Not a bad option if you arrive in the area late at night after a long drive, and can't be bothered trying to find anything else, but if we had the time and energy we would definitely head north of town

a bit to a slightly more scenic site. A large, level gravel car park with some big trees - it served us well in the torrential rain, thunder and lightening storm.

Reviewed almost 9 years ago

Lovely half moon beach with Pohutukawa trees for shade from the heat.

Busy spot in the summer months. The parking area is nothing to write home about but access to the beach is on your doorstep. Only room for 1-2 campers. Public toilet.

Reviewed over 9 years ago

A couple of minutes drive out of town - if you are into practising your golf perhaps you could make use of this spot

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Just out of town - nice walkway along the beach.Right on the main road with quite limited space but ideal if you are stopping for a stock-up before heading north to the wilderness

Reviewed over 9 years ago

A rather uninspiring spot right in town.Good if you wanted to have a night on the town with a few bevvies and get home safely but that's about all

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Not a bad option if Paku Drive down the road is full.

Not really any outlook except the houses across the road, and the dump station also situated here. The ground feels a bit boggy in the rain so be wary of getting yourself stuck

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Loads of positives - +walking distance to city centre (about 5-10 minutes), +playgrounds for africa +waterfront (estuary) +fountain (if you need a bath) +mini putt, swimming pool, skating rink +big trees

for shade

+coin operated BBQ

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Right in the heart of where it all happens in Ohope.

Wander over the road to the Ohope Scenic Reserve, or along the beach to the Kohi Point Walkway.

Takeaway shops only a moments walk away, plenty of playgrounds to keep the kids happy, and excellent swimming on the Ohope Beach under the watchful eye of the Surf Lifesaving Club.

The only reason it gets a 9 not a 10 is there is limited parking space (very strict on where you are allowed to park) and the park gets VERY busy on a nice day.

All in all an excellent spot

Reviewed over 10 years ago

A great view on a clear day from the lookout structure.

Sealed area accessed by a steep sealed road, camping spots are few and far between out in this area so there's not to many to choose from.

A bit of graffiti around could indicate a favoured spot for local youths?

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

For some reason I have a feeling that rest areas under bridges attract undesirable people….totally unfounded but it has taken a point or two off the rating.

Right under a main highway - lots of trucks could make for a noisy night. Other than that a nice spot on the river, plenty of grassy areas. Has a resident flock of chickens - at least one rooster so you may be in for an early-morning wake-up call.

NOTE: clearance height under bridge is 2.5m - you can access parking spots from both sides of the bridge.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

This little spot is far enough off the highway to be peaceful but close enough to town to duck in for a morning coffee - or walk along the river if you are feeling energetic…..

Surrounded by native bush, metres from the Tongariro River - try your hand at catching your dinner (fly fishing only) or cool off after a walk or mountain bike along the Tongariro River Trail.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

THE BEST VIEW to wake up to, on the flanks of Mt Ruapehu with views over the entire Tongariro National Park.

A sealed parking bay, very exposed to the weather, quite likely to be in the snow in winter, but can be pretty windy even on a sunny summer's day.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

Lovely and shady, feel dwarfed by a stately stand of natives.

A good spot if you want to get an early start up the Umakarikari Track, but again if you you are after more space try down the road.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

A nice enough spot but definitely not as aesthetically pleasing as a couple more just along the road.

Situated on a sports ground you could be inundated with hoards of kids early on a weekend morning.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

What a hidden gem!

Waterfront location, plenty of trees for shade, public toilets, big grassy area with picnic tables and even swings. Seems it would be a quiet spot during the evening, small ramp may attract some keen early-morning boaties.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

A pretty random spot to park up - rugby clubrooms and tennis courts may mean inundation by sporty types if you park here on a weekend.

Plenty of grassy areas for running around and some shady trees, but you could definitely find somewhere a bit more scenic without too much of a drive.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

A MASSIVE grassy paddock that you are likely to share with the sheep but they are very friendly.

If you want a slice of real NZ then this spot is worth the drive (you definitely have to earn it, along a very long, narrow, winding gravel road)

Walk 350m down the road to watch paddlers launch on the Whanganui Journey or take a dip in the swimming hole.

The Blue Duck Cafe over the road offers some meals, snacks, cold drinks and internet access. There is no cellphone reception - part of the beauty!

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

This trail now joins tracks along both sides of the river so you can do about a 15km loop if you are feeling enthusiastic!

Easy access from lots of points along the track - stunning views of the river, lake and Turangi township, and 2 massive swing-bridges from where you can usually spot trout. The whole track has been resurfaced in hard-packed gravel which makes for a sweet ride on a bike and jandal-friendly walking.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

An initial uphill effort makes the views and swim in the lake totally worth it.

Seemingly untouched native bush teeming with bird-life. Beach is perfect for picnics and paddling. A good distance for the little tikes (and those who end up carrying them)

Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in September 2013