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Orari Campsite is closed and bookings are not available.
A cute campsite nestled in amongst native bush outcrops - cool cabbage trees! There are some great walks to do through the forest along the old tramway. This site has recycling facilities and please make sure you close the gate.
To get here, head to the small township of Woodbury, turn into Burdon Road, hit Tripp Settlement Road and follow to Yates Road.
Orari Campsite is closed indefinitely.
This is a long term alert.
First published on 21 February 2024. Last reviewed on 24 October 2024.Orari 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.
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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Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Geraldine |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Low Cost Camping You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle. |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available. |
Dump Station |
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Dump StationDump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles. |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Powered Sites |
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Powered SitesDoes this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Standard Campsite Department of Conservation Standard Campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services. Toilets (usually composting or pit variety) water supply (tap, stream, or lake) and vehicle or boat access. Wood barbeques and fireplaces, showers (cold), picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided. Standard Campsites generally can not be booked. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop toilet only |
✓ Amazing dawn chorus
✓ Clean toilets
✓ Great woodland walk
✓ Spotty but usable 4G
✓ Remote and peaceful
𐄂 Campsite closed (June 2024)
𐄂 Gravel road access
Gorgeous place.
Beautiful little spot off the main road.
Great spot, few people, nice walk
Nice small campground.
Damn birds, ¡pinches pájatos!
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 8 |
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44% |
9/10 | 6 |
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33% |
8/10 | 3 |
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17% |
7/10 | 0 |
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0% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 1 |
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6% |
0.5/5
Campsite closed!!
June 2024. Drove the whole gravel track to be met by a closure sign on the campsite gate. Don’t waste your time- go to Waihi Gorge instead
Reviewed 5 months ago
5.0/5
Clean loos, amazing dawn chorus, definitely worth being awake at 5am!
Great woodland walk but very steep!
Reviewed 11 months ago
5.0/5
Damn birds, ¡pinches pájatos!
Just kidding ;), amazing songbirds chirping throughout the day but more so (as expected) at dawn/dusk. Campground is out of the way so do bring supplies (beer!) before heading up the gravel road. A bit muddy in spots and very muddy on the main trail/track, despite having been there in the dry(et) summer months. Spotty 4G, though strong enough to book right there (Vodafone/Spark networks). My husband has been having trouble with the DOC website but it worked out fine for me, so heads up! I’d recommend creating your account in a spot with a reliable 4G connection, luckily it worked out for us even in this “remote” site.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Had a pleasant one night stay here in our campervan.
Quite off the beaten track so no road noise. Lots of level sites for parking on and a small turnaround bay at the end. Can only pay online now on the DOC website. 2 flushing toilets. Bring a head torch with you as quite dark inside due to overgrown bushes around them. Taps outside but water isn't drinkable without boiling it first. The birdsong is truly amazing here! Went on the Orari Gorge walk, labelled as easy but it was extremely muddy (and it's summertime) and quite slippery in places.
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.5/5
Cool bush walk and very quiet camping ground.
Just a couple of other older campers so good if you need a night off from people.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.5/5
The Orari Gorge campsite is quite small but is very well set up with flush toilets and a good water supply.
There is plenty of grass for camping but in October the grounds were a bit soggy. The Orari Gorge walking track climbs up onto the ridge-line behind the camp. This site is a little "off the beaten track" with a few kilometres of good gravel road to reach it. A quiet and inexpensive spot not far from the Canterbury plains Inland Tourist Route.
Reviewed about 5 years ago and experienced in October 2019
5.0/5
Great place, quiet but with an amazing bird chorus at dawn and dusk
Reviewed about 5 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful spot, visited on a hot October day and stayed in a tent overnight - was very quiet only one other camper!
Hope to stay again
Reviewed about 5 years ago and experienced in October 2018
5.0/5
This campsite was great!
We visited in March time and there was only one other couple in the campsite. Very quiet, and well kept.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.0/5
Beautiful little spot off the main road.
Quiet and plenty of room. Facilities are good and clean. Creek close by.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
0.5/5
Campsite closed!!
June 2024. Drove the whole gravel track to be met by a closure sign on the campsite gate. Don’t waste your time- go to Waihi Gorge instead
Reviewed 5 months ago
5.0/5
Clean loos, amazing dawn chorus, definitely worth being awake at 5am!
Great woodland walk but very steep!
Reviewed 11 months ago
5.0/5
Damn birds, ¡pinches pájatos!
Just kidding ;), amazing songbirds chirping throughout the day but more so (as expected) at dawn/dusk. Campground is out of the way so do bring supplies (beer!) before heading up the gravel road. A bit muddy in spots and very muddy on the main trail/track, despite having been there in the dry(et) summer months. Spotty 4G, though strong enough to book right there (Vodafone/Spark networks). My husband has been having trouble with the DOC website but it worked out fine for me, so heads up! I’d recommend creating your account in a spot with a reliable 4G connection, luckily it worked out for us even in this “remote” site.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Had a pleasant one night stay here in our campervan.
Quite off the beaten track so no road noise. Lots of level sites for parking on and a small turnaround bay at the end. Can only pay online now on the DOC website. 2 flushing toilets. Bring a head torch with you as quite dark inside due to overgrown bushes around them. Taps outside but water isn't drinkable without boiling it first. The birdsong is truly amazing here! Went on the Orari Gorge walk, labelled as easy but it was extremely muddy (and it's summertime) and quite slippery in places.
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.5/5
Cool bush walk and very quiet camping ground.
Just a couple of other older campers so good if you need a night off from people.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.5/5
The Orari Gorge campsite is quite small but is very well set up with flush toilets and a good water supply.
There is plenty of grass for camping but in October the grounds were a bit soggy. The Orari Gorge walking track climbs up onto the ridge-line behind the camp. This site is a little "off the beaten track" with a few kilometres of good gravel road to reach it. A quiet and inexpensive spot not far from the Canterbury plains Inland Tourist Route.
Reviewed about 5 years ago and experienced in October 2019
5.0/5
Great place, quiet but with an amazing bird chorus at dawn and dusk
Reviewed about 5 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful spot, visited on a hot October day and stayed in a tent overnight - was very quiet only one other camper!
Hope to stay again
Reviewed about 5 years ago and experienced in October 2018
5.0/5
This campsite was great!
We visited in March time and there was only one other couple in the campsite. Very quiet, and well kept.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.0/5
Beautiful little spot off the main road.
Quiet and plenty of room. Facilities are good and clean. Creek close by.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
4.5/5
Quiet campsite at the end of a road.
Was not busy and has a beautiful rainforest walk. It was $8/night as of Feb 2017.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
4.5/5
Nice small campground.
Toilets were ok. On the way back we stopped at the raspberry farm and picked our own raspberries. Delicious!
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
4.0/5
We saw the reviews & decided to give it a go.
It's small but there was more than enough space between spots. Two other groups were there too. But we hardly noticed them. Not overly scenic as just a bush line & grass surrounded by farmland. But ok to get away from it all. Not many bugs thankfully! Had clean toilet that flushed & toilet paper as well as a tap for water (needed boiling). BBQ tables were handy for use. Enjoyed the experience over all & lots of bird life. Bush walk was short & easy too
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.5/5
Gorgeous place.
Well situated for walks too. Very quiet, except for the many birds. Facilities a tad better than basic. Even a fireplace. Highly recommended.
Reviewed about 9 years ago
5.0/5
Very nice, quiet and well maintained DOC place.
Many trees and sheltered pitches for tents and cars. The sanitary facilities were in good shape. I was completely alone there, but sure was because of my travel time. (Early November 2014)
The way to the place was very well signposted. All highly recommended and only for those who love peace and quiet.
I thank you very DOC
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in January 2015
4.5/5
A very quiet campsite.
We were the only ones there. The toilet facilities were being worked on and the DOC workers were very helpful in giving directions. It was a good campsite for us to get rested up in after making the long trip to NZ. Neat cabbage trees and nice grassy sites.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in April 2013
5.0/5
A small quiet campground without shower but with toilet and water from stream!
We think simple camping is the best!
Reviewed almost 15 years ago and experienced in November 2009