Florian
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Hawarden ▷
Waipara Sleepers Motor Camp
5.0/5
Great campsite, yes the whole place is a bit old and could do with a refurb...
but it has character and the train theme is very cool with the old train cars standing around being used as rooms. Very reasonably priced with free hot showers and free use of all kitchen and bbq facilities. Lots of kitchen equipment and fresh warm bread every morning.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast ▷
Lake Paringa Campsite
4.0/5
Decent place to stay the night, there aren’t really many other free options in this area.
A DOC ranger will be round VERY early to collect fees if you don’t leave money int he box... so don’t try get away with it cos we thought we could! There’s a nice cafe a little further north on the main road by a salmon farm which serves nice fresh salmon and breakfast. Can’t comment on toilets as didn’t use them. Nice location and nice views of lake
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mt Taranaki ▷
Stratford Plateau Carparks
5.0/5
Amazing views, just under the mountain so be prepared for an impressive view in the morning if you arrive after nightfall like we did.
Okay public toilets. It’s a very very big gravel car park so you’ll always find a spot to park. There’s a cool walk up to the bottom of the ski field which is well worth the effort. Road up is steep but is smooth and sealed so should be accessible for all vehicles.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
5.0/5
As said in previous reviews, you can park anywhere from the main road to the power lines.
There’s a proper road that goes along and then smaller paths that lead down to some very nice spots right by the lake. These small paths are okay in anything up to a van... but may not be so good for larger motor homes but we didn’t drive down very far so there may well be other spaces that are better suited. No facilities at all but stunning views of the mountains and the amazing coloured lake.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti ▷
Mangaokewa Reserve
4.5/5
Lots of space to park.
Close to the river. Toilets are decent but no lights so bring a torch. There’s a small sink to wash up in as well as a water tap to refill water bottles and tanks.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Queenstown-Glenorchy Road, TwentyFive Mile Stream
5.0/5
Lots of spaces to park and 39 mins from Queenstown.
We reckon this is your best free option for being that close to the town. No facilities but if you get up early and five to town to get a coffee at a cafe you’re sorted, or there are lots of public toilets in Queenstown den by the harbour. Nice views of the lake aswell.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Ashburton ▷
Bowyers Stream Scenic Reserve
4.5/5
Nice place by the river and with nice views of the mountains.
Lots of flat grassy area to park large campers as well as some sheltered areas amongst the trees further down to park smaller vans. Ok toilet and a few large bins which is good as they don’t overflow with rubbish like most do.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde
4.5/5
Yes it’s crazy overpriced but that’s how it is I’m afraid when you wanna camp in Queenstown!
Even though we payed a lot it was a nice campground with good clean facilities. No extra costs for hot water and it was styled nicely. Would stay again.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Waitomo ▷
Juno Hall Backpackers and Camping
5.0/5
Great little place to stay as long as you like.
$34 for 2 of us in a van, and you get access to all he facilities inside in backpackers. Large kitchen that is extremely well equipped with everything you could possibly need and more... large communal lounge and dining area. Decent toilets and showers as well as a laundry room... all included! Oh and there’s a large pool out the back that is probably best in the summer months. Can’t fault this place and a very friendly owner. Stay here if you’re anywhere near this area.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Cron street ▷
Rainforest Retreat
5.0/5
This place is amazing.
By far the best place we’ve stayed at (that ain’t free). Amazing rainforest all around the site and nice little spots each with they own table and chairs. Large kitchen with coolers and fridge but no pots or pans so bring your own to cook. Two sets of toilets and showers which were all good. Also has a FREE hot tub on site as well as a really nice pub just by the entrance that does a pizza fest (all you can eat pizza) every other night. Unlimited free WiFi which all holiday parks should have nowadays really.... can’t fault it!
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Lumsden ▷
Lumsden Information Centre
5.0/5
Very cool place for campers in Lumsden.
Sing says only on either side of the platform but when we arrived Kate vans were all ready double parks on either side of platform and it didn’t seem to cause any trouble while we were there. Decent public toilets and free wifi if you were lucky from the library. There was also a good washing up area which was useful. Nice chilled place
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Manapouri ▷
Monowai Campsite
4.0/5
We arrived late, it was dark, was kinda hard to tell where to park.
We saw a few cars parked amongst the trees. Ended up getting our 2wd van stuck and took a few of us and a lot of bad words to get it back up onto the road. Don’t go down between the trees unless it’s dry and it’s flat as it slopes down in most places and there’s lots of roots which make it hard to turn and get out again! Ended up following the road up a bit to a larger gravel parking area with lots of vans around, so that’s probably a safer option... toilets are decent and nice location as long as it doesn’t get too crowded but you should always be able to find a spot either way.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Rangiora ▷
Grey River Campsite
4.0/5
Nice location in the middle of nowhere!
Very very very uneven road. Was pretty rough in a van so I wouldn’t recommend it in a larger motor home. By the river and there’s plenty of space to find a nice secluded spot between the trees. Toilet was long drop and unfortunately had too many wasps in it to be usable at the time... otherwise very nice
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ St Arnaud ▷
Buller Campground
5.0/5
Very nice little campsite.
Has lots of little “booths” to park in surrounded by trees so it feels nice and private. Clean flushing toilets and cold showers. Has a room for cooking(no equipment just work surface). There is no office as such, but a camp host is always on site. If you’re arriving early it’s best to go to the visitor centre and pay there where they give you the little slip to display that youve payed, if arriving late you’ll have to either find the camp host, or just park up somewhere and they’ll be round in the morning to collect fees. Was $26 for two of us in a van. Very close to lake with some nice walks.
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Palmerston North ▷
Raumai Reserve
4.0/5
Site is large flat area just by the main road, we parked the van a little further down closer to the river.
Brilliant backdrop of the large stone cliffs on the other side of the river. Fires ARE allowed and there’s lots of fire pits from previous people down amongst the rocks closer to the river. Only complaint is the toilet was swarmed with mosquitos. Have never seen so many in my life. Made it impossible to use toilets, otherwise brilliant site.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim ▷
Renwick Domain Carpark
4.5/5
Just a large car park by the sports ground.
Nothing special but clean proper toilets are open all night by the club house as the end of the car park and there’s a nice pub down the road to have a drink at aswell. Good for doing the wine tours by bike. Bike 2 Wine should be used as they are amazing.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Tutira ▷
Waikare River Mouth Campsite
5.0/5
Down a long unpaved road, but we were fine in a van, maybe a bit tricky in a large camper.
The site is in a sloped field, but there are a few flat spots to choose from, lots of space though. Decent toilets and a sink washing up area aswell. Very nice walk to the beach nearby which is worth doing!
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Lakefront Carpark, Rotorua
4.0/5
Just a car park, the designated camper van spaces are marked and these are the only spaces you are allowed to park in- a ranger came round in the evening to check.
Nice public toilets just across the green. Short walk into town so good location and close to the lake.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Nelson ▷
Queen Elizabeth II Drive Gardens
3.5/5
Just a gravel car park off the main road.
Lots of space unlike the other free one a little further down which only has 4 spaces... no toilets or anything but 10 mins walk and your in the town centre which is good. We went to town and had some dinner and then went back and weren’t really disturbed by any road noise.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Ohope ▷
Port Ohope Boat Ramp
5.0/5
Amazing quiet campsite at the end of the road.
Flat grassy field that is clearly signposted for camping. Right next to beaut beach and decent flushing toilets a short walk away. Can’t fault it.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Evans Bay Marina Carpark
3.5/5
Just a Car park by marina.
Lots of spaces but only in the marked area. There’s a big box on the floor marking where you can camp. Marina toilets say only for marina berthers but they are always open so can be used... the nearby public swimming pool offers showers for a small fee which is good. There’s also a bus stop across the road into town and we ended up walking back which wasn’t too bad either. Decent location if you wanna stay free near the ferry terminals.
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
Meatworks Beachfront
4.0/5
Very Jake location right by the beach.
Looooads of space to park just keep driving down the path till you find a spot. Beware that the sand can be soft around the parking areas we got stuck badly so be careful and check the area you wanna park in cos there may be a reason it’s free! There were 2 portable toilets there at the time which did the job....