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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.
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.
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
Cheltenham Hotel, Cheltenham
Parking out the back.
FREE, showers cost, pet friendly, large vehicles ok. http://ckw.nz/cheltenham

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.

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.
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

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

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

3 Autumn 2023
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