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Enjoy the beautiful nīkau forest at this campsite on the Kōhaihai River mouth. There are short, day or overnight walks from here, as well as kayaking and swimming opportunities in the river.
This place is amazing! The large campsite is situated at the start of the Heaphy Track at the Kohaihai River mouth. It is a sheltered site surrounded by native west coast bush - heaps of nikau palms.
The campsite has BBQ and picnic areas and allows dogs as long as they are kept under control at all times (they are not allowed on the Heaphy Track).
Other than a multi-day mission along the Heaphy, there are loads of other shorter walks to do in the area as well as white water kayaking, wind surfing and safe swimming in the river or at Scotts Beach.
You can only stay here for maximum 2 nights in a row.
Kōhaihai 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.
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.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC West CoastCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Karamea |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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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? Low Cost Camping You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged. |
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. |
Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 2 nights You may stay up to two nights in a row. |
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. At the campsite, but not in the Kahurangi National Park. A leash must be used at all times. |
DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat 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. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop toilet only |
✓ Beautiful scenery
✓ Nice and clean toilets
✓ Great day walks
✓ Wood fire BBQ available
✓ Great for Heaphy Track
𐄂 Presence of sandflies
𐄂 Cheeky wekas around
What a truly great spot.
This was a fantastic spot.
Fantastic location by river mouth and beach.
Nice spot to do the hike tracks, bathrooms ok.
Great location.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 18 |
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46% |
9/10 | 5 |
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13% |
8/10 | 7 |
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18% |
7/10 | 4 |
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10% |
6/10 | 4 |
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10% |
5/10 | 1 |
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3% |
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 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
Beautiful camp spot.
Cooked my dinner on the wood fire BBQ. A few sandflies around.
Reviewed 6 months ago
3.5/5
Beautiful place to stay, toilets were nice & clean.
Great day walks in stunning nature. No sink to clean dishes unless you use sink by the toilets so go prepared. Best way to protect from sandflies don't expose skin.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
5.0/5
Brilliant spot for walking into the heaphy and other shorter walks.
Beware the sandflies and the wekas they are both a menance
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.0/5
Top DoC camp in spectacular surrounds … sandflies and wekas think so too.
😎
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
5.0/5
Sandflies weren't terrible in late spring - they were much worse further south.
Beautiful camping spot, pretty good toilets, and plenty of cheeky weka about! Awesome walk to Scott's Beach
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
5.0/5
This was a fantastic spot.
Beautiful, quiet, clean toilets. A lot of sand flies. Beautiful beach, too rough to swim. We walked for a day on the Heaphy track which was well worthwhile.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
2.5/5
The sandflies drove us crazy even though we had drowned ourselves with bug spray, packed up after only one night.
Campgrounds were fullish with lovely background settings.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
3.5/5
Nice spot to do the hike tracks, bathrooms ok.
Near 2 kmts of gravel road to get there, cash only in the trust box, 8pp, Jan 2021.
Windy open spots, means less sandflies, spots between the bush=Sandflies attack.
Sorry, but Sandflies level:9. One night there is ok, REPELLENT is a Must.
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
3.5/5
Nice campground, bathrooms were ok at best but the sand fly’s drove up away after 10 minutes.
We ended up driving back into Karamea and stayed the night there.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
This is by far the best campsite I have ever been too.
Stunning location, amazing flora and fauna. Beach cannot be swam at, however the lagoon is a great swim; deep enough at high tide for diving too! There are a lot of weka, so drive cautiously and keep your food and rubbish in secure locations! Toilets are clean and tidy. No potable water, but a spring can be tapped at low tide at drinkers caution. Lots to do, lovely nature walks and Scott’s beach is only 30m away. Will come back again, this campsite is a literal paradise!
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
What a truly great spot.
Well done DOC. It is a long drive but worth it
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.5/5
Great location.
So peaceful and chilled. Basic facilities but low costs. Lots of sand flys so remember repellent!
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful camp spot.
Cooked my dinner on the wood fire BBQ. A few sandflies around.
Reviewed 6 months ago
3.5/5
Beautiful place to stay, toilets were nice & clean.
Great day walks in stunning nature. No sink to clean dishes unless you use sink by the toilets so go prepared. Best way to protect from sandflies don't expose skin.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
5.0/5
Brilliant spot for walking into the heaphy and other shorter walks.
Beware the sandflies and the wekas they are both a menance
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
5.0/5
Sandflies weren't terrible in late spring - they were much worse further south.
Beautiful camping spot, pretty good toilets, and plenty of cheeky weka about! Awesome walk to Scott's Beach
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.0/5
Top DoC camp in spectacular surrounds … sandflies and wekas think so too.
😎
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
5.0/5
This was a fantastic spot.
Beautiful, quiet, clean toilets. A lot of sand flies. Beautiful beach, too rough to swim. We walked for a day on the Heaphy track which was well worthwhile.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
2.5/5
The sandflies drove us crazy even though we had drowned ourselves with bug spray, packed up after only one night.
Campgrounds were fullish with lovely background settings.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
3.5/5
Nice spot to do the hike tracks, bathrooms ok.
Near 2 kmts of gravel road to get there, cash only in the trust box, 8pp, Jan 2021.
Windy open spots, means less sandflies, spots between the bush=Sandflies attack.
Sorry, but Sandflies level:9. One night there is ok, REPELLENT is a Must.
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
3.5/5
Nice campground, bathrooms were ok at best but the sand fly’s drove up away after 10 minutes.
We ended up driving back into Karamea and stayed the night there.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
This is by far the best campsite I have ever been too.
Stunning location, amazing flora and fauna. Beach cannot be swam at, however the lagoon is a great swim; deep enough at high tide for diving too! There are a lot of weka, so drive cautiously and keep your food and rubbish in secure locations! Toilets are clean and tidy. No potable water, but a spring can be tapped at low tide at drinkers caution. Lots to do, lovely nature walks and Scott’s beach is only 30m away. Will come back again, this campsite is a literal paradise!
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
What a truly great spot.
Well done DOC. It is a long drive but worth it
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.5/5
Great location.
So peaceful and chilled. Basic facilities but low costs. Lots of sand flys so remember repellent!
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
3.0/5
Nice setting.
Not many tent sites...better sites for camper vans. Sand flies were the worst we experienced... the walks were beautiful !
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
BEAUTIFUL end of the road camping right by the beach at the western end of the Heaphy Track.
Flush toilets and running water, no showers. Weka are everywhere. Sandflies galore so cover up, maybe even bug net and gloves.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
5.0/5
You are all alone, nobody is around you.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.0/5
We went way out of our way to stay here.
Unfortunately the best spots were closed as they were clearing the trees. Beautiful spot, but hard to enjoy because of the sandflies, even though we were well prepared for them. There are two very mountainous hills to travel to get here. Views were amazing on the drive.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
3.5/5
Fantastic location by river mouth and beach.
Great sunset and track to camp site good. Clean loos and lots of BBQ spots. SANDFLIES GALORE!
Reviewed over 7 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful campsite!
We were able to drive our van onto the beach and had an amazing stay!!
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
5.0/5
Excellent site, stunning location, beachfront or riverside, riverside swimming, clean facilities, loads of sandflies.
Cellphone coverage! 2 nights maximum.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
5.0/5
Spots by the beach or by the inlet .Beautiful location that we werent able to fully utilise due to bad weather and waking to a flat battery.
Reviewed about 10 years ago
3.0/5
The perfect point to start different tracks along the beach and the Heaphy Track.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
4.0/5
Wonderful area with lovely beach, lake and mature surroundings.
But crowded with sandflies....
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
3.0/5
Nicely located, limited infrastructure.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2013
4.0/5
Beautiful location, nikau forests, driftwood fires on the beach in the evening, great sunsets (have to mention sandflies - but just deal with them).
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
5.0/5
sooooo beautiful!
the sunset and the gorgeous day walk were amazing. nice clean flush toilets. it was a long drive though, those mountains before karamea, whew!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014
5.0/5
Beautiful place where you can find spots with privacy.
Normal price $6.
Reviewed over 10 years ago
4.5/5
Just great, good facilities, great sites for tent/ campervan, great short and long walks around, also good to try a one day trip on Heaphy track.
Reviewed over 10 years ago
5.0/5
One of the best campsites we visited - beautiful views, clean toilets and secluded sites separated by bush.
Right at the entrance to the Heaphy Track - a must do when in NZ!
Reviewed over 11 years ago
3.0/5
Really nice place but lots of sandflies.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
4.0/5
Very beautiful location.
Lovely beach and river mouth with great walks very close by. Sheltered sites.
Reviewed over 11 years ago