Waikare River Mouth Campsite
Waikare River area
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Waikare River Mouth Campsite
This is a basic campsite in the Hawke's Bay region. Beside the Waikari River, this grassy campsite is a 10 minute walk to the beach for swimming, fishing and boating.
Stay on the banks of the Waikare River with just a 10 minute walk to the beach. Note the 20 minute drive on a gravel road to access this campground.
Notices
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Waikari River Mouth Campsite boat ramp damage
The campsite and boat ramp is damaged. The boat ramp is unsafe to use.
Working with the community, we are aiming to restore the site and boat ramp.
Parts of the campground can be used, however be mindful that it is covered in silt. Cars can be parked there but apply caution. If it rains, it will become muddy. Vehicles are known to get stuck in those conditions.
First published on 16 August 2023. Last reviewed on 29 October 2024.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Waikari River Mouth Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.
DOC Basic Campsite
Basic campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water may be from a water tank that is untreated, stream or lake. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Access may be by road or boat.
| Feature | Value | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Unpowered Site | Adult | $0.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $0.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Hawkes BayCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Tutira |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Directions Napier Office |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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1.5/5
The camp needs a good clean up starting with the toilets, the drains need attention, the culvert under the road in is blocked and the road is scouring out.With the drains being blocked the Mosquitoes are
breeding in them.The wind blow branches need taking away,over all not a great place to show case our DOC Hawkesbay camp grounds.
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5.0/5
Live it!
So calm, good toillet, water and sink to wash dishes. U can make nice easy walk to amazing beach. We stayed for two nights and we planed just to stay overnight.
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5.0/5
A very awesome place to stay.
Two long drop toilets (byo toilet paper as supply isn’t guaranteed), running water. A short walk through farmland to a long pristine beach.
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3.5/5
Nice because it was near a river that ended on the ocean, and the view was awesome.
Toilets were a little bit smelly and the road to get there was with gravel. We punch one Tyre :/
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3.0/5
Good spot, pros: good fishing, great ocean beach short walk away, grassy area / cons: small area so can get crowded, a bit trapped by farmland unless you walk on only track thru farmland to beach, worried
re quality of water to swim in with it being very green after flowing thru heavily farmed land plus 2 dead sheep in water, beach not suitable for swimming, generator used in private campsite nearby... so okay, but think the paid campsite at wapatiki offers same but so much more especially for kids. Eg cleaner water, better access, lots of walks, swimming beach,,,,
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5.0/5
Down a long unpaved road, but we were fine in a van, maybe a bit tricky in a large camper.
The site is in a sloped field, but there are a few flat spots to choose from, lots of space though. Decent toilets and a sink washing up area aswell. Very nice walk to the beach nearby which is worth doing!
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5.0/5
This is a really great spot and totally secluded.
There is no phone reception and it really is an adventurous ride down that road. Would not recommend to drive down or up after/during rainfall as it does get really muddy and slippery but apart from that, it’s fine to drive. The spot is right by the river mouth and it is easy to access a stunning wild and rough beach. There are two rather new dump toilets and fresh water access. The night is absolutely dark down there, so definitely bring headlight or lamp/torch. If Glen is around, say ‘hi’ to him. He’s a legend.
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4.5/5
Great little campsite.
The old track to the beach has slipped and been replaced. The shelter in the photo has gone and flash long drop toilets put in. Good in the calm river for children that can swim (it's very deep) and a deserted beach half an hours walk away.
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4.5/5
We loved this campsite.
Quite small but we were lucky to get a spot. Nice views and nice walk to the beach. Only say that because its a nice place for canoeing and fishing some cars come and go and it can be a bit noisy. Definitely recommended!😊
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4.5/5
It's a beautiful place to stay a night.
I was there in winter so it was a bit lonely. I guess it's better in summertime.
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3.5/5
We stayed one night.
Really cool. The walkway to the beach was full of mud, be careful! You walk with the cows! The road to the camping area was not so difficult, gravel but you can drive easily. Really good spot to fish. More than 20 cars can be parked. Toilet not so clean. Table was in a dry space.
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1.5/5
The camp needs a good clean up starting with the toilets, the drains need attention, the culvert under the road in is blocked and the road is scouring out.With the drains being blocked the Mosquitoes are
breeding in them.The wind blow branches need taking away,over all not a great place to show case our DOC Hawkesbay camp grounds.
-
5.0/5
Live it!
So calm, good toillet, water and sink to wash dishes. U can make nice easy walk to amazing beach. We stayed for two nights and we planed just to stay overnight.
-
5.0/5
A very awesome place to stay.
Two long drop toilets (byo toilet paper as supply isn’t guaranteed), running water. A short walk through farmland to a long pristine beach.
-
3.5/5
Nice because it was near a river that ended on the ocean, and the view was awesome.
Toilets were a little bit smelly and the road to get there was with gravel. We punch one Tyre :/
-
3.0/5
Good spot, pros: good fishing, great ocean beach short walk away, grassy area / cons: small area so can get crowded, a bit trapped by farmland unless you walk on only track thru farmland to beach, worried
re quality of water to swim in with it being very green after flowing thru heavily farmed land plus 2 dead sheep in water, beach not suitable for swimming, generator used in private campsite nearby... so okay, but think the paid campsite at wapatiki offers same but so much more especially for kids. Eg cleaner water, better access, lots of walks, swimming beach,,,,
-
5.0/5
Down a long unpaved road, but we were fine in a van, maybe a bit tricky in a large camper.
The site is in a sloped field, but there are a few flat spots to choose from, lots of space though. Decent toilets and a sink washing up area aswell. Very nice walk to the beach nearby which is worth doing!
-
5.0/5
This is a really great spot and totally secluded.
There is no phone reception and it really is an adventurous ride down that road. Would not recommend to drive down or up after/during rainfall as it does get really muddy and slippery but apart from that, it’s fine to drive. The spot is right by the river mouth and it is easy to access a stunning wild and rough beach. There are two rather new dump toilets and fresh water access. The night is absolutely dark down there, so definitely bring headlight or lamp/torch. If Glen is around, say ‘hi’ to him. He’s a legend.
-
4.5/5
Great little campsite.
The old track to the beach has slipped and been replaced. The shelter in the photo has gone and flash long drop toilets put in. Good in the calm river for children that can swim (it's very deep) and a deserted beach half an hours walk away.
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4.5/5
We loved this campsite.
Quite small but we were lucky to get a spot. Nice views and nice walk to the beach. Only say that because its a nice place for canoeing and fishing some cars come and go and it can be a bit noisy. Definitely recommended!😊
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3.5/5
We stayed one night.
Really cool. The walkway to the beach was full of mud, be careful! You walk with the cows! The road to the camping area was not so difficult, gravel but you can drive easily. Really good spot to fish. More than 20 cars can be parked. Toilet not so clean. Table was in a dry space.
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4.5/5
It's a beautiful place to stay a night.
I was there in winter so it was a bit lonely. I guess it's better in summertime.
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3.0/5
Small site and packed when we were there...
(mid Jan) Not that attractive and so we went to the lakes nearby. More better!!
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4.5/5
Great spot for family with a short walk to a beautiful lagoon and beach with lovely views.
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3.5/5
We made the long journey down to this campsite (Although I got us a little lost by not reading the map properly) and stayed for 1 night.
+ Free,
+ Fantastic views and location,
+ Long drop toilets not smelly,
- Toilets flooded in the rain,
- Track to the beach too muddy and perilously slippery to traverse.
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4.5/5
Want to spend a good time away from towns?
Here's one of the best, or perhaps the best of free doc campsite in north island.
On the bank of the river, and 10min walk fro the beach (enjoy the robinson crusoe wooden house there!)
Water taps and toilets ok.
Just before the entrance of the camp, a walnut tree is offering its frsh fruits. Enjoy!
