Rakaia Huts Reserve
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Rakaia Huts Reserve
The Ashburton District Council provides this service for self-contained camping - access the reserve off Kingsburys Road. Choice guys! Overnight camping permitted but not long term stays, toilet facilities are provided.
$5 Per night per Adult.
Details
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Organisation |
Ashburton District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Ashburton |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Basic Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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4.0/5
Good little spot when you find it.
You need to drive through what seems to be an ac stationary caravan park to get to the freedom camp site at the end, but it does exist! There is a sign with the fees (cash in a safe deposit box next to the toilets: $5 per adult per night). Toilets were clean and of the flushing type but there are no locks on the doors so this is something to be mindful of. Nice access to the beach. Poor phone reception signal for me though. No sinks to do any dishwashing or anything else like that.
Note that some of the reviews mention showers and paying EFTPOS, this is erroneous review of the holiday park on the other side of the river (we originally went there by accident thinking it was this freedom camping site - 40 minute error!)
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4.5/5
Please be aware that this in no longer a Freedom Camping Site - they now have charges are now $5 per night per adult.
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5.0/5
Loved it!
Rocked up late arvo & paid via eftpos in a kitchen. Had awesome facilities including hot showers for $1 and it goes for 10mins. Cost $15 for a night with powered site. Will 100% stay here again!!
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3.5/5
Nice little place to stay.
Clean toilets. Close to the stony beach. There were us and 3 other campers, all very nice. Cell phone reception when you go closer to the beach.
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3.5/5
Spent the night in a wee caravan.
Nobody else was camping. Felt safe and enjoyed hearing the waves crashing throughout the night. The toilet block was extremely clean, stocked with paper and hand soap. A $5 donation is requested and felt it was a reasonable amount for a nights stay. Potable water available.
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0.5/5
Unsafe.
Avoid until there’s a notice that the local council has made changes. Signage is good, and I think the intent is good, but there are some really bad apples on-site, and it’s not safe.
I arrived around 2pm, used the (pretty sketchy - one toilet, no door) restroom, paid the donation ($5 requested), and parked in the last available spot, ready to settle in and make some food.
Random dude comes out of the bushes (literally), and starts yelling that I can’t stay there, and that I should go up to the beach and park in the soft sand. I try explaining that I’m in the marked camping ground, the beach is a no-go (both posted as no camping, and I’d get stuck), and that I’m following posted signs.
Guy becomes increasingly irate, and it’s made very clear to me that if I stay in that spot, I’m doing so at the risk to my personal safety throughout the night. Got in, and drove off. No amount of cheap stay is worth being threatened.
There’s a sign that no long-term stays are allowed, but clearly the council either doesn’t care, or doesn’t know about this creepster living permanently with a car under a tarp, atv under a tarp, and a whole house build out in the bush.
Avoid, avoid, avoid. I can’t imagine this is what the nice folks in the surrounding community wanted to have happening, but in April 2021, it’s what’s there.
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5.0/5
Fantastic little spot.
I really don't want to tell you all how nice it is!
Like stepping back in time, brilliant old school playground, beautiful swimming spot and lovely stony beach. Great clean toilet. Awesome for families.
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3.0/5
For a $5 voluntary contribution we got a sheltered place to park and a clean toilet - within an hour or so of Christchurch.
The village area has a playground for kids and access to a pretty wild pebble beach (no swimming). Friendly and chatty local showed us where we could park and a few other vans showed up (early December) but otherwise very quiet. The camping area is mainly for fishing enthusiasts and is scruffy with no view but it served our purpose.
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5.0/5
Lovely little place to stop over for the night!
People are friendly and pet friendly! Thank you!
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5.0/5
Beautiful Little Campsite.
We stayed here for 2 nights. It was pouring down with rain but we had a great time in our camper, listening to music and having some beers. Hearing the rain tap of the roof was lovely. It’s a good, clean and spacious site. Some abandoned caravans but great loos with loo paper. So close to the beach, although water is not safe to swim. Good stop off!!
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4.0/5
Quiet place to stay overnight.
It is a small camping occupied by a few empty tents or caravans, but you may find a place for a medium van. You are encouraged to let 5 $ as a donation.
Direct access to the pebble beach.
Attention, the reviews of Joseph Staples and Bjorn Private seem to concern the other camp "Rakaia Huts Campground Southbridge", on the other side of the river.
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5.0/5
Long drive down from main road, out the back of a tucked away village.
Short walk to beach from site.
Sheltered from sea wind with tall trees.
Handy if heading to or from Christchurch.
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4.0/5
Good little spot when you find it.
You need to drive through what seems to be an ac stationary caravan park to get to the freedom camp site at the end, but it does exist! There is a sign with the fees (cash in a safe deposit box next to the toilets: $5 per adult per night). Toilets were clean and of the flushing type but there are no locks on the doors so this is something to be mindful of. Nice access to the beach. Poor phone reception signal for me though. No sinks to do any dishwashing or anything else like that.
Note that some of the reviews mention showers and paying EFTPOS, this is erroneous review of the holiday park on the other side of the river (we originally went there by accident thinking it was this freedom camping site - 40 minute error!)
-
4.5/5
Please be aware that this in no longer a Freedom Camping Site - they now have charges are now $5 per night per adult.
-
5.0/5
Loved it!
Rocked up late arvo & paid via eftpos in a kitchen. Had awesome facilities including hot showers for $1 and it goes for 10mins. Cost $15 for a night with powered site. Will 100% stay here again!!
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3.5/5
Nice little place to stay.
Clean toilets. Close to the stony beach. There were us and 3 other campers, all very nice. Cell phone reception when you go closer to the beach.
-
3.5/5
Spent the night in a wee caravan.
Nobody else was camping. Felt safe and enjoyed hearing the waves crashing throughout the night. The toilet block was extremely clean, stocked with paper and hand soap. A $5 donation is requested and felt it was a reasonable amount for a nights stay. Potable water available.
-
0.5/5
Unsafe.
Avoid until there’s a notice that the local council has made changes. Signage is good, and I think the intent is good, but there are some really bad apples on-site, and it’s not safe.
I arrived around 2pm, used the (pretty sketchy - one toilet, no door) restroom, paid the donation ($5 requested), and parked in the last available spot, ready to settle in and make some food.
Random dude comes out of the bushes (literally), and starts yelling that I can’t stay there, and that I should go up to the beach and park in the soft sand. I try explaining that I’m in the marked camping ground, the beach is a no-go (both posted as no camping, and I’d get stuck), and that I’m following posted signs.
Guy becomes increasingly irate, and it’s made very clear to me that if I stay in that spot, I’m doing so at the risk to my personal safety throughout the night. Got in, and drove off. No amount of cheap stay is worth being threatened.
There’s a sign that no long-term stays are allowed, but clearly the council either doesn’t care, or doesn’t know about this creepster living permanently with a car under a tarp, atv under a tarp, and a whole house build out in the bush.
Avoid, avoid, avoid. I can’t imagine this is what the nice folks in the surrounding community wanted to have happening, but in April 2021, it’s what’s there.
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5.0/5
Fantastic little spot.
I really don't want to tell you all how nice it is!
Like stepping back in time, brilliant old school playground, beautiful swimming spot and lovely stony beach. Great clean toilet. Awesome for families.
-
5.0/5
Lovely little place to stop over for the night!
People are friendly and pet friendly! Thank you!
-
3.0/5
For a $5 voluntary contribution we got a sheltered place to park and a clean toilet - within an hour or so of Christchurch.
The village area has a playground for kids and access to a pretty wild pebble beach (no swimming). Friendly and chatty local showed us where we could park and a few other vans showed up (early December) but otherwise very quiet. The camping area is mainly for fishing enthusiasts and is scruffy with no view but it served our purpose.
-
5.0/5
Beautiful Little Campsite.
We stayed here for 2 nights. It was pouring down with rain but we had a great time in our camper, listening to music and having some beers. Hearing the rain tap of the roof was lovely. It’s a good, clean and spacious site. Some abandoned caravans but great loos with loo paper. So close to the beach, although water is not safe to swim. Good stop off!!
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4.0/5
Quiet place to stay overnight.
It is a small camping occupied by a few empty tents or caravans, but you may find a place for a medium van. You are encouraged to let 5 $ as a donation.
Direct access to the pebble beach.
Attention, the reviews of Joseph Staples and Bjorn Private seem to concern the other camp "Rakaia Huts Campground Southbridge", on the other side of the river.
-
5.0/5
Long drive down from main road, out the back of a tucked away village.
Short walk to beach from site.
Sheltered from sea wind with tall trees.
Handy if heading to or from Christchurch.
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1.5/5
Fully occupied by old caravans, even a sign says short term camping only.
There is a restroom which is ok. Not worth the drive.
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4.0/5
Excellent spot for a long weekend with the kids.
Playground was a hit and the domain and village are tranquil for strolling. The beach offers great exploring (or fishing if that's your thing) and the river is breathtaking and swimmable!! Only downside is that all the good sites are occupied by empty caravans and we were kept awake until 3:30am one night by quad bikes. Toilets very clean and fresh water taps available.
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4.5/5
A surprisingly great place.
Not free. $15. For one of 20 powered sites or $10 for unpowered for 2 adults. There is a kitchen, bathroom facilities and washer for $2. And hot 5 minute shower for $1. Mostly used by locals and farm workers, but open to tourists as well. A really good value for what you get. Manager, Sarah, is very accommodating.
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4.5/5
Really nice location.
Clean facilities and sheltered area. Do not drive onto the beach, you will get stuck if you're not in a 4WD. Really nice playground with basketball hoop right next to it.
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4.5/5
Lovely location once you find it.
The pin on the map is incorrect, you need to head further down Acton Rd, turn left into Corbetts Rd, right into Kingbury Rd then enter the Rakaia Huts area. Details for the camp site are on a sign when you enter. Camp site is directly off the beach and is very sheltered. Toilets and fresh water provided. Wonderful community garden and children's playground directly behind the camp site.
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4.0/5
Very nice place for the price.
The beach is in walking distance. Not for swimming but for experience the power and loneliness of and in the nature. Good for the first night after arriving in Christchurch. Very large slots for the motor home. And nice people there. Very friendly.
