Excellent freedom camping right on a wild West Coast beach, can be windy and a lot of seaspray if the sea is rough.

Self-contained vehicles ONLY- do not be tempted, you must have a CSC sticker- the council do a check every morning around 5am. Two sleeper vans got $200 tickets this morning, one yesterday and 3 on the weekend! 3 Night maximum stay.

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Small DOC camp with fabulous views, ideal spot to stay if driving to French Pass.

Watch if its windy though, the wind can come from all quarters. Don't know what Ann from Germany was expecting, it's a DOC camp for goodness sake, it's about getting back to basics. At least there is a toilet(and it was clean), saves people in their happy crappers fouling our beautiful countryside.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago

The real McCoy kiwi camping ground- $5 a head, toilets and wash basins.

Park in a paddock surrounded by sheep & weka. Fabulous white sand beautiful beach in the outer Sounds. A very long drive in to site along Kenepuru Sound Road and a very steep drop down a winding road to camp site. Not suitable for large motorhomes. Magnificent outer Sound views.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago

DOC campground at the end of the road in the busy(sometimes) settlement of French Pass.

Right on a lovely sand beach. Good facilities but a little regimented for my liking. Sites marked out.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in October 2014

Fantastic walk, may sure you go at low tide and do the round trip (approx 2hrs) otherwise you can't walk the whole beach or see the Archway Islands in their full glory.

Plus huge sea caves and beautiful white sand dunes. Make sure a fine day too and no wind(sea spray) for best NZ photo opportunies.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in September 2014

Typical Top 10 Campground, large & busy during the high season, in a great position on the beach although sites have bushes between the campsites and the beach.

Clean facilities.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in September 2014

Fabulous day trip and or camping site.

Road is very, very narrow and steep after the powerhouse. NOT SUITABLE for anything other than a small van or car. NO MOTORHOMES. Amazing views & scenery and beautiful walks at the top of the range and at the end of the lake.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in August 2014

Steady climb but worth it for the amazing views.

Make sure you do it on a clear sunny day to get the full benefit. Peaceful & serene on the nature walk.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Excellent walk, well worth it.

Beautiful scenery. Be aware that this is a 10 hour return tramp if you walk to the Wisp. Better to walk to the first swing bridge (Franks Stream) if you don't have a whole lot of time, it's a 5hr return walk. Be aware that there are many tree roots and climbing up & down steps. It is a quite strenuous walk if you are not fit. But it's well worth it if you have the time. Read my blog here;

http://tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/catlins-river-walk.html

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

Excellent walk to the lighthouse, make sure you take binoculars to see the seals on the rocks & beach far below.

Seals are also on top of the Nuggets if you look carefully.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

A great little gem hidden off the main road, the Holiday Park is very quiet.

Individual sites with own toilet/shower ensuite. No kitchen facilities, free laundry(cold wash) Overlooking sheep paddock and Middle Dome, trout river just across the paddock.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

Nice little site tucked into suburbia but with plenty of space & large trees for shade, very close to town.

Great amenities but as with all city camp grounds, shower is on a timer & gate closes at 8pm although code gets you in and out. Very well looked after, nice grounds, friendly hosts.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

Great camp ground right on a beautiful near deserted beach.

Lots of sites on two levels, this is how NZ camp sites used to be. Very friendly hosts. Basic but adequate facilities. Peaceful & quiet.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

The best spot to see yellow eyed penguins, give the hide a miss and walk the track out to the point(if the gate isn't locked) Be careful you don't trip over seals in the grass and watch for the penguins

thay can climb high up through the grass. What an experience!

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

Can't get better than this for coastal camping in NZ, fabulous campsite will new clean amenity block.

Could be exposed to wind if your site isn't tucked behind scrub. Well worth a walk to Mussel Point & further on to Cape Campbell Lighthouse. Allow plenty of time, must walk at low tide.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

Very well placed camp ground for visiting Boulders, penguins & Fleurs(a 5 min walk away) Also has a resident sealion on the beach below.

Grounds tier up from the road, the front sites are great for views but more like a shingle parking area. The grassed area up the back is lovely. Good facilities.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

Fan-bloody-tastic experience!!!!

If you only do one attraction this year do this one. Excellent amazing display. Allow plenty of time, you'll still want more.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

Fantastic camp ground with well equipped amenities.

Close to river & Mt Peel walks. Not suitable for large rigs as there's a glen of low height trees to pass through to the powered sites.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

A DOC (Department of Conservation) compact campground (12 sites only although tents can be pitched on the grass) right on the lake front.

A little too regimented for us with camp sites lined up side by side on hard clay/lime ground with gentle slope for rain runoff. Has toilet facilities. And a large covered area with BBQ tables for communal meeting. Would be very busy during summer so arrive early to get a site.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Perfect position to experience all the Mount has to offer.

Try for a beach front site in the off season & watch the passing parade of people on the boardwalk.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

This walk was a little more interesting but needs more signposts as the turn around point is not that obvious.

The mine & jail are worth exploring, take a torch or use your cell phone for light. Look for the cave wetas in the mine. And look out for the props some wag has added to the jail.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Short walk with not too many remnants of the gold mining days.

Nice enough bush walk all the same, good wide level paths.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Very reasonably priced $5 per night per van parking in the front paddock right on the beach, very welcoming hosts who have been doing this for eons.

For self contained vehicles only. Very popular during holiday season & long weekends.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Well laid out spacious & family orientated camping ground.

Excellent, clean facilities, only 4 years old. Lots of space for everyone, fish 'n chips available from small on site restaurant, 10/10 for them, very tasty. Handy to HWBeach (obviously)

Reviewed over 11 years ago

I should be giving this experience a 10/10 for the entertainment factor alone.

Could have spent hours watching dozens of people from all nationalities and walks of life try to find their little spot in amongst the sand pools. Too many people on weekends & when low tide is during the middle of the day. Try to go when the tide is late afternoon or very early morning. Even better late at night with a full moon for light. Worth the experience if you're in the area but there are plenty of other "hot water" places in NZ that have less hype.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Fantastic location, worth the long drive on a narrow winding road (an experience in itself).

No shops or facilities anywhere close so come prepared. Beachfront DOC camping ground with basic facilities & very friendly & helpful managers. Very busy long weekends & holidays so make sure you book.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Iconic kiwi camping ground, just like they used to be, small & compact.

Excellent location with clean stream & swimming hole beside camp ground, very peaceful & relaxing. Hosts very welcoming. Great facilities although kitchen may not be every ones cup of tea. Great BBQ & pizza oven area. Great place to meet other traverllers

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Excellent location and very welcoming hosts but facilities are a little tired.

Very handy to town & some great short walks.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Excellent freedom camping on edge of shell banks overlooking Firth of Thames, 2 night maximum for self contained vehicles only.

Ideal for nature lovers & birders, thousands of birds feed and roost on the shell banks. World class Miranda Shorebird centre & hides are just along the road.

Reviewed over 11 years ago