Gore Bay Camping Ground

Gore Bay Camping Ground

27 Rankers Reviews

10 Face-to-Face

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Gore Bay Camping Ground

A great location right on the beach - along both sides of the road with great views along the coast. Showers, kitchen and laundry provided

The beach is safe for swimming and fishing.

This campsite as well as Buxton up the road are managed by the same crew - fees are payable to them.

$40 Powered Site up to 2 people
$35 Non-powered site up to 2 people
$10 extra Adult
$ 5 Children 5-15

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Gore Bay and Buxton Camping Ground

Non-profit organisation

Location

South IslandKaikoura RegionKaikoura

Categories

  • Activity__camping_grounds_holiday_parksCamping Grounds

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-42.860898379537

173.30877532959

Latitude
-42.860898379537
Longitude
173.30877532959

Nearby

Reviews

    ✓ Beautiful spot

    ✓ Great amenities

    ✓ Beach access

    ✓ Clean facilities

    ✓ Relaxing atmosphere

    𐄂 Dated facilities

    𐄂 Timed showers

    • Sans doute un de mes préférés pour l’atmosphère.
    • Spent two nights here great site.
    • Gore Bay and its campground feels like 1976.
    • Beautiful spot with great amenities.
    • Beautiful setting.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 4
    15%
    9/10 12
    44%
    8/10 2
    7%
    7/10 6
    22%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 1
    4%
    4/10 1
    4%
    3/10 1
    4%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 4.5/5

    Mid-March the sea-side of the camp was fairly busy.

    Dated but clean, and well-equipped kitchen.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

    Sue's avatar

    Sue

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful spot with great amenities.

    Hot showers, kitchen and a little staircase to the beach! Highly recommend

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Sans doute un de mes préférés pour l’atmosphère.

    Le bruit des vagues, une sorte de brume ces jours là comme dans un songe.

    Camping simple mais fonctionnel. Douche limitée en temps. Cuisine où l’on trouve des ustensiles à dispo. Semble être un repaire d’habitués.

    J’ai hâte de revenir Kim ;-)

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Ju's avatar

    Ju

  • 4.5/5

    Gore Bay and its campground feels like 1976.

    To me that's a good thing. Go there!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago and experienced in November 2022

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful little campground overlooking the beach and close to the "cathedral cliffs" which are worth a look.

    Kitchen and showers were closed for renovations when we visited but that didn't bother us as we only needed to use the toilet which was very clean. Stunning place to fall asleep listening to the waves and wake up watching the sun rise over the water. Only a couple other campervans there when we were there so almost felt like we had the place to ourselves. No cellphone reception which was great for us to unplug and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

    Reviewed about 4 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Stayed on a powered site, didn't use the kitchen except to do dishes and found it small.

    But great location, ocean views, small park with swings just down the road. Showers were nice, good pressure capped at 4mins. Not far to cheviot if you need supplies. No cell reception. Older camp site but worth the stop.

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Nice and basic sites.

    5minute showers. Hot water is limited. Slightly crowded on warm days and school breaks. Locals love this place.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in May 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Great views, showers were tepid - not good for this time of year, wouldn't matter in the summer, washing machines but no dryer.

    Kitchen area basic and a small one. Plus is that there is a heart fibrillator for those who may need one and also the beach is right there.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 2.0/5

    We drove in to Gore Bay excited by the reviews but when we got there, there were only washing machines and no dryers so we were very disappointed.

    Facilities were very basic and perhaps not worth $30 per night for two people on a powered site. The location of the site was amazing though.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Bit hard to find, but at the end of the village.

    When we were there it was full, felt a bit cramped. Charming owner and clean lavatories. Next to the beach and reachable through a scenic drive. Small kitchen, people needed to wait to do the dishes. Park was full so felt cramped.

    Reviewed almost 9 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Great site along the Gore Bay Scenic drive.

    Had to strategically park campervan to avoid muddy areas which was about 1/4 of the grass field. Only complaint was that hot water to bathrooms was out of service but management was on it and had someone looking into in the morning.

    Reviewed about 9 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    As other reviewers have said, Gore Bay is a throwback to the classic Kiwi campgrounds.

    It is very well-maintained by the camp hosts Sue and Kerry are the nicest people you could meet.

    The campground is small, but right on the cliff above Gore Bay with a short stairway to the beach. It's a beautiful beach, and wonderful location. We would definitely go back.

    Only downside for us was the lack of wifi or cellphone service, so we had to go into Cheviot to make some communications. This would not have been a problem in the previous five weeks, but we were finishing up our journey, and had some details to wrap up. As it would not have been a problem but for the timing of our stay, I still give Gore Bay a 10.

    Thank you for a wonderful, relaxing two night stay!

    Reviewed over 9 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Mid-March the sea-side of the camp was fairly busy.

    Dated but clean, and well-equipped kitchen.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

    Sue's avatar

    Sue

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful spot with great amenities.

    Hot showers, kitchen and a little staircase to the beach! Highly recommend

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Gore Bay and its campground feels like 1976.

    To me that's a good thing. Go there!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago and experienced in November 2022

  • 4.5/5

    Sans doute un de mes préférés pour l’atmosphère.

    Le bruit des vagues, une sorte de brume ces jours là comme dans un songe.

    Camping simple mais fonctionnel. Douche limitée en temps. Cuisine où l’on trouve des ustensiles à dispo. Semble être un repaire d’habitués.

    J’ai hâte de revenir Kim ;-)

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Ju's avatar

    Ju

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful little campground overlooking the beach and close to the "cathedral cliffs" which are worth a look.

    Kitchen and showers were closed for renovations when we visited but that didn't bother us as we only needed to use the toilet which was very clean. Stunning place to fall asleep listening to the waves and wake up watching the sun rise over the water. Only a couple other campervans there when we were there so almost felt like we had the place to ourselves. No cellphone reception which was great for us to unplug and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

    Reviewed about 4 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Stayed on a powered site, didn't use the kitchen except to do dishes and found it small.

    But great location, ocean views, small park with swings just down the road. Showers were nice, good pressure capped at 4mins. Not far to cheviot if you need supplies. No cell reception. Older camp site but worth the stop.

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Nice and basic sites.

    5minute showers. Hot water is limited. Slightly crowded on warm days and school breaks. Locals love this place.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in May 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Great views, showers were tepid - not good for this time of year, wouldn't matter in the summer, washing machines but no dryer.

    Kitchen area basic and a small one. Plus is that there is a heart fibrillator for those who may need one and also the beach is right there.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 2.0/5

    We drove in to Gore Bay excited by the reviews but when we got there, there were only washing machines and no dryers so we were very disappointed.

    Facilities were very basic and perhaps not worth $30 per night for two people on a powered site. The location of the site was amazing though.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Bit hard to find, but at the end of the village.

    When we were there it was full, felt a bit cramped. Charming owner and clean lavatories. Next to the beach and reachable through a scenic drive. Small kitchen, people needed to wait to do the dishes. Park was full so felt cramped.

    Reviewed almost 9 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Great site along the Gore Bay Scenic drive.

    Had to strategically park campervan to avoid muddy areas which was about 1/4 of the grass field. Only complaint was that hot water to bathrooms was out of service but management was on it and had someone looking into in the morning.

    Reviewed about 9 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    As other reviewers have said, Gore Bay is a throwback to the classic Kiwi campgrounds.

    It is very well-maintained by the camp hosts Sue and Kerry are the nicest people you could meet.

    The campground is small, but right on the cliff above Gore Bay with a short stairway to the beach. It's a beautiful beach, and wonderful location. We would definitely go back.

    Only downside for us was the lack of wifi or cellphone service, so we had to go into Cheviot to make some communications. This would not have been a problem in the previous five weeks, but we were finishing up our journey, and had some details to wrap up. As it would not have been a problem but for the timing of our stay, I still give Gore Bay a 10.

    Thank you for a wonderful, relaxing two night stay!

    Reviewed over 9 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Spent two nights here great site.

    The manager who looks after the site Kerry really lovely chap very helpful and friendly had a lovely chat with him. Nice site lovely views on the the most amazing beach and cliffs. Lovely walk along the beach. Good showers and nice and hot and toilet areas really clean and tidy. Good kitchen area however we are self contained so did not use this area. We did a bit of surfing here great fun and even saw a few seals sunbathing at the beach late afternoon. Also a shower as you walk back up to the campsite perfect after going for a swim in the sea. Lovely local people very friendly.

    No dump area available but one close by in the nearest town area very close to four shop you will need to keep eyes peeled in the most strangest on places by the side of the road outside someone's house.

    Electric hook up / 2 people $24.00 a night so worth it. We did not book this site in advance but people do book this site up especially over Christmas time so if your wanting to stay at this location worth a call at Christmas was lots of space second week of December for us. Highly recommend this site.

    Reviewed almost 10 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful setting.

    Stunning views over beach, very quiet. Site manager, Kerri, very welcoming. Well worth turning off the beaten track to visit Gore Bay.

    Reviewed about 10 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Wonderful view, very friendly staff, small and peaceful place, beautiful beach.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.5/5

    Very friendly staff.

    Directly at the beach - very quiet.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.5/5

    It's always worth driving the extra mile off the main motorway.

    Gore Bay is a small kiwi holiday house community with 2 lovely campground sites. You will be welcomed when you arrive.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

  • 5.0/5

    Super view, great beach and no tourists!

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 4.5/5

    This place is a blast from the past and well worth a look.

    Checked in for an overnight stay with our rental campervan. We found it a small quiet park with powered level site, plenty of space ( only 3 other vans when we stayed), friendly neighbors and a natural ocean view immediately out our rear window. Slept to the sound of rolling surf and woken by a magic sunrise, Facilities are reminiscent of the 60's beach experience with a few mod cons. Everything worked well for us once we worked it out and it was clean though obviously dated. Caretaker Kerry was as cheerful, helpful and hospitable as you would find anywhere. Great surf even if the water temp was a bit on the cool side.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Kiwi style camp ground, basic kitchen facilities, toilets and showers.

    Showers were nice and hot both times we used them, toilets are proper flushing loo's not longdrops and everywhere was nice and clean. Great views, right next to the beach and friendly owners. Great waves so take your body boards. We'll definitely be back and will recommend. Thanks Kerry for a great, relaxing stay :-)

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Right on the sea, clean, small, kiwi run, get to meet kiwi campers, wonderful view and relaxing.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

  • 4.0/5

    A very cheery welcome from our efficient camp commandant.

    Never heard so many bellbirds - made up for the less than hot showers. Great spot by the beach.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago

  • 2.5/5

    Very cosy.

    Reviewed about 13 years ago and experienced in April 2011

  • 4.0/5

    Magic spot

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

  • 1.5/5

    Very run down kitchen/toilets - needs a paint and clean.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in March 2011

  • 4.5/5

    Pleasant, relaxing, many walks

    Reviewed over 14 years ago and experienced in January 2010

  • 4.5/5

    Driving off the main road + discovering Gore bay + the wonderful views from Cathedral rocks.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago and experienced in March 2009