Quite a random fenced in area of gravel only moments down the road from a 10/10 freedom camping spot.

Heaps of lovely manicured grassy area surrounds it, but I would head down the road if there was space for sure.

Reviewed almost 9 years ago

A primo spot only 10-15 minutes north of Thames.

Across the road from the local store, covered area with coin operated BBQs, public toilets with a covered in picnic area beside the playground and beautiful big trees for shade - another great waterfront gift from the good people of the Coromandel.

Reviewed almost 9 years ago

Another cool spot in Pauanui - a Doc walking track also starts from this carpark if you are into seeing the countryside on foot.

Quite a rugged beach - I'm not sure it would be great for swimming but certainly a good vantage point to watch a storm roll in.BBQ and picnic tables for true alfresco summer living

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Another primo waterfront location.

Plenty of flat space to choose from - though make sure its between the signs

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Premium location under big trees but still on the tarseal.

Coin operated BBQ's, picinic tables, surf breaks.....very civilised living. Surrounded by holiday homes so likely a busy spot in summer

Reviewed over 9 years ago

A bit of a strange spot tucked away in suburbia - in a world where the houses (baches) have their own private jetty.Only room for one vehicle so you would get it all to yourself.

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

A primo spot to camp……..pretty much beachfront though unfortunately you cannot see the beach from the parking area.

Huge playground and lots of grassy areas

Walk 2 minutes down the road to small grocery store and liquor shop. Is a bit further away from eating outlets (fish and chips) but possibly a bit quieter away from the main village centre.

Reviewed over 10 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

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 over 10 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 over 10 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 over 10 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 over 10 years ago

Another tight little nook in the Kaimanawa Forest Park.

At the start of the walking/mountain biking track loop for Tree Trunk Gorge.

A very cool swing bridge, the best view of the Pillars is actually over the bridge and to the left.

Reviewed over 10 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 over 10 years ago

A very busy spot on summer weekends for boaties launching at the ramp, families picnicking and utilizing the extensive playgrounds, people fishing off the wharf and locals eating ice-creams from the dairy

. An Italian Restaurant and the boat club provide a couple of dining options, and the ferry to Matakana Island also leaves from here.

Overnight parking is in the main carpark right beside the shop near the dump station. Some lovely established trees for shade, trailer parking for boaties is in the same area so you may get an early morning wake-up call.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Park by the Heli Sika base at the gates to Poronui Station, the track is well marked with orange triangles on the gravel-road verge.

A rather un-inspiring hour or two walking along dusty gravel roads before getting into some small patches of eucalyptus and finally native before hitting the river.

Take care to find orange marker over the river when you cross - can lose your bearings on the river flats. Oamaru hut has a lovely outlook over the river valley - very popular with hunters and the odd adventurous fisherman.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Not a bad spot if everywhere else is full but I would go for the coastal options.

We used to run circuits around this park as kids for cross country - it doesn't seem to have got any more interesting since then! If you are into large expanses of manicured grass - this is the spot for you!

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Deep in the heart of orchard country - another quiet waterfront location.

Boat ramp, public toilet, and directly across the water from another freedom camping spot at Kotuku Reserve. Specified overnight parking is right on the water - a nice spot.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Definitely one of the best spots in the area.

Good fire pits, wide open grassy areas with trees for shade and access to the beautiful Tree Trunk Gorge walking/mountain biking track. Top notch

Reviewed over 10 years ago