Akaroa Freedom Camping Area
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Akaroa Freedom Camping Area
The only area in Akaroa where freedom camping is allowed – popular and fills up fast.
Certified self-contained vehicles only. 18 parking spaces available. Certified self-contained campervans can stay for up to two nights in any 30 day period. Larger parks are for larger vehicles. Only one vehicle per marked parking space.
All camping activities must be kept within the parking space. Proof of self-containment is required. Regular monitoring and enforcement.
Rubbish, recycling, and toilet facilities 150 metres to the south. Camping is prohibited across the bridge and in the rest of Akaroa, including near the Lighthouse.
Website: http://ccc.govt.nz/camping
Details
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Organisation |
Christchurch City CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Akaroa |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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3.0/5
The reviews aren’t wrong, arrive early!!
We arrived at 2pm to find all spots taken. People seem to stay for the full 2 days allowed meaning no one really moves. The spaces are absolutely huge which is frustrating as there could definitely be more space allocated to freedom campers.
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4.5/5
Lovely quiet spot on edge of town.
Plenty of spaces available when we arrived and some were empty all night. We picked the first spot nearest the bridge which had a nicer view than most of the others. There's a toilet block and water fountain but they were a little walk away so we used our own facilities
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5.0/5
Great little spot, toilets are a bit far but we drove each time so made it easier.
We went in winter and didn’t struggle for a park (there was only 3 other vans there). Sheltered from the wind, and gorgeous views very close to the water :)
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2.5/5
The town itself is wonderful and I was about ready to move there.
Akaroa easy 10/10. The self contained spots are bare minimum though. Just parking spots with no facilities, and a fair amount of traffic at night.
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4.5/5
This fills up fast, so get there early in the busy season.
We were lucky to get a spot here. It's the only freedom camping spot (it's a carpark area) very close to the small city centre. Akaroa is quaint but we preferred the areas outside Akaroa city - le Bons Bay is fantastic!
We were here in the beginning of February.
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4.5/5
Definitely a good place.
Close to the city centre. Good toilets. Nice sunsets. Would come again if my holiday wasn't over :(
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4.0/5
Nice spot near the water.
It fills up very early!
Toilets are a little walk away but ok. You have good access to the town!
Someone came by at 19:45 and wrote us down.
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4.0/5
We came in May 2023, arrive early as fills up by evening time, little walk to toilets that were clean and had sinks to wash your hands, lovely little town to walk round, great public library to visit and
speak to local volunteers. Driving out we took the ‘tourist drive’ route, be warned it’s a bit scary at the top with the hairpin bends and the wind too !
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4.0/5
We stayed here in march for one night.
You have to be there very early to get a spot. I think we arrived around 2pm and got one of the last ones. 5 min walk to the toilet, which was clean. Liked the place very much.
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4.5/5
Great free camping near town center located on the northeast part of Akaroa Recreation Ground.
The spots are clearly marked with the blue self-contained stickers. Drinking water near the skate park, and flush toilets a little further south. When we arrived around 4 PM on a Wednesday, lot was half full. It was completely full by 6 PM.
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4.5/5
This fills up fast, so get there early in the busy season.
We were lucky to get a spot here. It's the only freedom camping spot (it's a carpark area) very close to the small city centre. Akaroa is quaint but we preferred the areas outside Akaroa city - le Bons Bay is fantastic!
We were here in the beginning of February.
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3.0/5
The reviews aren’t wrong, arrive early!!
We arrived at 2pm to find all spots taken. People seem to stay for the full 2 days allowed meaning no one really moves. The spaces are absolutely huge which is frustrating as there could definitely be more space allocated to freedom campers.
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4.5/5
Lovely quiet spot on edge of town.
Plenty of spaces available when we arrived and some were empty all night. We picked the first spot nearest the bridge which had a nicer view than most of the others. There's a toilet block and water fountain but they were a little walk away so we used our own facilities
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5.0/5
Great little spot, toilets are a bit far but we drove each time so made it easier.
We went in winter and didn’t struggle for a park (there was only 3 other vans there). Sheltered from the wind, and gorgeous views very close to the water :)
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2.5/5
The town itself is wonderful and I was about ready to move there.
Akaroa easy 10/10. The self contained spots are bare minimum though. Just parking spots with no facilities, and a fair amount of traffic at night.
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4.5/5
Definitely a good place.
Close to the city centre. Good toilets. Nice sunsets. Would come again if my holiday wasn't over :(
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4.0/5
Nice spot near the water.
It fills up very early!
Toilets are a little walk away but ok. You have good access to the town!
Someone came by at 19:45 and wrote us down.
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1.5/5
C’est vraiment un parking, si vraiment on ne veut pas payer c’est bien, mais on est vraiment collé aux autres véhicules, et les toilettes sont assez loins ce qui n’est pas vraiment pratique la nuit…
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4.0/5
We came in May 2023, arrive early as fills up by evening time, little walk to toilets that were clean and had sinks to wash your hands, lovely little town to walk round, great public library to visit and
speak to local volunteers. Driving out we took the ‘tourist drive’ route, be warned it’s a bit scary at the top with the hairpin bends and the wind too !
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2.5/5
Just a car park.
Fair walk to the toilets. They are not overly clean.
Ended up not feeling well so checked into Grand Hotel for the night. Van was safe in their car park.
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4.0/5
We stayed here in march for one night.
You have to be there very early to get a spot. I think we arrived around 2pm and got one of the last ones. 5 min walk to the toilet, which was clean. Liked the place very much.
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4.5/5
Great free camping near town center located on the northeast part of Akaroa Recreation Ground.
The spots are clearly marked with the blue self-contained stickers. Drinking water near the skate park, and flush toilets a little further south. When we arrived around 4 PM on a Wednesday, lot was half full. It was completely full by 6 PM.
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3.5/5
Great place to walk into Akaroa and sit by the loch.
Toilet block although 400m from the campsite.
Last small space filled up at 1845. Mostly full by 1730.
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4.0/5
Nice spot in a beautiful town.
You can park and go have a drink in town easily. Around 18 spaces available, don’t come too late to be sure to have one. The toilets are located around 300m from car park and are quite clean. Other toilets are available in town a bit farer.
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4.0/5
This was our first ever freedom camping spot so we didn’t know what to expect, but we really enjoyed it.
The lake is super pretty, the bathrooms are far but clean, and it was quiet. There was a water fountain for drinking water as well. We enjoyed walking around the town too
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5.0/5
Great free campsite, lots of others there.
Was able to use water fountain to fill water tank
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4.0/5
First night of our two week journey around the South.
Lovely spot is Akaroa. Took a little bit to find the freedom camp which was fine for the night. Easy walk to the local for a cool drink.
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4.5/5
Nice, quiet place.
Plenty of parking. Close to shops (about a 3 min walk). Would stay again if we ever came back this way
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4.5/5
Great spot, close to the main shops, toilet and recycle close by and you are right next to the sea, grounds and boat yard.
But ok for 2 nights.
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0.5/5
The spot is a nice marked carpark by the marina.
Smallish.Fills fast so could be full when you get there.clean toilets in the domain.
We would not go back here. Campervans are not welcome .
Security arrived at 8 pm took photos of all window stickers then just before 6 am security arrived back in the dark crept around each van taking photos of windows stickers again. Determined to try and fine someone,perhaps it pays for the security ?! It was very uncomfortable even for the non lawbreakers.
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4.0/5
Good free site for overnight, close to the shops and there are toilet 200 meters down by the boat ramp, site is a bit hard to find and we suggest getting there early
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3.5/5
Stayed for one night.
Was a good spot for free, toilets are far away but not that bad. Road noise isn’t too bad either. Again since it was free it was a good spot 😊
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1.5/5
Basically just a carpark at the end of town, the toilet (1 per gender) is located a good 200 to 300m away so hopefully you don't need to go during the night!
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1.5/5
Little more then a carpark.
Toilets at the far end kept in pretty poor condition. Really feels like Akaroa doesn't want you which is a shame cause it's a nice town otherwise
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3.0/5
Big parking lot with parked boats and trailers.
There are some parkinglots available for overnight. The toilets wasn’t clean and it is a long walk to these facilities.
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4.0/5
Great spot for free, near the water, very quiet, decent amount of parks, toilets nearby and town only a little further away