Support those district and city councils, retailers local charter clubs, churches and schools that provide 'freedom parking'
I want to encourage all vanners to patronise those areas that do make an effort to provide park over places available. Stock up your cupboards, clothing, dine out, refuel, get repairs and service work carried out while you go on a tour in these areas.
North Island
Whangarei, Rodney, Franklin, Hauraki,Taupo, Western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, Kawerau, Gisborne, Hastings, Central Hawkes Bay, Tararua, New Plymouth, Manawatu, Horowhenua, South Wairarapa, Tararua.
South Island
Marlbourgh, Kaikoura, Nelson City,Tasman, Buller, Grey, Westland, Ashburton, Timaru, MacKenzie, Central Otago, Dunedin City, Clutha, Central Otago District Council, Clutha and the Southland.
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PaknSave, Farmers, The Wharehouse, A&P, Golf Clubs, Bowling Clubs,RSA, and the Many Charter Clubs throughout the Country.
Support them as they support and welcome us.
Note: The above listed Councils and parks have specific areas set aside for over night parking. Check to ensure you are parked in right area.
read more on
*If I have omitted anyone in this list it is because the list of valued parking providers is growing all the time.
I, with many others say to you...
THANK YOU
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North, West Coast from Dargaville
Where there is a larger photo available <...>
click on the white box under the picture for a larger view
and use your computers (top left) < button to return to normal view
Trounson Kauri Park
Donnelly's Loop Crossing Rd
Off SH21 40Kms from Dargaville
GPS S= 35.7198843. E=173.6489054
Closed between Easter and Labour weekend and excluded from DOC Pass all year.
This is a fully serviced park with (4) power sites ( tent sites) with toilets, shower and kitchen.
This a great place to experience the local native bush through an excellent walking track adjacent to this stop.
I recommend taking this walk morning and afternoon as the magic of this place changes as the day moves on and especially a visit by night which will very likely give you a kiwi encounter you will never forget.
Avoid the groups that visit the forest of an evening, you will have a greater chance of seeing kiwi in a small and quiet group.
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If Trounson's is full, I understand an area at Donnelly's Crossing a few kms down the road, is being prepared for campervan parking that is close to the river, the local general store and cafe'
GPS S=35.70991 E=173.62081
Aranga
Ross and Wendy Hansen
Just before the Aranga School, heading North on SH12
GPS S=35.7410671 E=173.6142321
Plenty of parking big and small
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Waipoua Forest Park
A short distance South of Tane Mahuta and off SH12, well sign posted.
Good parking places, water toilets showers (nil Power). Fully serviced kitchen excluded from DOC Pass.The nearby river make a pleasant walk and accompanies the sound of the forest birds. The information center just down the road has been very well assembled, allow time to visit.
This will no doubt be a popular spot in summer with a large tent site area and a good river swimming spot close at hand.
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One should not pass through this forest without paying homage (well a visit at least) to TANE MAHUTA
Only a few moments walk along the boarded pathway through typical native rain forest to see this enormous Kauri tree (world famous) that carries the secrets of centuries.
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John and Sue Reynard
Cnr SH 12 and Fairlie Cres.
Opononi
GPS E= 173.3891000 S= 35.5139833
Parking on the seaward side of the car park, power avaiable.
Please do not park if the 'NO VACANCY' sign is showing.
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As long as the car park is not too full you will easily find the statue for OPO.
Opo was a bottlenosed dolphin who became famous throughout New Zealand during the summer of 1955-56 for playing with the children of the small town of Opononi on the Hokianga harbour.
Opo was a wild dolphin who started following fishing boats around Opononi in early 1955 after her mother had been killed, and would swim daily in the bay close to town. She was originally named "Opononi Jack", based on Pelorus Jack, since she was presumed to be male.
Unlike the majority of dolphins, she had no qualms about human company, and would perform stunts for locals, play with objects like beach balls and beer bottles, and allow children to swim alongside her and make contact.
Māori children were more reluctant to play with Opo, as cultural beliefs said the dolphin was a messenger from Kupe.
The dolphin became a local celebrity but news of her soon spread, and visitors from throughout the country would come to watch her. On 8 March 1956 official protection for Opo, requested by locals, was made law, but on 9 March she was found dead in a rock crevice at Koutu Point.
It is suspected that she was killed accidentally by fishermen fishing with gelignite. Her death was reported nationwide, and she was buried with full Māori honours in a special plot next to the town hall.
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Okopako Wilderness Farm
140 Mountain Road
Hokianga
Parking and water, discounted rates.
GPS S=35.4879491 E=173.4528169
This is a reasonably steep climb off the seal on a metal road as you would imagine the views out over the farmed hillside and to the sea are good.
Donna and Syd Matthews
90 Koutu Loop Rd.
3 Kms out of Opononi
pix and details to follow
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If you are intending to head North via Rawene, and the ferry to follow this coast to Ahipara, then scroll down to
'Rawene and the Ferry'
OR
Continue on the road heading East on SH12 to Taheke, turn left 15kms. before Kaikohe and travel North to the
Wairere Boulders and Horeke..
This is the road to take if you wish not to use the Rawene Ferry
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Rita and Felix Schaad
70 McDonnell Road
Horeke
GPS S=35.22654 E= 173.35896
"Wairere Boulders is the only known basalt boulder valley world wide....."
There are several walk tracks, allow a good hour or two for these walks, good walking shoes are recommended.
Offers overnight free parking (SC vehicles only) for those who take the walk to the boulder reserve.
Water and toilet availabe. Please contact the owners on arrival.
The road in is metal and winding, large vehicles can turn at the top with reasonable ease.
Horeke
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Mangungu Point
Horeke GPS S=35.21349 E= 173.35437
Large area by wharf, toilets nearby. Parking only.
<...>
There is a hotel on one side of this parking area, however it did not open while I was there.
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[You may continue around to Okahau
( Okahau is further down this page after Ngapha Springs but I would never miss out on some R & R in the hot pools)
so return to SH12]
Back tracking now to Taheke and follow SH12 to
KAIKOHE
FreeWIFI
APNK
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Mid North Motor Inn
Kaikohe
158 Broadway GEM RATING
Kaikohe GPS s= 35.4080646 e=173.791155
Parking and dog friendly. Next door to RSA
<...>
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The Kaikohe RSA will also permit parking in the carpark.
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Dog friendly
Kevin and Diana Rasmussen19 Bisset Road
Kaikohe
Secure off street street parking, power and can accommodate large vehicles
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A few kms West of Kaikohe
Ngawha Springs
This stop is a favourite of mine and
is also 'great for what ever ails you'
(possibly belief is half the remedy ??)
Ginns Spa Ngawha
Ngawha Springs Road
Ngawha.GPS s=35.40673 e=173.85867
The natural hot springs rise from
deep in the earth each with its
own temperature and natural elements.
Choose the pool or pools best suited to
your liking and enjoy.
GEM rating here
The amenities are rustic (thanks Maxine), toilets, water, cold shower and power but park your vehicle only a few steps from
the pools and you will return here as often as I and many others do.
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Moving on back to SH1 and traveling North
Okaihau -
Two Punga Reserve
Okaihau Village
A pleasant park near the trees and toilet, however the sign tells a different story
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Okaihau Fire Museum
Lesley and Brian Denton
Cnr SH1 and PUKEpoto Road
4.5kms North of Okaihau Village
GPS S=35.2977280 E=173.7359034
Parking, water, power and dog friendly
As the name suggests this stop has a well cared for fire museum.
<..>
As you can see there is also plenty of room in this adjacent field for a small group to meet.
Puketi Forest DOC
Off SH1 8kms North of Okaihau
GPS S=35.2780056 E=173.6829452
Parking, toilets and water
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Rawene and the ferry
That heading almost looks as though it should be preceeded with
"Have you heard the one about....."
There are no Freedom Parks in this area as yet although there are a few camp grounds I from my experiance I am not awarding any GEM ratings
There is a little history in the area and a board walk over the mangroves which is quite handy if you have arrived in time to miss the ferry sailing.
Traveling to Rawene and catching the Ferry to Kohukohu.
The ferry cost was $26.00 for my 5 mtr 3 ton Vehicle
Kohukohu
My loose translation for this is "you have reached the otherside".
Well it does if you have traveled from Rawene.
Quaint and interesting little village that has that "Interesting seaside village" feeling and a good place for a few photo shots before moving on.
TheTree House Back Eco-Lodge
168 West Coast Road
Hokianga (Kohukohu)
I have been asked to advise that this is a backpacker stop over and they have been happy to allow vehicles who have missed the last Ferry (usually 8 pm.) to stay.
Note My 5 mtr vehicle just got into the park that is available and I was told some with larger vehicles have had difficulties with the driveway.
If traveling South; park overnight near the ferry car park (or in if you want to be up in time to catch the first crossing) or travel back to the last stop over property
Kohukohu
Shayne Jones and Sharon Penwarden
461 Kohukohu Road
Kohukohu GPS S= 35.18184 E= 173.37239
7 kms North from the Ferry
Hard stand parks, water, walks room for large vehicles.
This is a farm park.
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Continuing North again to Tutekehua
and following the road to
Broadwood
Broadwood
North Hokianga A & P Assn.
Main Road GPS S=35.15738 E= 173.37239
Broadwood
Collect the Key from the 4 Square Store
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Toilets and 1 x power site. Room for large vehicles. Rally groups permitted to use pavillion area.
Friday nights is club night in the local hall, I am told this is not to be missed. |
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Continue North to Ahipara.
Ahipara Motor Camp
Takeha Street
Ahipara GPS S= 35.1605500 E= 173.1617500
Good parking, large vehcles, toilets ,showers and dog friendly.
The (out of season) weekly rate gets a GEM rating.
Ahipara at the bottom of 90 mile beach, 16 kms from Kaitaia
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