Zealand Islands.

It was a fantastic adventure for both of us. Most of the time we either Freedom camped or camped in DOC campgrounds. We were exceptionally pleased with the Base Jumper 2 performance. Fuel consumption for a vehicle of that size was remarkably low and we had virtually no mechanical difficulties. The overall quality and design of the camper and everything in it is superior right down to the kitchen equipment. It was very clean and well maintained. We found it to be very comfortable and it met all of our needs. We were also impressed by the unique heating system which uses diesel fuel and heats both the cabin and the bath cabinet turning it into a drying cabinet, which we needed on a couple occasions. We only camped in commercial campgrounds 6 nights. We are experienced campers and enjoy having the freedom to go where we want and do what we want and the Base Jumper 2 allowed us that ability. We are both biologists so we love being outside. I cannot say enough good things about working with the staff at Wilderness. They were extremely helpful from the beginning and right up until they dropped us off at the Auckland airport for our return to the USA. Claudia answered all of my questions via email prior to arriving in Christchurch and was very encouraging and helpful. Brian gave us a complete run down on the camper before we ventured off the lot in Christchurch. We met Flavia on our last day there and she bid us farewell at the airport.

I had done a lot of research before choosing Wilderness. I was particularly impressed by the good reviews reported here on Rankers. Now I can understand why they are rated number 1. I do not know what more they could have done to make our experience any better.

Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013

Campground was a nice quiet campground with lots of places to camp.

Loved the Tui birds. There were fruit trees that I cannot identify and other unique vegetation. A nice free campground if you are self-contained and on your way North or South. There is a shelter house built to accommodate a fire in the center and seating along the outside for groups.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013

This is a fabulous place to freedom camp if you are self contained.

However, we missed it because the people at the Taupo visitor I Site did not tell us about it when we asked if there was a place in the area where we could freedom camp. We missed an absolutely beautiful sunset over the lake because of it. The camping area is right on the lake and as pictured is open and grassy.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013

Not what I would expect of a campground.

One side of the gravel road was camping sites and the other side was residential. Not much privacy or room for camping. The lake is beautiful but you have to walk or drive to get to the lake.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013

A good spot to stay if in route North or South.

Not much of a view from the campground but out on the highway it is magnificent. Easy drive to park visitor center and trails. We were told that Kiwi's could sometimes be seen on night walks through the bush on the trail from the campground but we did not attempt it. $6/nite.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013

Lots of space.

Clean and well maintained toilets. Nice lake views with history of paddle boats on the lake, Friendly Weka's to great you.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013

One of our favorite campsites of the whole 7 weeks in New Zealand.

One side of the river has powered sites and is not all that nice but they have a great toilet complete with a shower. The other side of the river is absolutely drop dead gorgeous. A fantastic kitchen, laundry and toilet/shower facility but does not have electrical hook-ups. There are lots of sites with some right on the river. Large kahikatea trees dominate the camping area. Fantastic walking trails and large totara trees. Campground was taken over for a month or so during the filming of "The Hobbit" as some scenes were filmed here. There is a wonderful little cafe where you can get baked goods and tasty treats.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013

You have a choice, left to the Otto's side or right to the MacDonalds side.

The Otto's side was by far the best and was further away from the road. Very clean nice DOC toilets on the Otto's side and a lake view. Close to the Fox Glacier. McDonald's side was more exposed, close to the road and with vaulted toilet but next to the river and bridge. Your choice.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013