Hawkes Lookout Carpark
Kahurangi National Park - Overnight Campervan Parking
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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
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Organisation |
DOC Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Motueka |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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3.5/5
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 🙂
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4.0/5
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.
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4.0/5
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.
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4.0/5
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!
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3.0/5
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.
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3.0/5
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.
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4.5/5
Small but very nice spot!
Only a few places available but with a superb view and very quiet, even with the road beside!
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4.0/5
Great spot, awesome views from the lookout (5min walk).
Toilet was quite smelly, but not dirty per se.
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4.0/5
Great spot with awesome views (short walk required).
Surprisingly quiet given you are next to the road. We were the only motorhome!
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3.5/5
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.
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5.0/5
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!!
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5.0/5
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.
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3.5/5
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 🙂
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4.0/5
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.
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4.0/5
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.
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4.0/5
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!
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3.0/5
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.
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3.0/5
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.
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4.5/5
Small but very nice spot!
Only a few places available but with a superb view and very quiet, even with the road beside!
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4.0/5
Great spot, awesome views from the lookout (5min walk).
Toilet was quite smelly, but not dirty per se.
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4.0/5
Great spot with awesome views (short walk required).
Surprisingly quiet given you are next to the road. We were the only motorhome!
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3.5/5
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.
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5.0/5
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!!
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5.0/5
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.
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3.5/5
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.
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3.5/5
Good little spot to stop for overnight.
Can get crowded with campervans. Worth stopping just for the lookout alone
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0.5/5
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.
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3.5/5
Very busy only one space available and several others looking for space after we arrived.
Stunning views from lookout. Right next to main road. Drop toilet incredibly smelly. Very friendly crowd some of whom we shared together the woes of our vans. Left as it was too busy for us.
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3.0/5
Beautiful location, the lookout is quite stunning at sunset.
The toilet is dire so we didn't use that. The lot seems to be on a slope which was a bit annoying. It wasnt busy at the time we visited (we were the only ones there!). Note the sign says to vacate by 9am.
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3.5/5
Amazing views if you are willing to brave the hairpin bends to get up there.
Limited space and a very stinky toilet! Right by the road, but wasn’t disturbed by it in the night.
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1.0/5
The Hawkes Lookout Carpark itself is nice, especially the lookout which is 5 min away!
But the toilet is disgusting!
The awful smell reached our car at the carpark - and there was like a 40m distance between our car and the toilet... you can tell, the toilet definitely needs a clean!
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3.5/5
Only space for 8 or so vans and was nearly full at 6pm.
Awful toilet but beautiful view from the lookout a few minutes walk away.
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4.5/5
Small car park for staying overnight, approximately 15 spaces if everyone is parked tightly.
Carpark is also for the lookout so there is a chance that the cars/campervans in the carpark are going to the lookout and not staying the night. Toilets were relatively clean and very close to the carpark. 10 minute walk to Hawkes Lookout, very convenient
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4.0/5
Parking for an amazing lookout.
Few places (5-6) suitable for large van. Noisy road just up to the parking but no much traffic during the night.
Perfect to explore Abel Tasman.
The road to go there is amazing, with works but not bothering.
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5.0/5
08Oct18.
Stopped here on the way over to Takaka. It is as described with a short walk to the lookout. Is was sunny and clear so the the view was great. While we were there a couple who live in Nelson appeared. It was their first visit and were amazed at the view. Worth going to.
The Ngarau Caves and lookout is a bit further along the road. The lookout looks a slightly different direction so is also worth a stop. Went to the caves in 2006. It is a paid for place. Hourly guided tours into the caves. Can’t say what it is like now but prob worth visiting.
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4.0/5
Good place to stay one night to break the drive on the way to Wharariki.
Drop toilet which was ok. Next to the road but not much traffic at night. Nice lookout just 5 min walking track. Perfect for one night...around 10 spaces so arrive early
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0.5/5
Possibly the worse toilets I've ever seen in my life.
Wasn't even able to use it as the smell was so bad it made my eyes water! This needs sorting out!!!
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4.0/5
15 mins drive up in the mountains from Kaiteriteri, beautiful spot, toilets, scenic views, room for 15+ motorhomes.
Quiet & a signposted lovely scenic walk.
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4.5/5
Quite a windy drive to get there but well worth it.
The views from the lookout were stunning, as were the stars. There is only space for about six campervans and no tent areas. It’s fairly close to the road but noise wasn’t a problem. Toilet was absolutely foul which is the only reason it doesn’t get a 10, don’t even bother trying to use it, we did and regretted it. Worst we’ve ever experienced! Aside from that, brilliant free place to stop.
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4.0/5
Brilliant spot, great lookout, level parking.
It loses a few points for its very smelly long drop toilet. The views are outstanding and we looked at other free camping spots in the area, this was the best.
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4.0/5
Short walk to overlook the Nelson area.
Well signed, very clean toilet. The perfect way to break up a long drive.
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4.5/5
A very short and easy walk but well worth it - a great view at the end.
Stop and stretch your legs.
