CMG
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Waikawa ▷
McLean Falls Walk
5.0/5
At the time of writing, these are my favorite falls in all of New Zealand.
After a beautiful, creekside walk, you arrive at truly enchanted place...like stepping back in time. Don't miss it! To better experience the beauty and magic of this place, avoid summer crowds by visiting very early in the morning, or late in the day. And be sure to enjoy the lower falls as well as the upper falls and pool.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Palmerston ▷
Trotters Gorge Campsite
3.5/5
Small camp, but pretty and quiet with a creekside walking track at one end.
Drop toilet and a couple of picnic tables. Closed during heavy rain due to flooding.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Hokitika ▷
Hokitika Gorge Walk
5.0/5
Definitely worth the drive!
A wonderful walk to an impressive granite gorge with stunning blue pools, and great swing bridge. Epic and picturesque!
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Mackay Creek Campsite
3.5/5
Small camp set off the road with impressive views of the valley.
Two picnic tables and one drop toilet (as with all DOC camps in this area). $13pp.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Deer Flat Campsite
3.0/5
Large camping area beside Eglinton River (more like a pretty creek), and adjacent to the Lake Gunn walk.
Many sites to choose from, some under tree cover. Accommodates large vehicles. Drop toilets (as with all DOC camps in this area). $13pp.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka ▷
Purakaunui Falls Walk
3.5/5
Expected to be impressed, but the falls were just average, and the water was quite muddy.
Not very pretty or picturesque when we visited. On the other hand, McLean Falls were utterly magical! Like stepping back in time…
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Geraldine ▷
Peel Forest Campground
4.5/5
Very nice campground in a lovely setting with waterfalls and walking tracks nearby.
Many sites to choose from; suitable for large vehicles and caravans. Decent flush toilets and hot showers (free), as well as a washer and dryer ($3 per load), and enclosed kitchen with hot plate and microwave—and a wood stove for warmth in colder months. A bit pricey at $18pp ($21pp for powered sites). Fees collected at the cafe down the road, however it was closed when we arrived, and again in the morning when we left. There isn't an honesty box at the cafe or camp, so we were unable to pay.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Cron street ▷
Otto/MacDonalds Campsite
3.5/5
Nice camp set away from the highway, next to peaceful Lake Mapourika, and handy to Franz Josef.
Large grassy area where folks were putting up tents beside the lake. Also has secluded walk-in sites ~2 mins walk from carpark. Parking lot style camp, shared two vehicles per space, with a large grassy patch in the middle; parking for two buses. Three flush toilets and several shared picnic tables—two under a covered shelter. Sandflies a bit annoying, but to be expected. $13pp. Would stay again.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Papatowai ▷
The Lost Gypsy Gallery Bus
5.0/5
One of the coolest places we have ever been!
Had no idea what to expect, and were delighted and impressed by all the quirky and fun creations! Like being a kid again, full of wonder and joy. Definitely don't miss stopping here, and pay the money to experience The Theater and support the artist!
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
4.5/5
Many places to camp beside the lake with incredible alpine views.
Adjacent to the Alps2Ocean cycle trail. One of our favorite spots visited in the South Island.
The only downside (as we've seen in other places) is people have littered the area with toilet paper and other unsightly and unsanitary things. PLEASE, do not freedom camp unless you have a toilet on board AND are willing to use it! Last night, camped beside Lake Tekapo, we witnessed a French family in a large motorhome take their daughter to shit in the bush. When confronted, the mother admitted to having a working toilet on board, and defended herself by saying, "It's only a little bit, and I covered it with a rock." This is intolerable. Soon all the rocks, bushes and trees in these wonderful areas will have toilet paper and shit under and around them, and there will be no clean places to camp. If you are not willing to use a portable toilet (or the drop toilets provided in many DOC camps—we have seen this in those camping areas as well), then stay home, or go to holiday parks! Please have respect for the land and the people that use it, and camp responsibly.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Greymouth ▷
Nelson Creek Camping Ground
3.5/5
Great stop-over.
Nice campground with minimal sandflies next to a large, winding creek. One block of flush toilets with wash station; hot showers available at the motel across the road for $4pp. Campground has plenty of room for parking, with some picnic tables and fire pits available, also has a play structure and flying fox. Suggested nightly camping cost $6pp / $15 family. Would stay again.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
Takaka Town Centre
3.5/5
Takaka is a groovy little town in an amazing part of New Zealand.
Unfortunately it's also one of the least friendliest place we have visited. We spent 6 weeks in the area and got a pretty good sense of the place. There are always a few gems in the bunch, but overall we found the locals/residents to be standoffish and unwelcoming. Seems as though they want Golden Bay all to themselves, but fail to realize without tourism, the local economy would wither. Golden Bay is amazing, but the local vibe pretty much sucks.
Despite Takaka's general unfriendliness, I would definitely recommend a trip over the "hill." Golden Bay a really interesting place with incredible nature to explore and experience! It's a deeply relaxing place, away from the rest of the world.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Abel Tasman ▷
Old Macdonalds Farm and Holiday Park
3.5/5
Nice campground in a beautiful, rural setting adjacent to Abel Tasman NP.
Friendly and helpful staff. Facilities were average; toilets and shower stalls shared walls and were not very private (aside from a locking swing door). Quite a few sandflies, but the fantails helped us out with those! :)
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Otaki ▷
Waikawa Campsite
3.5/5
Great overnight camping/parking.
Basic campsite, but pretty, sheltered and quiet. Easy access of the highway.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds ▷
Whatamango Bay Campsite
3.5/5
Basic campsite, with flush toilets at one end.
Pretty and quiet with nice views of the bay. Lovely, 20 minute drive from Picton.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Hipapatua / Reid's Farm Recreation Reserve Free Campsite
3.0/5
Nice camping area next to the river, but extremely crowded when we visited.
The 3 drop toilets are newly built, but were very full and dirty, and smelled absolutely horrific! Be forewarned! We got there late and left first thing in the morning; the toilets were too disgusting to use.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
Wharariki Beach Holiday Park
3.0/5
Beautiful setting in close proximity to Wharariki Beach.
Camp spots are quite small, and although the facilities were nicely built, the kitchen got very crowded with only two small stoves to share. We were not expecting long drop toilets (or paid showers) although understandable in terms of water conservation. Fees seemed a bit high for what you get; I would have given this campground a better rating otherwise.
Hi, Fees are in line with other camps. This camp is only 5 years old and other camps much, much older so have recouped the cost of building and in their cases were not started from bare ground like this was. Trouble in all camping grounds people like to eat at the same time and all hit the kitchens at once. Not something management can control.
Glenda