01Nov18.

There is a sign about where you can park overnight but it is not clear. The only clear signs are the individual ones as pictured in the description. We parked in one of those.

There are a bit tight so only 9.

However, the location is good. There are toilets a few minutes walk away but there are much better ones farther into town.

We are staying 2 nights here after checking out the lighthouse site. That one slopes a bit.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

28Oct18.

Not enough there to spend the day but we were delighted by the boulders. They are in various states of preservation. Some lie in pieces, some are well on the way and some are whole. There is one just about out of the cliff and one just showing through.

We went through the tourist area and paid $2 each for access. Didn’t begrudge that at all. There is also a cafe and toilets.

There is a free Moeraki Boulders public parking just off the highway. Go down there if $2 is too much.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

08Oct18.

Stopped here on the way over to Takaka. It is as described with a short walk to the lookout. Is was sunny and clear so the the view was great. While we were there a couple who live in Nelson appeared. It was their first visit and were amazed at the view. Worth going to.

The Ngarau Caves and lookout is a bit further along the road. The lookout looks a slightly different direction so is also worth a stop. Went to the caves in 2006. It is a paid for place. Hourly guided tours into the caves. Can’t say what it is like now but prob worth visiting.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

29Oct18.

Went up the road for the requisite 5kms. Didn’t see it. Carried on to Peters Lookout and had coffee and cake then headed back.

Guess what, we saw it. The problem is the sign is set well back off the road on the lake side of the road by a stile over a fence and there is no parking area at all.

If you have a car or small vehicle you could manage to park on the shoulder but we had a large van and that was a no no.

However, a couple of kms down the road towards SH8 there is a larger gravel area on the lake side where you could park and walk back. We didn’t as the weather was not so good. Hopefully the view is as good as the first reviewer said it is!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

30Oct18.

Previous reviews give all the directions you need. A good spot looking out over the sea. Sunrise and seal in the morning.

Toilets close by and not such a long way to a fish and chip shop in King Street.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

31Oct18.

Went there after our stay at Patiti Point the previous night. Glad we went to Patiti Point!

Right next to the port so must be a little noisy at night.

However, we went to the car park nearest the beach and parked up. Ok in off season in a big van but the spaces are too small so difficult if busy. Had coffee there and went for a walk on the beach. Good.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

20Oct18.

Looked in but didn’t stay.

3 new loos that we’re perfectly fine. Hand washing but soap empty. 2 large sinks.

Not to many sandflies.

$13 per person. It says powered sites are available although we didn’t see any. They were, I think, $21 per person.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

15Oct18.

Very windy and chilly! A nice walk all the same. The last time we did it was April 2014 and it was warm and sunny.

We walked along the top to Whalers Bay then down the cliff path and back along the beach. Keep to the non maintained path and avoid the bird colonies that are close to the path in some places. They don’t like us being there! We were seen off in no uncertain terms.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

01Oct18.

A car park by the beach. Toilets but not 24hr. Cold shower in open. Free!

9/10 for what it does. Nothing special but an ok place to keep costs down.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

02Oct18.

One night stay. The only place we have seen with individual bathrooms per pitch! A little shed with flushing toilet, basin, shower and hot water. It only lacked a chair of bench.

The kitchen looked good, although we didn’t use it. The laundry has 4 washers and 2 dryers and the cost is $2 each, the cheapest, and the dryer went on for about an hour!

No WiFi.

Close to the beach and there are shops and eateries along the road.

Nice friendly lady on duty. I hope she gets a holiday herself soon.

It’s not on this app but Southward Car Museum is quite close and is well worth a visit.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

06Oct18.

Great walk in the bush with a nice long, scary if you don’t like heights, suspension bridge.

Some views down to the river.

The first part up to the bridge is said to be wheelchair accessible but I think very bumpy. After the bridge it is definitely not wheelchair accessible.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

14Oct18.

Free for non powered but powered are available now. We stayed free. Don’t know what cost for powered.

Loads of level sites, I think all with access to water.

We stayed free as we ate in the restaurant/pub. Good food and beer. Two large TVs were playing Irish Folk videos. Not our scene but ok.

It seems like we were right under the mountains. It was cloudy when we arrived but clear first thing in the morning. Great views of the snow covered mountains.

We enjoyed it. I think we will go back when we do our next trip. Sooner the better!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

05Oct18.

Joined this from Bobs Bay Track. Some of it is along a gravel track with no shade. It was sunny and warm when we walked it.

We didn’t do the complete walk, just to Queen Charlotte’s Lookout. There is a drop loo there and a picnic table. Good walk

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

18Oct18.

$40 for 2 adults. Plenty of room on the pitch. Fairly compact so close to the facilities. Beach access direct from the site. Glow worm dell across the road.

No matts in the showers. Dirty feet!

Recycling a bit confused. No labels.

Stayed there in 2014 and expect we might again.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

03Oct18.

Cable car to top $5 one way, $9 return. Good walks around the gardens. The treehouse was good, although we didn’t go inside. Cafe at the top. We were glad we went in there rather than wait for the one at the bottom of the gardens. The walk down to the city past the Beehive was good. Interesting cemetery. Some quite tragic stories on headstones.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

15Oct18.

From Hanmer Springs go past the picnic area entrance to the next entrance.

I think there were eventually 10 vans that night. Park considerately and there is room. Mostly level.

Flush loos although they had not recently been serviced when we were there.

Good bush walks on the other side of the road. Good.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

31Oct18.

During the walk my rating went up and down a bit. Only 6 as there is no real viewpoint anywhere.

We started with the Acland Waterfall track. Waterfall not so good when we were there.

Back down and onto the Allan’s Track. In places well made. In places very steep, muddy, rooty, slippery, wet, narrow and hard work.

We joined the Deer Spur Track and then the Fern Walk back to the campsite. Quite a longish walk all in.

I quite enjoyed most of it. If you do it, make sure you wear good boots, not worn out or too light footwear as if you do you will slip up. Look out for 4 bottom shaped indentations in the track left by my walking partner!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

08Oct18.

The walk is like many others but the springs were what we went for. Last visited in 2014 and still as good. Fascinating to watch the water welling up and breaking the surface. So clear. Good viewing platform. Check out the Dancing Sand spring.

The boards at the start of the walk are interesting too.

We remember there used to be spring water on tap in the picnic area but it appears no longer the case. A pity.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

04Oct18.

Our usual stop before/after the ferry. 2 nights.

Friendly reception.

Some pitches are close to trees which effectively shortens the pitch. If you have a long and/or high vehicle let them know.

Push buttons for the showers, outside the cubicles.

Close to town via the marina. We saw a few rays in the water, one just resting right underneath where we stood.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

07Oct18.

The description says it all. It fills up so get there early, especially if you have a long van. The longer pitches have a slight side to side slope.

The opposite pitches have a noticeable front to back/back to front slope depending on which way you face. The slope was enough to stop our sink draining as it created an airlock. Don’t go poking things down the plug hole to try and unblock it!

Flush loos. Gents urinals a bit pongy though.

Get a map from the I-site and do the walks.

Take a walk over to the marina if the weather is ok. There is a great little cafe there, although it doesn’t have any indoor seating. It was sunny and mild when we were there. We saw a boat being launched. Check out the his n hers seats at the end of the pontoon. Unfenced gangplank access!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

21Oct18.

2 on powered site in motorhome. $40 per night. WiFi extra. Good service from reception.

We were nearest the facilities block nearest the lake. 2 sets of loos and showers, one closed for spring cleaning but I think the remaining was adequate even tho Labour Weekend. Shower was one of the best in our 6 weeks of travel. Could do with hairdryers. There is another block further up the site. We didn’t check that one.

The lake can be seen through/under the trees down by the lake. The far mountains were snow covered when we were there and are beautiful.

We like this site as it is in easy walking distance to town and the lake. There are plenty of eating and drinking places and the quirky Paradiso Cinema.

The site is undergoing improvements and maintenance. We were last here in 2014 and I think it is a lot better than before. We hope to come back to NZ and will then certainly come here again. One of our favourite campsites in one of our favourite places.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

28Oct18.

We were not sure where it was so just pulled off the road en spec. There are no signs there at all. However it was ok. The area we were on didn’t have much in the way of level areas but it was ok. Poor weather so views not as good as they could otherwise be.

No toilets where we were or in sight so we just went down to the info site and shop where the toilets are very good. No overnight parking there.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

17Oct18.

Full marks because it is what it says it is. A gravel/grass site with a dump station and bins. No frills.

Road noise of course. It is right next to the bridge.

The good thing is that it is a short walk over the bridge to Countdown, Warehouse, I-site and shops.

A further walk to Monteiths Brewery. Food and beer! Great. Tours too if that is of interest. We decided to have food and their taster beers. 6 x 200ml beers for #25 and 3 for $15. We had 9 between us. Good food and good beer at good prices too.

Over the bridge is the Cobden Cave walk. A 5 minute walk to a reasonable cave. It was a bit wet and muddy so we didn’t venture in all the way.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

18Oct18.

Only 8 because of the people who flash torches around even when it is not completely dark and because some people think that a picture of a few pinpricks of light are worth taking, especially when they haven’t turned off their flash!

As for the place itself, it is easy to get up to the dell, actually an adventure in itself when really dark. There are railings to hold onto and follow. Follow the instructions and keep left up and down so hopefully you don’t bump into anyone else.

It takes a while for eyes to acclimatise so be patient. It is worth going to.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

10/11Oct18.

$87.21. A friendly welcome on a rainy night. A compact site, quite popular as only 2 pitches available. We didn’t book so were lucky to get one. Probably the best toilet and shower blocks we have seen so far in 5 weeks in NZ. Laundry $4 each washer and dryer. Auto detergent. New machines.

No great views but then we are in Nelson City.

A short walk to the centre.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

06Oct18.

Nice walk. Ok toilets but better ones the other side of the road by the cafe.

Bridge may be historic but not so pretty. The river is good. A guy had a dip when we were there. He gasped somewhat so I think it was cold!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

01Oct18.

We went up to the lookout first then down to the base of the pinnacles. The first part and the return is along the stream bed. A bit heavy going in places. The base of the pinnacles is the same and steep with it so hard work.

As for the pinnacles, it was a bit murky when we were there so not seen in their best light. Perhaps a sunny day would make it a better spectacle. Although a somewhat different place, and continent, check out Brice Canyon, Utah!

In spite of that, you have to go there at least once. Glad we did.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

31Oct18.

Great big site away from it all. Powered site was $42 for 2 of us. Book online or at the store down the road. They are really helpful and friendly there.

Ok toilets and showers. Laundry still $3 each for washer and drier. Find them in the room signed “Telephone”!

A good base for some of the nearby walks.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

06Oct18.

Lovely drive, great lookouts. Beautiful scenery. Better for the passengers than driver as the road is very windy. Thank wotsit for power steering and auto box! Just make plenty of stops to enjoy the views.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

28Sept18.

Great walk from the car park through the bush and then looking down to the lagoon. Benches to sit on. We didn’t go up Castle Rock, too steep, but there is a path there and we saw a guy right at the top. Check out the rock from the lighthouse. Almost vertical on the sea side! Scary.

We did the walk twice. One return via the beach and the other back the way we went. Not strenuous and the views well worth the effort.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

25Sept18.

I can but agree with all the positive comments previously made. However, be aware that there are a lot of trees with low branches. Our 3.5m high motorhome found them!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

30Sept18.

The lighthouse is good. How many steps! A lot and steep and it was very windy when we were there. The gravel road is actually quite good. We made the mistake of walking about 3kms to get there. On the plus side we did see a lot of seals.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

27Sept18.

A bit wet when we went so we didn’t get to the top or walk any paths. Cafe closed but out of season so not surprising. Good views from the lower car park, weather permitting

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

26Sept18.

Nothing really to add to the most recent reviews. Great location. Heard trains in the night. The track and a road crossing just across the road.

Close to the national aquarium. We saw their kiwis about their business including a bit of hanky panky, if you know what I mean!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

39Sept18.

Great DoC site. Plenty of room although not all perfectly level.

2 flushing loos with basins but no handwash or drying.

Perfect location for the pinnacles.

We went to Cape Palliser lighthouse and stopped here to go to the pinnacles the next day

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

29Sept18.

Stopped here for lunch and had a walk round the lake. A great little place. A few parking spots long enough for our 7.7m motor home.

Toilets ok.

Would have done an overnight if it fitted in with our plans. Have bookmarked for our next trip.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

20Sept18.

2 nights @$55 per night. Expensive but as previously described excellent facilities. The only reason not 10 is we didn’t like the big screen tv at the pool! Oldies for ya!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

24Sept18.

Right on the beach. One flushing, singing toilet as previously described. Limited repertoire tho. Starts with “All the world needs now” and if you take long enough over your business you get “Evergreen”. The same with all the other singing toilets we have used elsewhere.

Kids playground adjacent. My wife enjoyed the swing.

A bit of noise from the timber works and port along the beach but not too bad.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

23Sept18.

Great park with loads of walks. It looked like the walks would be ok in wet weather but don’t hold me to that!

It seemed that most tourists do the shorter walks. We did a longer one and most of the time felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. No chance of getting really lost though as the walks are well signed.

The visitor centre is touristy as you might imagine. We liked the look of the treetop walk but felt it a little too expensive for us and anyway the walk options are so good.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago