CANTERBURY CAMPING AREAS

There are two categories of camping areas in Canterbury. Fees are charged per person and reflect the cost of maintenance and providing services.

Serviced Campgrounds
Adult $6.50 per night
Children (5-16yrs) $1.50 per night
Children under 5yrs Free
Power Points per night $2.50
Fees are paid at the office.

These have flush toilets, tap water supply, Kitchen, laundry, hot showers, rubbish collection, picnic tables, external lights, mown lawns and powered sites.

Standard Camping Areas
Adult $3.00 per night
Children (5-16 yrs) $1.50 per night
Children under 5 yrs Free

Self-registration is used at standard camping areas. Under this system you must on arrival, or each day:

go to the self-registration booth
enter details of your stay on a cash envelope and receipt card
seal your fees in the cash envelope and deposit it in the box provided
display the receipt card on your vehicle or tent so that it is clearly visibles

Directions

You will need a road map to help follow these instructions.
Access is free, no permission required as all sites are on land managed by the Department.

North Canterbury

Mt Thomas (Wooded Gully Picnic and Camping Area)
Mt Thomas Forest and the Wooded Gully Picnic and Camping Area are approximately 50 Km north west of Christchurch. From Christchurch drive to Rrangiora and follow the signs to Loburn turn left onto Hodgsons Road (towards Oxford): follow this for 16 km. Turn right down Hayland Road and travel for 4 km. If you get to the Garry River Bridge you have gone too far. The picnic and camping area is situated at a sharp bend in the road on the left side adjacent to Wooded Gully Stream.

Driving time: 1 hour from Christchurch
Restrictions: No fires except barbecues, no dogs
Charge: Standard

Napenape Camping Area
Napenape is 95 km north of Christchurch. From State Highway 1 turn down Blythe Road, approximately 9 km north of Motunau. Follow this gravel road for 12 km. Turn right at the signpost for Napenape Scenic Reserve.

Driving time: 1 hour, 45 minutes from Christchurch
Restrictions: No fires, no dogs
Charges: Standard

South Canterbury

Mt Nimrod Camping Area
Mt Nimrod is 32 km south west of Timaru. From Timaru travel south via State Highway 1 to Pareora. Turn right onto Pareora River Road and follow for 15 Km until you come to Craigmore Valley Road. 15 Km down this road turn right onto Back Line Road. Follow this for 5 km to reach Mt Nimrod Scenic.

Driving time: 30-40 minutes from Timaru
Restrictions: No fires except for barbecues, no dogs.
Charges: Standard

Orari Gorge Camping Area
Orari Gorge is 12 Km north west of Geraldine and 58 km north of Timaru. From Geraldine, travel north on state Highway 72 for 4 Km and turn left onto Tripp Settlement Road. Follow for 10 Km and turn left onto Yates Road. The campground is 2 km down this road, opposite the Glenburn Youth Camp.

Driving time: 30-40 minutes from Timaru
Restrictions: No fires ecept for barbecues no dogs
Charges: Standard

Peel Forest Camping Ground
FULLY SERVICED

Peel Forest is located 135 Km south west of Christchurch via State Highway 1 to Hinds, and then via the Hinds-Arundel Road, State Highway 72 and Peel Forest Road. From Timaru it is 55 Km via Winchester, Geraldine, State Highway 72 and the Peel Forest Road.

Driving time: 2 hours from Christchurch,
1 hour from Timaru
Restrictions: No fires except for barbecues, no dogs
Charges: Fuly Serviced

Other Camping Areas are Pioneer Park, Temple Forest, Waihi Gorge, White Horse Hill.
Further information regarding Conservation Campsites within the South Island can be obtained through

The Department Of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
133 Victoria Street,
Private Bag,
Christchurch
PH: (03) 379 9758