Camping Suggestions

[Want2Retire]

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right forum or not...

Looking for suggestions/recommendations for camping spots. Must be family friendly as we have a 4 year old and a nearly 2 year old. We're based in Rotorua but happy to travel. Done quite a few top 10 camp grounds but looking for "ideal location over camp facilities" as we're fairly well self-sufficient.

Any suggestions/recommendations greatly received.

Cheers

[Jay]

Ahipara / Shipwrecks Bay (Basically the start of 90 mile beach) - Bit of a hike from Rotorua, but well worth it

Jay

[xj]

pouto, tidy liitle basic camp ground, great scenery. great beach wheeling

[Want2Retire]

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

Would be good to have a thread where members can post photos/details/coordinates etc of their favourite camp sites? Maybe there already is a thread and I just have not found it...I am an XJ Jeep owner after all

[fullthrottle]

Sounds like this should be the thread for such a place.

We have got young kids and of all the camping we do, I can highly recommend

- Paekakariki beach camp ground, on the boarder of Queen Elizabeth park, Kapiti coast.
Right by the beach and great facilities. Nice tent and caravan sites with plenty to do for the kids.

- Oakura beach camp ground. 15mins south of New Plymouth. This one is right on the beach. One of our best camp locations. We survived 9 nights in a tent with 3 kids and seemed like a breeze.

[mudnutz]

Tarawera inlet, in through kawarau.

[tgaguy1]

Tarawera inlet, in through kawarau.

X2, very nice there.
I have also had very nice times at Lake Whakamaru
-38.431152, 175.822835.

[fullthrottle]

Tarawera inlet, in through kawarau.

Yes this one to. Is this the Blue Lake camp ground or another location.
Blue lake is very nice with a good track to mountain bike around the entire lake.

[tgaguy1]

Tarawera inlet, in through kawarau.

Yes this one to. Is this the Blue Lake camp ground or another location.
Blue lake is very nice with a good track to mountain bike around the entire lake.

Another location. Though the blue lake camp ground would be another nice one too. Though being a proper camp ground the fees are a lot more.

-38.183646, 176.501337 are the co-ordinates. It is on the shore of Tepahoro Bay, Lake Tarawera.

[Want2Retire]

Haven't tried the Tarawera outlet, but heard good things about it. Funny how you don't tend to think of the places on your doorstep.

I'd be keen to see other users photos of their camp setups, i'll post some photos after our next excursion, hopefully make a long weekend out of Waitangi day.

Cheers, and keep the suggestions rolling in - love scoping out potential get away spots

[tgaguy1]

Here is another really nice spot.

-38.277481, 176.507592

Lake Rerewhakaaitu. Camping site off Ash pit road.

[Furgus]

So it looks like this when we set off



And like this once set up - this was at Stony Bay DoC site up at the top of the Coromandel



And here's a close up of the kitchen set up

[Want2Retire]

Nice setup Furgus. How long have you had the camper trailer?

I'm keen to go to Stony Bay or Port Jackson at the top. Might go sooner rather than later

[Furgus]

Had the trailer for a while but only put the tent on top this year, BUT it's not a great set up as the trailer is too tall, will be building a purpose built one soon

[mike]

Friend of mine runs this site, he lives in a bus. has a trip planner and everything. pretty useful for finding places to stay in lil old nz (especially freedom camping)
http://motorcamps.com/

[mike77]

Tarawera outlet x3, it's a great spot, or if ya want to do some easy fishing, I'm now a great fan of Port Jackson, both awesome spots.

Also Fletchers bay, just a bit further on from Jackson is really nice. A bit quieter as the waves don't break quite as close to your tent site.

These sites only have a tap and a long drop with no shops nearby so bring ya fridge or decent chilly bins.

[Want2Retire]

Cheers Mike77, I might go for a drive to check out Tarawera outlet on the weekend. Might see if there are any roads/tracks to explore while there if not all locked.

[mudnutz]

Plenty of neat walks to explore, one track leads to a big waterfall. Great swimming, kiwis calling out at night too. Not overpopulated with people either

[DieselBoy]

Plenty of neat walks to explore, one track leads to a big waterfall. Great swimming, kiwis calling out at night too. Not overpopulated with people either

Yet........

Cats out of the bag now

[mudnutz]

Oh.....yeah

[skid]

Oh.....yeah

its ok, I just tapped co-ordinates into google earth

fuk thats a long way to drive

might turn folks off

[Want2Retire]

Went for a drive out to Tarawera outlet today to scope it out. Paid my $5 permit fee, kids loved it, did a bit of exploring, only thought of camera on drive home. I must keep a camera in the jeep for these types of things.

Anyway, thanks for the outlet recommendation, would be awesome for a group camping type thing.

[ArvinSlayer]

lake rerewhakaaitu is absolutely amazing, i was camping there in the cold winter nights and i slept in the car absolutely frozn off my ass, but when u get a full moon and the still lake water is jz amazing

Peace

Arvin