Pohowera (South Bay), Kaikoura
Overnight Campervan Parking
4.6 11 reviews
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Cymen Crick
Rankers Crew
The best (in season)
The best (in season)
I've had one of my most memorable camping experiences here. It's one of the best, when everything lines up.
Firstly, it's only open between March the 1st and August 15th due to the nesting season of the endangered dotterel (a busy little bird that unfortunately lays it's eggs on open ground)
Secondly it's amazing when the wind is light or blowing from the north or west. I'd be looking at a different camping site on the north facing side of Kaikoura if the wind is from the south.
But line these two things up and this one is worth arriving slightly early to make sure you get into one of the 15 marked spots.
Keep an eye out for dusky dolphins. On our visit, one pod kept cruising around the area and we jumped in for some very cool dolphin swimming, tooo much! The clear, chilly water took our breath away, but the memory of that lives on, and takes my breath away still.
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Pohowera (South Bay), Kaikoura
Camping for free in a certified self-contained vehicle
Pohowera (South Bay)
- Camping for free in a certified self-contained vehicle is allowed for a maximum of 1 night in
any four week period.
- Vehicles must park within defined spaces.
- One vehicle per space.
- All personal effects must be kept within the vehicle.
- Maximum 15 vehicles.
Closed 15 August to end of February the following year to protect the nesting banded dotterel/Pohowera
threatened species.)
New Zealand’s Banded Dotterel (Pohowera) nest on this beach and they need your help! Pohowera are as endangered as Kiwi. Their numbers have reduced by 60% in the last 5 years and they are disappearing from many sites across NZ.
Pohowera are ground nesting and their nests are very hard to spot so please, stay on tracks, do not light fires on the beach and keep any dogs on leads
Details
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Organisation |
Kaikoura District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
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Nearby
Reviews
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Absolutely beautiful views.
Biddy -
The site was great but definitely overcrowded.
Megan Belanger -
If it’s open during your stay, go there!
MB -
Nice large beachside campsite.
Jack -
Easy way to spend the night.
Aston
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Road is gravel and not the best maintained with lots of potholes to avoid, however, views are stunning into the bay, traffic is next to the site but not heard a lot.
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People want to keep these places for there children or granddads to visit need to start following the rules.
Great spot excellent view of the ocean
Take your rubbish and park in designated area
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If it’s open during your stay, go there!
One of the best sites we stayed at!! Such a beautiful view and the sunset is amazing on a sunny day. There’s a ranger coming around in the evening to make sure all is in order and everyone follows the rules. Really nice guy. There’s marked spots for each vehicle at the top of the parking lot, so only camp there. The ranger confirmed it’s possible to stay 2 nights.
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Nice large beachside campsite.
No water No toilet. A bit noise from motorway in night but it's ok. It's shame to see someone left a few bags of rubbish somewhere around the bushes.
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A great place for a few nights, if you arrive late its Probably full.
If it looks full don't drive in as getting out will not be easy and there is no reason to wake the entire campsite. The signs tell you the rules , if you don't understand , you should go somewhere else.
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Wow! Maybe the most beautiful free campsite so far.
Amazing view, clean toilet and nice people. Thank you New Zealand! :)
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The site was great but definitely overcrowded.
There’s only three toilets, which is great for the limits set by the campsite (20 vehicles), but there were over 70 cars parked by the end of the night. We got there around 2-3pm and there was plenty of room, we went for a walk and came back around 6-7 and there were tons of cars! This made the toilets a bit smelly and we had to queue up for them in the morning. However, being a free site, can’t complain. Beautiful ocean views and a good 30 min walk into town. Easy access to the Peninsula walk and a great little food truck (Kaikoura Cheeky Lobster Sea View Food Trailer) with cheap and delicious dumplings and amazing crepes. Not a bad stop at all :)
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Busy campsite so get there early and don't get stuck in the sand in the lower section.
Portable toilets which were fine, as you'd expect. Beautiful sunset and a good location.