Halfway between Taupo and Turangi, you will fnd one of the most scenic
camps around. Stretching along the shores of Lake Taupo is this popular, largecapacity camp with around 267 sites. The lakeside sites have ready water
access, shady kowhai trees and are handy to the boat ramp, ideal for watersporting families. Across the road, the camp stretches up a sheltered valley
with sites grouped on several levels that offer maximum privacy and lake
views. All the amenities are spotlessly clean, smart and well-equipped, with
four kitchens, three laundries and four ablution blocks (with metered showers
and disabled access). Other amenities include a dump point, fsh cleaning areas,
boat storage and well stocked camp store with fshing supplies. Your hosts are
Brent and Jenny McIntosh, and all sites are from $19 to $22 per person. Please
note that seasonal rates apply

Deanna have put a lot of work into making this camp something a bit special. Not content with run of the mill, they have made the upgrades quirky and memorable. The modernised amenities are lovely and clean, have key-pad access, good free showers, and facilities for the disabled. The kitchen includes a TV as well as all the appliances you need, and for a small charge crockery is also available. A nice undercover area behind the kitchen is where the BBQs and outdoor dining are situated. There is a well stocked shop in the reception area, a short walk to the renowned Liquorice Cafe, and only 15 minutes from the relaxing Tokaanu hot pools. Pets are by arrangement only. Sites cost from $18 per adult, $9 for children under 14 years, one and under are free. Please note that seasonal rates may apply.

Set beside the Whanganui River, nestled amongst the native trees, this delightful camp is about 4km south of Taumarunui. Spacious sites, around 30 with power and many more for tents, the camp has great eye-appeal at a great price. All facilities are basic, but clean and very tidy. Of special mention is the well established kitchen and herb garden, Happily independent and a park with personality there brochure says, and that is what you will find. Everything you need is provided in the kitchen, with plenty of seating for dining, and a nice patio outside with BBQs. Nearby is a good childrens' playground, an internet cabin with wireless hotspot, and a laundry. The ablutions are in the same block as the kitchen and are clean and tidy, with good showers. There is ready access to fishing, hunting, jet boating, kayak trips, rail cart and bush walks, there is also good swimming is to be had in the river that loops about the camp. The Forgotten World Highway starts and ends here, and they are a central point for the North Island cycle trails. A dump station is provided and well-behaved dogs are welcome by arrangement. Sites cost $18 per person per night, children 13 years and under are $10, and under four years are $5. Please note NZMCA discounts are available. Your hosts are Phil and Helene  and dog Des.

Located between Turangi and Whakapapa Village at the small settlement of Tongariro, this quiet camp is ideally placed for the keen fisherman, tramper or ski enthusiast in search of an alpine holiday. The closest camp to the end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and situated opposite the trophy trout habitat at Lake Otamangakau, the camp often hosts fisher folk and their boats in the 12 powered sites, with a similar number of tent sites tucked away the rear of the camp. The amenities are rustic-alpine, with a fully equipped kitchen, clean ablutions and a drying room for ski or fishing gear. There is a pleasant lounge with pool table and air hockey, a playground for the kids and wifi internet access. A shuttle service for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is available. Your hosts are Greg and Donna Hooper who ask for no pets please. Powered sites are from $25 per person, with tent sites from $22.

Situated in the heart of Whakapapa Village on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, this
compact alpine park is nestled amongst mountain beech forest and a haven for
outdoor lovers. The sites are very appealing, each tucked into the bush with
space and privacy and the soothing sound of an alpine stream. A perfect base
for exploring the park, it offers 44 powered sites and around 8 tent sites. The
well-used amenities building is centrally located, with a fully-equipped kitchen
and dining facilities, a laundry and a drying room, but no recreation room. The
Whakapapa Store is open daily and meals and other services are close by. As
this is a National Park, no pets are permitted. A dump point is provided. Your
host is Garth and his team. All sites $17 per adult. Bookings are essential.

Only one kilometre south of the SH47 and SH48 intersection, this accommodation complex offers ten acres of parklike grounds for your camping pleasure. The closest accommodation and shuttle bus service to the Mangatepopo start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, it boasts a spectacular panorama of all three Tongariro volcanoes. In the communal area beside the camping sites, are a well equipped kitchen and a large dining area, as well as a laundry, drying room, and free showers. On the upper level is a licensed restaurant and lounge bar flowing through to a large outdoor mountain viewing deck. Your hosts Callum and Miki Harland run an owner operated shuttle service to the trail heads, and will drop you off any time from dawn to beat the rush. Powered sites from $20 per adult, non-powered sites from $18 per adult.

Formerly All Seasons Taupo; a quiet family park, just over 1.5 km from the town centre but not part of
the bustle of the main tourist strip. This well-tended camp has around 70
sites. most are hedged and dotted with shady silver birch trees and plenty of
picnic tables. The excellent amenities include a sparkling kitchen and dining
area, electric hob cooking, basic cookware, fridge/freezer and lunch bar. A
lovely central flagstone quadrangle has gas BBQ and rustic timber-slab picnic
tables under shade sails. On cooler days head indoors for the TV room,
carpeted and cosy, or the well-equipped games room. Make the most of the
fresh air with the pleasant outdoor thermal pool and children’s playground.
The smart ablutions are light and bright, with excellent showers, a family and
disabled access suite and bathroom extras (liquid soap and paper towels). A
well-equipped laundry, dump station, internet kiosks and wireless hotspot are
provided on-site, and basic supplies in the shop. Your hosts are Carole and
Clive, and Ivan and Sue, along with their helpful team. All sites are from $50
per adult (Peak season).

Mangatutu Hot Springs is a popular camping, picnic and fishing spot, and a starting point for tramping, hunting or day walks up the Mohaka River and further into the Kaweka Forest Park. Mangatutu hot springs, Kaweka Forest Park. Photo: Dick Clark. Mangatutu hot springs There are barbecues, picnic tables and toilets located in secluded clearings among the manuka surrounds, and there are access tracks descending to the Mohaka River. The main feature here is the thermal springs. Thermal water issues from a deep, undercut, steaming hole on the top terrace. The water trickles down a riverside bluff and after a short way is channelled into two pools.

Number of tent sites - 12 (6 are suitable for campervans) Camp in the forest on the flanks of Mount Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park.

This little camp is centrally located to Pipiriki, the Mt Ruapehu ski fields and the Tongariro Crossing, with world-class fishing available 25km away at the Manganui-O-Te-Ao River. Tidy grounds have easy access through a glade of trees to a lower tenting area, where you can enjoy a romantic evening with the sound of the river nearby or take an evening glow-worm lit fairy trail stroll along the ten minute bush walk. The kitchen and dining block is wheelchair accessible and has ranch sliders opening to a large deck and outdoor BBQ area. The ablutions are free with a roomy and modern shower and a disabled access suite, as well as an older block at the other end of the camp. Ben and Rebecca are your hosts and they can arrange canoe, kayak and jet boating tours, tramping and mountain biking as part of the adventure tourism run from the site. All sites cost from $10 per person, with a dump station available free to guests.