Kiwi Camp National Park is one of those practical places to park up when you're exploring the Tongariro area. It’s not the most scenic spot, but it gets the job done for a free camp with solid facilities. You’ll get pretty views of Mount Ruapehu, which is a nice bonus.
If you haven't stayed at a Kiwi Camp before, here's the rundown, they offer showers, laundry machines, and device chargers. But you need Kiwi Cash to pay for the services, which are a tap payment system for all the facilities. You top it up using a card you buy at local stores. For the National Park site, you can grab a card for $5 at Schnapps Bar. After that, you’re set and can use the card at Kiwi Camp sites across the country. Showers cost $3, so it’s a pretty easy and affordable option if you’re looking for a convenient place to stop.