Andrews Shelter Campsite

Andrews Shelter Campsite

Arthurs Pass

17 Rankers Reviews

1 Face-to-Face

16 Arthur's Pass

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Andrews Shelter
Lots of room for camping!

Information

Andrews Shelter Campsite

A popular starting point for trampers heading to the new Casey Hut.

Camp on private flats along the river, or tuck in closer to the actual shelter which is a great place to cook in if the weather turns nasty. Amazing views out over the whole valley; Andrews Shelter Camping Ground is a popular starting point for trampers heading to Casey Hut.

Get off the main road (SH73) and head along Mount White Road until the end.

Notices

  • Predator control for Arthur's Pass East

    A predator control operation using toxic bait containing 1080 was completed on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 February 2024.

    There may be toxic carcasses and bait (green coloured pellets) in the area. 

    You are not allowed to bring your dog to this area at any time. 

    This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.

    First published on 18 January 2024. Last reviewed on 26 August 2024.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Andrews Shelter Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.

DOC Basic Campsite

Basic campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water may be from a water tank that is untreated, stream or lake. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Access may be by road or boat.

Feature Value Value
Unpowered Site Adult $0.00 per night
Unpowered Site Child $0.00 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 Canterbury

Central government organisation

Location

South IslandCanterburyArthur's Pass

Categories

  • Activity__basic_facility_campingBasic Camping
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Directions

Springfield Office

Coordinates

-42.99326712

171.7937012

Latitude
-42.99326712
Longitude
171.7937012

Websites

Reviews

    ✓ Free campsite

    ✓ Beautiful scenery

    ✓ In the wild feel

    𐄂 Lots of wasps

    𐄂 Limited space

    • FREE!
    • Pretty but the view is somewhat obscured.
    • Amazing views, a very quite place.
    • Plenty of space, but it’s now a paid campsite.
    • Still a free camp, close to a small shelter.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 4
    24%
    9/10 4
    24%
    8/10 7
    41%
    7/10 1
    6%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 1
    6%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 2.0/5

    Pretty but the view is somewhat obscured.

    Does feel fully out in the wild which I always enjoy but ungodly amount of flies (and a warning for wasp & bee populations in Summer / Autumn) Toilet yes but, what I can only describe as, a ‘Shrek’ style outhouse overrun by wasps

    Reviewed 7 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Still a free camp, close to a small shelter.

    You have to drive on a gravel road for 15min and though a small bridge. If it’s raining a lot you may have one or two small fords to cross. We’ve been two vans yesterday. No toilets, it’s just a 3 vans space next to the gravel path. No gasp problem for us because it was raining and I guess they left already in may.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    Lea's avatar

    Lea

  • 4.5/5

    This campsite is free.

    However it is now the site of a long term wasp trial so no baiting for wasps is carried out within 2km of the shelter. It is not recommended to visit between feb- may when wasp numbers are highest. Due to the wasp trial they are directing people to the other campsite which is a paid site. The paid site is the left branch just after the bridge- Andrews is straight ahead. To get to it you need to go through a working cattle farm.

    Only space for 3 vans. Very beautiful choppy river.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Contrary to the other comment, the campsite is still free.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

    FK's avatar

    FK

  • 5.0/5

    Plenty of space, but it’s now a paid campsite.

    $8 for adults, $4 for children 5-17 years old, free for infants. Moved on to find a free spot.

    Reviewed about 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful space at midnight and good shelter!

    But there are many bees and sandflies near the toilet. Still recommend .

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    For the view, for seeing Milky Way at night, I would give this a ten.

    However the sand flies are multitudinous! When it’s windy it’s no problem and after dark it’s no problem. Otherwise it’s swarms! That said, I would definitely camp here again. Shelter is great, pit toilet is okay. Just around the corner on the road is a flat spot with incredible views!

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    We loved this campsite!

    Wonderfully remote with spectacular views. We parked off up the hill, beyond the shelter and had the place to ourselves- divine!

    Ablution facilities were not great and the sandflies were a nuisance in the evening. The location of this campsite makes up for it all though!

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    FREE!

    You have to take the gravel road, and the camp is just after the white bridge.

    Beautiful view on the morning with the Waimakariri River. It's flat enough to sleep on tent or in car.

    Toilet clean.

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Fantastic remote site.

    Spaces are limited so get there early. TOP TIP: Go past the shelter, up a small hill to find a secluded spot on the left with amazing views across the valley. Toilets are not good here and we couldn’t find any running water so don’t count on it. Sand flies are prevalent here so watch out! A&E

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

    A&E's avatar

    A&E

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot, about a 15 minute drive on a dirt road off the highway.

    You cross a small bridge towards the end and you’ll see a big grass area by the river and it’s all fair game. Beautiful scenery, definitely worth the drive out. There is a drop toilet and access to an indoor cooking room as well.

    Beware the sandflys though, they will rush your camper the second the door is opened the closer you are to the river.

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 2.0/5

    Pretty but the view is somewhat obscured.

    Does feel fully out in the wild which I always enjoy but ungodly amount of flies (and a warning for wasp & bee populations in Summer / Autumn) Toilet yes but, what I can only describe as, a ‘Shrek’ style outhouse overrun by wasps

    Reviewed 7 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Still a free camp, close to a small shelter.

    You have to drive on a gravel road for 15min and though a small bridge. If it’s raining a lot you may have one or two small fords to cross. We’ve been two vans yesterday. No toilets, it’s just a 3 vans space next to the gravel path. No gasp problem for us because it was raining and I guess they left already in may.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    Lea's avatar

    Lea

  • 4.5/5

    This campsite is free.

    However it is now the site of a long term wasp trial so no baiting for wasps is carried out within 2km of the shelter. It is not recommended to visit between feb- may when wasp numbers are highest. Due to the wasp trial they are directing people to the other campsite which is a paid site. The paid site is the left branch just after the bridge- Andrews is straight ahead. To get to it you need to go through a working cattle farm.

    Only space for 3 vans. Very beautiful choppy river.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Contrary to the other comment, the campsite is still free.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

    FK's avatar

    FK

  • 5.0/5

    Plenty of space, but it’s now a paid campsite.

    $8 for adults, $4 for children 5-17 years old, free for infants. Moved on to find a free spot.

    Reviewed about 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful space at midnight and good shelter!

    But there are many bees and sandflies near the toilet. Still recommend .

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    We loved this campsite!

    Wonderfully remote with spectacular views. We parked off up the hill, beyond the shelter and had the place to ourselves- divine!

    Ablution facilities were not great and the sandflies were a nuisance in the evening. The location of this campsite makes up for it all though!

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    For the view, for seeing Milky Way at night, I would give this a ten.

    However the sand flies are multitudinous! When it’s windy it’s no problem and after dark it’s no problem. Otherwise it’s swarms! That said, I would definitely camp here again. Shelter is great, pit toilet is okay. Just around the corner on the road is a flat spot with incredible views!

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    FREE!

    You have to take the gravel road, and the camp is just after the white bridge.

    Beautiful view on the morning with the Waimakariri River. It's flat enough to sleep on tent or in car.

    Toilet clean.

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Fantastic remote site.

    Spaces are limited so get there early. TOP TIP: Go past the shelter, up a small hill to find a secluded spot on the left with amazing views across the valley. Toilets are not good here and we couldn’t find any running water so don’t count on it. Sand flies are prevalent here so watch out! A&E

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

    A&E's avatar

    A&E

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot, about a 15 minute drive on a dirt road off the highway.

    You cross a small bridge towards the end and you’ll see a big grass area by the river and it’s all fair game. Beautiful scenery, definitely worth the drive out. There is a drop toilet and access to an indoor cooking room as well.

    Beware the sandflys though, they will rush your camper the second the door is opened the closer you are to the river.

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Nice secluded location, clean and good for campfires as it wasn't too windy when we went.

    Contains a covered shelter for eating and long drop toilet which was reasonably clean.

    We parked by the creek and was fantastic to open the doors to it.

    Also note there was about a 15+ minute gravel drive from the main road.

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Amazing views, a very quite place.

    Perfect for a wild experience.

    There are a toilet and a shelter available, but they weren't clean.

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Remote and peaceful spot, no network coverage but beautiful views.

    Campground on gras, space for approx. 10 Campervans. Longdrop toilet and a shelter available. Be aware of the pretty long gravel road leading to the campground.

    Reviewed almost 6 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Amazing views.......well worth the drive, this must be the sandfly equivalent of London.....

    so many it wasn't worth sitting outside for long due to so many bites.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Awesome spot, no one else there apart from a few cars doing the overnight trek.

    So quiet and a good first stop out of Christchurch.

    Reviewed almost 9 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Clean washrooms but need to let people know the times for the train.

    Reviewed about 15 years ago and experienced in March 2009