CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

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. 

A BULLS TO TAIHAPE 

Gumtree Motorhome Park, Taihape 

Very quiet and picturesque setting.

$, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/gumtree

Mangaweka Campground, Mangaweka 

Beautiful camp by the river with spectacular water. Fill your tank here.

$, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/mangaweka

Awastone, Mangaweka 

Has cafe coffee, a bar and a hot tub.

$, Power. http://ckw.nz/awastone 

Flat Hills Cafe & Tourist Park, Mangaweka 

Lovely grounds and good food. Very family friendly. Wifi.

$, Power, e-bike charging, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/flat-hills 

Queens Park, Hunterville 

Mature trees. Tents are ok. Beside SH1. Toilets, dog friendly.

FREE Tricky for large vehicles. http://ckw.nz/queens 

Putai Ngahere Domain / Vinegar Hill, Hunterville 

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. 

B Bulls to Mangaweka 

Awastone, Mangaweka 

Has cafe coffee, a bar and a hot tub.

$, Power. 

http://ckw.nz/awastone 

Mangaweka Campground, Mangaweka 

Beautiful camp by the river with spectacular water. Fill your tank here.

$, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/mangaweka

Āpiti Tavern, Apiti 

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/apiti 

Londons Ford Reserve, Kimbolton 

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/londons 

Bartlett's Ford, Kimbolton 

Great spot; spacious. Swim in the river.

FREE, toilets to end Mar, dogs allowed (under control). http://ckw.nz/bartletts 

Heritage Park Rhododendron, Kimbolton 

A quiet place to stay with beautiful surroundings.

$, pet friendly, self-contained. http://ckw.nz/rhodos 

Kimbolton Hotel, Kimbolton 

Parking out the back. Walk into the town.

$ donation, e-bike charging, pet friendly, self-contained, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/kimbolton-h 

Kimbolton Domain, Kimbolton 

Plenty of room and very quiet. Walk to town.

FREE

http://ckw.nz/kimbolton-d 

Cheltenham Hotel, Cheltenham 

Parking out the back.

FREE, showers cost, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/cheltenham 

Almadale

Almadale Recreation Reserve, Cheltenham 

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.

http://ckw.nz/almadale 

Menzies Ford, Fielding 

Gravel access.

FREE, self contained, possibly no large vehicles or caravans. http://ckw.nz/menzies 

Feilding Holiday Park, Fielding 

A lovely setting with beautiful trees.

$, dump station, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/fielding-hp 

Victoria Park, Fielding 

Sports area, so avoid on Saturday.

FREE, toilets, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/victoria 

Timona Park, Fielding 

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/timona 

Coach House Museum, Fielding 

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-house 

C Bulls to Pohangina 

Pohangina Base Campsite, Pohangina Valley 

Dry weather only.

$, toilets, dogs on leads. 


http://ckw.nz/poha-base 

Piripiri campsite, Pohangina Valley DOC. 

Short steep, gravel, difficult access.

FREE, dog on leads, self-contained. http://ckw.nz/pirpiri 

Totara Reserve Regional Park, Pohangina Valley 

Beautiful. Native bush, bird song. Bush walks. Closes at Easter (reopens Labour Weekend).

$, power, no dogs, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/totara 

From the Pohangina Valley look out. ©2023 M Richardson

Pohangina Valley Lookout, Pohangina 

Panoramic views of the Pohangina Valley.

FREE, self-contained.

Pohangina Domain, Pohangina Valley

Parking for about 3 vans, surrounded by fields.

FREE, self-contained. 

Raumai Reserve, Ashhurst 

Beside the river in the Pohangina Valley. Large grey cliffs are a dramatic backdrop; trees and shrubs offer shade.

FREE, toilets. http://ckw.nz/raumai 

Ashhurst Domain Motor Camp, Ashhurst 

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-camp 

Ashhurst Domain, Ashhurst 

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/ashhurst 

The mural on the wall at the Campbell St campervan park. ©2023 M Richardson

Campbell St Campervan Park, Palmerston North 

Central city. FREE. 

Palmerston North Holiday Park, Palmerston North 

Near the pool and the river.

$, dump station, power, no dogs, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/pn-holiday 

Ahimate Reserve, Palmerston North 

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/ahimate 

Sanson Domain, Sanson 

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 sea 

Dudding Lake Motorcamp & Picnic Park, Marton 

Park by the lake. You can boat in it, fish it, walk around it.

$ power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/dudding 

Koitiata Motor Camp, Turakina 

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/koitiata 

Scotts Ferry Motor Camp, Scotts Ferry 

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/scotts 

Tangimoana Motor Camp, Tangimoana 

Lovely camp. Great walks, 5 min walk to the cafe.

$, toilets, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/tangimoana 

Sanson Domain, Sanson 

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/sanson 

Himatangi Beach Holiday Park, Himatangi 

Nice and peaceful. A 10 minute walk to the beach.

$, dump station, power, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/himatangi 

Rongotea Wear Street Carpark, Rongotea 

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/rongotea 

HUNTERVILLE: SCENIC BACK ROADS 

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