Andrew Flanagan
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
Broken Hills Campsite
2.0/5
This is definitely not scenic!
They may call it scenic as you have to drive 5k from the main road to get to it.
Overpriced for a patch of grass to pitch a tent as most of the 'scenic' sites are! It should be $6-8 p.p. and not $13. Just money grabbing... It should be based on what facilities or amenities the site has, not just because its surrounded by trees.
This site is accessed through a gate which you need to open and close behind you. There is a basic drop toilet and a non treated water supply. No shelter or picnic benches which even a lot of the free sites have.
Positives - it was quiet and wasn't overcrowded like many sites are. Also fairly decent to see the stars as there was no bright lights around to interfere.
(1 point for having a toilet, 1 point for having water, 1 point for being quiet and 1 point for not being crowded).
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Hipapatua / Reid's Farm Recreation Reserve Free Campsite
1.0/5
Avoid unless you have no other option!
The other positive is the convenient location.
This is an extremely busy camp site, the busiest and most crowded we stayed at! It was just like a big car park with vehicles a doors width apart.
If you have a tent get here early before ignorant camper vans take the grassed areas. Not many good places for tents but it is a fairly big site. Most of it fenced off on the lower part and camping is not allowed close to the river where the ideal tent sites are.
There are several toilets, bins and recycling units and also a dish washing facility on the lower section which is open 7am - 6pm for vehicles to park and enjoy the river, no over night stays on that section.
There were several loud and rude backpackers making noise past 1.30am. Police had to be called on some aggressive campers from Germany but they didn't show up. People were afraid for their safety and well being when backpackers/campers were shouting very loud and chanting. They would not reduce their noise when asked by a few different people and responded with aggression. Even though this site is popular with German visitors hopefully this is rare!