Castlepoint Carpark

Castlepoint Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

33 Rankers Reviews

5 Masterton

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Not a huge carpark, but what a location:)
Please stay in the carpark only

Information

Castlepoint Carpark

One of the most spectacular sites along the Wairarapa coastline!

Castlepoint Scenic Reserve has a fossil-rich limestone reef and magnificent 162 metre high Castle Rock, long stretches of beach and a sheltered lagoon.

Lots of opportunity for a variety of waterbased recreational pursuits (including the reef which is a popular fishing spot), and the area has a rich natural history.

Frequently visited by several species of dolphin, as well as fur seals, and occasionally small whale species, the reserve is also home to numerous sea birds. White-fronted terns, red-billed gulls, and black shags inhabit the south end of the reef, and reef herons and black-backed gulls nest on the sheer cliffs of Castle Rock.

There are also several walks suitable for most age and fitness levels in and around the scenic reserve. All walks begin at the roadend carpark.

Turn right into Te Ore Ore Road on the northern outskirts of Masterton. This road becomes the Masterton Castlepoint Road and leads directly to Castlepoint.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Wairarapa

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandWairarapaMasterton

Categories

  • Activity__freedom_campingFreedom Camping
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-40.9023882590964

176.227276229858

Take a peak
Latitude
-40.9023882590964
Longitude
176.227276229858

Nearby

Reviews

    ✓ Breathtaking ocean views

    ✓ Iconic lighthouse nearby

    ✓ Peaceful and scenic location

    ✓ Clean toilet facilities

    ✓ Great walking opportunities

    𐄂 Limited space for large vehicles

    𐄂 Quite windy

    • Great spot!
    • Amazing place.
    • This place is amazing!
    • Great litttle spot.
    • Absolutely unreal views.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 12
    36%
    9/10 13
    39%
    8/10 4
    12%
    7/10 3
    9%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 1
    3%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 5.0/5

    Castlepoint was an absolute highlight of our trip!

    The free camping area offers breathtaking ocean views, with the iconic lighthouse creating a picture-perfect backdrop. Waking up to the sound of waves and watching the sunrise over the rugged coastline was unforgettable.

    The parking area is spacious and well-suited for self-contained campervans. While facilities are minimal, the natural beauty more than makes up for it. A short walk takes you to the beach and lighthouse, where the views are spectacular. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful, scenic stop on their New Zealand adventure!

    Would definitely stay here again. Thanks, Castlepoint!

    Reviewed 30 days ago

  • 3.5/5

    Plenty of spots but not adapted to big vehicles/motorhomes (we saw some turning back even though the the parking was not full because they couldn't fit in).

    Toilets and sinks, no fresh water. Great location for Castlepoint. There can be lots of wind and the parking is getting consumed by sand.

    Reviewed 3 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot!

    Right next to one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand! It is just a normal carpark so can be quite tight, and does fill up relatively quickly. Decent phone signal, bins, walks, and great views. Toilets are there if you need them too. Keep it clean, keep it free! @tasmantravels

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Incredible spot with a few from the lighthouse from where you park and the beach and sand dunes on the other side.

    Very clean toilets a short walk away too! So glad we decided to detour from our trip down to Wellington to come here because it is a must see. You can walk easily to the lighthouse from here and the views and history are incredible! Would definitely recommend to others.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    S
    SF's avatar

    SF

  • 5.0/5

    What a view!

    So worth the drive in. Clean efficient bathrooms and lovely walks.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great spot, right next to the beach and the start of the trek.

    Castlepoint is gorgeous!

    Limited spaces to park overnight.

    Clean toilets really close by.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great litttle spot.

    Nice new toilets close by.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

    T
    Teresa's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Haven't wanted to leave!

    Awesome spot, but quite windy. Carpark offers more sheltered experience as apposed to parking down on the beach. Toilets are a short walk away with recycled water. Says you have to be gone between 9am and 5pm but haven't had any issues from our 2 nights stay.

    Carpark has little space for large campers, some taking 2 parks and some taking 5 while parking lengthways. Carpark is also getting overrun by sand which gets blown over the dunes. Love it in our van though!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Stunning spot.

    Was nice and quiet at the end of the road. Great views of f the Lighthouse and beach. We were self contained but very good toilet facilities also. Great walk to Deliverance Cove.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

    M
    Mike's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Arrived late at night after our long trip from Wellington.

    Woke up in the morning was surprised by the magestic view. Night sky was an awesome sight too.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2021

  • 4.0/5

    Great spot for self contained vehicles to pull up.

    Pretty good toilet facilities. Right on the beach and great views of the lighthouse. Make sure you go and look at the light house at night time!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2021

    E
    Ella's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Amazing place to camp.

    Dog friendly. Great toilets. Parks are normal size. Lucky we were the only big motorhome here. Amazing views.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2021

    R
    Raja's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    One of our fav spots so far.

    Views are beautiful with the lighthouse and beach right next to us. Lots of new toilets which are nice and clean. The stars are amazing to look at as well the the lighthouse all lit up. Stayed 2 nights. First night there was only 2 other vans, second night there was about 8 others but there are still plenty of spots left. Recommend for sure!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2021

    A
    Aimee's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Fabulous place to stay.

    Watch out for the local nutter who doesn’t want freedom campers around!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2021

    R
    Rose's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    This place is amazing!

    Beautiful scenary and ligthouse shine in the night ! Car park close to the new toilets!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2021

    M
    Marine's avatar
  • 4.0/5

    Absolutely unreal views.

    The Carpark is tucked out of the wind which is great. Downfall was the toilet is being rebuilt and the other one is at the other end of town. This meant an early morning bike ride to hit the loos! Other then that I would recommend.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in October 2020

    J
    Janine's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Amazing place.

    Unfortunately toillet is being reconstructed at the moment

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in July 2020

    T
    Tedy's avatar
  • 2.0/5

    Not a great site.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 5.0/5

    Castlepoint was an absolute highlight of our trip!

    The free camping area offers breathtaking ocean views, with the iconic lighthouse creating a picture-perfect backdrop. Waking up to the sound of waves and watching the sunrise over the rugged coastline was unforgettable.

    The parking area is spacious and well-suited for self-contained campervans. While facilities are minimal, the natural beauty more than makes up for it. A short walk takes you to the beach and lighthouse, where the views are spectacular. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful, scenic stop on their New Zealand adventure!

    Would definitely stay here again. Thanks, Castlepoint!

    Reviewed 30 days ago

  • 3.5/5

    Plenty of spots but not adapted to big vehicles/motorhomes (we saw some turning back even though the the parking was not full because they couldn't fit in).

    Toilets and sinks, no fresh water. Great location for Castlepoint. There can be lots of wind and the parking is getting consumed by sand.

    Reviewed 3 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot!

    Right next to one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand! It is just a normal carpark so can be quite tight, and does fill up relatively quickly. Decent phone signal, bins, walks, and great views. Toilets are there if you need them too. Keep it clean, keep it free! @tasmantravels

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Incredible spot with a few from the lighthouse from where you park and the beach and sand dunes on the other side.

    Very clean toilets a short walk away too! So glad we decided to detour from our trip down to Wellington to come here because it is a must see. You can walk easily to the lighthouse from here and the views and history are incredible! Would definitely recommend to others.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    S
    SF's avatar

    SF

  • 5.0/5

    What a view!

    So worth the drive in. Clean efficient bathrooms and lovely walks.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great spot, right next to the beach and the start of the trek.

    Castlepoint is gorgeous!

    Limited spaces to park overnight.

    Clean toilets really close by.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great litttle spot.

    Nice new toilets close by.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

    T
    Teresa's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Haven't wanted to leave!

    Awesome spot, but quite windy. Carpark offers more sheltered experience as apposed to parking down on the beach. Toilets are a short walk away with recycled water. Says you have to be gone between 9am and 5pm but haven't had any issues from our 2 nights stay.

    Carpark has little space for large campers, some taking 2 parks and some taking 5 while parking lengthways. Carpark is also getting overrun by sand which gets blown over the dunes. Love it in our van though!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Arrived late at night after our long trip from Wellington.

    Woke up in the morning was surprised by the magestic view. Night sky was an awesome sight too.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2021

  • 5.0/5

    Stunning spot.

    Was nice and quiet at the end of the road. Great views of f the Lighthouse and beach. We were self contained but very good toilet facilities also. Great walk to Deliverance Cove.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

    M
    Mike's avatar
  • 4.0/5

    Great spot for self contained vehicles to pull up.

    Pretty good toilet facilities. Right on the beach and great views of the lighthouse. Make sure you go and look at the light house at night time!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2021

    E
    Ella's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Amazing place to camp.

    Dog friendly. Great toilets. Parks are normal size. Lucky we were the only big motorhome here. Amazing views.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2021

    R
    Raja's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    One of our fav spots so far.

    Views are beautiful with the lighthouse and beach right next to us. Lots of new toilets which are nice and clean. The stars are amazing to look at as well the the lighthouse all lit up. Stayed 2 nights. First night there was only 2 other vans, second night there was about 8 others but there are still plenty of spots left. Recommend for sure!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2021

    A
    Aimee's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Fabulous place to stay.

    Watch out for the local nutter who doesn’t want freedom campers around!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2021

    R
    Rose's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    This place is amazing!

    Beautiful scenary and ligthouse shine in the night ! Car park close to the new toilets!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2021

    M
    Marine's avatar
  • 4.0/5

    Absolutely unreal views.

    The Carpark is tucked out of the wind which is great. Downfall was the toilet is being rebuilt and the other one is at the other end of town. This meant an early morning bike ride to hit the loos! Other then that I would recommend.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in October 2020

    J
    Janine's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Amazing place.

    Unfortunately toillet is being reconstructed at the moment

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in July 2020

    T
    Tedy's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Very nice place.

    Track along the hillside and back along the lagoon starts right there.

    When we arrived around 2 pm, most of the parking bays were filled with passengers cars of beach visitors who, however, left shortly after. Even in the evening there were still free parking bays although it was Saturday and fine weather.

    Our campervan with a length of 7.5m fit in but longer ones will have difficulties.

    Place is very windy, campervan was shaking all evening although the wind did not feel very strong at the beach.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020

    N
    Nils's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Awesome place.

    Nice little car park nestled among the dunes and sheltered by tall trees behind. It’s right above the amazing beach. Self contained can camp anywhere - at least 20 spaces. All slope slightly but levelling blocks easily cope.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020

  • 4.5/5

    This is a must do for the east coast.

    A little hidden gem. Views of the lighthouse and incredible stars. Beach either side, and a cruisy little trek towards the cliff and back. Toilets available all night. Basic, and remember your torch. Amazing slights of the lighthouse at night, definitely worth a visit.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2019