Gentle Annie

Gentle Annie - Seaside Camping and Accommodation

Gentle Annie

Seaside Camping and Accommodation

97 Rankers Reviews

3 Camping Grounds

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Accommodations

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    Gentle Annie

    Rata Lodge

    The Rata Lodge is situated on an elevated site overlooking the tidal estuary and river meeting the Tasman Sea.

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    Gentle Annie

    Riverview Home

    The Riverview Home is on an elevated natural site overlooking the Mokihinui River and Buller Bay coastline with a picturesque backdrop of subtropical native forest.

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    Gentle Annie

    Cabbage Tree Cottage

    A two storey ‘woodsy’ beachfront home on an elevated site from which views of the Coast, Nikau and Rata forest can be enjoyed in the open plan living/kitchen area.

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    Gentle Annie

    Beach Cabin

    The Beach Cabin, nestled below the subtropical forest, has a view of the sea with only a minutes walk to the beach.

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    Gentle Annie

    Rimu House

    The Rimu House, named after the beautiful wood it is made of, it is a very comfortable home with a view.

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    Gentle Annie

    The Treehouse

    A two-bedroom unit situated upstairs in a building in the camping ground next door to the Cowshed.

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    Gentle Annie

    The Cheeky Weka Cabin

    The “Cheeky Weka” Cabin is a beautiful bedroom located in the camping ground a few hundred metres away from the Beach.

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    Gentle Annie

    Camping Ground

    Gentle Annie has a beautiful camping ground at the mouth of the Mokihinui River. Sheltered and private camping sites are set amongst landscaped gardens, all within a couple minutes walk to the river and beach.

Photos

Classic Sunset at Gentle Annie Beach
Aerial view of Gentle Annie, welcome to paradise!
Gentle Annie Point Maze
Enjoy a bonfire on the beach!

Information

Gentle Annie

Aotearoa as it used to be – lush, unspoilt and natural.

50 kilometres north of Westport on the doorstep of the Kahurangi National Park, Gentle Annie is a coastal enclave with its own warm frost-free microclimate. Bounded by the Tasman Sea, the mighty Mokihinui River and Nikau-fringed native bush, it is an excellent place to set up base and be rejuvenated and recharged.

Gentle Annie is only 10km from the world class Old Ghost Road mountain biking and walking track and within an hour of many scenic attractions of the Northern Buller Region – north to Kahurangi National Park, the Heaphy Track, and the Oparara Valley with it’s Limestone Arches and Honeycomb Caves; and south to Charming Creek Walkway, Denniston Plateau, Cape Foulwind Seal Colony and the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks.

The region maintains much of its eccentricity and wilderness, offering an opportunity to get close to nature. If you’re a mountain biker, botanist, geologist, artist, beachcomber, fisherman, kayaker, cyclist, tramper and/or adventurer at heart, Gentle Annie is a natural destination for you.

Facilities:
• Powered and unpowered sites in beautiful areas
• Dump Station
• Free and Fast Wifi available in the Cowshed Coffee Shop
• Showers
• Toilets
• Fridge and freezer space
• Washing machine
• Sinks with hot water
• Clotheslines
• Outdoor tables
• Cowshed Cafe to relax in

Activities:
• Fishing
• White baiting during Whitebait season
• Swimming and surfing
• Beach
• Cycling
• Gentle Annie Point Maze
• Glow-worm gazing
• Bird watching
• Walking tracks
• Rest and relaxation

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Gentle Annie Seaside Camping & Accommodation

Commercial organisation

Location

South IslandWest CoastWestport

Categories

  • Activity__camping_grounds_holiday_parksCamping Grounds

Operating Season And Hours

Gentle Annie Seaside Camping and Accommodation is open either side of the closure period: The camping ground is closed from the 23rd July to the 31st of August inclusive. Reopens on the 1st of September.

Please note we now take bookings for our camping ground.
See our website to make a booking and for descriptions and details of our Powered Sites.

All non-powered camping sites are unallocated, and when you make a booking, you are not booking a particular spot. Sites are first in, first served. You are more than welcome to check-in after 12 noon on the day of your arrival, and extend your stay (by talking with someone at the Cowshed) while you are here (guest numbers and space dependent), and check out 12 noon on the day you depart.

Bookings Essential for December, January, February, all Statuatory Holiday weekends and School Holiday Periods.
Bookings Preferred for all other months.

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.521656388393

171.939904594422

Latitude
-41.521656388393
Longitude
171.939904594422

Websites

Maps

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Reviews

    ✓ Stunning location near beach

    ✓ Clean and well-maintained amenities

    ✓ Friendly and helpful staff

    ✓ Great biking and walking trails

    ✓ Family-friendly with playground

    𐄂 Extra charges for some services

    𐄂 No oven in facilities

    • Wow, the location is stunning!
    • What an amazing place to stay.
    • What an absolute gem of a place to stay.
    • Best camp in New Zealand.
    • Very clearly among the very best camps.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 80
    82%
    9/10 10
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    8/10 4
    4%
    7/10 2
    2%
    6/10 0
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    5/10 0
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    4/10 0
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    3/10 1
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    2/10 0
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  • 5.0/5

    Pure bliss here!

    Water, native bush and the camping site care and facilities are exceptional.

    Thank you Gentle Annie...

    Reviewed 6 days ago

    Ruby.'s avatar

    Ruby.

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    What an absolute gem of a place to stay.

    We stayed in one of the houses Cabbage Tree so private and right across from the beach. We went their to relax and that's exactly what we did. Everything was well explained in the email for arrival and that was that! So simple and easy. Thanks so much for having us. Great way to spend my birthday!!

    Reviewed 24 days ago

    Dee's avatar

    Dee

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Paradise...sea, river, bush, so many places to walk or drive to, birds singing their songs, gloworms, stunning views, magical sunsets, fires on the beach....so many things that made my heart sing.

    Beautiful quirky facilities and a cool friendly team....amazing thanks

    Reviewed 27 days ago and experienced in August 2024

    Vagabond's avatar

    Vagabond

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    May favourite location and campsite in NZ yet.

    With the best facilities by far. A whole Caffe lounge to relax in out the rain all night if necessary. Multiple fire places and great internet!

    The location is also stunning with amazing nearby walking a biking routes though the jungle and over the cliffs. With some beautiful quiet beaches too!

    Reviewed 5 months ago

    Adam w's avatar

    Adam w

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    This campsite was recommended by several people & we certainly will be doing the same.

    So clean, so friendly & a little bit different which we love!

    Really cool shower / toilet block. Accessible to lots of bike rides & walks. Definitely be back.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Wow !

    This camp is absolutely stunning and can understand why it’s rated as one of the top places to stay in NZ.

    Love the outdoor showers and showering under the clear night sky! There’s also the Cow Shed Cafe with super friendly staff, excellent coffee and delicious home baked muffins, along with many other treats to enjoy.

    Close to mountain bike trails and so many hiking options. Plus the view from the top of the maze is spectacular !

    There’s a special relaxed vibe here which makes you want to stay so much longer than just a night !

    Thank you Jesse and Jessica

    Reviewed 12 months ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    mari22's avatar

    mari22

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Best place in the world xxxx

    Reviewed 11 months ago

    Ella's avatar

    Ella

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    I was only supposed to stay here for 1 night, fell in love with the place and ended up staying for 3.

    Such a lovely little campsite, friendly owners and staff in an absolutely beautiful area.

    If you're on the west coast of the South Island, NZ.

    Take your time to visit and chill.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    chasingthesun141's avatar

    chasingthesun141

    Customer

  • 3.5/5

    Unfortunately we were disappointed.

    Overrated especially if on a power site. Base rate ok but the extra $ asked for disposal of black water, expensive driers and showers plus being asked to take away your own recycling and rubbish was unexpected. These services are what we pay for. Also no oven.

    Reviewed 10 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Our favourite place of the whole tour – a bit of heaven.

    Total relaxation beside a long (stony) beach with loads of driftwood for beach fires, a river to the side and bush in the background, and clear night skies. Free access to charger outlets and wi-fi in the café, although no power hook-ups. Very welcoming and continued friendliness and plenty of opportunities in surrounding areas to be more active. Café (few outside visitors when we were there) had a great range of fresh food and relaxing atmosphere and campers welcome to use it as a common room – wood fired oven pizza at sunset was magic. Flexible camp locations with many facilities, all well-kept, including campfire locations on site. Located north bank of Mokihinui River (we first called at site south of river by mistake).

    [2 senior Scots, 4 week trip, mainly overnight stops, self-contained, Autumn]

    Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Malcolm & Susan's avatar

    Malcolm & Susan

    Customer

    Thank you for your awesome comments! Glad you enjoyed your stay! Future guests, please note we don't take bookings for the camping ground as we always have plenty of space, so no need to call before you arrive, just come and make yourselves at home, we would love to have you here! What we think you'll love about your stay at Gentle Annie: Super friendly and welcoming hosts who are here to make your stay the best it can be 😄 Delicious locally roasted organic/fair trade coffee-the perfect way to start your day! ☕️ Large, private camping areas situated amongst landscaped gardens next to the beach and river-simply beautiful☀️🏝 Wood-fired pizza oven (bring your pizza ingredients with you) and BBQ, available for your use! 🍔 Awesome campers lounge, outdoor seating area Beautiful Beach 🏖 Gentle Annie Point Bush Maze with stunning coastal views🌴🌅 Free Wifi 💻 No Checkout Time 💤 Hot Showers 🛀 Great fishing and swimming👙🎣 Bonfire on the beach 💫🔥 Super friendly and relaxed atmosphere 😀 Cozy fireplace 🔥🔥 in the lounge area-perfect for this time of year! Jessica's famous homemade baking! Travellers Paradise-you won't want to leave!

    NEW ZEALAND
    Jesse Paley-Atkins's avatar

    Jesse Paley-Atkins

    Representative

  • 5.0/5

    Pure bliss here!

    Water, native bush and the camping site care and facilities are exceptional.

    Thank you Gentle Annie...

    Reviewed 6 days ago

    Ruby.'s avatar

    Ruby.

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    What an absolute gem of a place to stay.

    We stayed in one of the houses Cabbage Tree so private and right across from the beach. We went their to relax and that's exactly what we did. Everything was well explained in the email for arrival and that was that! So simple and easy. Thanks so much for having us. Great way to spend my birthday!!

    Reviewed 24 days ago

    Dee's avatar

    Dee

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Paradise...sea, river, bush, so many places to walk or drive to, birds singing their songs, gloworms, stunning views, magical sunsets, fires on the beach....so many things that made my heart sing.

    Beautiful quirky facilities and a cool friendly team....amazing thanks

    Reviewed 27 days ago and experienced in August 2024

    Vagabond's avatar

    Vagabond

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    May favourite location and campsite in NZ yet.

    With the best facilities by far. A whole Caffe lounge to relax in out the rain all night if necessary. Multiple fire places and great internet!

    The location is also stunning with amazing nearby walking a biking routes though the jungle and over the cliffs. With some beautiful quiet beaches too!

    Reviewed 5 months ago

    Adam w's avatar

    Adam w

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    This campsite was recommended by several people & we certainly will be doing the same.

    So clean, so friendly & a little bit different which we love!

    Really cool shower / toilet block. Accessible to lots of bike rides & walks. Definitely be back.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • 3.5/5

    Unfortunately we were disappointed.

    Overrated especially if on a power site. Base rate ok but the extra $ asked for disposal of black water, expensive driers and showers plus being asked to take away your own recycling and rubbish was unexpected. These services are what we pay for. Also no oven.

    Reviewed 10 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Best place in the world xxxx

    Reviewed 11 months ago

    Ella's avatar

    Ella

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Wow !

    This camp is absolutely stunning and can understand why it’s rated as one of the top places to stay in NZ.

    Love the outdoor showers and showering under the clear night sky! There’s also the Cow Shed Cafe with super friendly staff, excellent coffee and delicious home baked muffins, along with many other treats to enjoy.

    Close to mountain bike trails and so many hiking options. Plus the view from the top of the maze is spectacular !

    There’s a special relaxed vibe here which makes you want to stay so much longer than just a night !

    Thank you Jesse and Jessica

    Reviewed 12 months ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    mari22's avatar

    mari22

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    I was only supposed to stay here for 1 night, fell in love with the place and ended up staying for 3.

    Such a lovely little campsite, friendly owners and staff in an absolutely beautiful area.

    If you're on the west coast of the South Island, NZ.

    Take your time to visit and chill.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    chasingthesun141's avatar

    chasingthesun141

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Very clearly among the very best camps.

    Very clean and tidy alongside a very welcoming quirkiness.

    The wood fired pizza oven and fire pit are such a great way to hang out in the evenings and meet new people.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    Christine's avatar

    Christine

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Such a delight to find this place so tucked away off the main road, but in an incredibly beautiful situation right by the ocean.

    We loved it so much we came back the next night in the campervan after a trip to Kohaihai Beach. So many unexpected extra touches, eg the excellent home baking, the awesome coffee, fab new amenities, very helpful host, thank you Jesse.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    Jojude's avatar

    Jojude

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    We have been to so many campgrounds throughout New Zealand and this one is by far the best!

    The location is in iconic, unique wild landscape. The approach is comfortable and convenient even for long vehicles.

    For fishermen, this place has it all.

    For families it is simply a dream.

    Several fireplaces as well as a freely available pizza oven, which you can fire yourself with driftwood.

    A highlight for our kids was the marshmallow barbecue on the beach.

    Family friendly walks are very doable from the campsite.

    There is also a small playground where our kids had a lot of fun.

    In the lounge / café area it is super cozy and it can easily bridge even a rainy day.

    Great new sanitary facilities. The whole campground is lovingly and detailed designed, clean and very well maintained.

    The owners are so incredibly friendly and helpful and give you a wealth of tips, so you could certainly spend many days there.

    The trip here was so worth it that we will come back here after our South Island circumnavigation!

    Small tip: starts the morning with a coffee and a legendary delicious Carrot Cake from the Campground Café

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    Christoph Soukup's avatar

    Christoph Soukup

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Wow, the location is stunning!

    Loved listening to the sound of the ocean at night & exploring the beach by day. The new amenities block is great and always clean. Heaps of activities including the new bike track along the beach, the maze with a view, bush walks, pizza oven, fire pits & playground. We really enjoyed catching up with other campers around the main fire at night. Also biked up to the Old Ghost Rd (only 10kms away) and explored Charming Creek. Easy spot to day trip further north to the Oparara Basin, Kohaihai (Heaphy Track) & Karamea. I've also asked the kids what they thought of Gentle Annie: "It was fun; amazing sunsets; lots to do; enjoyed riding bikes"

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    Soph's avatar

    Soph

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    We booked the Riverview Cottage for a family break away.

    The views from the cottage are amazing, there’s plenty of firewood to keep you snug in the evening and beautiful bush walks from the backdoor. Well equipped large kitchen had everything we needed and the ability to have our labradoodle with us was lovely.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    Vanessa's avatar

    Vanessa

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Best camp-site ever.

    Great people, great facilities, beautiful property, dog friendly, fantastic sunsets and best bakers ever. I come here regularly since 10 years, never disappointed.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    Luane's avatar

    Luane

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Very nice place to park up….very relaxing setup….love the new amenities…something for everyone to enjoy.

    Can’t wait to get back there in the spring.

    Everything was very neat & tidy…

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    Steve Bl's avatar

    Steve Bl

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    This is a great place.

    So friendly with fantastic amenities in a beautiful spot and very well priced to boot. Probably one of the very best campgrounds in NZ. So much thought and love has gone into this place, it impressed in every aspect. The communal area with the pizza oven and firepit adds a wonderful social side. Take the time and go, you can't help but love it

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    Paul & Nic's avatar

    Paul & Nic

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Absolutely amazing place the facilities made it feel so tropical !

    The place was so clean and the grounds were beautifully maintained we will definitely be back

    Nz.exploring

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    Nz.exploring's avatar

    Nz.exploring

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Overwhelmed!

    is our review of the Gentle Annie Campground, Driving into the property we were buzzing. The layout of the grounds for sites suited different size rigs and tents. our caravan and awning sat on lovely lush green grass, something you dont see too often. at campgrounds now.The positioning of the camp gets all day sun and stunning views of the sunrise and sunsetting on the sea. There is direct acces to the beach and river and a huge area for the children to play. The Cowshed Cafe is a gem, with daily fresh baked muffins and pies to start the day, and the highlight for everyone is the wood fired pizza oven for all to use. The showers are mindblowing, with floor spotlighting and an open roof to view the stars at night while washing in steaming hot water. I could go on, but you need to see it for yourselves.The Gentle Annie is a must to stay at, trust me, you will not be disapointed

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Probably our favourite site on our trip.

    Stayed in a fairly private site and liked the new toilet and shower block. Showers were $2 for 5 minutes.

    Also had a new laundry block (€4 wash and $1/10minutes drying).

    Site had a cafe that you could sit in after hours with nice sofas. Person on desk was very friendly.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    Max's avatar

    Max

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful piecefull place , we stayed by the beach , enjoyed a cook up on the fire at the beach wish we could have stayed longer , We will definitely be back 😍

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Karen Tegroen's avatar

    Karen Tegroen

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Absolutely loved Riverview House, fantastic veiws, house is well setup, will definitely be back

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    Jodi Scrivens's avatar

    Jodi Scrivens

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    First time stayers.

    Found the toilet and shower block clean.

    Great walks and even better sunsets.

    We are dog owners and appreciate being able to stay places that allow dogs so was abit disappointed that a few dog owners staying there didn't have theirs on leashes.

    A great campsite and we will be back.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Sharon's avatar

    Sharon

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    We loved our stay here.

    Super friendly staff and great vibe around camp. Making pizza in the pizza oven was fun and social. New shower block is awesome - loved the open air design. Delicious baking available in the cafe. It feels like they’ve thought of everything!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Nyree's avatar

    Nyree

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Our family had a wonderful week at Gentle Annie…an absolutely beautiful beach and river side camping ground with the best facilities I have ever experienced.

    The staff were super friendly and helpful, and the cafe coffee, pizza oven and hot tub was a welcome luxury in the West Coast wilderness. Our kids (3 & 5) loved the playground and we found safe places for them to enjoy the water, they were so sad when it came time to leave. Will be back for sure!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Katie's avatar

    Katie

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Fantastic place to camp with a family!

    We all loved it. Great play areas, great bathroom facilities and a great opportunity to cook pizza in woodfire oven. Will definitely be back. ...recommend for a night of cooking fo for a 5 minute drive to seddonville Pub. Great fish n chips and eat in if you want a break from the sandflies trying to get in on your dinner. Lol.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Selina Walker's avatar

    Selina Walker

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    One of the most beautiful camping sites I’ve ever been to!

    So good that we stayed an extra night! Plenty of space, well maintained and clean, nice new bathroom/laundry block - our daughter raved how awesome it was to see the stars at night at the same time as showering 😆 A choice of sea or river swimming and fishing! Walking tracks close by, busy Westport township only 30mins away. Staff are super friendly, a good range of kids/adult books sold in the Cowshed, savoury baking options would be nice i.e cheese scones etc. Tip: make sure you use the wood fire pizza oven! 🤌🏼👍🏼 🤩

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    This is the most beautiful campsite and a stunning location.

    It’s a perfect place for people wanting to relax, as well as having good access to awesome adventures in Buller. Dog-friendly, too. The new bathroom and laundry block is fantastic. You really do need to be self contained for cooking, as kitchen facilities are extremely limited.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Jo's avatar

    Jo

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful place,love the new showers and the great little coffee shop.Good facilities and having a dump station is always convenient for campers out in the great outdoors.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Ray Bovey's avatar

    Ray Bovey

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    The new amenities are beautifully built and make your camping experience so much more lush.

    We stayed at Gentle Annie for the first time and I would highly recommend - this will be our new yearly spot

    Even though we were there at a somewhat busy time there are plenty of amenities so you are not waiting.

    Don’t forget your pizza oven supplies, but even if you do there’s a fridge inside with some supplies.

    If your a little frantic about getting your children fed early then never fear the pizza oven runs very smoothly and quickly that you’ll be able to get it in and cooked all within 10mins and makes a fun experience for the kids, with ample seating.

    Space for camping, I love that you can be as close to another camp as you like or as far from another persons camp as you like.

    We camped in one of the (far) camp site along the dusty road which was actually very comfortable, and quite.

    My children made friends with other campers within 2 seconds of pulling our car up to set up our tents! Amazing and they had a massive area to play in.

    You have the joy of beach and river

    Don’t forget your fishing, paddle boards, bodyboards etc

    As we ended up staying longer than we initially thought we hadn’t packed ‘enough food’ for lunch so if your like us and love it and stay longer or If you feel like a sweet treat the cowshed cafe has yummy muffins and slices available

    We also didn’t have a problem with sandflies, but also don’t forget your repellent just in case.

    Thank you again Gentle Annie it was the nicest break we have had this summer holiday!!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Carine's avatar

    Carine

    Customer