Clarke family
North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Mangatainoka ▷
4.5/5
This is a great little stop off if you run out of light on the way to Wellington.
Due to the clock change we decided to check it out and we were glad we did. It was Easter Sunday and the whole weekend all the freedom spots were full up, but it was just us here.
There is a gate which was unlocked when we arrived (sunset). No-one was in the car park so we just pulled up in the corner. A couple of vehicles came in for the club (which was shut) and popped in for a bit. A couple of vehicles arrived about 8:30 but it was the Easter Monday. Out of respect we left shortly after. This is private land so use it with courtesy and make sure you leave it as it is found as they could easily lock that gate at night, and no doubt they would if it was abused.
No toilets, but a drinking fountain. Great little spot for a safe roadside pullover for self-contained sleeping
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Otorohanga ▷
5.0/5
Lovely little spot.
We pulled up in the first Car Park initially, but had a bike round round the lake and found the second spot past the yacht clubs which had much nicer views.
We have a two year old so it’s great to find any spot where she can run around safely.
The old toilets were shut and it was a 5 min walk to get to the new drop ones by the car park entrance.
Sunrise was amazing so a great little self contained park up.
North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Hastings ▷
3.0/5
The image of the grass is missleading, this gave us the impression you were parking on grass.
There were 3 decent parking places on grassy bits near the trees, the rest was effectively gravel.
None the less it ticked all our boxes, off the main road, had space, and some grass for our daughter to run around on. It had a toilet block and bins, but we are self contained anyway so was just used for quick visits.
Only reason to mark it down was for the miss-leading picture and that the nearby other car park had people playing loud music. All in all though, it was free and was quiet when we slept.