Anna-Maria Covich
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Banks Peninsula ▷
Pigeon Bay Motor Camp
4.5/5
Very tidy camping area with a clean block at one end and sinks with running water at each end.
The camp has about 26 sites for tents or vans, some only suited to vans. Some tent sites (8-12 especially) are very exposed to the wind, so bear that in mind when choosing your spot, most recreational tents will struggle here if the wind picks up. In a van, site 7 is stunning but you need to be confident in your reversing skills if you want a view from your back door (just reverse up the hill, don't try to drive up and turn around).
Sites 1, 13, 15, 17, and 18 are most sheltered, but may not have water views or easy access.
The van sites along the shore are lovely.
The ground is well compacted, so bring a strong mallet for tent pegs and beware of potential puddles in low spots.
Internet and cell signal is patchy, but available through most of the camping ground area.
The temperature is buffered by the water, so it never got especially hot while we were there, and could feel quite chilly when the wind was blowing or the sun had gone behind the hills, so be ready to wrap up. The tunnel shape of the bay means the wind is strong no matter what direction it comes from.
There are 20 caravans permanently parked onsite that are mostly only used on weekends, holidays, and boat club event days.
Check bookings online before arrival, even if you want to pick your spot first or pay cash on arrival (booking online is best and preferred. You can do it when you're there, but you may need to wander around a bit to find a signal), as many empty sites may have been prebooked.
The caretaker is very helpful and friendly and can recommend the best spot for your needs.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Banks Peninsula ▷
Okains Bay Camping Ground
5.0/5
Fantastic camping ground.
Lots of space with large (unallocated) sites.
There are 2 well equipped amenities blocks with pay showers, pay laundry facilities, clean toilets, and basic kitchens with boiling water, stoves, prep benches, sinks, a small amount of fridge space and huge freezers. There are outlets in the block, so you can plug your phone charger in while you shower or cook. No pots, pans, knives, dish cloths etc, so remember to bring your own.
There are water taps everywhere, so no need to carry heavy cans very far. Just be aware that the tap water is untreated and is not considered potable. Bring drinking water with you or boil the tap water for at least 3 minutes to make it safe to drink.
Lots to do with both a swimable lagoon/estuary and beach, playground with flying fox, walks, bike track, and local museum. We really enjoyed just sitting and listening to the birdsong and the sound of the sea.
Big rubbish skips for rubbish and recycling. Please sort your rubbish (we saw non-recycleable waste in the recycling, which contaminates the whole bin).