43 Rankers Reviews
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Closest Freedom Camping to the Abel Tasman
W F Moss Scenic Reserve sits in a quiet valley, 10 minutes off the main road. Camping amoungst native plantings, next to the Riwaka river. Take another 5 minute drive up to the Riwaka Resurgence, where the river literally appears from a cave at the bottom of the hill. Take a swim in the crystal pool- refreshing to the max!
Closed during Winter (or when the area is too wet).
Check with the local DOC office in Motueka.
Feature | Value | Info |
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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 |
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? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must display the "Responsible Camper" sticker. |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 4 nights You are permitted to stay at this campsite for up to four nights in a row. Four nights maximum in a single calendar month. |
Dump Station |
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Dump StationDump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles. |
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. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
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. |
DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Restricted Freedom Camping Site Department of Conservation Restricted Freedom Camping Sites are for Self Contained Vehicles only with restrictions over length of stay. Some of these locations may have a toilet, but this can't be expected. |
WiFi Internet |
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WiFi InternetWhat type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available. |
Campfire Rules |
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Campfire RulesWhat are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. |
✓ Plenty of space
✓ Beautiful location
✓ Quiet and peaceful
✓ Nice river to cool off
✓ Open and accessible
𐄂 Grimy toilets
𐄂 No toilet facilities
Closed
Toilets are grim but lots of space!
It was open.
Lovely quiet, peaceful campsite.
HIGHLY recommend staying here.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 9 |
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21% |
9/10 | 8 |
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19% |
8/10 | 12 |
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28% |
7/10 | 6 |
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14% |
6/10 | 3 |
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7% |
5/10 | 1 |
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2% |
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 | 4 |
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9% |
4.5/5
Beautiful place, quiet and not crowded.
Lots of space, right by the river where you can cool off for a moment. No toilet but that shouldn't be a problem. There are sand flies there, but not as many as normally.
Reviewed 11 months ago
0.5/5
Horrible, the toilets are absolutely the grossest we have seen in New Zealand so far!!
Havent been cleaned in probably months..
Also there was a group of 20 people just blasting music....
Reviewed 11 months ago
3.5/5
beware of sharing the place with a few stoned hippies.
Was Open in December
Definetely worth staying before/after Abel Tasman
plenty of space, nice area
didn‘t bother us
Reviewed 12 months ago
4.0/5
Beautiful, loads of space- and most importantly, it's open!
:-)
Reviewed about 1 year ago
3.5/5
Closed for the winter.
We stayed on 1/5 and got bogged! Be careful where you stay when raining
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Lovely quiet, peaceful campsite.
Plenty of space with nice nooks to tuck away in if you’re wanting privacy. Long drop loo can be smelly (but they always are). Highly recommend 10/10.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Popular site but lots of space for everyone.
Lots of green area & quiet at night.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
Toilets are grim but lots of space!
Great considering camping around these parts are hard.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Not a review, more hoping that someone can tell me if the site is still open?
This camping spot was given by my Grandfather Fred Moss, I was never told about it, him & my nana are both long gone. But I found this online and thought it was a wonderful thing for them to of done.
I hope the site IS still active, if anyone knows feel free to contact me, and enjoy it!
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.5/5
Really enjoyed our stay here, quite a bit of space.
Toilet wasnt amazing but did the job. Lots of weka’s and bugs!
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.5/5
Beautiful place, quiet and not crowded.
Lots of space, right by the river where you can cool off for a moment. No toilet but that shouldn't be a problem. There are sand flies there, but not as many as normally.
Reviewed 11 months ago
0.5/5
Horrible, the toilets are absolutely the grossest we have seen in New Zealand so far!!
Havent been cleaned in probably months..
Also there was a group of 20 people just blasting music....
Reviewed 11 months ago
3.5/5
beware of sharing the place with a few stoned hippies.
Was Open in December
Definetely worth staying before/after Abel Tasman
plenty of space, nice area
didn‘t bother us
Reviewed 12 months ago
4.0/5
Beautiful, loads of space- and most importantly, it's open!
:-)
Reviewed about 1 year ago
0.5/5
Closed, sign for "no public access" and chain across entrance, no other info
Reviewed about 1 year ago
3.5/5
Closed for the winter.
We stayed on 1/5 and got bogged! Be careful where you stay when raining
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Lovely quiet, peaceful campsite.
Plenty of space with nice nooks to tuck away in if you’re wanting privacy. Long drop loo can be smelly (but they always are). Highly recommend 10/10.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Popular site but lots of space for everyone.
Lots of green area & quiet at night.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
Toilets are grim but lots of space!
Great considering camping around these parts are hard.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Not a review, more hoping that someone can tell me if the site is still open?
This camping spot was given by my Grandfather Fred Moss, I was never told about it, him & my nana are both long gone. But I found this online and thought it was a wonderful thing for them to of done.
I hope the site IS still active, if anyone knows feel free to contact me, and enjoy it!
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
0.5/5
**CLOSED** there is now a DOC sign saying no public access to this area
Reviewed about 3 years ago
4.5/5
Really enjoyed our stay here, quite a bit of space.
Toilet wasnt amazing but did the job. Lots of weka’s and bugs!
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
5.0/5
HIGHLY recommend staying here.
Amazing private space right by the river. Toilets are much nicer than past comments suggest. So many friendly weka living here too. Well worth the stay
Reviewed about 4 years ago
5.0/5
Awesome peaceful wee spot.
Nice little river. Don't let the complaints about the toilet put you off. Its in the middle of nowhere. Was never going to be first class running water toilet. Cheeky wekas running about a nice bonus. Plenty of room and flat. Bonus good cell reception.
Reviewed about 4 years ago
5.0/5
For free camping in NZ, you really can't beat this.
It's a 15 minute drive to the entry of Abel Tasman and has plenty of space for campers. The toilet situation isn't great, but again, it's free! Sand flies were not too bad either.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
3.0/5
Large campsite easy to find, should be able to find a spot anytime of day.
Lots of flies and got bitten a bit. Toilet is horrendous, it’s basically a pit which never seems to get emptied. Had to hold our noses and it’s full of flies. No toilet roll.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
3.5/5
Great camping spot, plenty of space at 5/6pm and able to have a dip in the river.
Also a swimming spot 2km further down the road.
Our experience was really put off with a group of locals who played ridiculously loud rave music ALL. NIGHT. LONG. They were still going in the morning when we left. Literally slept about an hour. Planned on staying 2 nights but couldn’t risk another night without sleep.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.0/5
The campground is really big and not a problem to find a free spot.
There is a small river where you can walk through. The toilet is okay but very smelly and many mosquitos - but better than none.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.0/5
Stayed here 2 nights as such a lovely spot so much space !!
Off the beaten track so ideal place. Shame about the loo as it was the worst thing I’ve ever smelt and unusable really. There was so much space and not even full after 8 Oclock !!
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
The best campsite out there!
Peaceful and large. Small stream surrounded by hills! Bypass the town and get out here, you won’t regret it
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.5/5
Its a nice place for overnight before visit Abel Tasman.
Even it was full, we could find a place and it was better than free options in Motueka.However it was a little bit difficult to find out; you have to turn left and follow the exact location in Rankers app. It was at the end of this small road when you think that you are going to nowhere.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
Looks beautiful.
But was closed due to fire risk when we tried to camp there.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Great place to stay.
River nearby. Lot of space to park. Toilets are starting to get overloaded. No water tap nearby
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.5/5
Huge grassed area where you can park anywhere.
Relatively clean drop toilet, a few sandflies around due to the river but very manageable. Grass was nice and green, not very long so had been recently mowed/well maintained.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago and experienced in November 2018
4.5/5
Great place to stay with easy access to Abel tasman.
Really quiet area with plenty of grass to park on. 1 drop toilet that's seen better days but the sites free
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
Ideal spot for camping pre/post Abel Tasman.
Very close to Kaiteriteri/Marahau/Motueka for a tour departure or before heading over Takaka hill. Corners and a couple trees to nestle into in the van. Beside a nice river, has one clean long drop. Road to site is under minor maintenance but it was fine for our camper, just some cones and a little gravel when we went, so don’t be put off by early cones. Stayed 2 nights here!
Reviewed about 6 years ago