Sean McLaren
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds ▷
Aussie Bay Campsite
5.0/5
Primitive site we used it after we got off the ferry late at night.
Great views. Sand flys a bit. Pit toilet but at least there is one. Paid $16 NZD for the night camper van and two adults. Locals beach too for activities.
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North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Gisborne ▷
Kaiti Beach
5.0/5
Free spot by the beach.
Excellent clean bathroom, outdoor shower supposedly to be used for after he beach but you can take a cold shower there to get cleaned up.
Close to town.
A lot of people and a small area. Get there early.
Cops do cruise by to check out the license plates to make sure no one over stays their limit.
Don't miss sunrise or sunset.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Hipapatua / Reid's Farm Recreation Reserve Free Campsite
2.5/5
First spot we stayed while in NZ.
Very primitive and busy due to proximity to lake taupo. There are several spots near the lake that are free but you have to be self contained. That seemed to be the issue and why most people were here at this site.
It is dirty, there a porta potties that are pretty bad.
But it is free and it is available. Would stay here again if I was in a pinch but would rather pay for a cheap site for $10 a person to stay at a spot that is clean.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Napier ▷
Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite
5.0/5
This was one of my most favorite spot.
Quiet. Not busy on the week days in February when we were there. Clean. Primitive but nice. Pit toilet. Water is from a stream. Have to boil or filter yourself.
Camp host was very nice.
The river is a 5 min walk from the campsite. But it is quite a steep hill. The hot tubs are 2 min walk from the campsite with a some what steep hill but better than the walk to the river.
MOST important is the drive into campsite. The road from Napier is curvy and long. Then you drive on a gravel road for 30 mins which feels like an hour. At which point you are on a single lane steep hills and tight turns a supreme caution is necessary or else you could die or be seriously injured. When your on this road the cliff is probably 600-800 feet down.
Be sure if you are uncomfortably driving on non paved wilderness roads this may not be for you. They road is well maintained in my opinion. I made it in a Toyota Estima no problem. I saw a Nissan Versa and Audi station wagon. I never bottomed out or hit any part of the frame.
But beautiful spot. Possibly one of my most loved.
Also beware of the bugs at dusk to night time.