Urgent New Years camping expedition advice

[firefighter]

I have this newyear off! First in 4 years!

I'm going camping, was planning on Hahei, but it's friggen booked out already.......yeah I know. (hence the URGENT part in the title/I needa book in A.S.A.P)

Where's good, possibly on the coro-of-mandel?
(I have been looking at Cooks beach, and Hot water beach.)

I have also been looking at Paihia, and the East cape-Ohiwa, Tirahonga as other alternatives.

Any suggestions in the North island, say, North of Taupo which you find is a must go to place?

ALSO. Has anyone tried Beyond Tents from Torpedo 7?

They are cheap, and all the reviews iv'e read are in their favour, BUT I want to hear from anyone who's got one and does/does'nt like it.

(BEFORE YOU START YES I KNOW YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, I DON'T WANT A LECTURE JUST PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE PRODUCT)

Spanks

[Quasievil]

Hot water beaches Beach aint that good I reckon kinda dumpy (wave wise)

If youre tenting it why not move around some of the Doc spots, up the top? some great places.

Or maybe even the east cape?

if you want the shower and the whole bit then its a bit different, I stayed at kaiutuna (spelt wrong I think) that was okay.

Tents ummmm, no experience with torpedo 7 tents, but if you want a nice size for two (stand up one) with a little front area (two room) thats light and bloody waterproof, you can have mine to use, safe your money for the booze n BBQ

[firefighter]

Hot water beaches Beach aint that good I reckon kinda dumpy (wave wise)

If youre tenting it why not move around some of the Doc spots, up the top? some great places.

Or maybe even the east cape?

if you want the shower and the whole bit then its a bit different, I stayed at kaiutuna (spelt wrong I think) that was okay.

Tents ummmm, no experience with torpedo 7 tents, but if you want a nice size for two (stand up one) with a little front area (two room) thats light and bloody waterproof, you can have mine to use, safe your money for the booze n BBQ

Yeah the east cape is a good place, I stayed at Tirahonga a few years back and had a really good time. (Ohiwa oyster farm is primo!)

Pretty keen on a powered site, however this is not a must have, I have a beer fridge which is in the original plans for the trip! Although i'm happy to down grade to a chilly-bin.

Am also taking a boat (inflatable)

Cheers for the tent offer dude, super generous. I already have a back-up already but wanting to get one of my own.

I'm basically keen for wherever there are'nt too many little shites who ca'nt handle their booze, a campfire, and good mates.

[p.dath]

Whitianga can be a lot of fun. If you can't get a tent site why not check out a back backers. Only a bit more and you don't have to carry as much gear (can go on a bike!).

[Quasievil]

Look here as well


http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/island.php?id=1

[gtr boy]

went up to fletchers bay last year
top of the coro
was the last camp ground and had no trouble with booking etc,just bold up really
theve got showers ,GOOD toilets,big chiller as well
on the way up there though theres four or five grounds,might pay to check if you need to book those
this year were going to the other side,cant remember the name,(sandy bay i think)
all quite isolated but truck comes up with ice and smokes etc if you run out of essentials
wife won the flaming ass comp last year
put piece of newspaper in the back crack and light,then race to the finish
nice bottle of rum mmmmmmmmm
good luck with your search

[firefighter]

went up to fletchers bay last year
top of the coro
was the last camp ground and had no trouble with booking etc,just bold up really
theve got showers ,GOOD toilets,big chiller as well
on the way up there though theres four or five grounds,might pay to check if you need to book those

Sounds pretty good cheers. How was the crowd? Many people?

[BiK3RChiK]

Ohiwa Family Holiday Park

Sand and Surf at Ohope

Both are close to boat ramps and good fishing spots

[nothingflash]

Ohiwa Family Holiday Park

Agreed - we've been going there each NY for the past 10 years or so. Can get a bit busy but not too loud.

[nothingflash]

Hot water beaches Beach aint that good I reckon kinda dumpy (wave wise)I

Yeah - definitely not a swimming beach that's for sure. The "hot water" part of the beach is cool but can get too crouded.

[gtr boy]

Sounds pretty good cheers. How was the crowd? Many people?

crowd was good
the guy running it wasnt taking any shit
more family and middle age gezzas.......shit time flys
we went up 30th and there was a fair bit of room,but got busy as we neared the end of year.
had big fire on beach and fireworks
the road gets narrow and loose metal but people had boats and stuff.......

[marty]

went up to fletchers bay last year
top of the coro
was the last camp ground and had no trouble with booking etc,just bold up really
theve got showers ,GOOD toilets,big chiller as well
on the way up there though theres four or five grounds,might pay to check if you need to book those
this year were going to the other side,cant remember the name,(sandy bay i think)
all quite isolated but truck comes up with ice and smokes etc if you run out of essentials
wife won the flaming ass comp last year
put piece of newspaper in the back crack and light,then race to the finish
nice bottle of rum mmmmmmmmm
good luck with your search

Yeah mate stacks of places on Coro Peninsula. Fletchers at the top, Stony Bay on the other side is awesome too. Waikawau is nice but can get really busy. Otautu (Fantail) on the way to Jackson is simply beautiful, Aladdin Camp at Whiti is a great old-skool camp. Or, have you thought about heading over to the Barrier on the ferry?

[firefighter]

have you thought about heading over to the Barrier on the ferry?

Yeah I have, but i'm pretty sure they'll be sold out of camping space by now (I mean in camp grounds-we still want people around!/just not the riotous ones)

I know Waiheke sells out a year in advance.....