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Bulls: heading to CAMPFEST
Editor
Be sure to phone and / or check each place before you rely on it. The February cyclone has put some out of action. Also check arrival times, spaces, cost, pets etc before you arrive.Â
A BULLS TO TAIHAPEÂ
Gumtree Motorhome Park, TaihapeÂ
Very quiet and picturesque setting.
$, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/gumtree
Mangaweka Campground, MangawekaÂ
Beautiful camp by the river with spectacular water. Fill your tank here.
$, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/mangaweka
Awastone, MangawekaÂ
Has cafe coffee, a bar and a hot tub.
$, Power. http://ckw.nz/awastoneÂ
Flat Hills Cafe & Tourist Park, MangawekaÂ
Lovely grounds and good food. Very family friendly. Wifi.
$, Power, e-bike charging, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/flat-hillsÂ
Queens Park, HuntervilleÂ
Mature trees. Tents are ok. Beside SH1. Toilets, dog friendly.
FREE Tricky for large vehicles. http://ckw.nz/queensÂ
Putai Ngahere Domain / Vinegar Hill, HuntervilleÂ
Huge grassy area, tents and vehicles. Bush walks. Bird song. Flood warning sirens.
FREE in the off season, no dogs between Labour Day and Easter. http://ckw.nz/vinegar
Marton
You can freedom camp anywhere in Marton except on the reserves.Â
B Bulls to MangawekaÂ
Awastone, MangawekaÂ
Has cafe coffee, a bar and a hot tub.
$, Power.Â
Mangaweka Campground, MangawekaÂ
Beautiful camp by the river with spectacular water. Fill your tank here.
$, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/mangaweka
Â
Ä€piti Tavern, ApitiÂ
Park up on the former tennis court.
Costs? Power. http://ckw.nz/apiti-tavern
Āpiti Domain, Āpitii
Lots of grassy space and quite flat. Short walk to the tavern.
FREE, toilets. http://ckw.nz/apitiÂ
Londons Ford Reserve, KimboltonÂ
Beautiful peaceful place with easy access and lots of level ground. Allows tents.
FREE, toilet open to end Mar, dogs allowed (under control). http://ckw.nz/londonsÂ
Bartlett's Ford, KimboltonÂ
Great spot; spacious. Swim in the river.
FREE, toilets to end Mar, dogs allowed (under control). http://ckw.nz/bartlettsÂ
Heritage Park Rhododendron, KimboltonÂ
A quiet place to stay with beautiful surroundings.
$, pet friendly, self-contained. http://ckw.nz/rhodosÂ
Kimbolton Hotel, KimboltonÂ
Parking out the back. Walk into the town.
$ donation, e-bike charging, pet friendly, self-contained, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/kimbolton-hÂ
Kimbolton Domain, KimboltonÂ
Plenty of room and very quiet. Walk to town.
FREE
Cheltenham Hotel, CheltenhamÂ
Parking out the back.
FREE, showers cost, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/cheltenhamÂ
Almadale Recreation Reserve, CheltenhamÂ
A little gem of a spot beside the babbling Oroua River. Beautiful little bush walk across the swing bridge.
FREE, toilets, self-contained, large vehicles ok.
Menzies Ford, FieldingÂ
Gravel access.
FREE, self contained, possibly no large vehicles or caravans. http://ckw.nz/menziesÂ
Feilding Holiday Park, FieldingÂ
A lovely setting with beautiful trees.
$, dump station, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/fielding-hpÂ
Victoria Park, FieldingÂ
Sports area, so avoid on Saturday.
FREE, toilets, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/victoriaÂ
Timona Park, FieldingÂ
Gates lock at dusk. A quiet park with big trees and walking trails along the river.
FREE, dump station, toilets, self-contained, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/timonaÂ
Coach House Museum, FieldingÂ
Gates close at 4pm. Home to an outstanding collection of rural New Zealand Heritage. Walking distance to town.
$: pay to visit the museum and stay overnight. Pet friendly, self-contained, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/coach-houseÂ
C Bulls to PohanginaÂ
Pohangina Base Campsite, Pohangina ValleyÂ
Dry weather only.
$, toilets, dogs on leads. 

Piripiri campsite, Pohangina Valley DOC.Â
Short steep, gravel, difficult access.
FREE, dog on leads, self-contained. http://ckw.nz/pirpiriÂ
Totara Reserve Regional Park, Pohangina ValleyÂ
Beautiful. Native bush, bird song. Bush walks. Closes at Easter (reopens Labour Weekend).
$, power, no dogs, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/totaraÂ
Pohangina Valley Lookout, PohanginaÂ
Panoramic views of the Pohangina Valley.
FREE, self-contained.
Pohangina Domain, Pohangina Valley
Parking for about 3 vans, surrounded by fields.
FREE, self-contained.Â
Raumai Reserve, AshhurstÂ
Beside the river in the Pohangina Valley. Large grey cliffs are a dramatic backdrop; trees and shrubs offer shade.
FREE, toilets. http://ckw.nz/raumaiÂ
Ashhurst Domain Motor Camp, AshhurstÂ
One of Manawatū's remnants of native bush. Bushwalking, biking, bird watching, camping, picnics, swimming or walking the dog.
$, dump station, power, pet friendly. http://ckw.nz/ashhurst-campÂ
Ashhurst Domain, AshhurstÂ
One of Manawatū's remnants of native bush. Bushwalking, biking, bird watching, camping, picnics, swimming or walking the dog.
FREE, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/ashhurstÂ
Campbell St Campervan Park, Palmerston NorthÂ
Central city. FREE.Â
Palmerston North Holiday Park, Palmerston NorthÂ
Near the pool and the river.
$, dump station, power, no dogs, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/pn-holidayÂ
Ahimate Reserve, Palmerston NorthÂ
Gates close at 8pm. Plenty of room. Great for dogs — agility track and training area. Walkways and cycling.
FREE, toilets, pet friendly, self-contained, large vehicle ok. http://ckw.nz/ahimateÂ
Sanson Domain, SansonÂ
Beside SH1. Park at the back for less road noise. Local market on Sundays.
FREE, toilets, no dogs during organised events, self-contained, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/sanson
D Bulls to the seaÂ
Dudding Lake Motorcamp & Picnic Park, MartonÂ
Park by the lake. You can boat in it, fish it, walk around it.
$ power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/duddingÂ
Koitiata Motor Camp, TurakinaÂ
Quiet site, close to the path to the beach. Te Araroa walkers overnight in their tents here.
$ (cash only), dump station, power, pet friendly. http://ckw.nz/koitiataÂ
Scotts Ferry Motor Camp, Scotts FerryÂ
Next to the river and not far from the beach and the forest. Lots of lovely walks.
$, toilets, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/scottsÂ
Tangimoana Motor Camp, TangimoanaÂ
Lovely camp. Great walks, 5 min walk to the cafe.
$, toilets, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/tangimoanaÂ
Sanson Domain, SansonÂ
Beside SH1. Park at the back to reduce the road noise. Local market on Sundays.
FREE, toilets, no dogs when events are on, self-contained, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/sansonÂ
Himatangi Beach Holiday Park, HimatangiÂ
Nice and peaceful. A 10 minute walk to the beach.
$, dump station, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/himatangiÂ
Rongotea Wear Street Carpark, RongoteaÂ
Visit one of the local gardens and pick up some freshly baked bread and a double scoop of ice cream from the local store. A quiet spot for the night. Handy to recycling. FREE. http://ckw.nz/rongoteaÂ
HUNTERVILLE: SCENIC BACK ROADSÂ
An alternative scenic route (dirt) is to take Ongo Road to the west of Hunterville, and then north via Turakina Valley Road where a lot of camping opportunities beside the river can be found. You can get lost in these dirt roads, so be sure of your route. The final destination is back to Taihape.
Or turn south off Ongo road onto Mangahoe Road then take Turakina Valley Road south to Turakina. If you like, turn left before Turakina on Makuhao Road and head towards the Tutaenui Reservoir where a walk around the lake can be enjoyed as well as a car park for an overnight stay (be prepared to be woken early by dog walkers and MTBs using the track).
Gregory Smith
Rangatikei and Manawatu
3 Autumn 2023
, p
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