81 Rankers Reviews
53 Face-to-Face
8 Abel Tasman
As far as DOC campsites go, the Totaranui Camping Ground is pretty bling, and extremely popular.
This campsite is an excellent to base yourself from if you are keen to explore the Abel Tasman National Park. From here you can walk, sea kayak, catch water taxis, dive, fish - it's a marine mecca.
During December and February it is full of New Zealander's from Christchurch and can therefore be very hard to book into - do not show up and expect a site as during this time it is very unlikely.
This campsite is accessible by road, walking or by water taxi. Even though this is a popular campsite, there are no powered sites, so be prepared.
You must remove all your rubbish and recycling from this site when you leave.
A wasp control operation using Vespex poison will be carried out in the following areas:
Mt Richmond Forest Park: Hacket Track, Bushy Top to Top Wairoa Hut (Te Araroa Trail).
Kahurangi National Park: Sylvester Track, Lake Peel Track, Trilobite Hut to Chaffey Hut – Cobb Valley, Splugeons Rock Shelter to Crow Hut – Leslie/Karamea Valleys, Wangapeka Campsites – Siberia Flat, Courthouse Flat, Rolling Junction to Kings Creek Hut – Wangapeka Track, Granity Pass and Blue Creek Track – Wangapeka Valley, Baton Valley Tracks – Ellis and Flanagans Huts.
Abel Tasman National Park: Abel Tasman Coast Track and associated great walk campsites, Totaranui Campground, Abel Tasman Inland Track and all access points, Awaroa Village, Torrent Bay Village, Falls River Track, Gibbs Hill Track, Harwoods Hole Track – Canaan Downs, Rameka Track – Canaan Downs.
Motueka Area: Cable Bay Track, Eves Valley Track, Kaiteriteri Track.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Abel Tasman |
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Categories |
Showing 13 reviews of 79.
Emer
Ranking: 9/10
This place would have got 10/10 apart from the cheek of the wekas (one literally hopped into our van and stols some cheese and ran off, another actually chased me) and sandflies were a bit annoying too (but bearable with repellent). Very scenic campsite, water is drinkable, flush toilets and cold showers (nice and clean), grassy spots to park (we had a whole field to ourselves in May), office sells basic supplies too.
Mike Howe
Ranking: 8/10
This is a nice big campsite. And it can get busy in the holidays. If you want piece and quite in a remote location then you should avoid in Summer.
Emma Utgaard
Ranking: 10/10
The Totaranui campsite is great! Apart from the views, the location and the beach access, the campsite is well organised. It is subdivided into bays, sheltered by trees, with an ablution block in nearly each bay. Fresh water, basins for doing dishes and cold showers (but also equipped with hooks to hang up your own hot solar shower!) are available. The campsite office had a small shop open in the morning (during off season) and we were able to get ice for our esky! Bookings are required prior to arrival. DOC pass is accepted.
Kysha
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent spot at this time of year - not busy at all and still (just) warm enough for a swim. We came for one night initially but stayed for two (and would've stayed longer if our itinerary allowed).
Clean flush toilet facilities and cold showers available. Fire pits laid out around campsites which can be used when there's no fire ban.
Dump station available and fresh drinking water available near campsites.
Very friendly and helpful DOC staff around to answer questions during business hours. Special shout out to Rusty who lives and works there, and has been coming to Totaranui for the last 50 years - very knowledgeable and just lovely to chat to!
Each camping location is approved by a regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
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Katie
Ranking: 9/10
Wow...what a beautiful place. I would come back here in a heartbeat. There is so much hiking (trekking) to do here! Sandflies present but manageable. Be sure to bring everything you need with you...the drive back into town (Takaka) is pretty long! All water is potable; toilets are clean; showers are cold.
Paul Smith
Ranking: 9/10
Huge DOC site behind a lovely beach. Great for day walks. Many facilities blocks very clean with cold showers and washing facilities
Sally Hodgson
Ranking: 10/10
Really, really pretty!! Such a good campsite, golden sands, clear sea and heaps of walks.
Millka Pietikainen
Ranking: 10/10
It's hard to get to (especially with a big van) but SO worth it. The beach is beautiful and the place is huge, only a few people mid December. Only cold showers but clean. Not many sandflies. Didn't want to leave!
Jan Hiltermann
Ranking: 9/10
I can imagine this can be quite crowded, and with good reason, but when we were here (mid-November) it was only 1/3 full. Selected our spot next to the water. Truly amazing view. Clean showers, no power, but a dump station at the entrance. Lots of short and long hikes starting from the site. Well worth the hassle of driving to the north end of Abel Tasman. One of the most beautiful spots we've been to.
Romain Richardot
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful place!!
Clavel
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful and wild.
Arslan Ahmad
Ranking: 10/10
This campsite was the best site we stayed at during our holidays. This site is next to a level place, next to a beautiful beach, under the amazing sky at night. It's only the drive there through the mountains but it's all worth it. Highly recommended.
Adrian Soldati
Ranking: 10/10
Great location a few steps from the beach. Not too many sand flies. Toilets are great, with (very cold!) showers too. A few tables and good working running water always available. Tracks around it are ok, but you come here more for the beach than the great views like Milford Sound etc. Be sure you paid even if you arrive late cause they check every morning!
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍