Forget the doom and gloom about property developers buying up all the best campgrounds - we found some real gems to boil the billy at!

COROMANDEL
Hahei Holiday Resort
A short hop from one of the area's prettiest beaches, this family-friendly campground 30 minutes north of Tairua is stacked with facilities and makes the perfect base to explore the beautiful scenery in the area. We recommend the 45-minute trek from Hahei to Cathedral Cove and a short drive to Hot Water Beach to dig yourself a hot pool in the sand on low tide.
Rates: Tent site, $13 per adult. Cabins from $48.
Bookings/info: www.haheiholidays.co.nz or (07) 866 3098

FAR NORTH
Whatuwhiwhi Holiday Park
Stunning beaches, fishing, diving, and a sheltered berth away from the maddening summer crowds. Bliss. But hurry, the 80 varied and sunny sites can fill up fast in peak times. Bring your own cooking gear, or use the well-equipped facilities. You can also grab nightly takeaways prepared on-site by Aunty Barb and her helpers.
Rates: Tent site, $17 per adult. Cabins/studios from $60.
Bookings/info: www.whatuwhiwhitop10.co.nz or 0800 142 444

WAIKATO
Kawhia Beachside S-Cape
We had never heard of Kawhia either until we took the pleasant hour and a quarter drive southeast of Hamilton to this beautiful off-the-radar harbour. This quiet waterfront site is the first on the route in and the accommodation is both economical and close to the waterfront. It is the perfect base from which to explore the area or just laze away the hours.
Rates: Tent sites, $15 per adult, $10 per child. Cabins from $25.
Bookings: www.kawhiabeachsidescape.co.nz or (07) 871 0727

AUCKLAND
Tawharanui Regional Park
Just a 90-minute drive north from downtown Auckland, this waterfront jewel in the regional park crown is lean on facilities, but more than compensates with stunning peninsula scenery and east coast beaches. City daytrippers invade on weekends, but with 588 hectares to play with you'll never feel crowded.
Rates: Tent site, $10 per person.
Bookings/info: www.arc.govt.nz/parks or (09) 366 2000

EAST COAST
Anaura Bay Motor Camp
You don't need to be a fan of Whale Rider, which was filmed nearby, to be lured to this remote East Cape favourite. It may not have the frills of a ‘Top 10 Holiday Park' but the more touristy spots would kill for views and sunrises like you get here. The tent site-only hideaway also has a large kitchen, showers, laundry, camp store and children's play area.
Rates: Tent site, $9.50.
Bookings/info: (06) 862 6380

BAY OF PLENTY
Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park
So close to Rotorua but a world away from the trinkets and tour buses that invade the tourist Mecca, this award-winning hotspot has a little something for every adventurous holidaymaker. From the stunning lake across the road, to the slew of breathtaking bushwalks, you'll never be stuck for something to do. But book fast if you want a spot over the summer season.
Rates: Tent sites from $18. Cabins from $49.
Bookings/info: www.bluelaketop10.co.nz or 0800 808 292

TASMAN BAY
Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp
Use this as your gateway to the nearby Abel Tasman Park, or just laze away the days swimming in the crystal clear waters of the golden sand beach across the road. Either way, you'll leave wishing you stayed longer. The busy campground, boasting 400 power sites and 17 cabins, also has a great store (with internet access) and every camping facility under the sun.
Rates: Tent sites, $12 per adult. Cabins from $33.
Bookings/info: www.kaiteriteribeach.co.nz or (03) 527 8010

TARANAKI
Oakura Beach Holiday Park
One of the few remaining spots where it's possible to pitch your tent beachfront and watch the waves roll in from your blow-up mattress. This is also where Tom Cruise found time during filming The Last Samurai to try his hand at surfing - and the local surfing school guarantees you'll get up too.
The park has all the usual amenities plus an excellent cafe on-site where you can grab fish and chips for a sunset dinner.
Rates: Tent sites, $24 for two people. Cabins from $40
Bookings/info: www.oakurabeach.com or (06) 752 7861

OTAGO & SOUTHLAND
Glendhu Bay Motor Camp
Surrounded by spectacular Southern Alps mountain scenery, this iconic site on Lake Wanaka's shores is a playground for boaties of the motorised and self-propelled variety. But the real treat in staying here - if you want to get away from it all - is the amazing amount of walking and climbing in the 355,453 hectares of neighbouring Mt Aspiring National Park.
Rates: Tent sites, $12 per adult. Cabins from $17 per person.
Bookings/info: www.glendhubaymotorcamp.co.nz or
(03) 443 7243

CATLINS COAST
Curio Bay Holiday Park
You have the best of both worlds here - a safe swimming beach on one side where you can see penguins and Hectors dolphins play, and on the other a 160-million-year-old forest.
This is your perfect base for exploring one of the most scenic stretches of coast in New Zealand, and the campground will also organise guided tours to all the really cool stuff. Their shop is open seven days for supplies, meals and information.
Rates: Tent sites, $15. Basic cabins from $35.
Bookings/info: (03) 246 8897

CANTERBURY
Okains Bay Motor Camp
Give the kids the kind of holiday you used to have. That's what you get when you check into this peaceful family-friendly settlement on the shores of an idyllic Banks Peninsula estuary. It's no frills camping at its best with plenty of swimming, fishing and hiking options at your doorstep, and you'll also be helping the locals while you're there. All proceeds are ploughed back into the Ngai Tahu community.
Rates: Tent sites, $7 for adults, $4 for children
Bookings/info: (03) 304 8789

WEST COAST
Shining Star Beachfront Holiday Park
We know, Hokitika was never on our holiday radar either until we spied this beachfront spot just north of the town centre. Literally a stone's throw from the Tasman Sea, it's jam-packed with impressive amenities, including sauna and spa pool. This is also the place to conveniently forget to pack the tent - the stylishly appointed log cabins are second-to-none.
Rates: Tent sites $24 for two people. Cabins from $60.
Bookings/info: www.shiningstar.co.nz or 0800 744 646

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