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 about 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

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

Another primo waterfront location.

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

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 almost 11 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 almost 11 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

A pretty random structure seemingly in the middle of nowhere - good information boards explain what it is all about.

Great scenery - watch out for mountain bikers flying towards you as you walk up the track from the river.

If you walk up the track a few extra minutes there is a crystal clear spring flowing out of the rocks to top up your drink bottles.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

Jaw dropping views for very little effort.

Hold onto your hats (and your kids) the sheer drop over the back of the wall is extreme.

If you are into geology this formation is probably quite exciting for you to see - if not then it still looks cool.

You may see some climbers clambering around on ropes - don't stand directly under them you could end up with lose rock landing on your head.

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

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 almost 11 years ago and experienced in January 2014

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 almost 11 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 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