Ahuriri Bridge Campsite
Omarama
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Ahuriri Bridge Campsite
Camp on the bank of the Ahuriri River under the shade of willow trees. Fish, walk or ride from here.
The Ahuriri Bridge Campsite is a huge open space just out of Omarama on the banks of the Ahuriri River. It is very open but you could find some more sheltered spots next to the large willow trees. During spring this place looks amazing with all the lupins on the river flats.
Be aware that this river floods easily so be prepared to move on during heavy rain. A very popular fishing spot.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Ahuriri Bridge 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 |
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| 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 CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Omarama |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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3.0/5
Quite big.
Most of the ground is bumpy. Quiet at night. Toilet is hole under seat and not well maintained. Avoid using if you can. Very very cold area. The stars in the sky make it worth it. A few cafes near by to use toilet and also public loo by the petrol station down the road
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3.5/5
Lovely to dip in the river.
Later on in the wind lots of dust blew up over the whole site which was awful and had to shelter in our van. Drop loos were perfectly ok.
Massive area so won’t ever get full plenty of space at the back in the shade of the trees.
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2.0/5
Huge area so can fit alot of campers.
Basically it's a gravel car park area. Good for an overnight sleep but not for a relaxing afternoon with the kids.
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5.0/5
Big open field, loads of space for campers, about 10 vans there when we were there but still loads more space, 2 clean long drops, perfect for a stopover before Mount Cook!
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2.5/5
Big open space 2 long drops not that clean.
It was a one stop after a days driving so served its purpose
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3.5/5
Free.
2 x long drop toilets, clean and with paper. Mostly open space next to the highway, though there was a stand of trees at the back where I hung my hammock. The stream was handy for filling up water (added purification tablets) and someone had left a rope swing for a swim - didn’t try it but it looked fun. Best to bring ear plugs for the early morning traffic. Short walk/drive to Omarama.
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4.0/5
Wide open expanse towards the highway with a ring of trees towards the river.
Drop toilet. Good mobile coverage. Ground was hard, so tents would find it difficult. Walk through a grass and tree vista, lupins in bloom, rabbits roaming, towards the fast flowing, crystal clear water of the river.Surrounded by hills. Close proximity to Omarama and also the clay cliffs.
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4.0/5
This is a great stop for the weary traveller.
A little close to the main road, large grassy areas , toilets not great. A quiet night.We found a good spot and enjoyed the lupin edged river close by and beautiful change of light on the backdrop of mountains across the road . Apparently the name means place of light it lived up to its name.
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4.0/5
Stayed for one night, long drop toilets were clean but no running water or sinks.
Road noise wasn’t a problem for us and there was a lot of space. Great for one night and for free
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4.0/5
Nice quiet place to park for the night, but also close to the main road.
Nice little creek nearby
Hot tubs just up the road
Toilets available.
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3.0/5
Quite big.
Most of the ground is bumpy. Quiet at night. Toilet is hole under seat and not well maintained. Avoid using if you can. Very very cold area. The stars in the sky make it worth it. A few cafes near by to use toilet and also public loo by the petrol station down the road
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3.5/5
Lovely to dip in the river.
Later on in the wind lots of dust blew up over the whole site which was awful and had to shelter in our van. Drop loos were perfectly ok.
Massive area so won’t ever get full plenty of space at the back in the shade of the trees.
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2.0/5
Huge area so can fit alot of campers.
Basically it's a gravel car park area. Good for an overnight sleep but not for a relaxing afternoon with the kids.
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5.0/5
Big open field, loads of space for campers, about 10 vans there when we were there but still loads more space, 2 clean long drops, perfect for a stopover before Mount Cook!
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2.5/5
Big open space 2 long drops not that clean.
It was a one stop after a days driving so served its purpose
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3.5/5
Free.
2 x long drop toilets, clean and with paper. Mostly open space next to the highway, though there was a stand of trees at the back where I hung my hammock. The stream was handy for filling up water (added purification tablets) and someone had left a rope swing for a swim - didn’t try it but it looked fun. Best to bring ear plugs for the early morning traffic. Short walk/drive to Omarama.
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4.0/5
Wide open expanse towards the highway with a ring of trees towards the river.
Drop toilet. Good mobile coverage. Ground was hard, so tents would find it difficult. Walk through a grass and tree vista, lupins in bloom, rabbits roaming, towards the fast flowing, crystal clear water of the river.Surrounded by hills. Close proximity to Omarama and also the clay cliffs.
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2.0/5
Its free.
It had two long drops. But, its right by the main highway so road noise is very noisy! No potable water, can get water from the river but definitely boil it! Very rocky ground so hard to get tent pegs in.
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4.0/5
This is a great stop for the weary traveller.
A little close to the main road, large grassy areas , toilets not great. A quiet night.We found a good spot and enjoyed the lupin edged river close by and beautiful change of light on the backdrop of mountains across the road . Apparently the name means place of light it lived up to its name.
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4.0/5
Stayed for one night, long drop toilets were clean but no running water or sinks.
Road noise wasn’t a problem for us and there was a lot of space. Great for one night and for free
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4.0/5
Nice quiet place to park for the night, but also close to the main road.
Nice little creek nearby
Hot tubs just up the road
Toilets available.
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5.0/5
Great spot right next to the river, easy to find.
Got to see a lot of wildlife too.
Kids enjoyed the river too.
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3.5/5
Location: it's okay, it's good if you're going to Mt.
Price: free
Cook
Insects: a lot of flys, around twelve o'clock a lot of little flys
Wc’s: they are clean
Douche: no, but there is a creek you can fresh up
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4.0/5
Stayed one night, easy location before Lake Hawea and Mount Cook.
Many spots, not many bugs with a calm river by the side. Clean long drop. Very content for a free spot. Quiet roads As well
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4.5/5
close to the river for fishing.
lot of space, close to the street and mostly uneven surface. but it's for free!
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3.0/5
Big gravel lot by the road with zero privacy.
Not a bad spot if you're in a vehicle but not a lot of room for tents. It was pretty crowded but had a trail down to the riverside. Huge bonus that its free and has toilets. Super close and convenient to the hot tubs and down.
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3.5/5
Large area with water and toilets, being self contained we did not need to use these toilets.
Nice open space by a lovely river but noise in morning from the road. Mainly car 'self contained' vehicles and a few tents which did not look fun in the rain last night. Not our normal type of place it was just easy as we had decided to head back to Lindis pass to walk Old Man Peak range as the weather is better today.
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4.5/5
This is a great place to stay and is free, there is just one toilet.
It's really well located just beside the road and I was really lucky I've got some snow at the end of August. Recommended if you are out of budget or looking for a place just to relax one night
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3.0/5
There are 2 previously domesticated cats at this campsite that will come up to you and rub themselves against you in hopes of getting food.
They will not stop, and if you get into your car, they will jump on the hood of your car and just sit there. If you are not a cat person, better not to stay here unless you are okay with being quarantined in your car the entire evening.
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2.5/5
Large area alongside river and with some nice locations towards the northern end.
Toilet was disgusting. Don't expect people to use something like that...it clearly isn't maintained.
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3.0/5
Nice spot for a stay for one night.
Large area and great campsite. The drop toilet was quite smelly though maybe because it was over the easter period.
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4.5/5
Awesome spot.
Loads of flat space for vehicles or tents close to the highway but very quiet and sheltered. Toilet and river also.
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4.5/5
Nice free camping spot, lots of spots although we arrived at 7:30pm in high season.
Clean toilet, but no sink or running water. Overall fine for one night stay.
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3.5/5
For a free campsite, totally nice to pitch a tent and enjoy the views.
The river nearby is a water source, and there is a public toilet. The Omarama township is a few minutes down the road.
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4.0/5
Beautiful lupin field with nice river, and really a delight in good weather.
Negative points: the road next to it and tourists who stop early in the morning to take pictures squatting within 50cm of your campervan!
