Kōhaihai Campsite
Kahurangi National Park
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Kōhaihai Campsite
Enjoy the beautiful nīkau forest at this campsite on the Kōhaihai River mouth. There are short, day or overnight walks from here, as well as kayaking and swimming opportunities in the river.
This place is amazing! The large campsite is situated at the start of the Heaphy Track at the Kohaihai River mouth. It is a sheltered site surrounded by native west coast bush - heaps of nikau palms.
The campsite has BBQ and picnic areas and allows dogs as long as they are kept under control at all times (they are not allowed on the Heaphy Track).
Other than a multi-day mission along the Heaphy, there are loads of other shorter walks to do in the area as well as white water kayaking, wind surfing and safe swimming in the river or at Scotts Beach.
You can only stay here for maximum 2 nights in a row.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Kōhaihai Campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
DOC Standard Campsite
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $10.00 to $15.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $5.00 to $7.50 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC West CoastCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Karamea |
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Basic Camping
Google Maps
Reviews
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Stunning location -
Clean facilities
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Quiet atmosphere
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Great beach access
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Sandflies can be annoying -
Limited dishwashing facilities
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Wekas can be a nuisance
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We were impressed by its unique location.
Daniel Dubach -
What a truly great spot.
Kel -
Nice setting.
Rachel Mudge -
Perfect!
Carolin Ranner -
What a great find.
Susan Boyton
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What a great find.
Given the season it was very quiet and we jagged a beachside spot even at 5pm. The road from Karamea is sealed all the way now. You can book online or pay when you arrive. Price at this time was $10 per adult. The sunset over this wild sea was magic. Ideal spot from which to start some or all of the Heaphy.
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Amazing location!
Sunsets and great beach! We didnt have too much of a problem with sandflies and had little wind. Excellent campsites with flush toliets. Well worth the drive!!!
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Beautiful place to stay, toilets were nice & clean.
Great day walks in stunning nature. No sink to clean dishes unless you use sink by the toilets so go prepared. Best way to protect from sandflies don't expose skin.
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Brilliant spot for walking into the heaphy and other shorter walks.
Beware the sandflies and the wekas they are both a menance
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Sandflies weren't terrible in late spring - they were much worse further south.
Beautiful camping spot, pretty good toilets, and plenty of cheeky weka about! Awesome walk to Scott's Beach
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This was a fantastic spot.
Beautiful, quiet, clean toilets. A lot of sand flies. Beautiful beach, too rough to swim. We walked for a day on the Heaphy track which was well worthwhile.
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The sandflies drove us crazy even though we had drowned ourselves with bug spray, packed up after only one night.
Campgrounds were fullish with lovely background settings.
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Nice spot to do the hike tracks, bathrooms ok.
Near 2 kmts of gravel road to get there, cash only in the trust box, 8pp, Jan 2021.
Windy open spots, means less sandflies, spots between the bush=Sandflies attack.
Sorry, but Sandflies level:9. One night there is ok, REPELLENT is a Must.
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Nice campground, bathrooms were ok at best but the sand fly’s drove up away after 10 minutes.
We ended up driving back into Karamea and stayed the night there.
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This is by far the best campsite I have ever been too.
Stunning location, amazing flora and fauna. Beach cannot be swam at, however the lagoon is a great swim; deep enough at high tide for diving too! There are a lot of weka, so drive cautiously and keep your food and rubbish in secure locations! Toilets are clean and tidy. No potable water, but a spring can be tapped at low tide at drinkers caution. Lots to do, lovely nature walks and Scott’s beach is only 30m away. Will come back again, this campsite is a literal paradise!
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Great location.
So peaceful and chilled. Basic facilities but low costs. Lots of sand flys so remember repellent!
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BEAUTIFUL end of the road camping right by the beach at the western end of the Heaphy Track.
Flush toilets and running water, no showers. Weka are everywhere. Sandflies galore so cover up, maybe even bug net and gloves.
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We went way out of our way to stay here.
Unfortunately the best spots were closed as they were clearing the trees. Beautiful spot, but hard to enjoy because of the sandflies, even though we were well prepared for them. There are two very mountainous hills to travel to get here. Views were amazing on the drive.
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What a great find.
Given the season it was very quiet and we jagged a beachside spot even at 5pm. The road from Karamea is sealed all the way now. You can book online or pay when you arrive. Price at this time was $10 per adult. The sunset over this wild sea was magic. Ideal spot from which to start some or all of the Heaphy.
-
-
Amazing location!
Sunsets and great beach! We didnt have too much of a problem with sandflies and had little wind. Excellent campsites with flush toliets. Well worth the drive!!!
-
-
Beautiful place to stay, toilets were nice & clean.
Great day walks in stunning nature. No sink to clean dishes unless you use sink by the toilets so go prepared. Best way to protect from sandflies don't expose skin.
-
Brilliant spot for walking into the heaphy and other shorter walks.
Beware the sandflies and the wekas they are both a menance
-
Sandflies weren't terrible in late spring - they were much worse further south.
Beautiful camping spot, pretty good toilets, and plenty of cheeky weka about! Awesome walk to Scott's Beach
-
-
This was a fantastic spot.
Beautiful, quiet, clean toilets. A lot of sand flies. Beautiful beach, too rough to swim. We walked for a day on the Heaphy track which was well worthwhile.
-
The sandflies drove us crazy even though we had drowned ourselves with bug spray, packed up after only one night.
Campgrounds were fullish with lovely background settings.
-
Nice spot to do the hike tracks, bathrooms ok.
Near 2 kmts of gravel road to get there, cash only in the trust box, 8pp, Jan 2021.
Windy open spots, means less sandflies, spots between the bush=Sandflies attack.
Sorry, but Sandflies level:9. One night there is ok, REPELLENT is a Must.
-
Nice campground, bathrooms were ok at best but the sand fly’s drove up away after 10 minutes.
We ended up driving back into Karamea and stayed the night there.
-
This is by far the best campsite I have ever been too.
Stunning location, amazing flora and fauna. Beach cannot be swam at, however the lagoon is a great swim; deep enough at high tide for diving too! There are a lot of weka, so drive cautiously and keep your food and rubbish in secure locations! Toilets are clean and tidy. No potable water, but a spring can be tapped at low tide at drinkers caution. Lots to do, lovely nature walks and Scott’s beach is only 30m away. Will come back again, this campsite is a literal paradise!
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Great location.
So peaceful and chilled. Basic facilities but low costs. Lots of sand flys so remember repellent!
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Nice setting.
Not many tent sites...better sites for camper vans. Sand flies were the worst we experienced... the walks were beautiful !
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BEAUTIFUL end of the road camping right by the beach at the western end of the Heaphy Track.
Flush toilets and running water, no showers. Weka are everywhere. Sandflies galore so cover up, maybe even bug net and gloves.
-
-
We went way out of our way to stay here.
Unfortunately the best spots were closed as they were clearing the trees. Beautiful spot, but hard to enjoy because of the sandflies, even though we were well prepared for them. There are two very mountainous hills to travel to get here. Views were amazing on the drive.
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Fantastic location by river mouth and beach.
Great sunset and track to camp site good. Clean loos and lots of BBQ spots. SANDFLIES GALORE!