Lia
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Punakaiki ▷
Punakaiki Beach Camp
4.0/5
Lovely location right by the beach.
$44 for powered site for 2 people. Bit blustery when we were there but it is early September! Powered camper pitches right by the tree line to the beach.
Free hot showers, they do go off every 20-30 seconds but you can just hit the button as many times as you need. Reading previous reviews; yes the actual toilet area has no outer door but the toilet stalls and the shower stalls each have individual doors.
Kitchen is a good setup and the picnic tables and odd sofas are nice outside.
WiFi actually worked perfectly for both of us in the camper itself and we were parked by the beach in spot number 1, might have been a coincidence as it’s off season and only 4 other campers here, but fine by us!
Overall great little campsite to break up the journey down the west coast.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds ▷
Double Bay
4.5/5
Great place to camp for free.
Yes the road down from Kenepura Rd is steep and winding but don’t let that put you off, we managed fine in our medium sized Britz camper and another much larger motor home was parked up when we arrived. It’s only a couple of minutes off the main road. The last bit of the road at the turnoff by the campground sign is gravel but it’s well maintained.
There are space for 6 vans only and these are in clearly marked spaces. 1/2/3 are in line with the gravel entrance road, number 4 is at a 45degree angle in the corner and 5/6 are along the beach front - you do have to park in line with the wooden sleeper for that space or won’t be able to fit 6 vans in - bit odd but it works and you’ll understand when you arrive.
Only two other vans when we stayed and views of the bay are stunning. Collected black tipped mussels for dinner at low tide..about 2pm in August..and cooked them for a free dinner (do check that there is no health warnings in place - we asked a regular who was staying and he gave us the OK)
Good, clean toilet available.
Definitely recommend and much nicer than the next free campsite just up the road.