At the gateway to the Ruahines sits a charming rural village called Apiti. Here you'll come to find the Apiti Tavern, a stunning building on a location which originates back to 1896. Inside, the tavern is alive with history, showcasing photographs on the walls of Apiti through the years. Locals with a thriving community heart give this place a welcoming atmosphere, unique to the rural country life.

A self-contained cottage next to the owner's house, just south of Atene. You can also park your campervan or pitch a tent in the adjacent paddock. Sleeps five.

This lovely, eco-retreat on the right bank of the Whanganui River accommodates campers arriving by river.(Jetboat or Canoe) Or you can arrive road and Cross the Flying Fox (Aerial Cableway) The Campground has a flush toilet, gas heated shower or an outdoor fire bath in the bush for campers to use. Free Wifi is also available Your hosts are Kelly and Jane. Phone ahead to check availability. Camping charge is $10 per person per night.$5 per person for Cablecar. Great store on site - you can even get a cold beer.

300m uphill from the intersection in the village of Pipiriki turn in to the main Whanganui River Adventure property. This is a commercial jet boat and canoe business run by Ken and Josephine Haworth. There is a large fairly flat area for camping. Simple toilet and kitchen facilities available, some provisions and snacks for sale and hot food prepared to order. It is a short walk to the Whanganui River and walks through the native bush. Ideal for self contained campers. They have hot and cold food and drinks available also.

Dudding Lake has a small, welcoming campground with both powered and non-powered sites. Powered sites need to be booked. There is no rental accommodation provided.

Fees for camping

• Non powered, sites per night - $10 each adult and $5 each child (5 – 14 years – under 5 is free)
• Powered sites, per night - $10 each adult, $5 each child (5 – 14 years – under 5 is free), $5 for power

Kitchen facilities provided include seating, washing machines, sinks, hot plates, microwave, electric jug and toasters. Use of the  showers is free for campers.

Gates to the lake are closed at dusk; campers returning after this time can ring the buzzer to be let in.

Quinten and Kylee are the caretakers at Duddings Lake.

A lovely rustic campsite with a “backblocks” flavour. Situated on the banks of the Makakahi Stream, where there are plenty of eels and trout. It offers lots of pleasantly private campsites amongst masses of pine and gum trees. Choose between tranquil shady or sunny sites. Covered outdoor dining has recently been added to the basic amenities block. The small toilet and shower units are clean and well-looked after and the small kitchen has a selection of pots, plates and cutlery.

Homely touches are found in the bathrooms and kitchen with fresh free range eggs when the chooks are laying and free tea and coffee. A dump station is around the corner at the Eketahuna Club. Recyling is available on site. A new disabled access suite will be ready shortly.

Accommodation and costs

Your friendly hosts are Kerry & Loreen Cunningham ring them on 027 747 2111, or try 79 High Street, they visit the camp several times a day.

In the heart of tui country (the bird and the beer!) this un-crowded camp is
located on the southern edge of Pahiatua township beside two hectares of
native bush. Sheltered by a high macrocarpa hedge, the grounds are beautifully
kept, with open sites of a generous size, some with large shade trees. The
ablutions and kitchen are basic, but lovely and clean. The kitchen has a stock
of pots, crockery and cutlery and the separate dining area is surrounded by
glass sliding doors and outdoor seating. There is a TV lounge also. On a patio
outside the kitchen you will find an automatic washing machine and dryer and
a dump station is provided. There is a BBQ for campers and a children’s play area.

Pets are okay by arrangement only. 18 sites have power and are $25
for two adults, $10 for each extra adult. Tent sites are $10 per adult with
children half price and under 5’s free. Your on-site host is Karolyn. Prices
subject to change.

This smart urban camp has spacious grounds that are well laid out in a circular fashion and bordered by sheltering hedges. Boasting large trees in the park, there are 33 powered sites and at least 50 spaces for tents. The communal kitchen/dining room is large and modern and there is a bookcase in the TV and games room. The ablutions are spotless and well maintained and have individual family/disabled access shower units, plus communal washrooms. A brand new children’s playground is centrally located and picnic tables are available along with other extras such as a dog-friendly zone, coin internet kiosks and wireless hotspot. A new outdoor BBQ/dining area is complete. Dump station provided. Your hosts are Repi & Debbie Wright. 

Mangaweka is halfway between Wellington and Taupo and this unique camp is located 1km off SH1 alongside the peaceful Rangitikei River with towering cliffs, native birds and an enticing landscaped garden. Just north of the township turn east onto Ruahine Road and travel down the hill, over the bridge and immediately into Awastone. There are 12 powered and 4 non powered sites suitable for tenting or campers/caravans. The facilities are well appointed with nice wooden ablutions, shared kitchen and nicely linked by concrete paths. Also included is wifi, potable water, hot showers and an onsite licensed cafe (seasonal). An outdoor hot tub is available to hire. Laundry services have an extra cost too. Powered site costs $48 for the first two people and $10 per extra adult. $5 per child under 16 and under 5 is free. Bookings are recommended. 

The camp is directly behind the Caroline's Boatshed Bar and Eatery and TAB and beside the river and the railway line. The cluster of permanent living caravans and house buses, and the back yard bits and pieces around the place give the camp a lived-in, rather than a holiday feel. The ablutions and kitchen are basic. Bruce is the on-site manager.