Hawkes Lookout Carpark

Hawkes Lookout Carpark

Kahurangi National Park - Overnight Campervan Parking

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Photos

View down the Riwaka Valley from Hawkes lookout
10 Minute Lookout Walk
Hawkes Lookout. Top View!

Information

Hawkes Lookout Carpark

Stunning views from your Campervan

Hawkes Lookout carpark is situated next to the main road between Motueka and Golden Bay. This is karst country!

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Nelson/Tasman

Central government organisation

Location

South IslandNelson RegionMotueka

Categories

  • Activity__freedom_campingFreedom Camping

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.0238810338065

172.908546829224

Latitude
-41.0238810338065
Longitude
172.908546829224

Nearby

Reviews

    • Icon__tickStunning views from lookout

    • Icon__tickGood for a one-night stop

    • Icon__tickQuiet location

    • Icon__tickClean toilets

    • Icon__crossLimited parking spots

    • Icon__crossPoor toilet conditions

    • Icon__crossSloped parking area

    • Nice lookout

      Icon__personMarek Kam

    • Little, basic parking lot with wc nearby.

      Icon__personLaura

    • Small but very nice spot!

      Icon__personVirg

    • Brilliant spot, great lookout, level parking.

      Icon__personJo Dawson

    • I've stayed here a few times over the years. 🙂

      Icon__personCarrie Brightwell

    4.2 46 Reviews Analysis
  • About 8 places to sleep.

    You will sleep a bit downhill, but it is enough for a one-night stop.

    Non-flush toilet, which was quite smelly.

    View of the valley nearby.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • Little, basic parking lot with wc nearby.

    Arrived late at night, still found a spot as freedom sites at Mouteka wasn’t an option (one at port was full, parking in city seemed to shady)

    Reviewed 7 months ago

  • Unexpected campground in the middle of the mountain where you would think you just need to keep driving.

    More people do have the same idea so arrive on time as there is not much space!

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • Beautiful, quiet pit stop next to a steam.

    Lots of grass land for plenty of campers. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • Nice freecamp close to Takaka Hill highway (Low traffic during night time).

    Toilet and lookout.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • Small car park (about 6 spots), good to come early.

    Beautiful lookout.

    Clean toilets.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • I've stayed here a few times over the years.

    For some.reaosn, the passing trassic really bothered me this time. Maybe the road is busier? 4g signal was good although dropped a few times. I have no idea what people are going on about re it not being flat, they make it sound like you're parked on a hill. I looked and couldn't even find where the incline was. I felt safe, 3 other campers there in June. Toilet isn't the best but not as bad as some are making it out to be. Overall, a good spot. And visiting the woodshed cafe 5 minutes up the road is a must! Great cogfe and food and animal petting/feeding 🙂

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • There's not many freedom campsites in Golden Bay.

    This is one is. on the road in/out. You're basically up in the mountains so it's cold. Good overnighter site if you can get one of the few spaces.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • Useful stopover when driving down from the North end of Abel Tasman NP.

    Space for at least 6 vans. The toilet was clean and the short walkway to the lookout has plenty of nice views.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • Very basic but safe and clean space.

    If good westher, nice walk with amazing view. Very friendly young weka:). No tap and only dry toilet- clean. Few people stopping there in the morning to walk to the lookout- quite busy!

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • Convenient place to stay for a night on your way up to Abel Tasma/Collingwood.

    Beautiful view from the lookout.

    Not much space but not too busy.

    Only dry toilets quite dirty, no water or dump station.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • Does the job as a free camp site.

    The view from the lookout is quite something.

    Cons: The parking is really not level.

    There was like 200 flies in the toilet.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • Small but very nice spot!

    Only a few places available but with a superb view and very quiet, even with the road beside!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • Great spot, awesome views from the lookout (5min walk).

    Toilet was quite smelly, but not dirty per se.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • Great spot with awesome views (short walk required).

    Surprisingly quiet given you are next to the road. We were the only motorhome!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • Surprisingly hidden from the road.

    Minimal road noise didn’t bother us. Toilets very close however extremely stinky and heaps of flies. We were the only ones there for the night. Toilet gets quite a few visits throughout the afternoon and night as it’s a public toilet. Didn’t bother us. Would stay again. Phone reception was good. Enough space for 6 vans.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2022

  • A great wee place to park up for the night.

    We were actually the only ones too yay! There is a cute wee walk that you can do to an amazing lookout. It has a toilet which was so nice & clean. Only con would be next to the main road & noise but saying that it wasn’t a biggy. You can’t see any of the vehicles and they can’t see you. Fantastic wee spot!!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2020

  • Close to the roadway for lots of loud traffic, very crowded and little parking, people were loud with music and TV.

    Bathrooms were filthy and strong odor of ammonia.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020

  • About 8 places to sleep.

    You will sleep a bit downhill, but it is enough for a one-night stop.

    Non-flush toilet, which was quite smelly.

    View of the valley nearby.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • Little, basic parking lot with wc nearby.

    Arrived late at night, still found a spot as freedom sites at Mouteka wasn’t an option (one at port was full, parking in city seemed to shady)

    Reviewed 7 months ago

  • Unexpected campground in the middle of the mountain where you would think you just need to keep driving.

    More people do have the same idea so arrive on time as there is not much space!

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • Beautiful, quiet pit stop next to a steam.

    Lots of grass land for plenty of campers. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • Nice freecamp close to Takaka Hill highway (Low traffic during night time).

    Toilet and lookout.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • Small car park (about 6 spots), good to come early.

    Beautiful lookout.

    Clean toilets.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • I've stayed here a few times over the years.

    For some.reaosn, the passing trassic really bothered me this time. Maybe the road is busier? 4g signal was good although dropped a few times. I have no idea what people are going on about re it not being flat, they make it sound like you're parked on a hill. I looked and couldn't even find where the incline was. I felt safe, 3 other campers there in June. Toilet isn't the best but not as bad as some are making it out to be. Overall, a good spot. And visiting the woodshed cafe 5 minutes up the road is a must! Great cogfe and food and animal petting/feeding 🙂

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • There's not many freedom campsites in Golden Bay.

    This is one is. on the road in/out. You're basically up in the mountains so it's cold. Good overnighter site if you can get one of the few spaces.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • Useful stopover when driving down from the North end of Abel Tasman NP.

    Space for at least 6 vans. The toilet was clean and the short walkway to the lookout has plenty of nice views.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • Very basic but safe and clean space.

    If good westher, nice walk with amazing view. Very friendly young weka:). No tap and only dry toilet- clean. Few people stopping there in the morning to walk to the lookout- quite busy!

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • Convenient place to stay for a night on your way up to Abel Tasma/Collingwood.

    Beautiful view from the lookout.

    Not much space but not too busy.

    Only dry toilets quite dirty, no water or dump station.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • Does the job as a free camp site.

    The view from the lookout is quite something.

    Cons: The parking is really not level.

    There was like 200 flies in the toilet.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • Small but very nice spot!

    Only a few places available but with a superb view and very quiet, even with the road beside!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • Great spot, awesome views from the lookout (5min walk).

    Toilet was quite smelly, but not dirty per se.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • Great spot with awesome views (short walk required).

    Surprisingly quiet given you are next to the road. We were the only motorhome!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • Surprisingly hidden from the road.

    Minimal road noise didn’t bother us. Toilets very close however extremely stinky and heaps of flies. We were the only ones there for the night. Toilet gets quite a few visits throughout the afternoon and night as it’s a public toilet. Didn’t bother us. Would stay again. Phone reception was good. Enough space for 6 vans.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2022

  • A great wee place to park up for the night.

    We were actually the only ones too yay! There is a cute wee walk that you can do to an amazing lookout. It has a toilet which was so nice & clean. Only con would be next to the main road & noise but saying that it wasn’t a biggy. You can’t see any of the vehicles and they can’t see you. Fantastic wee spot!!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2020

  • Nice spot.

    Limited parks so you might have to be early in season. Close to road but no traffic at night. Really well maintained track to awesome lookout. The people who moan about the toilet do my head in. Its a fully self contained park only. If you don't like the free and bonus toilet provided dump in your own space.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2020

  • Nice remote sites with a short walk to a stunning lookout over the valley below.

    The parking area isn’t big so you might have neighbours. Avoid the toilet if you can.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in August 2020

  • Good little spot to stop for overnight.

    Can get crowded with campervans. Worth stopping just for the lookout alone

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020