Camping in the Manawatu, Whanganui or Rangitikei area

Hey all, me and my partner recently invested in a swag, which we were wanting to try out over Easter in Hawkes Bay but the weather is not playing ball (ofc, almost feels like the east and west coast did a weather swap)
Was just wondering if anyone had some good camping suggestions for the Manawatu, Whanganui or Rangitikei areas, keen for anything but more the cheaper costing camps or free, even some spots where I could hunt from would be mint (but a mish)
just hoping any locals could give some insight would be great.
FYI I only have a little hatchback so sadly confined to the gravel roads (sadly no 4wd tracks to campsites till I can buy a 4wd)

Any information would be mint and greatly appreciated,
Cheers

Bro try the river spot down from heritage lodge

Even got a toilet down there, big grassy clearing to camp in.

Not much of a walk so can carry in lots of real food and great hunting

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk

Kiripapango campsite, halfway across the Gentle Annies on the banks of the Ngaruroro river is a nice spot. May hear some sika action too. But bloody steep countryside.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 199p

Bro try the river spot down from heritage lodge

Even got a toilet down there, big grassy clearing to camp in.

Not much of a walk so can carry in lots of real food and great hunting

---

Assume you're meaning the campsite on the river below Alice Nash Memorial Lodge?

Can second that - have taken the kids there a few times. About 40m easy walk from carpark. Always a ton of sign on the riverflats there, and usually have the place to yourself. Did have a spotlight go over my tent one night there once - but otherwise all good :)

a bit past Wanganui but the campsite at Patea Dam is pretty good, only $10 or so a night with hot showers, plenty of goats around too

Ruatiti domain is nice, plenty of facilities and trout fishing. A couple of doc blocks or mountain biking spots near by

Pohangina Rivers is a good area for fishing/deer and camping , just watch the river level it can come up pretty quick.

This is good value. I’m in Whanganui and haven’t found loads of compelling camping over the few years I’ve been here. But I’ve also had next to no spare time. Which changed recently.

I’ll definitely check out the spot by the lodge though and Patea Dam.

I can second Ruatiti Domain, especially on the less busy times.

I’ve also gone out and just quietly camped in the bush around Waitahinga Dam.

And if you need to get out camping but don’t have loads of capacity or energy i would highly recommend Lake Rotokare near eltham. No hunting but it’s a predator fenced lake with mint bush, bird life and some chill walks. Very nice place to recharge. You can hear and see Kiwi no fuss.

Wee bit out of Manawatu but Roaring Stag in the Tararua’s is a good hike with grass area not far from the hut to chuck your swag up