Dave Kitson
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Tikitere ▷
Waitangi Soda Springs
4.0/5
More of a small lake than a pool.
Wooden sided but otherwise natural. Very warm at the “cold” end and piping hot (45degrees+) by the spring. About waist height all over - too deep to sit but floating with feet just touching bottom is very relaxing. $5 for seniors $7 for kids & $10 for adults.
Toilets are horrible.
Pity they don’t allow camping.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Bruce Pulman Park
2.5/5
Arrived at 19:30 to find that it is “strictly no freedom camping” but the only way to pay is in person at an office that closes at 18:00!
No online, no phone! Dump station is excellent including potable water. We dumped and left.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Helensville ▷
Shelly Beach Reserve Camp
5.0/5
Gated parking right by the beach administered by friendly cafe.
Custodian lives on-site so very secure. Power $2 extra and powered sites closer to beach but if not busy, they are flexible and you can park anywhere as long as you don’t plug in.
Book by calling cafe on 094202595
Vaccine passes required.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Ahipara Top 10 Holiday Park
4.5/5
We usually go for free or low priced sites so this was an unusual stop for us.
What a good surprise - the site is beutifully landscaped. The showers and toilets are spotless and very high standard. The communal spaces have real character.
As I write, we are in the midst of a drought. We have been unable to find any potable water to fill our tank for a week north of Kerikeri. This site has its own bore and unlimited fresh water.
We felt the $44 we paid was money well spent.
Only small gripe is the dump station which has a bolted-down grill over the exit. That made for a rather nasty session of poking and hosing to make it all go away - hence the 9 rating rather than 10.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Oasis Motel & Caravan Park
4.0/5
One price fits all - powered, unpowered, water, etc.
Allows tents too. Nice kitchen with 2 big BBQs and eating area. Pet friendly though not in cabins.
Friendly staff who let us in for $20 each cos thats what is quoted in Rankers.
The unique feature is unlimited free use of private hot pools and the larger public pool. The left hand private pool really is hot (about 43) the middle is about 40 and the right hand a warm-bath 37. None of this is labelled hence 9 rather than 10.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Castlepoint Carpark
5.0/5
Awesome place.
Nice little car park nestled among the dunes and sheltered by tall trees behind. It’s right above the amazing beach. Self contained can camp anywhere - at least 20 spaces. All slope slightly but levelling blocks easily cope.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Hastings ▷
Evers-Swindell Reserve
5.0/5
Beautiful peaceful site right beside the river.
Room for over 20 vans. Small shops in village 5 mins walk away.
Signs warn that it can flood at high tide after heavy rains. It had been raining on and off all day so we had some concern. In the event the river rose to about 10cm of the bank and looked reasonably placid. Nevertheless, some care needed.
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Palmerston North ▷
82 Campbell Street, Palmerston North
2.5/5
Palmerston seems to have changed its parking strategy recently.
Most spaces that used to be P120 are now P all day. This place is still there and is now P all day. There is a large notice saying self contained camping for 2 nights. However we could find nowhere that said this was free. It looked as if you have to pay for each hour.
We were there at 5.00 in high season and it was completely empty. We decided not to risk staying and headed south for Masterton.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ New Plymouth ▷
Lake Rotomanu, New Plymouth
5.0/5
There are 100+ flat parking places in the park - many with nice views of the lake.
All but a few, right by the sea, are available for self-contained freedom camping. Other camping is MUCH more restricted as mentioned in previous reviews. So if you are SC there is no need to cram yourself into the first car park you come to. You can enjoy the area as late as you like secure in the knowledge that there will be plenty of space when you arrive.
When we were here, virtually everyone was in the first car parks but I checked with the ranger who was busy moving on non-SCs and he confirmed that we could park anywhere.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Martinborough ▷
North Tora Camping Area
3.5/5
Right by the river with beach a very short walk over the dunes.
No sign of marked spaces or manmade surfaces. Some grass some sand and some dried but very squishy looking mud. Still avalable and free but absolutely no facilities and very little even ground. We parked at about noon ( the only ones there) looking for a restful afternoon and some stars.
Then the wind got up howling down the valley. It was so unpleasant that we bailed and went to Masterton.
Would not go back.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Kawhia ▷
Oparau Roadhouse and Bills Backpackers
5.0/5
Not a lot to add - this is an excellent and free site.
Amazing shop for such an isolated place. Good breakfast in the morning.
Very helpful and friendly owners and staff.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Henley Lake Freedom Camping
5.0/5
Lovely spot overlooking lake full of swans ducks and geese.
Quiet, peaceful and level.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Poppawhiwhi Olives
5.0/5
Excellent experience.
Loads of space in among the trees to pick from - be private or gregarious at your choice. Ducks wandering free and a beautiful landcaped pond to sit by.
Lovely hosts!
They harvest the oil from the trees and will happily sell you a bottle.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Piha Overnight Campervan Parking
4.5/5
Wild and windy but nice loop walk and interesting history.
Fabulous views. Good toilet but no other facilities - not even wash basin in toilet. Ranger turned up at 2230 - we were booked in so no problems but 2 other vans got a visit.