Jacks Gasthof is on the coastal highway 5km north of Charleston and is a gem of a camp. Well laid out in a peaceful setting, with trees for shade, and lots of little nooks and crannies, there is plenty of tenting room and three sites with power. Facilities are minimal but unique in their own way, gtwo toilets, no kitchen but lots of outdoor sinks with drinkable water. The shower is an open air one, down by the river access, where you can have it cold, or for a gold donation they will turn on the hot water. You can pop down to the river for a swim, or take a walk through the bush. An ideal stopover, if you don\'t feel like cooking, have a pizza at the onsite restaurant where the locals meet the tourists. How many camps are there where you can have a crispy pizza, or a proper meal, have a drink or two, then walk back to your site? Your friendly hosts are Petra and Jack. A site will cost just $8 per person plus $5 per site for power wifi morning and evening.

It's always great to see a community behind a camp ground, and this one is no exception. When we arrived a reunion was in full swing, but the friendly folks here still had time to sit down and chat. Amenities are clean with a good kitchen and three full stoves, plus fridge/freezers, while the showers are in good order and there is a separate block of toilets. A porch laundry has automatic washing machines, and a former classroom has been converted into a well-refurbished communal lounge with a pot belly stove and TV. All the facilities are clean, and a good children's playground is an added attraction. This is rural camping, with a hotel, postal service and other shops fairly handy, with whitebaiting and fishing in the nearby river. A good starting point for many tramping tracks in the area and popular with the 4WDs, it is also a stopping point on the old ghost road cycle track opened recently. Your friendly hosts are the Seddonville Community. Tent sites are $16 for two and power $25 for two. Long term discounts and special rates for families are available.

Fifteen acres of terraced sites allow stunning outlooks to the river, mountains
and waterfalls. There are 30 power points on hard stands and 10 tent sites set
amongst the bush, as well as two large barns with private bays for camping or
campervans - keeping you covered in all weathers (each site has power and
water). The facilities are all modern and beautifully clean with sensor lighting,
and the office carries a good stock of essential items.  The heated ablutions
have large showers with gas hot water, and hairdryers for the ladies. A disability
suite is available and a well-equipped laundry. The massive kitchen/dining and
lounge is tastefully decorated with a log burner, lounge suites and all cooking
equipment including cutlery and crockery which is available from the office.
Free BBQs and children’s play area are in the camp, as are internet access and
a dump station. Many mountain tramps start in this area and jet boat rides
are available on the Taramakau River, as well as being only 20 minutes from
the Temple Basin ski field. Your hosts are Darren and Toni. Sites from $40
for two people, extra adults are $20 and children under 10 years are $10.

With direct beach access, and glow worms across the road, this accommodation
complex with a farmlet attached, is a great place to base yourself in Hokitikia.
A well laid out camp, with established plantings and manicured lawns, the
powered sites form a semi-circle on one side of the central log cabin-style
ablution building. These are smart and immaculately clean, with soap and
hairdryers supplied, free showers, and a disability facility. The other side of the
building houses a modern kitchen/lounge with all facilities, and a dining room
is adjacent. A half wall provides privacy for a TV and lounge room, a great
place to sit to check emails with the free Wi-Fi. You will find a BBQ sheltering
under the eaves, as well as a spa pool and sauna for a small charge. The
laundry has fully automated machines and is available 24 hours. Your friendly
hosts are Tracey and Lance. Powered sites $40 for two people, $30 for one,
children are $10. Tent sites $32 for two, or $24 for one adult, children are $8.

Tucked in behind the motel complex are eleven campervan sites on a hard gravel surface, there are no tent sites here. A high fence surrounds the area, giving privacy from the road, and there are some plantings. The kitchen/dining has a full stove and all other facilities, and a BBQ is also available. The lounge area has soft seating, and sparkling clean ablutions also include a hairdryer in the ladies, with large showers and a separate disability suite. There is a 24hr laundry with washing machine, dryer, tub, and a large drying room. A play area is available, the beach is just across the road, and it is a three minute walk to the glow worms. Free wifi is available for guests, as well as a dump station and an inground swimming pool. Your hosts are Adele and Brian Dow. Powered sites are from $40 for two people. Seasonal rates apply.

Off Cook Flat Road is this large and well-presented camp with stunning
views. Tents can set up under the shady trees on a large grassed area, while
hard stands are provided for vehicles. Most have lovely grass strips between
them and some of the sites are extra-large with good access for buses. The
two kitchens are well equipped with full stoves, hotplates and fridge/freezers
and a dining space with a separate TV and internet room. A clean ablution
block has a disability/family suite, plus a children’s bath and a laundry with
up-to-date automatic equipment. The other two sets of ablutions are well
appointed and clean with well-lined roomy showers serviced by gas water
heating and hairdryers. You can cook inside in the kitchen with all amenities or
outside under the covered BBQ area. All the mod cons here, and everything
is immaculately presented and clean as a whistle, and you will appreciate the
under floor heating in the bathrooms if staying in winter! A great adventure
playground has been provided for the children, as well as pedal cars for hire.
Parents, however, will love the new spa room. Other amenities include a
dump point, phones and free internet, while there is a licensed restaurant with
takeaways close by. Your adventure trips can start here with many activities to
choose from and a no charge booking service. Children’s prices and off season rates available.

Kahurangi National Park Created in 1996, Kahurangi is one of New Zealand\'s newest national parks, and at 452,002 hectares it is also the second largest. Translated, its name has a number of meanings including \'treasured possession\', an apt description of its wonderfully diverse natural and recreational values. In places it is an untracked wilderness, elsewhere a wonderful network of tracks lets you explore wild rivers, high plateaux and alpine herbfields, and coastal forests.

High on the hill overlooking the sea is this lodge and camp ground, you will find it off Fitzherbet Road. This was the site of the old hospital and has many well-kept buildings that have been furnished in a quirky retro look. The level tenting area and power sites overlook the ocean, all are landscaped and sheltered. A clean and tidy kitchen with all amenities including a full stove and separate dining area is provided, also a comfy and sunny lounge for you to relax in. Plenty of room here and groups are welcome. Watchout for the friendly rabbit that may come and visit you, or go for a walk down the hill to the glow worm dell. Your friendly host is Christine. $20 per adult for tents, and $35 power sites for two adults, an extra adult is $10. Children under 12 years are $5.

This lifestyle park is now permanently closed.

In a rural setting with a small lake, great views of the mountains and close
to the sea, this camp ground is run by people who know about camping.
Landscaped grounds with room for tents, the 12 powered sites are all on
hard gravel, and some cater for large vehicles. The buildings have had a
lovely make over with a modern, clean kitchen, gas hobs, fridge, microwave
and wall oven.  The tastefully decorated dining/lounge has a log/coal file,
while the spotless modern ablutions have spacious showers.  Other facilities
include a laundry, fire BBQ and scattered throughout the grounds are picnic
tables. Relax around the brazier in the evening with your marshmallows.
or watch the eel feeding at 7pm nightly. Free range eggs are available from
your cheerful hosts Murray and Sharon Jordan. Sites are $15 per person
and $30 for two, children are charged at $1 for each year of age to 15.