What a lovely welcome you get from new owners Riza and Albert as you drive into this historical campground. The original base for the 1950s power project, it was once home to hundreds of Italian workers who were involved in what was then the biggest engineering project in New Zealand. For the casual camper looking for a quiet spot away from the main road, here you_ll find large, individually-hedged sites with plenty of lovely shady trees, each having a tap and a picnic table. Older-style, well-scrubbed amenities include a basic kitchen with lots of pans, crockery and cookware, ablutions with free curtained showers, a coin operated laundry, and a drying room available for a small charge. The covered deck off the kitchen is a beautiful spot to sit and eat your meal, and you can use the fish cleaning sink and outdoor BBQs to cook up your catch of the day. Too tired to cook? Town is within walking distance for a takeaway or a meal. Working towards being an eco friendly camp ground, there are ample recycling stations, a bin in the kitchen for your organic waste that goes to the worm farm, and a herb garden is also being established by the kitchen. Children have a couple of small play areas and plenty of room to run about, while on rainy days there is a large games room and guest lounge. Internet access and a dump station are also provided, and your dogs are welcome but by arrangement please. Charges are from $22 per person, children 5-14 from $10, and under five are free.