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Fortrose on a great day!
zoomParking in Green Shaded area
zoomFreedom camping in Fortrose township, Catlins, Southland
Fortrose township in Southland allows freedom camping for up to two days on the land beside Moray Terrace.
Fortrose is a small town on the Catlins coast with an estuary to frolic in and good trout fishing in the Mataura River.
You may freedom camp in the designated area for a maximum of 2 nights in any 30 day period.
Campers are asked to respect flora and fauna in their camping area, to dispose of rubbish and wastewater in the appropriate manner and to leave their campsite clean. Ka pai!
http://www.southlanddc.govt.nz/my-southland/freedom-camping/
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Southland District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Invercargill |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle. |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 2 nights You may stay up to two nights in a row. No more than 2 nights in 30 days |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes 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 |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
Campfire Rules |
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Campfire RulesWhat are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. At the boat ramp |
✓ Beautiful beachfront location
✓ Clean and tidy toilets
✓ Plenty of space for campers
✓ Stunning sunsets
✓ Quiet and peaceful spot
𐄂 No water available
𐄂 Can be quite busy
Found sheltered spot out of weather.
Nice place by the beach.
Great location, public toilets clean.
Nice spot, enough flat spaces.
Lovely spot with a perfect view.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 17 |
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31% |
9/10 | 15 |
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27% |
8/10 | 7 |
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13% |
7/10 | 13 |
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24% |
6/10 | 1 |
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2% |
5/10 | 2 |
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4% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2.5/5
No water available on 17/03/2024 (the date we camped).
Not sure how long this will be in place for but we asked locals and apparently there's a water shortage. Come prepared!
Otherwise it's a nice campground.
Reviewed 9 months ago
4.5/5
Nice spot, enough flat spaces.
Clean toilets. Beautiful view of the water.
Reviewed 10 months ago
4.0/5
Nice place, lot of space for campervans.
We had a lovely walk along the beach and the cliffs were stunning. Beautiful sunset from the van. Long drop toilets and rubbish.
Reviewed 10 months ago
3.0/5
Found sheltered spot out of weather.
Lovely scenery. Level site. Longdrop toilet clean near playground. Didn’t quite get to see shipwreck. Golf course on hill had lovely views. Free and good for a stop over.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Big flat space right next to the ocean for self contained campers.
There are tables and very clean toilets. Good overnight stay
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Plenty of space here.
Park up right along the beach front and watch the sunset from the comfort of your camper. Toilets in the playground next door are very clean and tidy.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Probably our favourite campground of a six week trip.
Such a beautiful location. Laid back and quite even though quite busy. Basic but clean toilets. There is recycling here. And a great cafe for breakfast down the street. But highlights are the beach, seabirds and sunrise.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Awesome flat spots right on the inlet beach.
So quiet and peaceful, mostly sheltered from the wind. Great beach walk to the mouth of the inlet. Toilets 4/5. Rubbish station which is super useful. Beautiful sunset too.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
A lovely spot to stop, very clean drop toilets, lots of information about the area and plenty of wildlife too.
There are 2 post which you have to park between. We saw the southern lights there day 2. Plenty of bin by the toilets.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
3.5/5
Grassy area.
2 toilets. Quite full but quiet. On edge of inlet so nice walks nearby. No water. Great overnight stop.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.5/5
Lovely spot with a perfect view.
2 toilets, no shower and no kitchen area.
A bit too busy, but perfect for a free spot.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
2.5/5
No water available on 17/03/2024 (the date we camped).
Not sure how long this will be in place for but we asked locals and apparently there's a water shortage. Come prepared!
Otherwise it's a nice campground.
Reviewed 9 months ago
4.5/5
Nice spot, enough flat spaces.
Clean toilets. Beautiful view of the water.
Reviewed 10 months ago
4.0/5
Nice place, lot of space for campervans.
We had a lovely walk along the beach and the cliffs were stunning. Beautiful sunset from the van. Long drop toilets and rubbish.
Reviewed 10 months ago
3.0/5
Found sheltered spot out of weather.
Lovely scenery. Level site. Longdrop toilet clean near playground. Didn’t quite get to see shipwreck. Golf course on hill had lovely views. Free and good for a stop over.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Big flat space right next to the ocean for self contained campers.
There are tables and very clean toilets. Good overnight stay
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Probably our favourite campground of a six week trip.
Such a beautiful location. Laid back and quite even though quite busy. Basic but clean toilets. There is recycling here. And a great cafe for breakfast down the street. But highlights are the beach, seabirds and sunrise.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Plenty of space here.
Park up right along the beach front and watch the sunset from the comfort of your camper. Toilets in the playground next door are very clean and tidy.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Awesome flat spots right on the inlet beach.
So quiet and peaceful, mostly sheltered from the wind. Great beach walk to the mouth of the inlet. Toilets 4/5. Rubbish station which is super useful. Beautiful sunset too.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
A lovely spot to stop, very clean drop toilets, lots of information about the area and plenty of wildlife too.
There are 2 post which you have to park between. We saw the southern lights there day 2. Plenty of bin by the toilets.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
3.5/5
Grassy area.
2 toilets. Quite full but quiet. On edge of inlet so nice walks nearby. No water. Great overnight stop.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.5/5
Lovely spot with a perfect view.
2 toilets, no shower and no kitchen area.
A bit too busy, but perfect for a free spot.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
3.5/5
Great wee grass camp.
Seems to be no water. The tank at the hall is not connected anymore. Drove 10km each way to PDS for water at Tokanui. Easy though
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Beautifull place to see a sunset by the sea.
Slide of the road, but it's quiet.
Lot of place and good facilities
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.0/5
Great place to stop by the estuary and watch the tide come in.
Not noisy.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
4.5/5
A large strip of grass on the edge of the river, plenty of parking.
Toilets ok, water available. Information boards on the areas history .Cafe not far down the road. If the weather is good a great spot but little shelter from the wind. We did a bike ride up to the cliffs and then to Waipahu Point then next day. Nice walk along the beach by the camp.
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
5.0/5
Awesome spot so chilled out, could have spent a lot more time here, meet some real good Buggers camping here will be back for sure
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.5/5
Awesome free camping spot near the water - beautiful views!
Long drip toilets are a close walk
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
5.0/5
Perfect spot.
Large area of grass, mostly level for many vehicles. We arrived about 6pm and there were only 2 others there and 1 arrived after us.
Great spot to watch the sunset. X2 long drop loos a short walk to the boat ramp. Signs for camping aren't great, but from reading others reviews we learnt that you park on the grass and not at the boat ramp.
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.5/5
Its a mostly flat and mostly grassy site that looks out towards the sea...
Although we are a little bit upstream, hence the calm and shallow water. I took a dip, would highly recommend 👌 amenities - long drop loos, a few picnic tables, nonpotable water supply, rubbish bins, boat ramp. A few sandflies came visiting in the evening, pretty typical of this region. Along the Southern Scenic Route thru the Catlins and can confirm, the views are gorgeous.
Reviewed about 4 years ago
3.5/5
Free campsite directly at the beach next to the street.
Enough space. 2 toilets (no toilet paper) and water (not for drinking) good for one night on the way to invercargill.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
Nice place by the beach.
Public toilet just a short walk away. We went during winter sharing the space with a couple few neighbours. Surely would be busy during summer. Close to Waipapa lighthouse and other ways around Catlins
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.5/5
Great little free site.
Very little shelter however. Parking is on the grass area next to the toilets and boat ramp NOT at it. Very confusing as only signage is to small white posts visible from the road. Had to let 3 others know this.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
3.5/5
Nice spot on the water.
Lots of birds to watch. Toilet just okay and sites fairly close together. It was quite full in March so arrive early.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
3.5/5
Convenient access directly off the main road, but practically no one driving past this far out so noise isn't an issue.
Clean enough pit toilets but they did run out of paper the night we stayed. Rubbish bins were overflowing. No potable water. Windy enough to rock the van since there's no barrier between the camping area and the bay, but when it calmed down the sandflies swarmed. 30-40 vans all told, which was close to capacity and some started forming a second line in the middle of the grass area. If everyone had pulled end-on to the shore, that probably wouldn't have been necessary. Small rocky beach along the bay. The evening we were there some local fishermen went out and caught a netful of herring in the bay and were passing them out to anyone who wanted to cook them for supper. In the morning a large bus of schoolchildren pulled up and the peaceful time was over. All in all, can't complain for a free site, but it could have been much nicer.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
5.0/5
We got a spot with a sea view and it was such a nice free place to stay.
Cannot say anything negative about it:).
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
Grands emplacements et autorisés pour les non self-contained.
Juste au bord de l'eau, la vue est magnifique !!! Notamment au coucher du soleil. Beaucoup de vie au bord de l'eau (beaucoup d'oiseaux, de petites crabes, de coquillages...). Juste à côté d'un café, dans lequel nous n'avons pas été mon copain et moi mais qui est très pratique pour ceux qui veulent faire une petite pause au chaud. Des toilettes sèches sont disponibles (affreuse odeur mais bon, toilettes sèches!) et de l'eau non potable peut être consommée après l'avoir faite bouillir.
Reviewed about 6 years ago