Thomas Crow
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Cliff Top Camping Ground
5.0/5
Generally, I think NZ camp grounds are total BS.
They're like parking lots with grass, and packed in just as tightly too.
That said, it is very likely that I got to the Omana Cliff Top Camping Grounds at just the right time (right after the last of the New Year holidays were over and on a rainy day) but I camped in an empty 3 acre field.
Yup: there's no showers, the booking process is antiquated, and there are only eco-toilets. But there is also space, and trees (young, but trees none-the-less), and did I mention space, and farm animals, and space.
Definitely the right way to end my tiki tour before heading back to normal life in Auckland tomorrow.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Waihi ▷
Dickey Flat Campsite
5.0/5
Best camp ground I've been at in NZ so far.
Often you are packed in like a can of sardines, but DOC sites seem to be the way to go. They definitely had that open-field area that is generally so distasteful/quintessential NZ camping, but there was also a wooded area for us to hang our suspension tent from right next to the stream and it was so very lovely.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Waihi ▷
Waihi Beach Tasman Holiday Parks
3.5/5
Probably an awesome camp for families who don't know what to do with their children but know they must do SOMETHING.
Unfortunately for me there are just two of us and my partner is overseas on a business trip this week... So...I was that guy and it was awkward - which isn't their fault.
Facilities were super clean, and they had amenities on top of amenities on top of amenities.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Dickson Holiday Park
4.0/5
I just popped in for a night a few days ago.
The camp ground was super peaceful, and mostly empty (New Year holidays just ended here), and they were good enough to not put me right next to other campers but tried to maximize space for everyone instead.
They also get extra double bonus points for the clear effort they put in to recycling and vermicomposting.
Thank you :)
dicksonholidaypark