Charlie
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Rarawa Beach Campsite
4.0/5
DOC website mentions mozzies, but picked a windy night to be here and they weren't a problem.
$13/night, decent facilities. Unsealed metal road to access is in great shape. Open sites and some shaded/more private ones too; saw a few folks with hammocks set up. Lots of birdsong. Lovely.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
Trounson Kauri Park Campground
4.0/5
So glad I went down the west coast, and this was a lovely spot.
As others mentioned, some road noise, but not too bad. Facilities (kitchen! Power! Showers! Flush toilets!) really up there for a DOC site. Even had red cellophane to borrow to cover your torches for kiwi spotting... although prior visitors took it all and didn't return it :-(
Confusing info at time re: site price. One sign and DOC website had price as unpowered $15 pp/night, another had price as above, but with minimum occupancy of 2.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Hawera ▷
Rotokare Scenic Reserve
4.0/5
Definitely more campers than posted, but all quiet and respectful.
Teamed up with the neighbours to go look for kiwi with much success!
I don't mind sites with no potable water, but the toilet block could do with an outdoor sink or proper drain for NSC campers to properly dispose of dishwashing greywater - it was either muck up the small sink inside, or toss in the bushes.
Happy to provide a donation to this wonderful space and support their volunteer efforts!