Ahuriri Bridge Campsite
Omarama
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Ahuriri Bridge Campsite
Camp on the bank of the Ahuriri River under the shade of willow trees. Fish, walk or ride from here.
The Ahuriri Bridge Campsite is a huge open space just out of Omarama on the banks of the Ahuriri River. It is very open but you could find some more sheltered spots next to the large willow trees. During spring this place looks amazing with all the lupins on the river flats.
Be aware that this river floods easily so be prepared to move on during heavy rain. A very popular fishing spot.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Ahuriri Bridge Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.
DOC Basic Campsite
Basic campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water may be from a water tank that is untreated, stream or lake. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Access may be by road or boat.
| Feature | Value | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Unpowered Site | Adult | $0.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $0.00 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 |
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Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Omarama |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Google Maps
Reviews
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Big gravel lot by the road with zero privacy.
Mike -
Free camping with mountain views.
Kerry Lee -
Free.
Lisa -
Nice spot for a stay for one night.
Candy -
Lovely to dip in the river.
Tom
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As of 9th Oct/2025 loo door is laying on the ground so no privacy.
Not very clean either. Lots of space. Try gliding!
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As expected, just a wide area on the side of the road.
Plenty of room for everyone, no facilities except a drop toilet (which amazingly does not smell and had toilet paper, too!).
A nice little place to stay overnight as long as you're self-sustained, it was windy and cold outside at night but nothing too bad.
Didn't visit the river nearby because it was late, but looked nice. I think kids will like it.
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Large flat parking nice safe river close by for kids to play in No rubbish bins , long drop toilet, Beautiful views of mountain backdrop
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Campsite is next to the road, spacious with one side lined by trees.
Two long drops of okay quality.
Nice river in just two minute walk. Nice, free spot.
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Quite big.
Most of the ground is bumpy. Quiet at night. Toilet is hole under seat and not well maintained. Avoid using if you can. Very very cold area. The stars in the sky make it worth it. A few cafes near by to use toilet and also public loo by the petrol station down the road
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Lovely to dip in the river.
Later on in the wind lots of dust blew up over the whole site which was awful and had to shelter in our van. Drop loos were perfectly ok.
Massive area so won’t ever get full plenty of space at the back in the shade of the trees.
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Huge area so can fit alot of campers.
Basically it's a gravel car park area. Good for an overnight sleep but not for a relaxing afternoon with the kids.
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Big open field, loads of space for campers, about 10 vans there when we were there but still loads more space, 2 clean long drops, perfect for a stopover before Mount Cook!
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Big open space 2 long drops not that clean.
It was a one stop after a days driving so served its purpose
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Free.
2 x long drop toilets, clean and with paper. Mostly open space next to the highway, though there was a stand of trees at the back where I hung my hammock. The stream was handy for filling up water (added purification tablets) and someone had left a rope swing for a swim - didn’t try it but it looked fun. Best to bring ear plugs for the early morning traffic. Short walk/drive to Omarama.
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Wide open expanse towards the highway with a ring of trees towards the river.
Drop toilet. Good mobile coverage. Ground was hard, so tents would find it difficult. Walk through a grass and tree vista, lupins in bloom, rabbits roaming, towards the fast flowing, crystal clear water of the river.Surrounded by hills. Close proximity to Omarama and also the clay cliffs.
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This is a great stop for the weary traveller.
A little close to the main road, large grassy areas , toilets not great. A quiet night.We found a good spot and enjoyed the lupin edged river close by and beautiful change of light on the backdrop of mountains across the road . Apparently the name means place of light it lived up to its name.
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Stayed for one night, long drop toilets were clean but no running water or sinks.
Road noise wasn’t a problem for us and there was a lot of space. Great for one night and for free
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Great spot right next to the river, easy to find.
Got to see a lot of wildlife too.
Kids enjoyed the river too.
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Nice quiet place to park for the night, but also close to the main road.
Nice little creek nearby
Hot tubs just up the road
Toilets available.
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Location: it's okay, it's good if you're going to Mt.
Price: free
Cook
Insects: a lot of flys, around twelve o'clock a lot of little flys
Wc’s: they are clean
Douche: no, but there is a creek you can fresh up
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As of 9th Oct/2025 loo door is laying on the ground so no privacy.
Not very clean either. Lots of space. Try gliding!
-
As expected, just a wide area on the side of the road.
Plenty of room for everyone, no facilities except a drop toilet (which amazingly does not smell and had toilet paper, too!).
A nice little place to stay overnight as long as you're self-sustained, it was windy and cold outside at night but nothing too bad.
Didn't visit the river nearby because it was late, but looked nice. I think kids will like it.
-
Large flat parking nice safe river close by for kids to play in No rubbish bins , long drop toilet, Beautiful views of mountain backdrop
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Campsite is next to the road, spacious with one side lined by trees.
Two long drops of okay quality.
Nice river in just two minute walk. Nice, free spot.
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Quite big.
Most of the ground is bumpy. Quiet at night. Toilet is hole under seat and not well maintained. Avoid using if you can. Very very cold area. The stars in the sky make it worth it. A few cafes near by to use toilet and also public loo by the petrol station down the road
-
-
Lovely to dip in the river.
Later on in the wind lots of dust blew up over the whole site which was awful and had to shelter in our van. Drop loos were perfectly ok.
Massive area so won’t ever get full plenty of space at the back in the shade of the trees.
-
Huge area so can fit alot of campers.
Basically it's a gravel car park area. Good for an overnight sleep but not for a relaxing afternoon with the kids.
-
Big open field, loads of space for campers, about 10 vans there when we were there but still loads more space, 2 clean long drops, perfect for a stopover before Mount Cook!
-
Big open space 2 long drops not that clean.
It was a one stop after a days driving so served its purpose
-
-
Free.
2 x long drop toilets, clean and with paper. Mostly open space next to the highway, though there was a stand of trees at the back where I hung my hammock. The stream was handy for filling up water (added purification tablets) and someone had left a rope swing for a swim - didn’t try it but it looked fun. Best to bring ear plugs for the early morning traffic. Short walk/drive to Omarama.
-
Wide open expanse towards the highway with a ring of trees towards the river.
Drop toilet. Good mobile coverage. Ground was hard, so tents would find it difficult. Walk through a grass and tree vista, lupins in bloom, rabbits roaming, towards the fast flowing, crystal clear water of the river.Surrounded by hills. Close proximity to Omarama and also the clay cliffs.
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Its free.
It had two long drops. But, its right by the main highway so road noise is very noisy! No potable water, can get water from the river but definitely boil it! Very rocky ground so hard to get tent pegs in.
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This is a great stop for the weary traveller.
A little close to the main road, large grassy areas , toilets not great. A quiet night.We found a good spot and enjoyed the lupin edged river close by and beautiful change of light on the backdrop of mountains across the road . Apparently the name means place of light it lived up to its name.
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Stayed for one night, long drop toilets were clean but no running water or sinks.
Road noise wasn’t a problem for us and there was a lot of space. Great for one night and for free
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Nice quiet place to park for the night, but also close to the main road.
Nice little creek nearby
Hot tubs just up the road
Toilets available.
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Great spot right next to the river, easy to find.
Got to see a lot of wildlife too.
Kids enjoyed the river too.
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Location: it's okay, it's good if you're going to Mt.
Price: free
Cook
Insects: a lot of flys, around twelve o'clock a lot of little flys
Wc’s: they are clean
Douche: no, but there is a creek you can fresh up