Tawanui Campsite

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    Bungy Jump 101:
    Find a beautiful place. Check.
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    Wooooo!
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    Canyoning
    
    Canyoning is a mix of land and water travel, descending picturesque canyons on foot (or rear end), ropes and swimming. Born by adrenalin-seekers, the growth in popularity of Canyoning in New Zealand means gentler trips are increasingly available.
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    Galloping down an isolated beach on a trusty steed, sand flying, the salt air whipping in your hair... (admit it, that's how you picture yourself on a horse)
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    New Zealand Glacier and Skiing tours - Good times all round.
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    Sphereing (also known as globe-riding, zorbing or orbing) is the recreation or sport of rolling downhill inside an orb made of transparent plastic.
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    Go underground to find the gold, when you get out there, let it hang out there, use your tea towel as a loin cloth and drink herbal tea. Can you handle th' Mandel?
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    The name says it all.
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    The land of milk and honey. A mecca of dairy coupled with the sweetness of serenity.
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    Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Gets up before anyone else. A birthplace of the new. Off the track, hongi a local, share a brew. Kia Kaha!
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    Smell it before you see it. Rotorua is so hot right now!
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    Taupo Region
    
    Big eruption = Big hole = Big lake
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    Ruapehu
    
    Slip on your shoes, it's walk-o-rama. Vivid colour like a Psychedelic cruise.
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    Hawkes Bay
    
    Like a masquerade ball; full of pomp, ceremony, fine wine and food. The gannets are cool too.
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    Taranaki
    
    The Naki is quite the surprise package. Talk with the colloquial locals and unlock a Jack-in-the-Box of the unexpected.
  - Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Raw and real. The Whanganui river is a major artery that has fed culture and change, shaping Aotearoa.
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    After slinking through the sounds and sipping on some Savs, keep the sounds down 'cos the spy base is in town.
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    Nelson Region
    
    This region is like a hippy with flash shoes. Drunk on sunshine. Replenish, reflect, restock & relax. Then relive the 70's and head down the one way street called Golden Bay, it won't let you down.
  - West Coast
    
    West Coast
    
    A diamond in the rough. Get on the offensive, cover yourself in sandfly repellent and tackle the weather & best scenery in NZ head on.
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    Kaikoura Region
    
    Squeezed between two giants, a dramatic point where the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean meet.
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    Canterbury
    
    Lots on offer here, straight roads make for easy driving but a zig zag approach is rewarded. Good place to get lost in. Watch out for local one eyed rugby fanatics.
  - Central Otago
    
    Central Otago
    
    Surreal space, if the Dalai Lama wanted to hang out in a southern NZ Tibet, then this is the spot. Get out your incense and get remote.
  - Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Like a great road trip movie, wind down the windows, put on your favourite tunes and prepare yourself for a sensory intake of freedom.
  - Wanaka Region
    
    Wanaka Region
    
    The outdoor fitness capital of NZ. You get the feeling every local is capable of giving you 10 one-handed push ups, while holding a coffee in the other. All roads from here lead to goodness.
  - Queenstown Region
    
    Queenstown Region
    
    A beautiful place where the locals have devised any conceivable way to scare you silly.
  - Coastal Otago
    
    Coastal Otago
    
    An oddity that works. The Scots did their best to tame the beast but wildlife still prevails. Get a hip flask of whisky, a kilt and stride the coast with purpose.
  - Fiordland
    
    Fiordland
    
    Meditative Milford - Get yourself in a zen state as this place is intense. Once the tour buses depart by 4pm, the locals are in their element (including sandflies). Find yourself in a quiet space and do what you need to do to take it all in.
  - Southland
    
    Southland
    
    A true blue, quirky mix of heartland and bogan, add a dash of the gay in Gore and gregarious local penguins on lonely beaches.
  - Stewart Island

Ranker's Qualmark Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism operation that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.

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Tawanui Campsite

Catlins Coast

14 Rankers Reviews

4 Face-to-Face

3 Owaka

Analysis

All Reviews

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Accommodation

Standard

Unpowered Campsite

Number of tent sites - 60.

Adult	$8/night
Child	$4/night

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Location in Owaka

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Department of Conservation

Fishing at Tawanui Camping Ground

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Information

the Tawanui Camping Ground is a huge campsite in a clearing on the side of the river pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Drive along gravel farm roads along Morris Saddle Road off Owaka Valley Road - follow the signs to the campsite. There are picnic tables and rubbish bins.

Details

Feature	Value	Info
Organisation	DOC Otago Central government organisation
Location	South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka
Categories	Basic Camping

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Otago

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka

Categories

Basic Camping

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Low Cost Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What 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 Camping Site Cost What 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	Camping and any vehicle Overnight Stay Rules What 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.	Overnight Stay Rules What 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	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Maximum Sites Available	More than 20 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in. 60 sites - party on!!	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in. 60 sites - party on!!
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available.	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available.
Booking Required	First Come, First Served Booking Required Is 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.	Booking Required Is 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.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Standard Campsite DOC Campsite Category What 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.	DOC Campsite Category What 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.
Dogs	Dog allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? Dog allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. Must be on a leash.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? Dog allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. Must be on a leash.
Toilet	Public toilet Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop only	Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop only

Reviews

Showing 13 reviews of 14.

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Ali

Ranking: 10/10

Lovely spot in the forest, lots of private spaces to park, heaps of room. Quiet when I was there. Great place for your dog to go too. Good facilities. Only sounds are the beautiful native birds.

Reviewed 6 months ago

Captain Erick

Ranking: 10/10

If you’re looking for a quiet site well out of the way you’ll love this spot like we did. We checked out some of the nearby DOC beach sites and found them beautiful but overcrowded. Tawanui has tons of room, flush toilets with TP, and sinks with running water. It’s a series of several open fields segregated by trees and surrounded by farmlands full of cows and sheep. We stayed two nights and no more than six other vehicles were there in a facility that could accommodate fifty.

Reviewed over 2 years ago

Vicki Hoskinson

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

Fantastic spot, virtually had Otto ourselves, setup on the side of the river, clean flushing toilets

Reviewed over 3 years ago

Marty

Ranking: 9/10

Quite green DOC campground surrounded by a beautiful forrest and the Catlin River. Close by is only farmland, you can hear cows and sheep and lots of birds (spotted a tui) - no traffic noise. 2x2 flush toilet, water from the tap (boil it before drinking). No showers, or electricity - self check-in (8$ per person per night). Best to take drinking water with you.

Reviewed over 3 years ago

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Crewe

Ranking: 9/10

No overcrowding as plenty of room - lots of trees birds and relaxing. You may be lucky to hear a Morepork bird at night. Approx 15-20 mins to Owaka for supplies and great Coffee stops. Campers have access to 2 x 2 flushing toilets. Water tap avail - must be boiled to drink. The Catlins River Walk is said to be awesome. A great place to unwind.

Reviewed over 4 years ago

Danielle Smith

Ranking: 7/10

Massive open spaces with a ton of room to find a quiet secluded camp site. Has two toilet blocks with non treated water. Catlins River Walk was beautiful and begins beyond the south west corner of the campsite and travels north west along the river.

Reviewed over 4 years ago

Damien Constantin

Ranking: 1/10

Flush toilet with no water... Not maintained at all. It's a shame to pay for this... 7km of gravel road to access.

Reviewed over 4 years ago

Rosanne van Dooren

Ranking: 8/10

Amazing quiet place, currently no toilets so at the moment self contained price was $8 per person, honesty box. Big place. We were alone it was idyllic.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

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Alex Goddard

Ranking: 6/10

Nice grassy areas next to the river to park up on. However, basic toilets and no drinking water. River walk was very underwhelming.

Reviewed over 7 years ago

FlyingKiwiGirl

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Fabulous DOC campground on the banks of the Catlin River and at the beginning of the Catlins River Walk. Large grassed areas to camp, if you are self contained drive down the gravel track to smaller more intimates area right beside the river. Quiet & peaceful.

Reviewed over 8 years ago

Mike & Jennie

United Kingdom

Ranking: 8/10

Isolated, quiet, excellent walking from camp, lots of room.

Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2012

Tadej Ferjan

Slovenia

Ranking: 9/10

Isolated campsite, near the Catlins river track.

Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2012

David Taylor

United Kingdom

Ranking: 8/10

7km off SH1 from Owaka. Wonderful, quiet and remote campsite (toilet only).

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2011

DOC Managed

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 😍

Cymen Crick

Rankers Owner

Land Activities

4WD Adventures

Bungy Jumping / Swing

Canyoning

Caving

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Horse Trekking

Outside the Square

Railbiking / Railcarting

Snow and Ice

Sphereing

Walking and Trekking

Water Activities

Boat Cruises

Diving

Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking

Jet Boating

Marine Animal Encounters

Air Activities

Visitor Centres

i-SITE Visitor Information Centres

Visitor Information Centres

Animal Attractions

Art & Culture Attractions

Natural Attractions

Stargazing

Camping Grounds

Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks

Basic Facility Camping

Freedom Camping

Land Transport

Motorhomes / Campervans / RV

Rental Cars

Shuttle Buses

Water Transport

Air Transport

North Island

Northland

Auckland Region

Coromandel

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Waikato

Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Rotorua Region

Taupo Region

Ruapehu

Hawkes Bay

Taranaki

Manawatu - Wanganui

Wairarapa

Wellington Region

South Island

Marlborough

Nelson Region

West Coast

Kaikoura Region

Canterbury

Central Otago

Mount Cook - MacKenzie

Wanaka Region

Queenstown Region

Coastal Otago

Fiordland

Southland

Tawanui Campsite

Tawanui Campsite

Catlins Coast

Accommodation

Tawanui Campsite

Unpowered Campsite

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Camping NZ NEW

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Information

Details

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Stay Rules

Overnight Stay Rules

Campsite Managing Organisation