Derek Drost
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Springfield ▷
Kowai Pass Domain Camping Ground
3.0/5
The pros are that it's convenient and indeed has most of the amenities you'd need for a night or two.
The cons are that I don't think it's that inexpensive for what you get (but it's certainly not priced unfairly either), the facilities are dated, and it has zero scenic charm. I stayed here the first night on arrival because it was close to where I needed to be the next day. Otherwise I probably would have passed it by. It served its purpose for me in that regard.
I believe the shower was a dollar for 6 minutes of hot.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Oxford ▷
Ashley Gorge Holiday Park
3.5/5
It was fine, quiet, with kitchen facility included.
Shower included but only 4 minutes of hot water. An additional 4 minute token was a dollar or two. Caretakers were friendly enough. Sites were closely packed and I bet it could be noisy in the high season.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Deer Flat Campsite
4.5/5
This place is the essence of campervanning in New Zealand.
Million dollar views for $6/person, and no competition in September for the best spot in the ground. The only reason I don't give it 10/10 is that I was greeted by heaps of sand flies, the worst mobs of them anywhere on my trip. Still, I'd stop here again in a heartbeat-- the views are unbeatable!
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South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Cromwell ▷
Lowburn Harbour
4.0/5
Lovely location, large site with lots of space to spread out.
Quite a few families with kids so if that's not your scene beware. Some road noise during the night but no real issue.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast ▷
Lake Paringa Campsite
3.5/5
Not a bad DOC camp.
Self contained so no opinion on the loo. Was fairly full even in mid September. Heaps of sandflies will greet you in typical West Coast fashion.
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South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township ▷
Wanaka TOP 10 Holiday Park
4.0/5
Spendy but worth it if you've been off the grid a few days as I was.
Wonderful bathrooms with unlimited hot water included. Spa and sauna. Expensive but effective laundry - $3 to wash and $4 to dry but mine was $8 as it was still damp after one cycle. Very nice outdoor kitchen facilities with propane included and several grill tops available.
They offer a shuttle TO central Wanaka but strangely don't provide return service. When I asked why no good explanation was given. I guess they just drive the shuttle back empty which seems awfully stupid. They offered a cab as a solution which was expected to be $12 one way. I ended up just watching a movie, cooking in the kitchen, and going to bed.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Methven ▷
Rakaia Gorge Camping Ground
3.5/5
Just as the other reviews have said, a nice enough place and a good value.
HOWEVER, I was here on September 30 and the shower building was locked up along with over 3/4 of the campsites -- completely inaccessible. This was very disappointing as I chose this site for access to the showers, and the location...I would have happily paid more elsewhere for a shower facility and powered site had this been made clear at the honesty box check in. In the summer I'm sure this place earns its high marks.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Lumsden ▷
Lumsden Information Centre
3.5/5
Nice of the town to offer this and I ended up spending my "camp fee" in the local pub instead.
Got very crowded even in usually quiet late September with at least 20 vans/cars spending the night. I found a bit of solace in the gravel lot by the railway cars.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
4.0/5
Great freedom camping location.
Quiet, dark, lots of space to spread out, and wonderful views. Fishing wasn't bad either! A bit windy at night but not a huge bother. Not all sites level.