Thread: DOC campsite(s) condition

Went/drove around it between Xmas and New Year to be honest better than when our kids last camped there.
Mind you it was pissing down and those left were the young, money is tight, hunter types that have a few clues.(us in our youth)
But it is a gamble what company you get.
As in very much doubt we will camp at the Mangatutu Hot Springs again for a while.
The lowlifes hogging the hot tubs drinking piss have put us off.
When it was hunters, fishermen and the trampers in the past it was a lot nicer and felt a lot safer and I guess all three groups would say the same.
Genuine people do not treat public facilities like more appear to be doing now.
Another option is the Ngaherenga Campsite at Pureora itself and a chance of watching the bats.

Originally Posted by Rushy

What a shame. The camp I am most familiar with would be the Managamate Falls camp at Minginui. For a number of years I would sleep there overnight and then move on into the bush first thing next day but more importantly, the camp was a fantastic place to holiday with my family which we did several times over the year,s. The last time I went there, the Denny’s were chokka full and there was graffiti all over the outdoor kitchen and the honesty box was being treated like the local mob,s piggy bank. It was very disappointing to see.

If thats the one just before you get to minganui its closed. Theres 3 camp sites in that imediate area the we know of

Originally Posted by Ingrid 51

The reserve is a damned mess!... much grass has been torn out by rampant drivers (mud tread prints)... random fires have been lit where campers have pitched camp...
Has anyone experienced similar conditions at other DOC campsites?

Sounds a bit like Kumeti, though this is no longer a DoC–run campsite. This season Kumeti has instead become a dumping ground for carcasses, lambs' tails, seafood waste, and burnt tyres. I don't think the new custodians want any camping there. The same folk thought it was a sound idea to remove the wharepaku altogether, so it is now necessary to watch your step in the surrounding bush.

its sad to see but having managed DOC campsites the ones that got looked after were the ones that we managed to get volunteers to look after - they stayed for free and I always managed to get a little budget and drop of fresh food for them - to say they did a fantastic job is an understatement - the thunder sheds were scrubbed rubbish done etc -but such people are a very rare beast - so if ya so inclined see if DOC will do same with your favorite site

There a month ago and would give it a 4 heaps of clowns on quads and side by sides playing not hinting. Actually glad they didn't have rifles.

Facilities are untidy wrecked and it's a mess not like it was 25 years ago.

Originally Posted by ariki

Facilities are untidy wrecked and it's a mess not like it was 25 years ago.

Thanks for the feedback