A Brad in a van
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Tarawera ▷
Boyes Beach Reserve
1.5/5
Pretty car park beside the lake.
Basic toilets. That’s it - for $20 per person. It seems like the council is just providing this facility to say they have one. Here on a beautiful day in late November and not another soul here.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Rarawa Beach Campsite
2.5/5
Completely abandoned on a sunny Thursday night, late November, except for one middle aged couple in a rental van.
$13 per night, per person for no facilities, save a few toilet blocks and a cold water shower. Lots of level ground and obviously very private.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Patea ▷
Bourke's Lookout, Patea
3.0/5
No more than a wee lay-by off the side of the road.
Space for three or four campers. No toilets, rubbish, or services, but stellar views. Brace yourself for the wind - it howls!
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Woodville ▷
Woodville Ferry Reserve
4.0/5
A lovely wee spot.
Facilities include a block of three very clean and well maintained long drop toilets with loo roll and hand sanitizer, plus a free barbecue (bring utensils and a scrubber to clean up after yourself). Space for 30+ vehicles, although limited sheltered spots and only a few are really flat. It’s worth noting that there are no signs stating that vehicles must be self contained, and most of the ones camping here were not.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ New Plymouth ▷
Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park
3.5/5
$22 per person per night for an unpowered site.
It’s nice, but Yikes.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Waipukurau ▷
Kairakau Beach Freedom Camping
4.5/5
What a wee gem.
Like the land that time forgot. Gorgeous beach walks and peaceful tides. A beautiful strip at the far end of Kairakau Road (go past the members-only camp ground until you see the sign pictured). Space for 30+ RVs. The verge on the ocean side of the road is designated for self contained campers, with a handful of shrubs breaking it up to give some privacy and wind breaks. One flush toilet block on site, and a further triple block 300m back at the corner of Kairakau and Mananui Street, where you’ll also find a couple of picnic tables. For the adventurous, kaimoana around the shallow rocks is plentiful with rods, pots or freediving. No drinking water or other facilities. Pack out your trash. Don’t forget to let Central Hawke’s Bay council know that you’re heading out (06 857 8060), and how much you enjoyed their hospitality.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Waipukurau ▷
Te Paerahi Beach (Porangahau) Freedom Camping
4.0/5
A wonderful wee sun trap, tucked behind the dunes.
I was there on an August weekend and shared the place with only one caravan. The beach and dunes are endless, and, when I was there, at least, were entirely empty. What a delight. Make sure you contact the Central Hawke’s Bay council to tell them that you enjoyed it. Their Facebook page is very responsive.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Government Gardens Thermal Area
3.5/5
Clean, central car park with 17 dedicated RV spots and no limit on how long you can stay.
Rubbish and recycling bins on site. Showers are available a few hundred meters away at the iSite ($5 for 6min). For the person who complained and rated it a 2, bizarre!
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Mawley Holiday Park
4.0/5
Excellent facilities and convenient location, centrally in Masterton.
The daily cleaning keeps the place very tidy. A new fence around the whole property has filled the security gap that used the plague the park. The kitchen supplies, especially pans for cooking, are tired and need replacing. Rodney and Jelena will be missed once they’re officially gone mid 2018.