Andrews Shelter Campsite
Arthurs Pass
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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
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Predator control for Arthur's Pass East and Sumner Forest Park
We plan to distribute toxic bait pellets containing 1080 by helicopter on Thursday 11 to the 13 December, depending on the weather.
Arthur’s Pass National Park and Lake Sumner Forest Park will remain open. You are advised not to walk Woolshed Hill Track, Harper Pass Route, Andrews Valley Track, Binser Saddle Track, Poulter River Track, Poulter Hut to Minchin Pass Route, and Hawdon Hut Route on the day/s of the operation.
Once the bait has been distributed, it’s not safe to hunt for food in this area for up to 8 months. Warning signs and this web alert will be removed once the area is safe again.
As this is a National park you are not allowed to bring your dog to this area at any time. See the Pesticide summary map for the operation area.
1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080.
This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.
First published on 21 November 2025. Last reviewed on 9 December 2025.
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 |
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| 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 |
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Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Arthur's Pass |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Directions Springfield Office Office |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Google Maps
Reviews
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Free campsite -
Beautiful scenery
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Remote and wild feel
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Close to shelter
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Not clearly marked -
Overrun by flies
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Outhouse issues
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Still a free camp, close to a small shelter.
Lea -
Fantastic remote site.
A&E -
Pretty but the view is somewhat obscured.
Katie -
This campsite is free.
Georgia -
It doesn’t exist.
Aki
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It doesn’t exist.
The road leads us to a work farm land. The sign said no camp, booked camp is welcome. It seems like this is not freedom campsite anymore.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Beautiful space at midnight and good shelter!
But there are many bees and sandflies near the toilet. Still recommend .
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Amazing views, a very quite place.
Perfect for a wild experience.
There are a toilet and a shelter available, but they weren't clean.
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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.
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It doesn’t exist.
The road leads us to a work farm land. The sign said no camp, booked camp is welcome. It seems like this is not freedom campsite anymore.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Beautiful space at midnight and good shelter!
But there are many bees and sandflies near the toilet. Still recommend .
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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!
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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!
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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.
-
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
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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.
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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.
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Amazing views, a very quite place.
Perfect for a wild experience.
There are a toilet and a shelter available, but they weren't clean.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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