Elena Rusalen
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo ▷
3.5/5
$22 for non powered, $25 for powered site (one person).
Showers are included and were nice and hot, you don't have to pay extra. Shower block and toilets were clean and worked ok. Can't speak for the laundry as I didn't use it. Kitchens could be busy at peak times but was ok, need to use your own pans etc. There's been some bad reviews but to be honest I didn't have any problems here, it's an average campsite with room for improvement but I'd stay here again. If you want to stargaze just walk 5 min down the road away from the lights.
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Glenorchy ▷
3.0/5
Nice site, gravel areas so not boggy in the rain.
Long drop toilets and water supply that is 'generally drinkable'. Good location for a lot of scenic walks. Lovely views of the surrounding mountains. Sign is up warning of possible flooding from the river after prolonged rain. Only problem here was I had mice climb in the van in the evening which wasn't ideal. Once you see one every noise at night makes you think it's back. I'd make sure food is put away securely. $13 a night seems a bit much for the facilities, plenty of sites have the same but for 8.
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Arrowtown ▷
4.0/5
This is a large lake side camping area with a lovely view and clean toilets.
Quite popular but there is lots of space and trees give some privacy. There is a nice walk around the lake which takes about two and a half hours. This area is obviously used by local families for dog walking, jogging, kayaking and kids playing football but is quiet at night. Lots of signs up saying they will clamp anyone camping who is not self contained. Handy location for Arrowtown and Queenstown.
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Tutukaka ▷
3.0/5
Very helpful staff, good facilities.
Was fairly busy in April but not too noisy. Just a few minutes walk from the town centre and marina for diving and food. Showers were 50cents for 7 minutes and you get given a coin at entry. They were either scalding and a trickle or cold and a bit stronger. They get the job done but could be better, other campsites manage ok. It's a pity as it's really the only problem and it's a nice place.
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
3.5/5
Handy location for Te Puia, only a couple of minutes walk.
Hot showers and good kitchen facilities and a common room, you can rent cooking equipment as needed. Free hot springs. I camped in a tent and there were a few different places to pitch around the site. Best to book ahead in the summer. Not the prettiest of campsites but for one in town it's fine.
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Tokoroa ▷
4.0/5
Lovely scenic location on the lake edge.
Nice and quiet. Last bit of road is gravel but it's not very bendy or steep so wouldn't be a problem for most vehicles. Clean toilet block and drinking water points. Place for BBQ. Site is big enough that there is plenty of space, only 2 other people in there when I stopped in mid march. Honesty box to drop fees in ($8 with a tent). Useful location between Rotorua and Auckland to break the journey. Would camp there again.
North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
3.5/5
I went with a tent, there are a few areas to camp, the ones closest to the waterfall walk/entrance/glowworm were very busy mid march but the one further away at the top was quiet.
Lovely view over the lake, lots of birds. Access to toilets and water points at all camp areas and you could do the short walk or drive back to free hot showers or the glowworm walk in the evening. There's a cafe on site and lots of activities if you are here in the daytime. Gates shut at 7.30 in the summer so you need to be in before, though you can leave whenever you want in the morning. Park ranger drives around picking up fees.