Mike
North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Waihi ▷
2.5/5
This spot is very disappointing for a DOC site, especially for the price.
Just a big gravel parking lot with zero privacy. You could find some decent tent spots if you walked a few minutes from your car. The whole place was super crowded especially during the day. The toilets were very smelly and there was lots of litter around the sites, on the trails and by the swimming hole. We didn't end up staying the night and just went for a swim and left.
North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
4.0/5
A large holiday park with no privacy between sites but nice, clean facilities.
You're right across the road from a big beautiful beach.
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
4.5/5
Great little spot not too far off the main road.
Lots of manuka and flax bushes which created barriers between the car spots. The car camping area definitely looked more private then the tent camping area. We heard and saw lots of birds including a few fantails at our site. Had a little outdoor kitchen set up down by the tent area. There was a nice little trail along the creek with one small beach. $13pp and 10 min to Whakapapa village.
North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
1.5/5
We arrived at the beach at 8 am and it was already way too crowded to dig a hot pool.
Not a very big area at all, and would definitely recommend bringing a shovel.
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Raglan ▷
3.5/5
We are not the type to usually stay at a holiday park but there are not a lot of other options in Raglan.
This was definitely a large, crowded park with zero privacy between sites. We luckily got a site right next to the trail that went down to a pretty big beach which is an amazing spot to watch the sunset. Less than a 10 min walk to town to escape and get beers.
North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames ▷
5.0/5
Nice grassy sites right next to a beautiful little creek.
We had a trail down to a perfect little swimming hole. Not a huge campsite but there were only a few other campers when we were there. There are 5 or 6 other DOC campgrounds within 20 minutes on the same road in the Kauaeranga Valley.
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Omarama ▷
3.0/5
Big gravel lot by the road with zero privacy.
Not a bad spot if you're in a vehicle but not a lot of room for tents. It was pretty crowded but had a trail down to the riverside. Huge bonus that its free and has toilets. Super close and convenient to the hot tubs and down.
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Omarama ▷
5.0/5
The hot tubs were very clean, peaceful and relaxing.
We couldn't see any other tubs from our spot and even saw baby muscovy ducks and a few fantails. The staff were super laid back and you take in a backpack of whatever. Next time we'd go for sunset and take in a few beers.