Courthouse Flat Campsite

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Accommodation

Standard

Unpowered Campsite

Number of tent sites - 25.

Adult	$10/night
Child	$5/night

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Location in Motueka

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Department of Conservation

Courthouse Flat Camping Ground

Department of Conservation

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Information

The scenic drive to the campsite is alongside a historic goldfield. Activities nearby the site include picnicking, hunting and walking.

A beautiful drive to the Courthouse Flat Camping Ground situated next to an historic goldfield.
The road is not suitable for large campervans as the road can become impassable after heavy rain falls. There is walking access over the dart River if this is the case.

Try your hand at striking it rich with a bit of gold panning action. There is good fishing, walking and for the extremo's, caving.

There are no fires permitted at anytime, and the only water is from a stream.

Talking of gold, the walk from this campsite to nearby Mt Owen is just that.

Notices

4WD recommended for Dart River Ford

The culverts under Dart River Ford are blocked due to gravel migration.

The concrete ford is now covered in rocks and stones with water running over the top.

We recommend the use of a 4WD vehicle to safely negotiate the ford until the gravel can be removed by contractors.
First published on 14 October 2025.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Courthouse Flat 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.

Feature	Value	Value
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

Organisation

DOC Nelson/Tasman

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Motueka

Categories

Basic Camping

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.467765

172.566972

Latitude
-41.467765
Longitude
172.566972

Websites

Online Booking

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Low Cost Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Low Cost Camping You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Low Cost Camping You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping and any vehicle Overnight Stay Rules What 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. Acess road unsuitable for vehicles with trailer, caravans or motorhomes.	Overnight Stay Rules What 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. Acess road unsuitable for vehicles with trailer, caravans or motorhomes.
Campsite Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Maximum Sites Available	More than 20 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. From Stream - Boil before drinking	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. From Stream - Boil before drinking
Booking Required	First Come, First Served Booking Required Is 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.	Booking Required Is 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.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Dogs	No dogs allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.
Vehicle Access	Vehicle accessible Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. Access road unsuitable for vehicles with trailers, caravans or motorhomes	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. Access road unsuitable for vehicles with trailers, caravans or motorhomes
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Standard Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Standard Campsite Department of Conservation Standard Campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services. Toilets (usually composting or pit variety) water supply (tap, stream, or lake) and vehicle or boat access. Wood barbeques and fireplaces, showers (cold), picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided. Standard Campsites generally can not be booked.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Standard Campsite Department of Conservation Standard Campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services. Toilets (usually composting or pit variety) water supply (tap, stream, or lake) and vehicle or boat access. Wood barbeques and fireplaces, showers (cold), picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided. Standard Campsites generally can not be booked.
Campfire Rules	Fires prohibited Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. Campfires not permitted.	Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. Campfires not permitted.
Toilet	Public toilet Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop toilet only	Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop toilet only

Reviews

It takes half an hour of gravel road to get there and only near the end you know if you can cross the river.
If the water is below the knee, you can cross the ford (told to us by locals the day after).

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2017

Rian Talen
At the start of the very steep track up to Mt Owen...but there are shorter walks you can do from the campsite into the bush around the old gold mining areas...and there are actually old relics of big metal
gold mining equipment that were apparently dragged all the way from Nelson by men who started gold mining there but then abandoned them. There are two or three examples of these right on the track as well as evidence of the stone walls they built as well. The campsite is in a huge grassy area with good swimming holes in summer and mountains all around...but don't forget your insect repellent!

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2014

Laksmi C