Matiu/Somes Island Campsite

90

Analysis

3 Rankers Reviews

8 Wellington

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Accommodation

Standard

Unpowered Campsite

12 non-powered/tent sites

Adult	$15/night
Child	$7.50/night
Infant	FREE

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Mat Barnett

Matiu/ Somes Island Camping Ground

Mat Barnett

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Information

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.

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 Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington

Categories

Basic Camping

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.2578799217546

174.865715503692

Latitude
-41.2578799217546
Longitude
174.865715503692

Websites

Reviews

Rating	Count
10/10	1	33%
9/10	1	33%
8/10	1	33%
7/10	0	0%
6/10	0	0%
5/10	0	0%
4/10	0	0%
3/10	0	0%
2/10	0	0%
1/10	0	0%

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 about 4 years ago

Joseph Pieper
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
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

John Howell

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Medium Cost Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping only Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.
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	11 to 15 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 11 to 15 sites There are between eleven and fifteen campsites/parking spaces available for staying overnight.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 11 to 15 sites There are between eleven and fifteen campsites/parking spaces available for staying overnight.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Water from tap	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Water from tap
Dump Station	No dump station Dump Station Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles.	Dump Station Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles.
Booking Required	Booking is Required Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance. Book online here - http://booking.doc.govt.nz/default.aspx?sg=msc	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance. Book online here - http://booking.doc.govt.nz/default.aspx?sg=msc
Powered Sites	No powered sites Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.	Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.
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	No vehicle access Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.
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.
WiFi Internet	No WiFi WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.	WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.
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. The island has a complete fire ban. Fires, fuel/gas stoves or lanterns are not allowed. During the dry summer months the island can be closed due to extreme fire risk which may affect your booking.	Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. The island has a complete fire ban. Fires, fuel/gas stoves or lanterns are not allowed. During the dry summer months the island can be closed due to extreme fire risk which may affect your booking.
Toilet	Public toilet Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.	Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.