Large car park with two large areas for free camping marked in yellow.

Signage could be better. There are several places to free camp in Akaroa, however they are generally hilly so not ideal. This is the best place as it is level. Check with the I-Site for more information.

Public toilets 150m away and close by to town centre. Some campers risked camping by the water’s edge, outside the yellow lines, but didn’t appear to be fined. Plenty of space. We had no trouble with noise/unsociable behaviour etc.

Reviewed over 6 years ago

Absolute perfect place to rest up!

2 adults stayed mid March 2018. $10pp, free electric hook up, $2 showers in the (dated, but pleasant enough) golf course changing rooms. Super quiet location. Very warm welcome from the golfers. There is even a washing machine available for free! Just bring your own detergent! Perfect place to power up and rest.

Reviewed over 6 years ago

Stayed mid March 2018, 3 adults on a powered pitch.

We booked with an I-Site due to busy times. We were reserved a space right on the road, and heard traffic all throughout the night. Facilities clean and in working order. Large indoor area for cooking and relaxing. Individual dump stations at each pitch. Nothing special.

Reviewed over 6 years ago

Large, level, gravel area for many camper vans and tents.

Very remote, super quiet and peaceful. Just lovely. Only a few sandflies during our stay. Lovely walks around the area and this is the last campsite before Milford Sound (50 min drive). Several drop loos, sheltered areas for cooking or keeping out of the rain, and even fire pits scattered around. I did not have a problem paying $13 per person, the DOC put a lot of work into places like these, and in protecting the environment. Thanks for providing such a lovely space.

Reviewed over 6 years ago

A good place to find a bargain.

We only visited to see if we could sell them a surf board, they don’t buy, just sell. Large place, easy to find.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

Decided to stop off for lunch here whilst driving between the glacier and Wanaka.

Beautiful place, not great surf though, and I did not expect sandflies, but they were out on force! Worth a stop if you can beat the sandflies.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

We arrived into Wanaka on a very hot late summer Friday night and all campsites were booked up, except this one.

You can’t book here (or couldn’t when we visited), it works on a first-come first-served basis, and the i-Site told us to visit here on the off chance. We did and took the campsite’s last remaining plot, a non-powered site right at the bottom and close to the lake with unspoilt views. In places like this you should expect to pay higher prices, so it didn’t bother us, we were just delighted to be able to stay in such a beautiful place. We decided to stay an extra 2 nights and moved to a powered site, still with a stunning view. Facilities are fine, paid showers. Can get dusty in good weather, not a problem for us though. We hired bikes from the campsite (very basic) and cycled around the headland to the town (I think 6ish miles) which was fab. If you accept you might have to pay more, I would recommend here. I think it would be nicer than the other campsites closer to the town...

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

Another perfect free campervan spot.

Lovely place to park up, especially if you get a space looking right into the sea. Beautiful new flush loo unit with cold outdoor shower. We stayed here en route down the west coast. Highly recommend.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

We had a great time with these guys.

Spent the whole day out on the water, saw all kinds of marine life, and even had a fresh oyster! Glorious sunshine, beautiful scenery and good company. Highly recommend.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

Stunning views and so many wonderful quiet beaches to rest on.

We cycled all around the headland several times back and forth from the campsite to town. Easy and accessible cycle/walkway. I also ran a short distance of it. Perfect.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

Lovely place to walk, run, cycle or swim!

Access all around into the town, about 6 miles I think. Highly recommend, especially if you’re staying at the campsite here.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

Stunning views and a fantastic place for a walk, run or cycle.

Easy access for campervans, free parking and drop loos available. We had a picnic at the top, but it was a little too windy. Don’t waste your time and money on the Gondola, you have the same (if not better) views here! And there is so much to explore. Lots of old military bunkers etc. Highly recommend.

Reviewed over 6 years ago

Nice place to stop en route down the west coast.

We booked a few excursions here and had a walk around the pancake rocks.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

We had a great stay here after a lovely big morning walk and afternoon rafting on the river.

Beautiful spot right next to the river, with added fishing rods and kayaks to peruse the water. Very good value for money and good facilities also.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

2 adults on a powered pitch mid March.

Good value for money at $30 a night, and close to Christchurch for those in need of proximity.

Showers and toilets are fine, although require a $2 coin, and we’re covered in cobwebs.

Beach access is easy although it isn’t the nicest beach. The campsite had a ‘Ghost Town’ vibe about it; many permanent vans and their elaborate set ups...

Reviewed over 6 years ago

Lovely 45 min(ish) walk to the tunnels.

We were pleased we walked the route in flip flops as we could explore the tunnels - the water is freezing however! But it’s only ankle deep max. Spotted some glow worms. The second tunnel was inaccessible, appeared to have some work going on, so we turned around and walked back through it. Definitely take a head torch.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

2 adults on a powered pitch mid March.

We had a lovely stay, mainly due to the uninterrupted view over the beach and gorgeous weather. Facilities in good working order - although showers are push button operated, which is annoying for washing hair etc. My partner informs me we also had to pay $2 to use the dump station hose?

Stay here instead of in town, quieter, more spacious and better value for money.

Reviewed over 6 years ago

Poorly staffed and very limited assistance given.

The staff knew very little about local activities and didn’t appear to be very helpful.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

Popular spot.

We arrived late afternoon and managed to squeeze in. Very busy, noisy at times but it did for a night of free camping. Toilets available (not terrible, but no lighting). Lovely walk along the shore.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

Very helpful, and very knowledgeable - not only about the local area but further afield too.

They saved us money by suggesting alternative routes/cruises at Milford Sound and advised us on more age appropriate activities. Worth stopping here to book in some trips. Also, Wanaka gets very busy in good weather and most campsites get booked up. Book before to avoid disappointment. Wanaka was our favourite place of the whole trip.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018