20May24.

2 adults on powered site for motorhome. $40. Very nice lady in reception.

Key fob entry and exit.

A big park. All grass, as far as I could see, pitches but they held up well considering the rainfall.

Free WiFi. 10gb for 5 devices over 7 days.

Good toilets and showers. Showers on 5 min timers with 100 seconds delay before more hot water. No delay on cold!

Good kitchen. Didn’t try the laundry or other facilities.

Play equipment for youngsters.

Very close to beach, the ocean was evident all night where we were.

Clearly a very good family holiday park.

Reviewed 6 months ago

10May24.

No reviews since mine in 2018?

This time we walked from the Taupo Holiday Resort to the falls. A straightforward walk along the river. The water is so clear.

The falls are very impressive. Toilets there too.

We then walked along to the Hub Cafe, another 1km or so opposite the turn for Craters of the Moon. That was worthwhile too.

A longish walk in all but we were glad we did it.

Reviewed 7 months ago

2May24.

Stopped for diesel in our hired motorhome. Nearly a disaster.

The forecourt canopy has a 3m clearance only. Our height 3.3m. Beware.

Also the diesel pump is to the left of but not under the canopy.

The very kind lady member of staff stopped us before we did any damage and was very helpful in getting us fuelled up and away. She deserves a 10.

Reviewed 7 months ago

15May24.

Expecting a rainy morning we decided to try it out. Very glad we did. It is one of, if not the, best museums we have visited. Lots of interesting and varied stuff there. We spent a few hours there and could have stayed longer.

Some of the interactive stuff is very entertaining, especially the musically orientated ones.

And it is totally free!

Reviewed 6 months ago

On the left hand side of the road when heading north.

Spacious with access both sides of the drains.

A lot easier than using the dump station at the Orewa Beach Holiday Park

Reviewed 6 months ago

11May24.

As previous reviews, the fill is a bit slow but all the same is very impressive.

We were fortunate to arrive, unplanned, at about 11.50 so had time to get in position.

Glad we went

Reviewed 6 months ago

30Apr24.

I think the app has been updated since the last review.

A good set of walks there. We combined a couple to suit our schedule.

Good walks and a good looking campsite.

Very good toilets by the parking area too. We didn’t try the cafe.

Reviewed 7 months ago

27May24.

2 adults on powered motorhome pitch. $50 one night.

All grass pitches, some level, some not so.

Fairly close to the beach so breaking waves can be heard all night in rough weather. No road noise.

Great facilities. Separate blocks for toilets and showers. All new-ish and in good order.

It would be a 10 except for WiFi limited to kitchen area and no hand drying facility in the toilet blocks.

Reviewed 6 months ago

8thMay24.

2 adults in motorhome.

Good location and good facilities as described by others.

As well as being close to the road there is also a railway line the other side of the road. Lots of rail line crossings so bells and train noises sometimes.

A shortish walk to the Sea Life Centre. That’s worth a visit, a cafe and decent toilets!

Dump station and fresh water too, all for nothing.

Would have been a 10 if further away from the road.

Reviewed 7 months ago

2 adults in motorhome $150.96.

9and10 May24

I agree with the positive comments below that it is a great place for kids. Adults too. The entertainment facilities are brilliant.

Why not a 10? This was the most expensive park we have stayed in. My gripe is they don’t have curtains and plastic duck mats in the showers. A lot of cheaper parks do.

In some cubicles the coat pegs are on the opposite side to the shower head and there is only a narrow divider. The water flow is high so splashes are inevitable. The floor gets wet so getting dressed and drying feet is not easy.

Its a great park for families but if you don’t want all the bells and whistles there are cheaper options.

We did enjoy the beer whilst in the pool!

Reviewed 7 months ago

17May24.

2 adults in motorhome, powered site for 3 nights total $150.

We like Orewa a lot. Quite busy that weekend as a motorhome club had a meet. Still plenty of space.

Facilities good. Maybe a little tired in places but they get lots of use.

Between the road and the sea so you can be aware of some noise at times although we didn’t find it intrusive.

Straight onto a path to town on the beach side when light. A good walk in. Alternatively walk on the beach. It was hard sand so was easy walking.

The dump station at the north block is awkward unless your outlets are on the left hand side of your van. You also block the park road whilst dumping. I suggest if travelling north you use the public dump station at Hatfields Beach Reserve, on the left hand side of the road. Plenty of space and you can go either side of the station.

Plenty of eating and drinking places in town. We tried Coast and it was good.

Th lagoon walk is an easy well surfaced walk.

Reviewed 6 months ago

10 based on a short stay for lunch only.

Very large area with plenty of space and good facilities.

Plenty of campers there but loads more space available.

A very small hedgehog close to us too. Bonus!

Reviewed 7 months ago

26Apr24.

2 adults in motorhome.

Very busy. We were fortunate to get in with our 7.2m van.

In spite of being busy it was very quiet. Good loos too.

A reasonable walk to town for the purposes of the hot pools and/or after pool imbibing and/or eating.

Not aware of the other freedom site as mentioned in a previous review.

Reviewed 7 months ago

16May24.

2 adults on powered site for 1 night. Motorhome $64.

A very good site spoiled for me by the showers. Curtain and mat but push button for 10 minutes. Trouble was it was difficult to see what was the button and whether it worked. Water seems to be getting warmer but didn’t. Tried another cubicle. Difficult to see if button worked. Water did get hot eventually but then the flow dropped off.

That apart a very good site only 500m from the caves

Reviewed 6 months ago

27Apr24.

2 adults in motorhome.

There are 30 powered sites with fresh water . Sites are partitioned.

In addition a number of unpowered sites, possibly free?

Powered sites $20. $4 for showers.

Restaurant has good selection of beers. It was very busy early in the evening but not so much later (when we were leaving!)

Reviewed 7 months ago

25May24.

2 adults on powered site in motorhome. $42.

Level pitch. 2 combined toilet/shower rooms each for male and female.

Steep hills to get to the centre. We only went to the fish and chip shop and back. Too dark and the threat of rain!

Didn’t use the kitchen or laundry.

A little out of the way but close to the ferry and an ok spot.

Reviewed 6 months ago

3May24.

The last couple of hundred metres are gravel and a little narrow should you have a large unit.

Good signage at the car park. 2 long drops including a larger one disabled friendly.

We did the Spit Track along the sheltered side of the spit for about 4kms. The walking was easy. Hard sand and loads of shells.

Then cross the spit in the dunes, what a landscape, to the Tasman Sea side.

The dunes are great. We loved that part. There are paths through the longish grassy vegetation but we had no problem following them. We were surprised how wide the spit is. It showed us that it is a very long spit.

Walking back the other side was less easy as there was plenty of soft sand. Fortunately we didn’t pick up from the car park notice board that there may be quicksand! Didn’t find any though.

The walk back seemed a lot longer that the walk out due to walking conditions. We picked up the Spit Track to cross back over.

It was sunny and a bit hot. Little shade.

Take water and use sun screen.

Oh, there were little bitey things in the car park but we didn’t encounter them on the walk.

Reviewed 7 months ago

22May24.

2 adults in motorhome on powered site. $45.

Level sites close to toilets and showers. As in previous reviews there are 2 toilets and 2 showers in new-ish units. They are under cover too. A pity one of the showers was out of order.

Close to the highway so some road noise but not so bad.

A good park and friendly host.

Reviewed 6 months ago

30Apr24.

2 adults in 7.2m motorhome.

Arrived mid afternoon and got a space. One side is suitable for smaller vans side by side. The other is suitable for longer vans end to end.

Toilets updated since our last visit in 2018, much better now.

Fellow campers nice and quiet. Be aware though that there are industrial units fairly close that seem to be working 24/7 so you may hear them at night.

A bit of a walk into town but that suited us.

Reviewed 7 months ago

8thMay24.

A stop for lunch. The park is good with walks around the lake and the wider park.

Facilities are good and plenty of space. We didn’t stay overnight but would have been happy to if it fitted our itinerary.

Reviewed 7 months ago

16 April 24.

Still the same as my last review in 2018. Steep but worth it.

I hope the young girl complaining about the steep streets before the walk proper got to the top!

Reviewed 7 months ago

20April24.

2 adults in large motorhome, 1 night.

Quiet. Flush loos. Free. Great.

Restricted to 15 vans but beware, some parked taking up 2 spots so space might be restricted.

Loos ok but not lit so take a torch.

Cafe closed when we got there mid afternoon but was open early ish the next morning. We didn’t use it as we were driving out when we noticed it was open.

Reviewed 7 months ago

9th and 10th April 24.

$96. 2 adults.

A small holiday park but reasonable facilities. No stools or duckboards in showers but not metered and good temperature and pressure.

Laundry - $4 for wash, $2 for 20 mins drier.

Good lounger and dining area with plenty of leaflets etc.

A bit of a trek into town but there are buses and taxis. Reasonably quiet as whilst close to a road it is not a main road and no lorries. Would stay again if it fit our itinerary.

Reviewed 8 months ago

22April24.

A good walk and well made paths. Carry on to the the Trig Point for a total 90 minute return walk. There are 2 other trails at 3.5 hours each.

Hats off to the locals. The public toilet was the cleanest we have seen so far with soap, water and a Dyson Airblade!

Reviewed 7 months ago

21April24.

2 adults. Powered site $48. Nice place as others have said. I would only say the number of toilets and showers are low for the number of pitches.

Watch out for the large rocks by the pitches. One jumped out and ripped off the end of the waste water outlet! Ouch

Reviewed 7 months ago

20 April 24.

Stopped for lunch. Good facilities. Recommend for a stop but can’t rate the campsite as we didn’t stay.

Reviewed 7 months ago

23April24.

Plenty of parking for large motorhomes.

The original bridge and part of that walk are now closed. There is a new, better (longer) walk to the original waterside area with a new longer bridge.

Hats off to DoC.

Reviewed 7 months ago

24April24.

2 adults in motorhome.

Grassy area so hope it’s not boggy. It wasn’t when we were there.

Went for an evening shower but the cubicle I used had very poor flow and the water was lukewarm only long enough to wet me. Then cold! I checked the other 2 cubicles after. They had good flow but were also cold.

They were ok next morning.

Other facilities good.

Would have been a 10 but for the cold shower.

Reviewed 7 months ago

24April24.

Always a good spot to visit. This time we had brilliant sunshine! Last time pouring rain.

As in the more information, high tide best. We missed it by a short while but still impressive.

Reviewed 7 months ago

17 April 24, 3 nights, $165.

2 adults on powered motorhome site.

Excellent park. All the facilities are very good.

Plenty of toilets and showers with plastic duck boards in showers. Why don’t all campsites have them?

Laundry $6 each for washing and drying. Good sized machines and long cycles. Good value.

Good location near the buzzy town centre with plenty of eating and drinking opportunities. We love Wanaka.

A 9 not a 10 as the WiFi gets overwhelmed when most are on site in the evening.

Our 3rd visit and would come again if we get the opportunity for another trip.

Reviewed 7 months ago

25April24.

2 adults in motorhome.

Very busy when we got there but just managed to find space.

Toilets basic but perfectly up to the job.

There for 1 night only.

Quiet overnight.

A good stopover

Reviewed 7 months ago

01Oct18.

Damp start to the day but not cold. Walked to the lookout then down to the pinnacles base. Good stuff. Hard work walking on gravel but worth it. Don’t think we will go again tho. A bit out of the way. Glad we did it tho.

Reviewed about 6 years ago

18 September 2018.

We went from the most distant car park. A nice walk, the river getting bluer as we went. Very quiet in places. Lots of birds. Good facilities. The spring was not what was expected tho. Just an area by the side of the river. No real sign of water streaming out.

Well worth while walk on a warm day.

Shame others don’t respect the place. Cans thrown into the bush and something best not described in the loo at the spring!

Reviewed about 6 years ago

19Sept18.

The falls and tracks good but the car park is small and the turn in at the bottom of the road is tight. We had a 7.7m motorhome. It looked like some of the young ones there had camped overnight.

Reviewed about 6 years ago

23Sept18.

Brill place with free walks. You could feel lost within the woods but the different trails are well marked.

The Centre is good but tourist orientated. We would have liked to do the treetop walk but we decided the $25 each was too much.

Reviewed about 6 years ago

20Sept18.

The walk from the caves entrance is not easy to follow. We did find the path to the lookout from the car park. That was good.

We asked a very kind gent and he suggested we drive west and turn left at the roundabout. A little way along that road you will find two car parks opposite each other. Turn right immediately after them and you will find the Ruakuri Caves entrance. Brilliant!

Reviewed about 6 years ago

12 September 2018.

Basically as previously described. We walked in light and dark. Glow-worms in places. Saw one or possibly two kiwis, just about! Great place to go. Shame about the kauri die-back but good protections in place, please use them.

Reviewed about 6 years ago

12 September 2018.

Powered site! Great. Good facilities, all things considered. No water in the kitchen in the morning. Due to someone filling their camper water tank? Don’t expect much and be delighted

Reviewed about 6 years ago

24Sept18.

We only did a short bit of the walk. It looked to me like it would be a good walk. The stream was wade-able. The bridge story is interesting and somewhat sad. The picnic area is good and the long drop was clean enough

Reviewed about 6 years ago

22Sept18.

Stopped by and walked to the crater. That was good. Not enough time for the longer walks.

The car park is more of a lay by for storage of gravel and was very uneven and bumpy when we were there hence only 8.

Reviewed about 6 years ago

Our first campsite this trip, 10 September 2018.

As good as last time in 2014. We love the location and Orewa. Hope to have another trip before too long and will always come back here.

Reviewed about 6 years ago

21May14, 1 night, $29 per night - booked online, 2 of us (50's).

Our last night in NZ after 8 weeks there. Booked here as close to hire depot. Not expecting anything other than somewhere safe to park, loos and showers and ability to clean the van. Surely this is the point of the place, it is not a holiday destination in itself.

The only disappointment was no facility to wash the van down other than connecting our own, short, hose up. A cleaning bay with a long hose and brushes would be useful.

7 out of 10 as it mostly met our purposes this trip. Next trip I think we would take the van back earlier and have our last night(s) in a hotel.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

08May14, 1 night, $30 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Really quirky place, this one but we enjoyed it. Lots of bits and pieces decorating the place. Cabins all different shapes.

End of season but looking a bit tired. Previous reviews noting lack of facilities (too few loos etc) are correct but we had the luxury of being only one of two clients the night we were there.

The communal facilities looked like there are good times here in the summer for socially minded people.

We might well come back again if only out of curiosity.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

07May14 and 18May14, 2 nights, $40 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Right next to the beach with direct access.

Good facilities.

Very nice young lady on reception who brought my specs back to me after I left them in the loo block; she recognised them as being mine. Thank you, good service much appreciated.

Easy walk into town.

Good enough to go back again on our way back down from Reinga to Auckland. My wife could move there. Will visit again.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

20May14, 1 night, $28 per night + 50c for shower, 2 of us (50's).

Friendly guy on reception. Pitch ok but a little cramped as they are not marked out and someone squeezed in between us and the other 'van that was a reasonable distance away.

Facilities a little run down but free wifi in common room.

Would stay again as we like the Beach.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

09May14, 1 night, $38 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Paul (?) the owner friendly. Immaculate site. Quiet and sheltered. Access to the beach via their river raft - pull yourself over using the rope. Wet hands a small price to pay.

Would go again

Reviewed over 10 years ago

13May14, 1 night, $15 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Nice quiet campsite. Only 2 others there.

1 long drop block and 1 flushable block. How so, I wonder? Why not all flush? Cold shower there too.

Seems like in the middle of nowhere.

Gravel road to get there.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

10May14, 1 night, $32 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Nice guy in reception. Good facilities including free wifi.

Got there late and left early-ish so not much to be said.

Would go again.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

12May14, 1 night, $12 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Ha! We paid but the others that didn't got caught by the DoC Rangers! Serve them right too.

Nice site. 2 long drop ablution blocks and a cold shower facility. I don't know why the day visitors further along had flush toilets. Worth the very short walk for decent loos.

Good beach and walks and not too many flies when we were there.

Gravel road to get there but not too bad.

A good place to stay at the top end.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

09Apr14, 3 nights, $40 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Very close to town, albeit with a bit of a hill. Close to gondola.

Good facilities; were the adverse reviews in the same park?

Sites were a little close but why send all day on site when you have Queenstown and all it offers so close?

We will def go back there on our next trip.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

08Apr14, 1 night, free, 2 of us (50's).

Lovely large area by the harbour with great views.

Another good stop over point to save some dosh!

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

26Apr14, 1 night, free, 2 of us (50's).

Hmmm. We managed to find a spot a bit away from all the surfing dudes, not sure whether it was really part of the "site". Long drop loo easily the worst one we found in NZ. So bad even a surfer used a flax bush in preference!

Not really a spot for non surfers so marked down a bit. If it was empty I would have marked it up in spite of the loo.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

28Apr14, 1 night, free, 2 of us (50's).

A bit of a gem in some ways. Access is along a longish gravel track, bumpy in places. We parked as close to the ocean end as we could amongst the trees there. Quiet and peaceful. Close to the beach. Dark at night.

A good stop over point in spite of the access track.

Would use again.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

23Apr14, 1 night, $5 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Excellent value. Flush loos and cold outside shower for the brave!

Good walking round the shoreline.

A good stop over place. Will use again.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

30Apr14, 1 night, free, 2 of us (50's).

Brilliant. Free, flush loos available, no need to hurry away in the morning, great views, visitor centre, walks.

We love the mountain here.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

21Apr14, 1 night, $45 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Good, clean facilities and close to town. Nice town and plenty of walking along the shore.

Pitches a little close but hedges between them help.

Will return.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

20Apr14, 1 night, $12 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Ignoring the long drop loos and the flies...it was a good site.

The walkway is good. Check out the inscriptions on the headstones in the cemetery, they had a hard life.

A bit of road noise too, some of the lorries going by were a bit noisy.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

16Apr14, night, $12 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Lovely spot in the trees next to the lake. Great views down by the lakeside. Kea in the trees were a delight. Not too many sandflies when we were there.

Long drop loos not so good. Would give 9 if better.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

03Apr14, 1 night, $5 per night, 2 of us (50's).

Basic site by cliff edge. Sloping a bit so would be difficult if lots of campers there. Flush loos and cold outside shower. A nice place.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014