Putangirua Pinnacles Campsite
Cape Palliser, Aorangi Forest Park
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Putangirua Pinnacles Campsite
Sited beside the Putangirua Stream with views of Cook Strait and a pebbly beach across the road. Walk from here to the impressive Putangirua Pinnacles, or drive to the seal colony near Cape Palliser lighthouse.
Camp over the road from the beach, under the watchful eye of the Putangirua Pinnacles. An unforgettable place to spend the night.
Notices
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No access to Putangirua Pinnacles
The Pinnacles Track, Ridge Walk Track and the streambed are closed. This is due to a large slip approximately 100 m from the carpark. It is not possible to view the Pinnacles.
The campsite remains open but do not attempt to go around or over the slip as it is not safe.
This is a long term alert.
First published on 20 February 2023. Last reviewed on 2 December 2024.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Putangirua Pinnacles Campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
DOC Standard Campsite
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $10.00 to $15.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $5.00 to $7.50 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC WairarapaCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Ngawi |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Directions Glenorchy Office |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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4.0/5
A peaceful spot with a view of the water and the cliffside.
Lots of space to pull in on the gravel or grass, with an honesty box to pay. Two flush toilets with a sink, a bit unkempt but perfectly usable. No drinking water available.
Convenient spot to leave early for the pinnacles hike straight from the campground before other people arrive.
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4.0/5
We spent a night here as did one other.
Nice and quiet really, no road noise. Ground wasn’t boggy. Not the biggest DOC campsite but plenty of space this time of year and the walk to the Putangirua Pinnacles was nice to do in the morning. The track really isn’t formed right now though, perhaps due to weather or lack of maintenance, so wear boots and watch your step! DOC Ranger was around the camp this morning. Find us on YouTube if you’re touring Saltyskin Road Trip
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4.5/5
Really good DOC campsite, 8$ per night.
Toilets could be a bit cleaner, but they‘re flush toilets so that‘s always a plus. There are grassy areas for tents and also just a lot of spaces. Gets filled with cars a bit during the day, since it is literally rhe beginning of the pinnacles track (which is also very worth it!). Beautiful views, beautiful sunsets. Definitly recommend. Also best thing I found in the reviews: drive the probably 20km down the road to the seal colony! You can just park up and watch heeps of them! It is so worth it! And the drive along the coast is a plus too:)
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4.5/5
Pretty great campsite for $10.
Came between Christmas and New Years and it wasn't very full of campers - half the cars were just doing the walk to the Pinnacles. Toilets aren't long drops - that's a plus.
Recommend going down the road for the light house and seal colony
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4.5/5
Beautiful campsite right next to the Pinnacles walk.
We did the streambed walk to the Pinnacles at around 8am before anyone arrived. Camp site was quite boggy but there had been a lot of rain! The maps will tell you to turn right but turn left to find the camp site ! Beautiful to hear the creek and ocean at night.
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5.0/5
Awesome place to stay .
2 flushing toilets that were kept clean . Start of the pinnacles walk . Beach at the end of the driveway .
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5.0/5
Ae Marika, another awesome Wairarapa spot to camp at.
Didn't have the correct footwear to do the Pinnacles walk, duh.
2 flushing toilets with basins plus a longdrop one at the entrance to the camp site.
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3.5/5
Nice place.
Quiet and a lot of space. Could be hot. Has not a lot shade for campervans.
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4.0/5
Brilliant for the Pinnacles walk.
Plenty of room. Sky full of stars at night. Peaceful
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3.5/5
Our first campsite in N-Z, it was a good start.
Campsite has basic toilet, seals nearby and you can clim the lighthouse a bit further down the road.
The sites itself are partly sheltered, partly on a field so choice for everbody.
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3.0/5
The walk up to the Pinnacles is nice.
Blows like heaps on the campground. Our tent almost left us hanging there. No drinking water and nowhere to do dishes except the river. Very bad toilets.
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4.0/5
A peaceful spot with a view of the water and the cliffside.
Lots of space to pull in on the gravel or grass, with an honesty box to pay. Two flush toilets with a sink, a bit unkempt but perfectly usable. No drinking water available.
Convenient spot to leave early for the pinnacles hike straight from the campground before other people arrive.
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4.0/5
We spent a night here as did one other.
Nice and quiet really, no road noise. Ground wasn’t boggy. Not the biggest DOC campsite but plenty of space this time of year and the walk to the Putangirua Pinnacles was nice to do in the morning. The track really isn’t formed right now though, perhaps due to weather or lack of maintenance, so wear boots and watch your step! DOC Ranger was around the camp this morning. Find us on YouTube if you’re touring Saltyskin Road Trip
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4.5/5
Really good DOC campsite, 8$ per night.
Toilets could be a bit cleaner, but they‘re flush toilets so that‘s always a plus. There are grassy areas for tents and also just a lot of spaces. Gets filled with cars a bit during the day, since it is literally rhe beginning of the pinnacles track (which is also very worth it!). Beautiful views, beautiful sunsets. Definitly recommend. Also best thing I found in the reviews: drive the probably 20km down the road to the seal colony! You can just park up and watch heeps of them! It is so worth it! And the drive along the coast is a plus too:)
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4.5/5
Pretty great campsite for $10.
Came between Christmas and New Years and it wasn't very full of campers - half the cars were just doing the walk to the Pinnacles. Toilets aren't long drops - that's a plus.
Recommend going down the road for the light house and seal colony
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4.5/5
Beautiful campsite right next to the Pinnacles walk.
We did the streambed walk to the Pinnacles at around 8am before anyone arrived. Camp site was quite boggy but there had been a lot of rain! The maps will tell you to turn right but turn left to find the camp site ! Beautiful to hear the creek and ocean at night.
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5.0/5
Awesome place to stay .
2 flushing toilets that were kept clean . Start of the pinnacles walk . Beach at the end of the driveway .
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5.0/5
Ae Marika, another awesome Wairarapa spot to camp at.
Didn't have the correct footwear to do the Pinnacles walk, duh.
2 flushing toilets with basins plus a longdrop one at the entrance to the camp site.
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3.5/5
Nice place.
Quiet and a lot of space. Could be hot. Has not a lot shade for campervans.
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4.0/5
Brilliant for the Pinnacles walk.
Plenty of room. Sky full of stars at night. Peaceful
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3.5/5
Our first campsite in N-Z, it was a good start.
Campsite has basic toilet, seals nearby and you can clim the lighthouse a bit further down the road.
The sites itself are partly sheltered, partly on a field so choice for everbody.
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4.5/5
39Sept18.
Great DoC site. Plenty of room although not all perfectly level.
2 flushing loos with basins but no handwash or drying.
Perfect location for the pinnacles.
We went to Cape Palliser lighthouse and stopped here to go to the pinnacles the next day
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4.5/5
DoC Park.
$12 for the 2 of us on 30Sept18. Not many there, only us, 1 car slept in and a few tents. Quiet. Flush toilets with ok paper, grotty basin with no soap or drying gear. Quite happy with it and, of course, right next to the walks to the pinnacles!
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5.0/5
Wow! What a site.
A perfect place for overnight. We arrived just before sunset and watched this on the beach and then found lovely spot for the campervan. Loved the stars as we walked to the clean toilets. Walked up the river stream to the pinnacles and returned via the lookout and then walked the ridge to complete the loop back to the camping area. Simply stunning. No drinking water but plenty of spots for a fire if you wanted one.
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4.0/5
Lovely location to explore pinnacles.
Basic but clean facilities, perfect if you're self contained. Drive into main campsite, don't stop at carpark next to road like we did when arriving late as it was super dusty.
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3.0/5
The walk up to the Pinnacles is nice.
Blows like heaps on the campground. Our tent almost left us hanging there. No drinking water and nowhere to do dishes except the river. Very bad toilets.
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4.0/5
Incredible place but very basic DOC campground.
Take your own water or you will be getting it from the stream or toilet basin. The campsite, walked to the pinnacles and the coastline is well worth expLoring over a couple of days. It's well worth staying at.
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4.5/5
We loved this location, the pinnacles walk and views.
The only thing: Bathroom was not serviced. We were lucky that wasn't windy but I imagine it would make a difference.
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4.5/5
Great little hidden campsite next to a nice walk to the pinnacles!
You can walk along the stream or walk up the hill, it doesn't matter where you start cause you can combine both via a loop! There are no showers and only two toilets but there were not too many people so it was ok:) I can totally recommend it!!
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4.5/5
Beautiful family friendly spot, with good toilet facilities and lovely native views, beach over the road great for boogie boarding, creek for the little ones, what's not to love?
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4.0/5
Stunning location.
Lord Of The Rings fans will love the walk up into the Pinnacles. A short drive to the Lighthouse and seal colony. Across the road from a sandy beach. Memorable sunset.
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3.5/5
This site is in a valley so is subject to very strong wind, in particular in southerlies, although there are some sheltered areas among trees.
During our stay gale force winds blew up the valley and blew some campers tents down and even being in a camper we were rocked about all night. Other than that it is a good site and a short walk up into the pinnacles.
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4.5/5
Quite surprised it was not better mentioned in all travel guides, since this place was just stunning!
Not only a movie set, but pretty intimidating landscape (Putangirua Pinnacles). Nice sunset as well, and also take the drive to Cape Palliser if you are here, it is totally worth it
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5.0/5
6$ each for basic toilets, picnic tables, lots of space and tap water.
Ideal for a trip to the pinnacles or to Cape Palliser.
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4.5/5
Lovely campsite.
Great location- fantastic hike up to the Pinnacles and 100 metres to the sea for fishing. Had a wonderful family holiday there, and the environment with the other campers was really nice! Great spot to bring your family and family pets. :)
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5.0/5
I made a 2 hours walk to the Pinnacles and these strange stone formations really fascintaed me.
The Pinnacles are a Lord of the Rings set. It was great to visit the Dimholet Road.
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4.5/5
Fantastic location, special site by the river/sea/40 min walk to Pinnacles.
Toilet remarkably clean. Only NZD6 each. Would always recommend DOC sites if want location, peace and quiet.
