Observation Beach Campsite

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2 Rankers Reviews

1 Face-to-Face

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Location in Abel Tasman

Camping near Abel Tasman

Information

Visit this beachside campsite on the Tinline to Anchorage section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.

There is now a foot track down to the beach - awesome!

Notices

Torrent Bay bridge replacement

Torrent River Bridge on the high tide track between Anchorage and Torrent Bay, giving access to Cleopatra’s Pool, is being replaced.

Cleopatra’s Pool and access track, along with sections of the high tide track will be closed to the public between 29 October and 12 November 2024.

During this time the whole construction area is a WorkSafe NZ notifiable site and entry is strictly prohibited, for any reason.

An alternative option for the high tide track involves wading through the Torrent River, this is available four hours either side of low tide. Note there are some slippery rocks, and that river flow may fluctuate depending on rainfall and tides.
First published on 19 August 2022. Last reviewed on 1 November 2024.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Observation Beach campsite is categorised as a DOC Great Walk Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Adults from $5 to $32, children from $0 to $16, infants are free. There is differential pricing for international visitors, as well as seasonal pricing. Visit the website for exact pricing.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Child	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Infant	Varies per night

Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Great Walk

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Abel Tasman

Categories

Basic Camping

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-40.9673910640483

173.050374984741

Latitude
-40.9673910640483
Longitude
173.050374984741

Websites

Visit Website

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.
Payment Requirement	Paid access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.
Maximum Sites Available	6 to 10 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in.
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.	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.
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 Great Walk Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.
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 permitted (in designated sites) Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires permitted (in designated sites) Open air fires are allowed only in the provided fireplaces. Open air fires are not allowed if a total fire ban is currently in place. Portable cooking stoves may be used.	Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires permitted (in designated sites) Open air fires are allowed only in the provided fireplaces. Open air fires are not allowed if a total fire ban is currently in place. Portable cooking stoves may be used.

Reviews

4.0/5

No walk access makes this a great option for kayakers.
Kayak or Boat

Very sheltered and a beautiful little bay with the campsite right by the beach. The best kayak camping option in the Astrolabe in my opinion.

Reviewed over 8 years ago

Cymen Crick
4.5/5

Great scenery, different starting points for day tours, water taxis could be more flexible.

Reviewed over 13 years ago

Angela