Christine Slowiak
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Hutt Valley ▷
Belmont Regional Park
3.5/5
Nice hiking trails with beautiful view points.
Great, quick swim spot just above the Korokoro Dam right in the middle of the park.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Hutt Valley ▷
Harcourt Park
4.0/5
Perfect 18 hole golf course for disc golfers.
Grills for a quick snack and scenes from Lord of the Rings can still be seen.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Museum of New Zealand
4.5/5
Awesome attraction to visit for a day or an hour.
Respectful and informative of Maori culture. Helpful navigation by hosts and other staff.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry
4.0/5
Spacious, comfortable, organised, cruisy!
Easy to book!
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Hutt Valley ▷
Wellington's Kiwi Holiday Park
3.0/5
The park is pretty nice & has a great location, but it's too bad our rating is so low due to its rude owners.
The husband & wife were inhospitable on multiple, separate interactions. We rented a standard cabin that smelled of mildew for $45 (a set price for the cabin, so my partner and I paid $22.50 each). This included 2 bunk beds, small electric heater, two power points, our own electric water kettle, & access to a minimal kitchen, but no linens were provided. At a variety of overpriced rates, there are larger furnished cabins to rent and space to park campervans and pitch tents. The shared facilities included a refrigerator/freezer, with 7 stove top burners, sinks, a few pots, pans and cutlery, 18 inch television, & a couple sets of tables and chairs. The laundry machines were cheap in comparison to local businesses (1 wash is $2, and 15 minutes to dry for $1).
Our stay was okay until the middle of the night when the heater turned off & wouldn't turn back on again. We also noticed that the clothesline next to our cabin was broken, & discovered that the women's bathroom was closed, leaving the gross single stall handicap bathroom alternative to the brave. It would have been nice to be warned of these limitations before booking, but we were happy to have a couple of trickling hot showers with poor water pressure.
When we tried to give the owner a heads up that the heater stopped working throughout the night, they tried to sidestep the problem. They brought us back to the cabin while we were checking out and closed an open window that they had secretly jammed open (we thought it was another broken amenity). They then blamed us for the mildew smell, which only made us want to leave more.
These factors were demonstrative of our last resort option, as we had been camping in the much better alternative Kaitoke Regional Park. If only there was better management of the otherwise good facilities.
Stayed in July 2015 6
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
Waterfalls Estate
4.5/5
Located right on the waterfront of Haruru Falls, we had the best view from our campsite in New Zealand yet.
With minimal kitchen facilities, there were no pots or pans, just a water kettle, a few plates, cups, a stove top, refrigerator and freezer. However, there are two triple burner gas grills under a picnic shelter at the water's edge. Clean toilets and hot showers. We used the laundry room to play cards and charge electronics, but there was a coin operated washer and dryer. We were given a passcode for 100mb of Wifi, but it didn't work for us, not that we cared with such a great location. Kayak hire for $10 right off the beach! Great hike on upper falls just 15 minutes walk away. Stayed for one night in June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Owhiro Bay Overnight Campervan Parking
3.0/5
Located with a beautiful view of the bay just ten minutes from Wellington, there is only a car park to sleep in your vehicle for free.
Gravel roads and tall unruly grasses deter tents from being pitched. There is a cool 4WD track that begins at the end of the car park that runs along beach and up the mountain. We will be back for more camping and trekking, and perhaps an additional search in daytime would help us find a place to pitch a tent on a trail. There is a lit toilet block with treated, warm drinkable tap water (but no showers) that is open all night long, and during the day a gallery room opens up with signs and posters about the area. It's fairly busy, even in winter, but still quiet besides the crashing of waves. There's no privacy except when you're in your car, but a comical collection of cars nonetheless. This is an unsurveyed area, and we saw no one to implement laws. We saw nothing to suggest the area was unsafe, but as always take precaution by locking up your vehicle. Since we were inside or leaning on our car the majority of the time, we felt secure, but it could also be seen as a mecca for thieves. Stayed one night in June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Rarawa Beach Campsite
3.5/5
Just a few minutes walk to a sandy beach, the campsite had ample grass lawn parking for cars and campervans.
Multiple drop toilets, non-treated tap water, and semi-enclosed cold showers (no roof). Beautiful farmland on one side, with a stream running through a forest trail to get to the beach. There are no fires, BBQs or kitchen. Honesty box for $6 per person per night. Stayed one night in June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Opanuku Pipeline Campground
3.5/5
There are two grassy camping areas alongside this groomed trail.
Walking out, there is a small trail to the right that leads to a more secluded site, but further down there is a more open area right next to the only toilet just before the bridge. Leave your car in the small lot next to the main road, and it's a 5 minute, 500 meter walk to the site. Gather up your belongings and make the short semi-hilly hike out. There is one bug-ridden drop toilet, the bright moonlight, stars and nothing else. No fires, BBQs, kitchen or rubbish bin. We saw no one but locals walking dogs. Call Auckland Council to reserve a site and pay the fee. Stayed June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Porirua ▷
Camp Elsdon
2.5/5
Located just mins from a huge shopping centre, this camp is convenient & moderate for the price: $10 pp for a tent.
We drove 25 mins from Wgtn CBD to avoid high hostel prices & the cost of parking a car. Plenty of space and even cabins to rent out, a tidy communal kitchen to share. Laundry is $3 per wash, you must ask for tokens for the machine upon arrival. Seeking a clean, hot shower and full kitchen (freezer, oven, but no pots, pans or utensils), we received what we sought out, except for nice hospitality. The elderly security man was accommodating at first, driving up to meet us at the office, but as our stay progressed, he seemed more stern, policing the kitchen specifically. The kitchen and toilets have public access to a track bordering the site, but he was more interested in pursuing residents. A local who said he had lived there for 4 yrs warned us about thieves from the track and even shared his TV adapter & offered to use the camp's heater. However, we overheard the security guard fight with the resident at night, refusing to be discreet or approach the resident privately. The next morning the guard and a co-worker wanted to remove the television from the kitchen, saying it would resolve the issue. He then involved us in another argument without the resident present over appliance usage. He repeatedly asked us to disclose persecuting information about the resident, information that we told him the night before we didn't have. He was extremely inhospitable, and a poor security measure since there there are cameras in the kitchen. After another disagreement, they even required (not asked) my partner to lift, carry and remove the analog television from the kitchen up the hill to a van. All this is unfortunate because it negatively affected our otherwise relaxing stay. We didn't even have a chance to pet the two cute ponies freely roaming the site, as we wanted to leave quickly, wondering how families could enjoy the camp. Stayed 1 night in Jun 2015.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Tapotupotu Campsite
4.0/5
Located in a beautiful, windy cove a bit far from the main highway, but easily justifiable on a hot day with the scenic beach.
We would rate this site higher if we visited in summer instead of winter and enjoyed the waterfront more. There are semi-enclosed cold showers (no roof) with moderately clean toilets and non-treated sink taps. There are no fires, BBQs or kitchen. Incredible connecting hiking trails that we wished we had more time to check out. Ample greenery on which to park cars and campervans. Honesty box for $6 per person per night. -Stayed one night in June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Eketahuna Motor Camp
5.0/5
We loved this camp, and it's definitely one of our favorite places to stay yet.
The polite host couple, Loren and Kerry Cunningham, welcomed us on one of their several daily visits to the property they make to keep up the grounds. They have nice grassy areas to park cars and campervans, and even a small duplex cabin that houses 5 people each. We gladly paid $6 per person per night to stay in the tent. The kitchen is fully equipped (has freezer and oven too), toilets, and large hot showers so tidy; we saw them all cleaned well in the morning. There is one washing machine with laundry detergent to use free of charge, and it has an extraordinary spin cycle, so if you have a couple hours to hang dry laundry, go for it! Tap water is treated and drinkable, and there are 16 power points to charge electronics. The kitchen is approximately 3m x 5m, so a bit small if it was busy, but cozy for the two of us to sit at the table and look over thoughtfully posted information and brochures about the area. There is 24 hour free Wifi at the library in town, just 700 m away, which has a wide connection range so you can sit in your car if you like while you use the Internet. This camp site is the perfect place to refresh, restock and refurbish yourselves, and at a price you can't beat! Stayed one night in June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Mangawhai ▷
Port Albert Recreation Reserve
3.5/5
This is a freedom campsite with parking for cars and campervans at the end of a road where gravel meets water.
When we arrived, we weren't quite sure if we could pitch our tent, but no one came around and in the morning we heard the toilet block being maintained, and no one approached us but the friendly neighborhood dogs out for a walk with their owners. There are flushing toilets and non-treated sink water, with a motion sensor light. Groomed picnic area, with sandbox, jungle gym, and long narrow dock that led from the retreated muddy area out to the water. No fires, BBQs or kitchen. Stayed June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
Trounson Kauri Park Campground
4.5/5
This place was our complete site, with moderately clean facilities of multiple stove top burners, water kettle, small refrigerator/freezer, picnic area, hot showers and flushing toilets.
Lots of grassy and gravel parking spaces for cars and campervans. This site is backed by a great Kauri forest with a 40 minute loop hiking trail, with informative signs and two audio posts, each with a 2 minute poetic talk about the nature reserve. Treat this site like an island, as the Kauri trees grow old and strong, but susceptible to fungal spores and miscellaneous tracked in rubbish. Take care in cleaning your shoes and camping gear before and after enjoying the park, as well as packing out your garbage and recyclables. This was the only camp site we stayed at for two nights. It did become quite crowded by the second night and hot water ran out. Honesty box of $6 per person per night. Stayed June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Kapowairua Campsite
5.0/5
We could easily see why it's considered one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand.
The campsite is a few minutes walk to the beach, and we had the place to ourselves until 9PM, when one small car drove up. Just 10 kilometers off the main road, and totally worth the drive (accessible by car or campervan). It's alongside a stream and large hilly area with horses roaming and galloping. Spotless composting toilets and mostly enclosed, tiled, cold showers, with non-treated sinks. No fires, BBQs or kitchen. Honesty box of $6 per person per night. Stayed one night in June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Ambury Park Camping Ground
2.5/5
We called Auckland City Council to reserve a tent camp site for the same night, which cost $16 per person.
It is overpriced for a quiet little farm setting close by to Auckland, with only drinkable tap water, cold water sink, sink station for dish washing, and clean drop toilets. There are no fires, BBQs or kitchen. There's a beautiful walking trail by the water. A padlock code was given to us over the phone for second gate vehicle access, otherwise the first gate/park entrance closes for the night and reopens in the morning. The sheep have free roam on the farm at night, which was a pleasant surprise for us. We navigated the gates ourselves at night, and saw no one until a farmer in the morning. It's a pretty site, but expensive for its simple amenities and few trails, which is why the rating is low. Stayed one night in June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Whangarei ▷
Whangarei Falls Holiday Park
4.5/5
This is an awesome little backpacker hostel, with campsites for tents and caravan parking as well.
It has complete amenities of incredibly clean kitchen (water kettle, surplus of pots and pans, utensils, 8 stove top burners, refrigerator and freezer), coin operated washer and dryer, washing sink, hot showers, library, and living room with television. What made our stay was the outdoor pool and enclosed hot tub (the only two facilities that closed at night, and the hot tub was open from 4:30-9:30PM). 100mb of Wifi is included. Thank you to our kind and welcoming hosts, Alison and Graeme! Enjoyed our one night stay in June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Hutt Valley ▷
Kaitoke Regional Park Camping Ground
5.0/5
Phenomenal facilities for cars and campervans alike.
Gates to the park closed at 5 PM and reopened at 8 AM, which led to peace and isolation for the campgrounds. Honesty box of $6 per person per night, but signs posted at the information kiosk said that the ranger comes around with an EFTPOS machine in the evening. We saw no one the first night, and no rangers the second night. There are two large roofed picnic areas with free electric BBQs and treated, drinkable water from sinks. All facilities and toilets were clean and well lit all night by a sensor light. The beautiful scenery in the mountain and by the riverfront are awesome to camp by, but it can get windy. There are lots of trails to hike, water to swim in and kayak, and with permission from the ranger, you can light a fire by the river. For the Lord of the Rings and disc golf enthusiasts, you can find Rivendell here on a short track. Harcourt Park, just 12 minutes away by car, is home to an 18 disc golf course and Isengard (Orthanc), which are all free destinations. Although we camped in a tent in winter, we could tell it's the ultimate place to enjoy in summer. The only thing that's missing is showers, but you can wash up in the sinks or the river if you need. Stayed June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Kaimaumau Recreation Reserve
4.5/5
This is a beautiful freedom camping site on the beach and in grassy and forested areas alongside it.
There is a main gravel road that leads to the beach, with sandy and muddy off-roading trails that run parallel to the beach, all of which are used by 4WD vehicles because driving on the beach is permitted. Here we met some extremely kind and generous locals, as we got stuck in a muddy trail and they helped pull us out. One local was out for a walk with his dogs and happened to put his fishing rod in the water, catching a 15 pound snapper. He gave it to us "to go with our evening tea" and told us that his freezer was full and to brag that we caught it ourselves. What strange fortune on such a beautiful dune area. No toilets, taps, or BBQs, and fire is not permitted in this unsurveyed area. Despite meeting the locals and occasionally seeing drivers on the beach, this site was extremely private and we found it lovely. Stayed one night in June 2015.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Tokoroa ▷
Ngaherenga Campsite
4.0/5
This is an isolated campsite just a few kilometers off the main road into Pureora Forest.
There is ample parking for cars and campervans on the small rolling hills that create privacy for everyone. There is one clean drop toilet, one treated drinkable tap, and 6 fire pits with grates and iron plates to cook over. The BBQs referenced are not gas, so make sure to have plenty of firewood. There is a surplus of kindling around the site, but it was too wet to make a fire when we visited. There are lots of surrounding hiking and cycling trails, and this site is part of the Timber Trail. Honesty box of $6 per person per night. Stayed one night in June 2015.