Awastone & Mangaweka Camping Grounds — Hotel in North Island

We were supposed to stay there for couple nights on our way down to Wellington, but ended up there the whole week. The campground situated by the beautiful Rangitikei river and a beautiful white cliff. Plenty of space to pitch your tent/s and feel like you're on your own. Facilities are really close by, bathrooms and showers are very clean. ||||The highlight of the stay is jumping into the river and have a swim at the end of each day. It's absolutely magic! ||||The Awastone cafe/main campground office is just up the road accessible by crossing the historic bridge. GREAT food with reasonable price. Everyone work there has been amazing to deal with and super helpful! Plenty of community activities over the weekend. Not to mention the kayaking and water adventurers stuff.||||One thing to note though, if you happen to stay at the campground during Friday and Saturday, AVOID staying by the riverside. As it becomes the party central for some young groups and it could be quite disturbing if you want a good night sleep. Other than that, this place ie heavenly. ||||We are so looking forward to visiting this place...

Were disappointed by this camp. We came to have a shower and didn’t have so much time. So we paid 6$ for 2 showers but they didn’t have shower coins anymore at reception (some hundred meters away). So they told us to wait in the camp in front of showers to wait for the manager, she will come in a few minutes to give us coins. Finally, we waited more than 30 minutes!!!! After 2 calls at reception, the manager arrived, opened the shower coins boxes and there was only one !!!! She said “I am sorry I can only give you one coin but you can take the shower together and I will give you 3$ back.” We FINALLY were able to have a shower but the coins machine didn’t work very well (we put the coin inside waiting for hot water and freezing and nothing came !!! We had to give a little slap on it several times then we heard the coin fall) and there was some hairs on the walls ... Not very...

Stayed 2 nights - one up the top & second at the lower camp. 100% preferred lower - parked right by the river & it was super peaceful. Clean toilet & shower. The only difference is no kitchen cookers or cafe. Absolutely stunning location & only $15 a night. Shout out to staff member George who was friendly, genuine & full of good advice. Unlike another staff member who was consistently sour. She told me there was no way to see the dam except by taking the trail, which has massive slips at the moment, by myself while it’s raining… super dangerous - she did it the other day apparently.. good for you! She was rude every time I spoke to her & if she is the manager they need to rethink their staffing. Anyway I walked further up the road & saw the dam from there. Apart from that, the lower camp was one of my favorite campsites I’ve encountered on my travels & thoroughly recommend...