28 Rankers Reviews
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Self-contained Vehicles only
From 6pm to 7am every day, except Sunday when the carpark must be cleared by 6am.
Persons camping here overnight must leave the carpark each morning by the times indicated.
In all other areas of the carpark, freedom camping is not permitted - please see our image. Self contained vehicles only.
151A High Street, Motueka
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Tasman District CouncilCouncil 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. |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? ![]() Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
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. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. These are a reasonable distance away at the Information Centre. |
✓ Clean toilets available
✓ Plenty of parking spaces
✓ Laundry facilities on-site
✓ Central town location
✓ Running water access
𐄂 Noise from loud music
𐄂 Creepy or unsettling individuals
Guter Platz mitten in der Stadt.
Honestly surpassed my expectations.
Car park in centre of town.
Stayed here a couple of separate nights.
Ok usual car park free spot in a town.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|
10/10 | 3 |
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11% |
9/10 | 5 |
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18% |
8/10 | 8 |
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29% |
7/10 | 5 |
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18% |
6/10 | 2 |
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7% |
5/10 | 2 |
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7% |
4/10 | 1 |
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4% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 2 |
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7% |
2.5/5
Harmless but annoying Kids with loud music the whole night, even knocking on the door of the Van.
The site itself ist nice with a nice playground and plenty of space.
Reviewed 3 months ago
4.0/5
I came here after excitingly reading previous reviews about shady characters approaching campers offering to sell drugs.
Unfortunately I didnt encounter these individuals and left empty handed.
However the toilets were clean and plenty of space.
Reviewed 4 months ago
2.0/5
I had to call the police as there were multiple guys riding around the car park on their bikes at 2am blaring music near all the vans.
Pros- toilets, water, wifi, laundry, lots of parks, close to stores, picnic tables, free apples at the community house
Cons- creepy men who watch you and try to talk to you, loud music sometimes, beside playground so screaming kids (sometimes all throughout the night), kids/people knocking on your door, kids OPENING your doors
The same night, kids went around opening peoples doors. I was also approached by a guy AT 5AM who was asking weird questions and telling me I shouldn’t leave my car boot open as “people steal things”. He watched me the entire morning till I left.
Overall, some nights are fine and most are terrible. Especially weekends. I’d try the motueka beach camp first and if there’s nothing else then try here.
I say this because as a solo female traveller it’s important to be safe and take precautions. I know it could be worse but always keep your doors locked and be aware of your surroundings.
Reviewed 5 months ago
4.0/5
We came here after seeing the beachside freedom camp is full.
Lots of space for cars, toilets are in ok condition. We felt safe because there were lots of other campers when we were there. There is tap water available outside of the library. There is also washing machine and dryer available, but we were told by another campers that the dryer didn’t work when we were there. We heard some shouting at night (we were there on a Friday night) but didn’t last long. Must vacate at 7am.
Reviewed 5 months ago
4.5/5
Many spaces, clean toilets with light in the night!
Washing machine and dryer available, right in the middle of town. A little parc is located next to it.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
0.5/5
I’m from a big city and my husband is ex military we have done multiple freedom camping since our time in NZ.
We would never recommend this place, very loud and had multiple addicts approach us telling us about there time in prison and having no personal space. We felt very uncomfortable and on edge, and ended up leaving.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Oh, if only all free car parks could be stacked like this - SUPER clean toilets, washing up area, outside shower (with changing room!), and lots of bins.
Only downside is it’s not walking distance from town. Getting there after 4pm will be tough to have a spot though!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Ok usual car park free spot in a town.
We also had an encounter with a strange man in the ladies toilets.
I went to the toilet at 2am and a man in a hoodie who seemed to be sleeping outside the library ran in there before I did and seemed to be waiting for me to come in. As there are no lights and I had a bad feeling about this I turned around and didn’t go in. Left me feeling very unsafe here. Obviously not just a one off as have read a previous review saying the same thing happened. Just be warned. Other than this plenty of spaces and ok stop.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.5/5
Honestly surpassed my expectations.
Had toilets and running water to brush teeth/wash face. My favorite part were the laundry services! This parking lot has a vending machine washer and dryer that takes credit cards! Win!!!! However, be prepared to leave by 6am on Sunday morning or the Sunday Morning farmers market people will do it for ya haha
Reviewed about 2 years ago
2.5/5
An okay spot when you have no other choices Loud music till 11 pm Drunk people knocking hard at door of every campervan at 2 am (same story again and again, probably some angry young locals) You have
to leave early (rangers were knocking at our door at 5:45 am on sunday)
We didn’t sleep so well !
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.0/5
Ziemlich großer Parkplatz mit öffentlichen Toiletten, die leider nicht beleuchtet sind.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
3.5/5
Several places to park, next to a small playground, a laundromat site and close to town, great location.
Went there cause the other free doc camps was full before 6pm. You have to leave early, before 7am. Nice to spend one night. Baths 100 mts next to the i centre.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2021
4.5/5
Lots of spaces, clean bathrooms open 24/7, great walking around town.
Also this car park is next to a park for some extra space to hang out and relax comfortably.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020
4.0/5
toilets are half a min walk next to the parking.
good enough spot!
public parking.
48 self contained spots.
15 non self contained spots.
always a spot left.
open at night.
clean enough for public toilet. 7/10
some weird people in the evening, but what did you expect from a parking lot.
plenty of people to feel safe tho.
no problems at all.
perfect little spot for one night.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020
3.5/5
We arrived quite late but there were still a few spaces.
Wasn't too noisy or busy whilst we were there. Toilets close by. It's a carpark, what more can you say?
Cost (2p, non-powered): $0
Location: It's a car park so nothing special but at least there is some grass
Facilities: Toilets close by
Value: 10/10 (free!)
Sandflies: None
X-Factor: nahh - functional place to stay only
Other: There's another free campsite close by (Motueka Beach Reserve) but it was full when we checked
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2019
5.0/5
Nice place to stay, the rule leave 2 m between cars is sometimes hard to understand, but if you ask kindly then they move their car, there is enough space.
We had some funny teenagers knocking on our van at 1AM... it was a bit noisy after the Christmas parade. We enjoyed the parade though.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2019
5.0/5
15 sites for non selfcontained.
much more for selfcontained. good Spot in the town center and for free.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2019
4.0/5
Guter Platz mitten in der Stadt.
Ranger kontrollieren ob man Self contained ist. Sehr freundlich. Platz ist gut beleuchtet. Plätze sind mit blauer Linie markiert. Toiletten waren okay... wifi über isite möglich.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2019
2.5/5
Harmless but annoying Kids with loud music the whole night, even knocking on the door of the Van.
The site itself ist nice with a nice playground and plenty of space.
Reviewed 3 months ago
4.0/5
I came here after excitingly reading previous reviews about shady characters approaching campers offering to sell drugs.
Unfortunately I didnt encounter these individuals and left empty handed.
However the toilets were clean and plenty of space.
Reviewed 4 months ago
2.0/5
I had to call the police as there were multiple guys riding around the car park on their bikes at 2am blaring music near all the vans.
Pros- toilets, water, wifi, laundry, lots of parks, close to stores, picnic tables, free apples at the community house
Cons- creepy men who watch you and try to talk to you, loud music sometimes, beside playground so screaming kids (sometimes all throughout the night), kids/people knocking on your door, kids OPENING your doors
The same night, kids went around opening peoples doors. I was also approached by a guy AT 5AM who was asking weird questions and telling me I shouldn’t leave my car boot open as “people steal things”. He watched me the entire morning till I left.
Overall, some nights are fine and most are terrible. Especially weekends. I’d try the motueka beach camp first and if there’s nothing else then try here.
I say this because as a solo female traveller it’s important to be safe and take precautions. I know it could be worse but always keep your doors locked and be aware of your surroundings.
Reviewed 5 months ago
4.0/5
We came here after seeing the beachside freedom camp is full.
Lots of space for cars, toilets are in ok condition. We felt safe because there were lots of other campers when we were there. There is tap water available outside of the library. There is also washing machine and dryer available, but we were told by another campers that the dryer didn’t work when we were there. We heard some shouting at night (we were there on a Friday night) but didn’t last long. Must vacate at 7am.
Reviewed 5 months ago
4.5/5
Many spaces, clean toilets with light in the night!
Washing machine and dryer available, right in the middle of town. A little parc is located next to it.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
0.5/5
I’m from a big city and my husband is ex military we have done multiple freedom camping since our time in NZ.
We would never recommend this place, very loud and had multiple addicts approach us telling us about there time in prison and having no personal space. We felt very uncomfortable and on edge, and ended up leaving.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Oh, if only all free car parks could be stacked like this - SUPER clean toilets, washing up area, outside shower (with changing room!), and lots of bins.
Only downside is it’s not walking distance from town. Getting there after 4pm will be tough to have a spot though!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Ok usual car park free spot in a town.
We also had an encounter with a strange man in the ladies toilets.
I went to the toilet at 2am and a man in a hoodie who seemed to be sleeping outside the library ran in there before I did and seemed to be waiting for me to come in. As there are no lights and I had a bad feeling about this I turned around and didn’t go in. Left me feeling very unsafe here. Obviously not just a one off as have read a previous review saying the same thing happened. Just be warned. Other than this plenty of spaces and ok stop.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.5/5
Honestly surpassed my expectations.
Had toilets and running water to brush teeth/wash face. My favorite part were the laundry services! This parking lot has a vending machine washer and dryer that takes credit cards! Win!!!! However, be prepared to leave by 6am on Sunday morning or the Sunday Morning farmers market people will do it for ya haha
Reviewed about 2 years ago
2.5/5
An okay spot when you have no other choices Loud music till 11 pm Drunk people knocking hard at door of every campervan at 2 am (same story again and again, probably some angry young locals) You have
to leave early (rangers were knocking at our door at 5:45 am on sunday)
We didn’t sleep so well !
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.0/5
Ziemlich großer Parkplatz mit öffentlichen Toiletten, die leider nicht beleuchtet sind.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
3.5/5
Several places to park, next to a small playground, a laundromat site and close to town, great location.
Went there cause the other free doc camps was full before 6pm. You have to leave early, before 7am. Nice to spend one night. Baths 100 mts next to the i centre.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2021
4.5/5
Lots of spaces, clean bathrooms open 24/7, great walking around town.
Also this car park is next to a park for some extra space to hang out and relax comfortably.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020
4.0/5
toilets are half a min walk next to the parking.
good enough spot!
public parking.
48 self contained spots.
15 non self contained spots.
always a spot left.
open at night.
clean enough for public toilet. 7/10
some weird people in the evening, but what did you expect from a parking lot.
plenty of people to feel safe tho.
no problems at all.
perfect little spot for one night.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020
3.5/5
We arrived quite late but there were still a few spaces.
Wasn't too noisy or busy whilst we were there. Toilets close by. It's a carpark, what more can you say?
Cost (2p, non-powered): $0
Location: It's a car park so nothing special but at least there is some grass
Facilities: Toilets close by
Value: 10/10 (free!)
Sandflies: None
X-Factor: nahh - functional place to stay only
Other: There's another free campsite close by (Motueka Beach Reserve) but it was full when we checked
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2019
5.0/5
Nice place to stay, the rule leave 2 m between cars is sometimes hard to understand, but if you ask kindly then they move their car, there is enough space.
We had some funny teenagers knocking on our van at 1AM... it was a bit noisy after the Christmas parade. We enjoyed the parade though.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2019
3.0/5
Site and facilities absoulety fine.
Overseas campers do need to be reminded of camping etiquette in here NZ, as NZ strive for clean, quiet and safe places to stay which makes stay and experience appreciated 😊
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2019
5.0/5
15 sites for non selfcontained.
much more for selfcontained. good Spot in the town center and for free.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2019
3.0/5
Car park in centre of town.
Very busy with MPVs with mattresses in the back. Quiet evening, despite being busy.
Managed to get a spot around 10pm, but only as someone kindly moved their van across one space so we had a double spot to reverse into - it's not great for larger vehicles being a car park designed for cars.
Have to be away by 7am, there was a security guy knocking in windows of people still asleep.
Overall a functional place to stay.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2019
4.0/5
Guter Platz mitten in der Stadt.
Ranger kontrollieren ob man Self contained ist. Sehr freundlich. Platz ist gut beleuchtet. Plätze sind mit blauer Linie markiert. Toiletten waren okay... wifi über isite möglich.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2019