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· Basic facility - Free camping
· 6-10 sites
· Water supply
· Dogs ok
· Vehicle access
· Toilet
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Hanmer Springs |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle. |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Maximum Sites Available |
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Maximum Sites AvailableHow many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? Dogs allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Customer toilet There are toilet facilities available to the paying customers only. |
✓ Secluded location
✓ Peaceful atmosphere
✓ Nature-focused stay
𐄂 Basic amenities
𐄂 Gravel and dirt roads
Soft, Flat grassy areas with toilet in car park.
Don't try to go here if you do not have 4wd.
10-15km gravel road leads to the homestead.
Everything you need from a simple homestead.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 1 |
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14% |
9/10 | 1 |
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14% |
8/10 | 3 |
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43% |
7/10 | 0 |
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0% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 1 |
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14% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 1 |
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14% |
4.0/5
Everything you need from a simple homestead.
Just a toilet, but very secluded and peaceful. Was the only person there when I went and it was a nice break from the world. Takes about 20 minutes of driving on gravel and dirt roads up and around the mountain so be mindful if not a confident driver. Also wouldn’t recommend if it’s been snowing or raining recently.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
2.5/5
It's 14km of very corrugated, winding gravel road with some very steep sections in desperate need of a once-over by a grader.
I was able to make it there in my RWD Lexus is250 but it took 45 minutes due to the corrugation, thank God for traction control too. Some beautiful views, basic facilities, vault toilet only.
Would not recommend going if road is wet or icy. Probably wouldn't attempt at all in winter unless you have 4WD, chains, and lots of experience driving in such conditions. There are two bridges on the way there with an axle limit of 1500kgs, and gross 2500kgs, so not suitable for campervans.
Zero cell reception, so tell someone your plans before going, take a locator beacon, plenty of supplies, and a first aid kit.
25 Jan 2021
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.0/5
Clean toilet, great trails for walking or mountain bikes.
A bit out of town with winding roads. Watch out for sandflies! Bug spray is a must.
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.5/5
10-15km gravel road leads to the homestead.
We parked in the car park that has the one toilet. Toilet was clean. And the place was absolutely beautiful. The drive up and down was amazing just take it easy on the road lots of winding turns. Lots of walks amd trail tracks. Great place for spending the night and taking pics.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
0.5/5
Don't try to go here if you do not have 4wd.
We tried to go there with our small campervan, took 30 min to get us on 1/6 of the way. Turing there is very difficult as well. Ended up spending the night at the forest camp.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Easy enough to find, we put the road in google maps and then it’s well signed from there on.
We had no one else stay with us which is rare as every other free camp has been packed. Very scenic and beautiful. There’s a drop toilet only and no water (except the river). The camping area was more like a small gravel parking lot with the homestead properties surrounding it but was fine.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
Soft, Flat grassy areas with toilet in car park.
Perfect for freedom campers and backpackers.
Reviewed about 6 years ago