Curio Bay Camping Ground
168 Rankers Reviews
Details
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Organisation |
Curio Bay Camping GroundCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Waikawa |
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Coordinates |
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Reviews
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4.0/5
The views and accesses on that site are amazing!
But the rules are strict and the owners seem to be a little grumpy, but if you get in talk with them they’re unfreezing;)
N![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(201,175,218)" /><path d="m 150 627 Q 149 151 -327 150 Q 149 149 150 -327 Q 151 149 627 150 Q 151 151 150 627 z" fill="rgb(252,182,52)" /><path d="m 150 516 Q 277 23 -216 150 Q 277 277 150 -216 Q 23 277 516 150 Q 23 23 150 516 z" fill="rgb(3,73,203)" /><path d="m 150 299 Q 238 62 1 150 Q 238 238 150 1 Q 62 238 299 150 Q 62 62 150 299 z" fill="rgb(54,80,37)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Amazing place to be!
Lots to see if you love wildlife (Hector Dolphins, yellow eyed penguins (@petrified forest), occasional seal)
Campsite is a bit uneven, but sheltered.
Minor: there’s no dumpstation and the toilets/showers are closed from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm.
K![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(225,219,87)" /><path d="m 150 601 Q 208 92 -301 150 Q 208 208 150 -301 Q 92 208 601 150 Q 92 92 150 601 z" fill="rgb(229,86,85)" /><path d="m 150 482 Q 299 1 -182 150 Q 299 299 150 -182 Q 1 299 482 150 Q 1 1 150 482 z" fill="rgb(26,169,170)" /><path d="m 150 207 Q 67 233 93 150 Q 67 67 150 93 Q 233 67 207 150 Q 233 233 150 207 z" fill="rgb(30,36,168)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Some sites are really uneven, be prepared that it can be a bit challenging to park.
We were on a Seaview site that was extremely uneven but the views were worth it! The sites without direct seaview are sheltered and you get a lot of privacy. Clean facilities, showers have a timer. We saw dolphins and penguins! 😍 the cafe is really nice, you can have Thai food for lunch or dinner. We really enjoyed our stay!
H![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(251,245,144)" /><path d="m 150 545 Q 52 248 -245 150 Q 52 52 150 -245 Q 248 52 545 150 Q 248 248 150 545 z" fill="rgb(195,221,101)" /><path d="m 150 435 Q 66 234 -135 150 Q 66 66 150 -135 Q 234 66 435 150 Q 234 234 150 435 z" fill="rgb(60,34,154)" /><path d="m 150 312 Q 149 151 -12 150 Q 149 149 150 -12 Q 151 149 312 150 Q 151 151 150 312 z" fill="rgb(4,10,111)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Spectacular site - especially in winter with few travellers around.
Kitchen facilities are fine but not vey well eqipped for the size of the camp. Saw hoihoi
L![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(178,58,98)" /><path d="m 150 513 Q 138 162 -213 150 Q 138 138 150 -213 Q 162 138 513 150 Q 162 162 150 513 z" fill="rgb(181,189,63)" /><path d="m 150 389 Q 227 73 -89 150 Q 227 227 150 -89 Q 73 227 389 150 Q 73 73 150 389 z" fill="rgb(74,66,192)" /><path d="m 150 117 Q 195 105 183 150 Q 195 195 150 183 Q 105 195 117 150 Q 105 105 150 117 z" fill="rgb(77,197,157)" /></svg>)
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3.5/5
This campground is in an awesome spot!
Well maintained sites, with lots of different areas to choose from. Basic kitchen, bathrooms and laundry all porticom style.
B![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(141,173,133)" /><path d="m 150 643 Q 210 90 -343 150 Q 210 210 150 -343 Q 90 210 643 150 Q 90 90 150 643 z" fill="rgb(149,37,73)" /><path d="m 150 528 Q 186 114 -228 150 Q 186 186 150 -228 Q 114 186 528 150 Q 114 114 150 528 z" fill="rgb(106,218,182)" /><path d="m 150 200 Q 159 141 100 150 Q 159 159 150 100 Q 141 159 200 150 Q 141 141 150 200 z" fill="rgb(114,82,122)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
We were self contained so requested a pitch on the headland to get the brilliant views.
Great location between Porpoise Bay (with the dolphins) and fossilized forest beach
Beware though some pitches are v tricky to get to and a bit precarious in big vans. Ask friendly guys at reception if you can check the pitches before choosing.
Other pitches are sheltered by flax hedges.
Didn't see penguins at dusk, but plenty of dolphins and a sea lion lolling around our pitch! (a few sandflies too).
Free hot showers and cafe on site.
JL![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(5,151,183)" /><path d="m 150 748 Q 114 186 -448 150 Q 114 114 150 -448 Q 186 114 748 150 Q 186 186 150 748 z" fill="rgb(78,216,202)" /><path d="m 150 349 Q 194 106 -49 150 Q 194 194 150 -49 Q 106 194 349 150 Q 106 106 150 349 z" fill="rgb(177,39,53)" /><path d="m 150 140 Q 160 140 160 150 Q 160 160 150 160 Q 140 160 140 150 Q 140 140 150 140 z" fill="rgb(250,104,72)" /></svg>)
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3.0/5
Die Voraussetzungen für einen tollen Campingplatz sind gegeben: schön bewachsene Stellplätze und wilde Tiere in der Bucht.
Der Gemeinschaftsbereich ist leider recht lieblos, fast steril, eingerichtet. So fehlt es an Inventar in der Küche (zB Tassen, Besteck) im Entspannungsbereich und dem Sanitär (zB Ablageflächen)
S![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(81,107,94)" /><path d="m 150 605 Q 80 220 -305 150 Q 80 80 150 -305 Q 220 80 605 150 Q 220 220 150 605 z" fill="rgb(219,117,23)" /><path d="m 150 341 Q 194 106 -41 150 Q 194 194 150 -41 Q 106 194 341 150 Q 106 106 150 341 z" fill="rgb(36,138,232)" /><path d="m 150 157 Q 157 143 143 150 Q 157 157 150 143 Q 143 157 157 150 Q 143 143 150 157 z" fill="rgb(174,148,161)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Great location , camp well spread out and some sites a bit tight with power points in strange places..
Facilities exellent. Used camp as base to explore the Catlins.price is high for powered sites but acceptable due to its remote location.
L![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(112,214,79)" /><path d="m 150 511 Q 71 229 -211 150 Q 71 71 150 -211 Q 229 71 511 150 Q 229 229 150 511 z" fill="rgb(169,31,114)" /><path d="m 150 406 Q 80 220 -106 150 Q 80 80 150 -106 Q 220 80 406 150 Q 220 220 150 406 z" fill="rgb(86,224,141)" /><path d="m 150 163 Q 198 102 137 150 Q 198 198 150 137 Q 102 198 163 150 Q 102 102 150 163 z" fill="rgb(143,41,176)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Really not as bad as described in many of these reviews.
Showers were warm and fo free, setting is gorgeous, campsites are a hit and miss. Alright campsite in amazing location.
S![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(20,70,239)" /><path d="m 150 704 Q 149 151 -404 150 Q 149 149 150 -404 Q 151 149 704 150 Q 151 151 150 704 z" fill="rgb(109,156,54)" /><path d="m 150 393 Q 237 63 -93 150 Q 237 237 150 -93 Q 63 237 393 150 Q 63 63 150 393 z" fill="rgb(146,99,201)" /><path d="m 150 236 Q 276 24 64 150 Q 276 276 150 64 Q 24 276 236 150 Q 24 24 150 236 z" fill="rgb(235,185,16)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Well organized campsite.
Amenities accessible with code. Under new management? (= Tumu Toka Curioscape) Expensive but worth it for biological and geological attractions.
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2.5/5
Overpriced, no dump station, no oven, facilities are average/awful.
Good location. Probably wouldn’t stay again
E![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(142,16,106)" /><path d="m 150 732 Q 167 133 -432 150 Q 167 167 150 -432 Q 133 167 732 150 Q 133 133 150 732 z" fill="rgb(130,12,23)" /><path d="m 150 316 Q 133 167 -16 150 Q 133 133 150 -16 Q 167 133 316 150 Q 167 167 150 316 z" fill="rgb(125,243,232)" /><path d="m 150 145 Q 116 184 155 150 Q 116 116 150 155 Q 184 116 145 150 Q 184 184 150 145 z" fill="rgb(113,239,149)" /></svg>)
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0.5/5
We travelled half a day to get here.
Upon arrival we went to dump our grey waste, only to be told that they don’t have a dump station. The closest one was in the next town over, a 25 minute drive one way. So after having driven all morning we had to do another hour round trip just to get to a dump station. After paying $70 for a powered site this was really frustrating.
E![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(26,91,188)" /><path d="m 150 653 Q 121 179 -353 150 Q 121 121 150 -353 Q 179 121 653 150 Q 179 179 150 653 z" fill="rgb(133,39,86)" /><path d="m 150 311 Q 116 184 -11 150 Q 116 116 150 -11 Q 184 116 311 150 Q 184 184 150 311 z" fill="rgb(122,216,169)" /><path d="m 150 189 Q 77 223 111 150 Q 77 77 150 111 Q 223 77 189 150 Q 223 223 150 189 z" fill="rgb(229,164,67)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
So it's going be windy.
It's The Catlins. But the stunning location and views more than make up for it.
We are sleeping in the back of our 4x4 so grabbed a site on the edge of the cliff alongside the through road. Our site (number one) had an off camber slope so we asked to move to site number four which was slightly bigger and still had the great views.
The walk to the Bay with the dolphins took five minutes and we got to see three of them cruising around the bay.
Back on the other side is the beach where the penguins hang out. There's only a small handful left of the yellow eye so don't expect to see hundreds of them everywhere.
We didn't see any at dusk despite hanging around for an hour. The resident DOC guy was interesting to talk to while we waited.
So we went back at 6am and saw mum and dad and three babies as they prepared to head off. A real highlight for us.
Due to the current Covid situation the campground was near deserted so the facilities were awesome and quiet. One point to note, some showers take $2 coins only and some $1 coins only so take both with you. Hot water and pressure were great and five minutes is plenty.
Don't complain about the cost. In my books well worth it, it's The Catlins!
RK![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(116,117,31)" /><path d="m 150 531 Q 167 133 -231 150 Q 167 167 150 -231 Q 133 167 531 150 Q 133 133 150 531 z" fill="rgb(50,50,171)" /><path d="m 150 480 Q 152 148 -180 150 Q 152 152 150 -180 Q 148 152 480 150 Q 148 148 150 480 z" fill="rgb(205,205,84)" /><path d="m 150 239 Q 235 65 61 150 Q 235 235 150 61 Q 65 235 239 150 Q 65 65 150 239 z" fill="rgb(139,138,224)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(131,227,247)" /><path d="m 150 608 Q 299 1 -308 150 Q 299 299 150 -308 Q 1 299 608 150 Q 1 1 150 608 z" fill="rgb(186,68,133)" /><path d="m 150 353 Q 172 128 -53 150 Q 172 172 150 -53 Q 128 172 353 150 Q 128 128 150 353 z" fill="rgb(69,187,122)" /><path d="m 150 204 Q 97 203 96 150 Q 97 97 150 96 Q 203 97 204 150 Q 203 203 150 204 z" fill="rgb(124,28,8)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(187,230,142)" /><path d="m 150 533 Q 268 32 -233 150 Q 268 268 150 -233 Q 32 268 533 150 Q 32 32 150 533 z" fill="rgb(4,36,245)" /><path d="m 150 387 Q 172 128 -87 150 Q 172 172 150 -87 Q 128 172 387 150 Q 128 128 150 387 z" fill="rgb(251,219,10)" /><path d="m 150 212 Q 103 197 88 150 Q 103 103 150 88 Q 197 103 212 150 Q 197 197 150 212 z" fill="rgb(68,25,113)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(138,69,204)" /><path d="m 150 570 Q 146 154 -270 150 Q 146 146 150 -270 Q 154 146 570 150 Q 154 154 150 570 z" fill="rgb(191,92,46)" /><path d="m 150 529 Q 83 217 -229 150 Q 83 83 150 -229 Q 217 83 529 150 Q 217 217 150 529 z" fill="rgb(64,163,209)" /><path d="m 150 148 Q 242 58 152 150 Q 242 242 150 152 Q 58 242 148 150 Q 58 58 150 148 z" fill="rgb(117,186,51)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
The views and accesses on that site are amazing!
But the rules are strict and the owners seem to be a little grumpy, but if you get in talk with them they’re unfreezing;)
N -
4.0/5
Amazing place to be!
Lots to see if you love wildlife (Hector Dolphins, yellow eyed penguins (@petrified forest), occasional seal)
Campsite is a bit uneven, but sheltered.
Minor: there’s no dumpstation and the toilets/showers are closed from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm.
K -
4.0/5
Some sites are really uneven, be prepared that it can be a bit challenging to park.
We were on a Seaview site that was extremely uneven but the views were worth it! The sites without direct seaview are sheltered and you get a lot of privacy. Clean facilities, showers have a timer. We saw dolphins and penguins! 😍 the cafe is really nice, you can have Thai food for lunch or dinner. We really enjoyed our stay!
H -
3.5/5
This campground is in an awesome spot!
Well maintained sites, with lots of different areas to choose from. Basic kitchen, bathrooms and laundry all porticom style.
B -
4.5/5
Spectacular site - especially in winter with few travellers around.
Kitchen facilities are fine but not vey well eqipped for the size of the camp. Saw hoihoi
L -
4.5/5
We were self contained so requested a pitch on the headland to get the brilliant views.
Great location between Porpoise Bay (with the dolphins) and fossilized forest beach
Beware though some pitches are v tricky to get to and a bit precarious in big vans. Ask friendly guys at reception if you can check the pitches before choosing.
Other pitches are sheltered by flax hedges.
Didn't see penguins at dusk, but plenty of dolphins and a sea lion lolling around our pitch! (a few sandflies too).
Free hot showers and cafe on site.
JL -
0.5/5
We travelled half a day to get here.
Upon arrival we went to dump our grey waste, only to be told that they don’t have a dump station. The closest one was in the next town over, a 25 minute drive one way. So after having driven all morning we had to do another hour round trip just to get to a dump station. After paying $70 for a powered site this was really frustrating.
E -
3.0/5
Die Voraussetzungen für einen tollen Campingplatz sind gegeben: schön bewachsene Stellplätze und wilde Tiere in der Bucht.
Der Gemeinschaftsbereich ist leider recht lieblos, fast steril, eingerichtet. So fehlt es an Inventar in der Küche (zB Tassen, Besteck) im Entspannungsbereich und dem Sanitär (zB Ablageflächen)
S -
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4.0/5
Great location , camp well spread out and some sites a bit tight with power points in strange places..
Facilities exellent. Used camp as base to explore the Catlins.price is high for powered sites but acceptable due to its remote location.
L