This is a lovely family campsite beside a creek, with an old logging and exotic redwood forest trail area nearby.
This is a lovely family campsite beside a creek. Choose from a variety of nearby walks. Access road is unsealed for the final 5km.
Kiriwhakapapa Campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
Feature | Value | Value |
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Unpowered Site | Adult | $10.00 to $15.00 per night |
Unpowered Site | Child | $5.00 to $7.50 per night |
Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC WairarapaCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island â–· Wairarapa â–· Masterton |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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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? Low Cost Camping You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle. |
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 Sites Available |
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Maximum Sites AvailableHow many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. From stream - Boil before drinking |
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. |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? Dogs allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. Dogs permitted. Must be on a leash at all times. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. Access: 5 km gravel |
DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Standard Campsite Department of Conservation Standard Campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services. Toilets (usually composting or pit variety) water supply (tap, stream, or lake) and vehicle or boat access. Wood barbeques and fireplaces, showers (cold), picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided. Standard Campsites generally can not be booked. |
Campfire Rules |
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Campfire RulesWhat are the rules for open air fires? Fires allowed Open air fires are permitted. Open air fires are not allowed if a total fire ban is currently in place. Campfires permitted. Be aware of fire bans and the higher fire risk during summer months. You may need a permit for your fire. Contact the local DOC office or Council for details. Follow the on-site signs. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
I have hesitated before writing a review...
Great walking track, but no water supply.
Best campsite in the Nth Island!
Absolutely stunning spot.
The campground itself is very nice and quiet.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 3 |
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21% |
9/10 | 4 |
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29% |
8/10 | 2 |
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14% |
7/10 | 5 |
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36% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
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 | 0 |
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0% |
3.5/5
The campground itself is very nice and quiet.
Grasy arier with the opportunity for nice walks.
BUT: facilities are very old and bad. Ladies-Toilet was closed and the equipment for mens was old, dark and not nice to use it!!!
@DOC: Please make it new
Reviewed about 5 years ago
5.0/5
Kiriwhakapapa is exactly what freedom camping in New Zealand is all about; Wilderness, nature, bush walks, seclusion & a sense of adventure just getting there.
The site itself offers privacy with a few tucked away spots right by the stream and a larger open area. There are toilet facilities here and it costs $8 per person per night. Wake up to the sound of a babbling brook and then climb a mountain.
Reviewed about 5 years ago
4.5/5
We didn't stay overnight but we parked up here to walk up to Blue Range Hut.
We loved the spot and will be back to stay another time. We can imagine it's idyllic in summer with the stream, the bush and the walk options. Nice sheltered table and the toilets were clean. A narrow gravel road to get there but this was in good repair.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
I have hesitated before writing a review...
This place is just PERFECT if you love wild and quiet places.
Toilets, a shelter to cook and eat.
Birds everywhere, nice little walk through an incredible redwood forest. This is the beginning of some very long walks too.
No road sign on the main road. Just turn on the Kiriwhakapapa road (gravel, but ok). Rabbits on the road, be careful.
I wrote that I have hesitated before writing a review because this place is a forgotten paradise, and if tons of campervans go there it won't be a paradise anymore :)
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.0/5
Beautiful camping place.
Shelter to cook, good toilets, relaxing river and birds... Spacious to set the tent.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
3.5/5
It's a nice place but the constant wind just made it unpleasant.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.5/5
Absolutely stunning spot.
Peaceful tranquility. Fall asleep to the sound of the gently babbling stream and wake up to the call of birdsong. Lovely short walk around the loop track. Decent flushing loos and plenty of space. Loved it.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
3.5/5
Quiet campground with good toilets next to a creek, got very windy as it's a valley, wind and rain made it hard to do anything!
When it calmed there was nice walk through the redwood forest.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
3.5/5
Great walking track, but no water supply.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
4.5/5
Beautiful campsite at the end of a 10 km road, half of which is gravel.
Only one other camper there. Good toilets and running water right by a pristine stream. Great little tracks. Went up to the Blue Ridge Hut and it was straight up 3+ km. Rewarding views and good for the appetite! Only negative was the wind. Don't know if this is common but it howled all night when we were there December 4, 2014.
Reviewed almost 10 years ago
3.5/5
The campground itself is very nice and quiet.
Grasy arier with the opportunity for nice walks.
BUT: facilities are very old and bad. Ladies-Toilet was closed and the equipment for mens was old, dark and not nice to use it!!!
@DOC: Please make it new
Reviewed about 5 years ago
5.0/5
Kiriwhakapapa is exactly what freedom camping in New Zealand is all about; Wilderness, nature, bush walks, seclusion & a sense of adventure just getting there.
The site itself offers privacy with a few tucked away spots right by the stream and a larger open area. There are toilet facilities here and it costs $8 per person per night. Wake up to the sound of a babbling brook and then climb a mountain.
Reviewed about 5 years ago
4.5/5
We didn't stay overnight but we parked up here to walk up to Blue Range Hut.
We loved the spot and will be back to stay another time. We can imagine it's idyllic in summer with the stream, the bush and the walk options. Nice sheltered table and the toilets were clean. A narrow gravel road to get there but this was in good repair.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
I have hesitated before writing a review...
This place is just PERFECT if you love wild and quiet places.
Toilets, a shelter to cook and eat.
Birds everywhere, nice little walk through an incredible redwood forest. This is the beginning of some very long walks too.
No road sign on the main road. Just turn on the Kiriwhakapapa road (gravel, but ok). Rabbits on the road, be careful.
I wrote that I have hesitated before writing a review because this place is a forgotten paradise, and if tons of campervans go there it won't be a paradise anymore :)
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.0/5
Beautiful camping place.
Shelter to cook, good toilets, relaxing river and birds... Spacious to set the tent.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
3.5/5
It's a nice place but the constant wind just made it unpleasant.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.5/5
Absolutely stunning spot.
Peaceful tranquility. Fall asleep to the sound of the gently babbling stream and wake up to the call of birdsong. Lovely short walk around the loop track. Decent flushing loos and plenty of space. Loved it.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
3.5/5
Quiet campground with good toilets next to a creek, got very windy as it's a valley, wind and rain made it hard to do anything!
When it calmed there was nice walk through the redwood forest.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
3.5/5
Great walking track, but no water supply.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
4.5/5
Beautiful campsite at the end of a 10 km road, half of which is gravel.
Only one other camper there. Good toilets and running water right by a pristine stream. Great little tracks. Went up to the Blue Ridge Hut and it was straight up 3+ km. Rewarding views and good for the appetite! Only negative was the wind. Don't know if this is common but it howled all night when we were there December 4, 2014.
Reviewed almost 10 years ago
4.0/5
Nice compact campground surrounded by steep bush covered slopes.
Mostly grassed and would probably be a bit soft in winter (and no doubt would have limited sun in mid winter due to the surrounding hills) for vehicles. The 7km road in is windy and gravel for the last 4kms so care needs to be taken, especially in a campervan.
Basic facilities like most DOC campsites, with good walking tracks (steep climb up to Blue Range and beyond, a more leisurely 2hr walk (each way) to the Mikimiki road end, and a shorter loop walk of less than an hour. Would definitely return.
Reviewed about 11 years ago
3.5/5
Pleasant small campground with limited facilities - flush toilets and picnic shelter; enjoyable walk/trail; no signage at highway, road would accomodate larger motorhomes.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
4.5/5
Top situation, toilets could be better maintained though.
Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in November 2011
5.0/5
Best campsite in the Nth Island!
Soo beautiful + they have really cool tracks through redwoods and ferns forests.
Reviewed almost 15 years ago