Malcolm & Susan
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Westport ▷
Gentle Annie
5.0/5
Our favourite place of the whole tour – a bit of heaven.
Total relaxation beside a long (stony) beach with loads of driftwood for beach fires, a river to the side and bush in the background, and clear night skies. Free access to charger outlets and wi-fi in the café, although no power hook-ups. Very welcoming and continued friendliness and plenty of opportunities in surrounding areas to be more active. Café (few outside visitors when we were there) had a great range of fresh food and relaxing atmosphere and campers welcome to use it as a common room – wood fired oven pizza at sunset was magic. Flexible camp locations with many facilities, all well-kept, including campfire locations on site. Located north bank of Mokihinui River (we first called at site south of river by mistake).
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
Thank you for your awesome comments! Glad you enjoyed your stay! Future guests, please note we don't take bookings for the camping ground as we always have plenty of space, so no need to call before you arrive, just come and make yourselves at home, we would love to have you here! What we think you'll love about your stay at Gentle Annie: Super friendly and welcoming hosts who are here to make your stay the best it can be 😄 Delicious locally roasted organic/fair trade coffee-the perfect way to start your day! ☕️ Large, private camping areas situated amongst landscaped gardens next to the beach and river-simply beautiful☀️🏝 Wood-fired pizza oven (bring your pizza ingredients with you) and BBQ, available for your use! 🍔 Awesome campers lounge, outdoor seating area Beautiful Beach 🏖 Gentle Annie Point Bush Maze with stunning coastal views🌴🌅 Free Wifi 💻 No Checkout Time 💤 Hot Showers 🛀 Great fishing and swimming👙🎣 Bonfire on the beach 💫🔥 Super friendly and relaxed atmosphere 😀 Cozy fireplace 🔥🔥 in the lounge area-perfect for this time of year! Jessica's famous homemade baking! Travellers Paradise-you won't want to leave!
Jesse Paley-Atkins
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mt Taranaki ▷
North Egmont Carparks
5.0/5
Wonderful opportunity to ‘camp’ up a mountainside in comfort - and free, thanks to DOC.
Fantastic views of the classic peak and down to the sea (weather permitting). Short walks signposted as well as those heading for the peak. Toilets open all night and clean. Extensive DOC information and shop and the café looked good. (we also visited Dawson Falls car park which had freedom camping and also looked great, but fewer facilities)
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Patea ▷
Waverley Beach Camping Ground
4.5/5
Good basic site in excellent quiet location by beautiful black sand beaches and cliffs, with play park.
A few k off main road and no staff but clear instructions on how to pay (at friendly Waverley library or by post) and 24/7 number to phone for code for showers/toilets. Great value per unit $10 unpowered and $12 powered. Also free toilets and cold showers in concrete blockhouse nearer to beach.
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Wairakei ▷
Wairakei Thermal Valley Campground
4.0/5
Relaxing site for a tourist area (along a lane off a minor road).
Quirky with a range of farm birds wandering freely including peacocks, ducks and hens of all ages! Good range of limited facilities - oldish, but clean and functioning. Great advice on local activities. A café but we did not use it so can’t comment. Optional $10 walking tour of thermal valley from the site – interesting and convenient but not the best value if you have time to see others.
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mt Taranaki ▷
Dawson Falls Carparks
4.5/5
Visited the car park.
Again a wonderful location and opportunity to camp for free on the mountainside. However, we stayed over at North Egmont where there were a few more facilities.
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
Meatworks Beachfront
4.5/5
Great Freedom location, thanks to local community groups.
Watching waves rolling in with hills in the background (became snow covered overnight). Variety of locations - we camped further along from the access road and scarcely heard trains. For access look for Kiwa Road sign (also marked on the Kiakoura isite map) and a sign for a pottery/accommodation. Would not like to have relied on the long drop toilet as probably overused.
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels
4.5/5
Great location near lake and town, and bus tour pick-ups possible.
Although a large site did not feel too regimented. Good facilities but wi-fi charge.
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Brighton Domain
4.5/5
Lovely location.
Can park overlooking beach which has sand and rocks (but this is other side of sports field from the public toilet). Peaceful, although attractive for local walkers. Brighton road a pleasant diversion from the main road.
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Punakaiki ▷
Pororari River Track Carpark
4.5/5
Car park site with no facilities, quiet and clean.
(‘No Overnight Camping’ in large letters, and ‘except for Self-contained’ in small letters). On opposite side of main road to the tavern, slightly set back. Lovely beach in easy walk and the riverside also very attractive. Close to Pancake Rocks. Beach campsite looked attractive but not free!
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Cron street ▷
Otto/MacDonalds Campsite
4.5/5
Lovely views over lake, keas patrolled in the morning.
Followed advice from other reviewers and chose the Otto’s side – smallish well-kept DOC site with FLUSH toilets. Can’t comment on the MacDonalds side but looked acceptable. Short drive from Franz Joseph. $6pp
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast ▷
Lake Paringa Campsite
4.5/5
Great location and lovely views.
Simple DOC site but much appreciated. $6pp
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Hanmer Springs ▷
Waiau Motor Camp
4.0/5
Good welcome and excellent facilities.
Restful site, good break for touring but not exciting in itself. Stunning scenery on ‘back’ road to Kaikoura (70).
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
All Seasons Holiday Park
4.5/5
Great welcome, in spite of late arrival.
Loads of valuable information about local activities, enhanced by owner being brought up there. All clean and well organised. Short drive from town, and close to lake. Near airport but not noisy. Permanent campers friendly. Only overnight but liked the look of the pool/spa and surprisingly tasteful dinosaurs!
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
Thanks so much guys for staying with us. Would love to have your longer next time so you can enjoy our facilities.
Tracie Thornborough
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Oamaru ▷
Waitaki Waters Holiday Park
4.5/5
Good welcome despite late arrival.
Free choice in location. Lots of advice on managing the van, very useful in early days of tour. Good information on local activities and for onward journey. Attractive site, well broken up, and good range of facilities well kept.
[2 seniors, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Te Puke ▷
Dotterel Point Overnight Campervan Parking
5.0/5
One of our highlights.
Self-contained freedom camping in small car park with sandy beach on one side and lagoon/estuary on the other, and picnic tables. Well worth the easy drive from main road although at first looks alarmingly residential – but residents did smile! Toilets open all night and check-up patrol at least once on our overnight stay. Very good fish and chips 1.8 k back down the road, with bar and small store.
[2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]