WAIKATO: SOUTH-WAIKATO

Bennydale Art Doc

star rating of 5
Park-Over Property Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Showers Available Pet Friendly Excellent Vodafone mobile reception No Spark mobile reception
Part of the art collection Bennydale Art Doc is a park over property for motor caravanners in a tiny rural community. The owner is a multilingual retired French diplomat who speaks 6 languages, and has an interest in both art and music.
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Hora Hora Domain

star rating of 5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location
Lake parking with bikes Hora Hora Domain is a beautiful location on the shores of Lake Karapiro. It has a boat ramp and is a great location for water skiing and fishng. Max of 2 nights for certified self-contained vans. This is very popular, but there is plenty of room.
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Jones Landing

star rating of 4.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location
Parking area along the river Jones Landing is a peaceful reserve on the banks of the Waikato river where self-contained motor-caravanners can freedom camp. It's a beautiful location, with public toilets and a playground, as well as access to the river.
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Whakamaru Lake Reserve

star rating of 4.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Walking Tracks Marginal Vodafone mobile reception Moderate Spark mobile reception
Parking overlooking the lake Whakamaru Lake Reserve is a huge reserve on the shores of Lake Whakamaru. Surrounded by forest, it is stunningly beautiful and sheltered.
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Lake Maraetai

star rating of 4.5
Freedom Camping Location Toilets Available Power Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location Marginal Vodafone mobile reception Excellent Spark mobile reception
The Pizza Cafe on the lake front Lake Maraetai at Mangakino is another stunning location where self-contained motor caravanners can freedom camp overlooking the lake. It's close to Mangakino town centre, and also has a Pizza cafe on the lakefront.
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Mangaokewa Scenic Reserve

star rating of 4.5
Regional Park Campsite Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location Walking Tracks Marginal Vodafone mobile reception No Spark mobile reception
Sign describing what you can enjoy in the reserve Mangaokewa Scenic Reserve is a large reserve set alongside the Mangaokewa Gorge river. Freedom Camping is allowed for self-contained motor caravanners.
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Mangapohui Natural Bridge

star rating of 4.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only
Entrance to the walkway The Mangapohui Natural Bridge is a one of those low key New Zealand experiences that will take your breath away. A well maintained forest walk alongside a river to a land bridge that formed naturally many thousands of years ago. Self-contained motorhomes can also park overnight in the carpark.
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Bulmers Landing

star rating of 4
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location
Parking, overlooking the river Bulmers Landing is a large reserve along the banks of the Waikato river. In a peaceful, natural environment, this is a great freedom camping location for self-contained motor caravanners
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Mighty River Domain Campsite

star rating of 4
Holiday Park or Campsite Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Laundry Available Showers Available Power Available Large Vehicle Access Dump Station Available Fishing Location
Campsite reception The Mighty River Domain Campsite is in a beautiful location at the northern end of Lake Karapiro. This is home to many of our rowing and sculling teams and has benefited from generous sponsorship. While the camping area is set back from the lake front, it's just a short stroll around the grounds.
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Kakaho - DOC

star rating of 4
Department of Conservation Campsite Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Quiet and Peaceful Walking Tracks No Vodafone mobile reception No Spark mobile reception
DOC Noticeboard and Iron Maiden for camp fees The DOC campsite at Kakaho in Pureora Forest Park is a very large reserve on two levels and split into three camping areas.
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Roselands Restaurant

star rating of 4
Park-Over Property Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Large Vehicle Access Restaurant Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Marginal Vodafone mobile reception Excellent Spark mobile reception
Entrance to Roselands Restaurant Roselands Restaurant offers an upmarket dining experience in a stunning rural environment. Self-contained motor caravanners are welcome to stay overnight, giving you a great alternative for freedom campers wanting to spend some time exploring the Waitomo Caves.
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Little Waipa Reserve

star rating of 4
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Public Dump Station Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location
Lake Karapiro fishing limits Little Waipa Reserve is a great lakeside location, set amongst mature trees, and with a boat ramp. There are large grassed areas for parking. Good fishing. Max of 2 nights for certified self-contained vans.
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AJs Park

star rating of 3.5
Park-Over Property Fresh Water Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location
Gate at the entrance to AJs Park AJs Park is at the far end of the Hora Hora Domain, and is a low cost parkover property for motor caravanners
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Dunhams Point Reserve

star rating of 3.5
Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Pet Friendly Fishing Location
Parking at the end of the reserve Dunhams Point Reserve is nestled in a native forest with access to the Waikato river. Camping requires a permit from the South Waikato District Council.
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Whakamaru Waterski Club

star rating of 3.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Pet Friendly Fishing Location Excellent Vodafone mobile reception Excellent Spark mobile reception
Parking by the lake The Whakamaru Waterski Club has a small sealed parking area in a beautiful lake front location where self-contained motor caravanners can freedom camp.
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Tapuwai Garden

star rating of 3.5
Park-Over Property Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Power Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Walking Tracks No Vodafone mobile reception No Spark mobile reception
Entrance to the garden Tapuwai Garden is a large garden in the backblocks or rural Bennydale. Self-contained motor caravanners can park overnight.
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Keeleys Reserve

star rating of 3.5
Freedom Camping Location Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location Marginal Vodafone mobile reception Good Spark mobile reception
Parking, overlooking the lake Keeley's Recreational Reserve is a large reserve on the banks of Lake Karapiro, with public toilets, and a boat ramp. Freedom camping is allowed.
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Tokoroa Golf Club

star rating of 3.5
Freedom Camping Location Golf Club Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Showers Available Large Vehicle Access Restaurant
The golf club rooms The Tokoroa Golf Club is on the main highway south of Tokoroa, and have made their large sealed parking area available for self-contained motor caravanners to park overnight
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Lake Moana-Nui

star rating of 3.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Fresh Water Available
Entering the park The large sealed carpark for the Lake Moana-Nui reserve is available to self-contained motor caravanners for parking overnight.
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Putaruru Memorial Club

star rating of 3.5
Park-Over Property Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Large Vehicle Access Restaurant Excellent Vodafone mobile reception
Main entrance to the Putaruru District Services Memorial Club The Putaruru Memorial Club offers their large gravel carpark at the back of their club building for self-contained motor caravanners to park overnight.
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Atiamuri Dam Carpark

star rating of 3.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only
Parking area There is a large sealed carpark near the Atiamuri Dam where self-contained motor caravanners can park overnight.
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The Big Apple

star rating of 3.5
Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Restaurant
Fresh fruit and vegetables shop The Big Apple is a visitor shopping centre on State Highway 3 just north of the turnoff to Waitomo. It's a good location to buy fruit and vegetables, and includes a cafe and gift shop.
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Marokopa Falls

star rating of 3.5
Freedom Camping Location Walking Tracks
Walking through native bush to the Marokopa Falls The Marakopa Falls are another significant attraction along the Waitomo to Marokopa higway. They are accessed down a short walk through native forest from the roadside parking area. The walk takes about 10 minutes
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The Haggas Lookout

star rating of 3.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only
Haggas Lookout picnic area The Haggas Lookout provides a natural viewing area looking out over private farmland covenanted with the QE2 National Trust. While not a large parking area, it is suitable for self-contained motorhomes to park overnight. Excellent Vodafone mobile access.
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Otorohanga Holiday Park

star rating of 3.5
Holiday Park or Campsite Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Laundry Available Showers Available Power Available Internet Available Large Vehicle Access Dump Station Available Restaurant Pet Friendly Marginal Vodafone mobile reception Excellent Spark mobile reception
Otorohanga Holiday Park is an excellent choice for exploring Otorohanga and features a 24 hour gym, which is amazingly well-equipped.
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Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park

star rating of 3.5
Holiday Park or Campsite Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Laundry Available Showers Available Power Available Internet Available Dump Station Available
Entrance to Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park Waitomo Top 10 Holiday park is located at one of New Zealand's iconic tourist locations - sitting on top of a huge system of underground glow worm caves. You can take guided tours through the cave, or go for river side walks to explore the area, eat out at nice restaurants, or buy souvenirs.
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Rhubarb Cafe

star rating of 3.5
Toilets Available Restaurant
Rhubarb Cafe is an unexpectedly good place to stop for a coffee or a quick meal. Located on the main street of Arapuni town, they are on the Waikato River cycle trail, and provide an excellent range of light meals and drinks. They are open every day except Monday and Tuesday.
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Kensington St Carpark

star rating of 3
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Large Vehicle Access Restaurant Grocery Shopping Pet Friendly
Entrance to the carpark, alongside the Police Station Kensington Carpark is accessed from Kensington Street, and is in the centre of Putaruru town. Self contained motor caravanners are welcome to stay overnight
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Tihoi Tavern

star rating of 3
Park-Over Property Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Large Vehicle Access Restaurant Pet Friendly Walking Tracks Moderate Vodafone mobile reception Moderate Spark mobile reception
Inside the tavern and cafe The Tihoi Tavern to the west of Lake Taupo offers overnight parking and excellent meals for self-contained motor caravanners.
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Aramatai Gardens

star rating of 3
Park-Over Property Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Power Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Walking Tracks No Vodafone mobile reception No Spark mobile reception
On-grass parking The Aramatai Gardens are a labour of love by the owners, and they have set up a park over property for self-contained motor caravanners.
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Mangakino Citizens Club

star rating of 3
Park-Over Property Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Large Vehicle Access Restaurant Pet Friendly Good Vodafone mobile reception Excellent Spark mobile reception
Services memorial at the entrance The Mangakino Services and Citizens Club is located on the outskirts of Mangakino town and welcomes overnight parking for self-contained motor caravanners
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Moana Roa Reserve

star rating of 3
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only
Parking overlooking the river The Moana Roa Reserve provides lake access on the SH1 side of Lake Karapiro. The parking area overlooking the lake has public toilets and is available for Freedom Camping
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Dunham Park

star rating of 3
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful No Vodafone mobile reception Moderate Spark mobile reception
Public toilets Dunham Park is at the northern entrance to Tokoroa, and is a nice reserve with sealed parking where you can stop for a break.
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Mossop Rd PDS

star rating of 3
Toilets Available Public Dump Station Fresh Water Available Large Vehicle Access
The Mossop Road Public Dump Station in Tokoroa has plenty of room for large vans and include fresh drinking water.
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Atiamuri Boat Ramp

star rating of 3
Rest Stop Large Vehicle Access Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location
View across the lake The boat ramp parking area at Atiamuri is a beautiful location where you can stop for a lunch break, or some time off driving.
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Marokopa Holiday Park

star rating of 3
Holiday Park or Campsite Toilets Available Fresh Water Available Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location
Barbeque area The Marokopa Holiday Park is located in a quiet seaside village is is popular location for surfing, swimming, kayaking. fishing and whitebaiting.
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Waikawau Beach Park

star rating of 3
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Quiet and Peaceful Fishing Location Walking Tracks
Tunnel entrance leading to Waikawau Beach There's a small parking area for accessing the rugged Waikawau Beach through a man-made tunnel carved through sandstone. You can park overnight in a self-contained van. Discover the rock-face sculpture on the other side.
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Oxford Royal Hotel - Tirau

star rating of 3
Freedom Camping Location Toilets Available Restaurant
Entrance to the parking area for the Oxford Royal Hotel in Tirau The Oxford Royal Hotel in Tirau is listed in the current NZMCA directory as being available as a POP. At the moment it is in process of being auctioned, so it's status as a POP is uncertain.
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Awakino River Rest Area

star rating of 2.5
Freedom Camping Location Rest Stop Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Marginal Vodafone mobile reception Moderate Spark mobile reception
Rest area parking The Awakino River Rest Area might provide a welcome rest stop after traversing the winding road from Piopio to Awakino.
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Karapiro Dam Carpark

star rating of 2.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Large Vehicle Access Pet Friendly Moderate Vodafone mobile reception Excellent Spark mobile reception
Karapiro Dam Crossing sign There is a large carpark at the entrance to the Karapiro dam road crossing. Directly overlooking the lake formed by the dam, this is a nice location to stop for a break, or even to park overnight if you are self contained.
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Mangakino PDS

star rating of 2.5
Toilets Available Public Dump Station Fresh Water Available Large Vehicle Access Good Vodafone mobile reception Excellent Spark mobile reception
The Mangakino PDS The Mangakino Public Dump Station has a large parking area, with public toilets, on the outskirts of Mangakino town.
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Piarere Hall

star rating of 2.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only
Piarere Hall Piarere Hall is located near the start of SH29 to Matamata and has both sealed and grass parking areas where self-contained vans can park overnight.
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Dreghorn Place Carpark

star rating of 2.5
Freedom Camping Location Public Dump Station
Parking area Dreghorn Place, at the back of the Tokoroa town centre, has a large carpark which is available to self-contained motor caravanners for overnight parking
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Pukeko & Bull Hotel

star rating of 2.5
Park-Over Property Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Fresh Water Available Laundry Available Showers Available Large Vehicle Access Restaurant
Hotel, cafe, restaurant and tavern The Pukeko & Bull Hotel has a large sealed carpark where self-contained motor caravanners can park overnight.
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Jubilee Reserve

star rating of 2.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only
Jubilee Reserve is a small grassed area tucked away in the residential area of Arapuni town.
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Arapuni Dam Rest Area

star rating of 2.5
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only Toilets Available Large Vehicle Access Fishing Location
Overlooking Arapuni Dam from the rest area. The rest area at Arapuni Dam include public toilets and allows overnight parking for certified self-contained vans for a max of 2 nights. Its a bit noisy during the day with trucks driving over the dam.
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Arapuni Village Recreation Reserve

star rating of 2
Freedom Camping Location Certified Self-contained Vehicles Only
The Arapuni Village Recreation Reserve is located in quite a large reserve area, and quite secluded amongst large trees. Overnight parking is allowed for certified self-contained vans.
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Whakamaru Domain

star rating of 1.5
Freedom Camping Location Toilets Available Quiet and Peaceful Marginal Vodafone mobile reception Excellent Spark mobile reception
Parking in the only area available Whakamaru Domain is a large level reserve that is normally available to self-contained motor caravanners for freedom camping in a peaceful rural environment.
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