Kevin Sims
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North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Opotiki ▷
EV Charging Station Opotiki
4.0/5
Very useful for EV charging before heading over to Te Kaha or Matawai and beyond to the East or Gisborne.
As of present (28 February 2022) though the station is under repair. Best bet is to camp overnight at one of the local campgrounds using a caravan lead with the vehicle's charging device plugged in to a caravan socket.
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North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Gisborne ▷
Tiniroto Lakes & Community Centre Campground
2.5/5
Quiet and pastoral surroundings, campground under tall poplar trees with several power points with caravan sockets.
The pub has now closed and is now a private residence, and the former custodian has left. No one could be found to open the facilities block adjoining the community centre, but luckily the gate to the campground was open, so pitched a tent for the night there.
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North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Gisborne ▷
Gisborne Showgrounds Park Motorcamp
4.5/5
Quite good value, although prices start at $18 for an unpowered tent site.
Very quiet apart from planes coming in to Gisborne Airport nearby during the day. Campsite is expansive, by the A & P Showgrounds. Kitchen and TV lounge with showers and toilets, all kept very clean. Wifi but I had trouble logging in, it might pay to consult with the owners, who are very friendly and enthusiastic with good local knowledge.
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North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Tokomaru Bay ▷
Tokamaru Bay Holiday Park
4.0/5
Peaceful place to stay, apart from the occasional truck on the highway through the town and the fire station next door has a siren.
Be mindful if you camp on the river side there are mosquitoes in the warmer months. Showers and toilets and a kitchen, all quite clean and there are also cabins. The owner also runs a takeaway, the fish and chips were quite good.
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North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Hicks Bay ▷
East Cape Campground
3.5/5
Basic facility is the long drop toilet and evidently there are book in facilities under way but apparently have been in the developmental stages for a while.
Very isolated and peaceful the only sounds the surf and seabirds, with hardly any traffic and access along a partly unsealed narrow road from Te Araroa. Nearby East Cape Lighthouse worth a visit but there are 800 steps up the hill.
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North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Opotiki ▷
Whitikau Campsite
3.0/5
Beautiful setting surrounded by Bush covered hills and very isolated but very quiet at night with just the gentle sound of the nearby river and the occasional morepork at night.
Just a longdrop toilet and two campfire sites, but costs nothing. Access down a long gravel road off the infamous Motu Coach Road which is recommended for 4WDs from the Motu/Matawai end although standard cars are OK.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
McLaren Falls Camping Area
4.5/5
Lovely location, wooded park beside dammed lake which is part of a power scheme.
Great place to camp, caters to all vehicles and tents. Facilities include clean showers and flush toilets at main camping area, two more campsites have toilets nearby. There are electric barbecues at nearby areas in the park also. Sheep inhabit certain areas so it might be wise to watch ones step, especially at night!