Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
This is a Timaru District Council designated freedom camping spot.
Please respect the freedom camping etiquette and leave things how you find them, or better! Have a goody.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Timaru District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Timaru |
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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? 3 nights You can only stay at this campsite for up to 3 nights in a row. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. |
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. |
Powered Sites |
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Powered SitesDoes this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply. |
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. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
✓ Peaceful and quiet
✓ Beautiful creek and brook sounds
✓ Near the river
✓ Good for a comfortable night's stay
✓ Close to township
𐄂 Rough road access
𐄂 Very basic toilets
Huge flat area next to a clear stream.
Very quiet.
It's true that it is difficult to find.
Great spot hidden away next to a lovely river.
Perfect place but hard to find.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 8 |
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53% |
9/10 | 2 |
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13% |
8/10 | 3 |
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20% |
7/10 | 2 |
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13% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
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% |
4.5/5
Here are better coordinates: 44.30336° S, 170.97282° E Pit toilets (bring your own Toilet Paper) Lots of space available Beautiful stream Hard to get tent stakes in!
Reviewed 21 days ago
5.0/5
Super nice and quiet spot surrounded by nature (river, little forest, nice walks).
It has a lot of space and a clean toilet (no flush)
Reviewed 24 days ago
4.0/5
Lovely spot good flat parking toilet long drop ok cool pools and rocks and lovely birdlife
Reviewed 3 months ago
5.0/5
Very quiet.
Road going in was a bit rough but doable. Nice walk along the creek and loved the sounds of the brook at night
Reviewed 8 months ago
3.5/5
Nice quiet spot.
Very basic toilets, no water supply. Not well sign posted from the main road and Google maps says it is closed and will send you the wrong way wanting you to cross the river(???). If you look at the satellite view you can see the entrance to the site. Not far out of the township. Otherwise a decent spot to spend the night.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Great place, quiet and near the river.
Indication to find : direction Timaru, after cave (1 kilometer) Just after the indicator 85 km/h, on left road, there is a White gate. Turn here and follow the gravel road.
On the gate there is a sign with: o'neil reserve.
Enjoy your night.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
5.0/5
Great little place....
quiet, secluded, serene.
Pine trees line one side while the river runs along the other.
toilets are functional with plenty of paper and sanitiser
Directions from others very helpful which made it super easy to find.
I loved seeing the stars, the milky way and even Jupiter and Saturn showed up amazingly (with Pluto hiding behind Jupiter)
great place with no light pollution
would definitely recommend and would stay again
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.5/5
It's true that it is difficult to find.
We ask by the shop in the small city Cave. When we found it we like it! It’s a small camping in the nature and in the morning we take a ”bath” in the river. Toilet are okay but the smell, it's a long drop toilet. But the place is perfect to relax.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.0/5
Huge flat area next to a clear stream.
Toilets are long drop and are what you'd expect but if you're self contained it's not an issue. Directions are easy if you're heading towards Timaru. 1k or so out of the town there is an 85km bend, shortly after the white fence can be seen on the left. Over the cattle grate along the gravel road for 300 metres.. Bingo! Lovely and quiet.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
5.0/5
Perfect place but hard to find.
If you are coming From Timaru city : there is approx 1K before Cave city on your right hand with a White gate and an O’neils reserve signpost.
If you don’t find you can ask to the little Market store on Cave city. Very Nice guy with a map to explain.
Thanks you NZ for this place ! We love you !
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
3.5/5
Good spot.
It is what it is. To get here, go 1 kilometre east of the small city cave. When the road is turning right, you’ll see a white small fence on the left side, and a sign when you approach the fence!
Reviewed about 7 years ago
4.5/5
Here are better coordinates: 44.30336° S, 170.97282° E Pit toilets (bring your own Toilet Paper) Lots of space available Beautiful stream Hard to get tent stakes in!
Reviewed 21 days ago
5.0/5
Super nice and quiet spot surrounded by nature (river, little forest, nice walks).
It has a lot of space and a clean toilet (no flush)
Reviewed 24 days ago
4.0/5
Lovely spot good flat parking toilet long drop ok cool pools and rocks and lovely birdlife
Reviewed 3 months ago
5.0/5
Very quiet.
Road going in was a bit rough but doable. Nice walk along the creek and loved the sounds of the brook at night
Reviewed 8 months ago
3.5/5
Nice quiet spot.
Very basic toilets, no water supply. Not well sign posted from the main road and Google maps says it is closed and will send you the wrong way wanting you to cross the river(???). If you look at the satellite view you can see the entrance to the site. Not far out of the township. Otherwise a decent spot to spend the night.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Great place, quiet and near the river.
Indication to find : direction Timaru, after cave (1 kilometer) Just after the indicator 85 km/h, on left road, there is a White gate. Turn here and follow the gravel road.
On the gate there is a sign with: o'neil reserve.
Enjoy your night.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
5.0/5
Great little place....
quiet, secluded, serene.
Pine trees line one side while the river runs along the other.
toilets are functional with plenty of paper and sanitiser
Directions from others very helpful which made it super easy to find.
I loved seeing the stars, the milky way and even Jupiter and Saturn showed up amazingly (with Pluto hiding behind Jupiter)
great place with no light pollution
would definitely recommend and would stay again
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.5/5
It's true that it is difficult to find.
We ask by the shop in the small city Cave. When we found it we like it! It’s a small camping in the nature and in the morning we take a ”bath” in the river. Toilet are okay but the smell, it's a long drop toilet. But the place is perfect to relax.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.0/5
Huge flat area next to a clear stream.
Toilets are long drop and are what you'd expect but if you're self contained it's not an issue. Directions are easy if you're heading towards Timaru. 1k or so out of the town there is an 85km bend, shortly after the white fence can be seen on the left. Over the cattle grate along the gravel road for 300 metres.. Bingo! Lovely and quiet.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
5.0/5
Perfect place but hard to find.
If you are coming From Timaru city : there is approx 1K before Cave city on your right hand with a White gate and an O’neils reserve signpost.
If you don’t find you can ask to the little Market store on Cave city. Very Nice guy with a map to explain.
Thanks you NZ for this place ! We love you !
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
3.5/5
Good spot.
It is what it is. To get here, go 1 kilometre east of the small city cave. When the road is turning right, you’ll see a white small fence on the left side, and a sign when you approach the fence!
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
Directions are incorrect in previous posts, hence why hard to find.
If you are heading back east towards Washdyke then it will be on your left hand side just as you pass a small town. It will be just passed a road sign and has a white fence and cattle stop that you need to drive over. If you can't find it ask the lady in the shop in the town you just passed and she will direct you. Amazing camp by the river!! Keep it clean.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
5.0/5
Idilic spot right next to the river.
Good hard stand for at least 30 camper vans but no one else here in August. Very basic toilets but so what. Remote and quiet. Top marks from me.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
When you come from the north take the gate on the left of the main road.
There is a cattle stop and a small sign that says O'Neils Reserve. Drive the driveway 'till the end. Nice and quiet place. And free!
Reviewed almost 9 years ago