Manganuku Campsite — Hotel in North Island

We travelled in a mid-size motorhome, the JUCY Cruiser, for our holiday and stayed overnight on 10 July 2025. Unfortunately, the ground was soft and muddy, and our campervan got stuck. Despite our efforts to drive out, we couldn’t move it. Thankfully, the campervan had a bed, lights, food, and water—though there was no mobile signal or internet.

On the morning of 11 July, we tried to use a jack to lift the tyres, but it didn’t work. Fortunately, a kind man returning to Raglan came to help. In the freezing winter weather, he even took off his shoes to gather flat stones and placed them under the tyres. Later, two young men also arrived and joined the effort. With everyone’s help, we were finally able to push the campervan free while I reversed.

The scenery was stunning—crystal-clear water, an old bridge, and a fire pit made it a perfect escape into nature. But what touched us the most was the kindness of the people. That’s the true Kiwi spirit.

I’m deeply grateful to those who helped us, especially the man from Raglan. Wishing them all...

Stayed here overnight with a roof tent, have to say it's a super nice spot, a super refreshing river runs alongside the campsite.

There are multiple levels and areas to camp in ranging from Road level to right down next to the water, a few good little coves in the trees with good cover from the wind.

There's two public toilets here and multiple benches. There are no cooking facilities or tapped water. The water from the stream is perfectly safe to drink and very clean.

There are about 8 fire pits around the site with pot/pan hangers and meat hooks for cooking.

Highly recommend staying here as our stay was very peaceful with not too much noise from traffic.

We got to listen to the river rushing all night which was...

Amazing spot right on the river, which is beautiful to swim in and we drunk from it(upstream of campsite) for several days with no issues! Great fire pits. HUGE bonus was doing the walk up the bridge at night and seeing loads of glow warms all along the banks. Beautiful bush walks, we loved the 3 hour return one, although it is a bit sketchy in places so would recommend going in a group and without young kids. Only downside was the toilets, they were full of rubbish and the flush was broken in one, no toilet paper or soap or anything. Highway noise wasn't a problem, you can get far enough away, but it would have felt a bit vulnerable if there hadn't been anyone else camping there. Would...