Matiu/Somes Island Campsite

Matiu/Somes Island Campsite

Matiu/Somes Island

3 Rankers Reviews

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8 Wellington

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Matiu/ Somes Island Camping Ground

Information

Matiu/Somes Island Campsite

Camp in a sheep paddock on this historic island.

Matiu / Somes is a wildlife reserve and makes for a fantastic Wellington overnight option. It's far easier than you might expect. Just book your campsite online here at ( http://booking.doc.govt.nz/default.aspx?sg=msc ) then drive to an overnight carpark and take one of the many scheduled East / West Ferries over to the island. You won't regret the little bit of extra effort. Kakariki are all over the island and if you see a ranger ask them if you can see if the oldest tuatara around is out of his burrow.

Notices

  • Matiu/Somes Campsite closed

    Matiu/Somes Island Campsite is closed. 

    First published on 4 November 2024.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Matiu/Somes Island 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.

DOC Standard Campsite

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
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 Wellington/Kapiti

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandWellington RegionWellington

Categories

  • Activity__basic_facility_campingBasic Camping

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.2578799217546

174.865715503692

Latitude
-41.2578799217546
Longitude
174.865715503692

Websites

Reviews

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  • 4.5/5

    Great place to camp, if the wind isn’t too bad!

    We stayed here for one night with our kids and had a great time. The kitchen and bathroom facilities were great. There an oven, stove, and fridge, as well as a small lounge area for relaxing or escaping the wind in.

    The kitchen was fully stocked with cutlery, pots, pans, plates, you name it. Plenty of stuff for making kai as long as your bring the ingredients.

    Plenty of places to explore, we went diving after the ferries had left and caught some scallops and saw some interesting fish life, and went down at dusk to see the little blue penguins coming ashore.

    Reviewed almost 4 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    I camped on Matiu Island with friends some years ago.

    The ferry runs between Wellington Central and Eastbourne (and sometimes Seatoun) but stops at Matiu on the way.

    Upon disembarking, security was tight, with all visitors getting a safety briefing and a gear check for uninvited stowaways. A walkway runs around the island for daytime exploration and IIRC there is a separate smaller island where a poor guy was quarantined for the long term some years ago.

    Staying on the island offers a very different perspective on the nearby city and it was a very peaceful experience. I especially enjoyed watching the slow blinking from lighthouses marking the shipping corridor. I would definitely go back again.

    Reviewed over 4 years ago and experienced in January 2015

    Dan's avatar

    Dan

  • 4.0/5

    This was a great campsite for my daughter and myself.

    The rangers are very picky of course about how clean your gear is when you arrive. They literally went through our tent with a dustbuster before we were allowed out of the hut they send you to when you arrive, but everyone there was super friendly. The campsite itself also has a kitchen and toilet facility, and power for charging stuff, The bird life is really close and accessible, we went for a night walk and also saw Weta and Tuataras on the path. We also went up to the old gun emplacement at the summit of the island. Great safe place to let your kids explore.

    The boat trip just make it more of an adventure. Great time and would recommend it, especially for families.

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in January 2014