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Large area, very sheltered with loads of space underneath the trees for camping and positioned right next to the Motueka River. Good swimming and a haven for NZ lifestylers.
This site is clean (carry out your own rubbish) and is a self contained area only. It is easily accessable for large vehicles. No fires.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Tasman District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Motueka |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities. |
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. |
Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 1 night You are permitted to stay only one night here in a row. |
Maximum Sites Available |
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Maximum Sites AvailableHow many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 16 to 20 sites There are between sixteen and twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. River water - boil before drinking |
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. |
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. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop only - pretty rough... |
Beautiful spot.
Free campsite, with a toilet.
Great spot.
We stayed here two nights.
Good river campsite.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 0 |
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0% |
9/10 | 3 |
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12% |
8/10 | 10 |
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38% |
7/10 | 12 |
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46% |
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 | 1 |
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4% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3.5/5
McLeans Recreation Area is a large, rather damp (in Autumn/Winter) roadside / riverside reserve with heaps of room for campers, tents and caravans.
In the reviews there are a lot of negative comments about the toilets but if all of those staying are self-contained that should not be an issue. There were several people "camping" in their cars during our brief stay.. Note: there is a conflict of comments relating to the Rankers Introduction screen vs the "Overnight Stay Rules" tab.. one says Self-Contained only & the other says Any Camping is permissible.
There is no tap-water supply here but the river is clean enough to fill a solar shower or be heated in a pot for dish-washing. There was noisy traffic during the day but it was fairly quiet at night. We would stay there again.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in April 2017
1.5/5
The space itself is nice, you could easily place 30 campervans and the river is nearby so you could take a swim.
The toilet was absolutely gross, not usable at all, I suppose that is the reason why we could se lot of toilet paper in the bushes... There was a huge amount of sandflies so we couldn't stay out of the van without getting stung every minute. Also there are lots of other insects flying around and they make a really loud noise so you can sleep only when they eventually stop twirping. Wouldn't come here again, and never with a non self contained van.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
4.0/5
Free campsite, with a toilet.
the river is nearby and great to swim in! There is plenty of space for camping, and it was quiet when I stayed so such a lovely place to spend some time in.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
3.5/5
Big camp site with easy access to the river, river walk and view was refreshing in morning, little bit cool at night, the only draw back was toilet (it was nearly full) we couldn't use it...
so we have to use closest town public toilet.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
3.5/5
Great spot.
Has a toilet. Great beach for fires and no minimum stay!
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Vast expanse of grass along the river roadside.
Good base for a short stopover. Has a toilet.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
3.5/5
We stayed here two nights.
Many, many places so don't worry. Closed to the road but not so many cars. We was not disturbed. 35km from Motueka. Toilets are dirty, some people leave their rubbish. No water supply but the river!
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.0/5
Spacious and plenty of shady trees, great swimming spots nearby, a bit close and exposed to the main road but good for an overnight stay.
No cellphone coverage.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.0/5
Another free camp which passes the relax test.
Right by the river, and a short drive to Motueka. Gets cold in winter.
Reviewed about 9 years ago
3.5/5
Easy to find and accurate on the App map.
Approximately an hours drive after Abel Tasman National park, so fairly quick to settle in for the night after a hike.
Arrived in the dark so couldn't appreciate surrounds or see a toilet, etc. Road was close but we found it quiet (early August) and didn't even realise we were that close till light of morning. Next to the river, can imagine would be beautiful and peaceful during day or warmer months.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
3.5/5
McLeans Recreation Area is a large, rather damp (in Autumn/Winter) roadside / riverside reserve with heaps of room for campers, tents and caravans.
In the reviews there are a lot of negative comments about the toilets but if all of those staying are self-contained that should not be an issue. There were several people "camping" in their cars during our brief stay.. Note: there is a conflict of comments relating to the Rankers Introduction screen vs the "Overnight Stay Rules" tab.. one says Self-Contained only & the other says Any Camping is permissible.
There is no tap-water supply here but the river is clean enough to fill a solar shower or be heated in a pot for dish-washing. There was noisy traffic during the day but it was fairly quiet at night. We would stay there again.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in April 2017
1.5/5
The space itself is nice, you could easily place 30 campervans and the river is nearby so you could take a swim.
The toilet was absolutely gross, not usable at all, I suppose that is the reason why we could se lot of toilet paper in the bushes... There was a huge amount of sandflies so we couldn't stay out of the van without getting stung every minute. Also there are lots of other insects flying around and they make a really loud noise so you can sleep only when they eventually stop twirping. Wouldn't come here again, and never with a non self contained van.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
4.0/5
Free campsite, with a toilet.
the river is nearby and great to swim in! There is plenty of space for camping, and it was quiet when I stayed so such a lovely place to spend some time in.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
3.5/5
Big camp site with easy access to the river, river walk and view was refreshing in morning, little bit cool at night, the only draw back was toilet (it was nearly full) we couldn't use it...
so we have to use closest town public toilet.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
3.5/5
Great spot.
Has a toilet. Great beach for fires and no minimum stay!
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Vast expanse of grass along the river roadside.
Good base for a short stopover. Has a toilet.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
3.5/5
We stayed here two nights.
Many, many places so don't worry. Closed to the road but not so many cars. We was not disturbed. 35km from Motueka. Toilets are dirty, some people leave their rubbish. No water supply but the river!
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.0/5
Spacious and plenty of shady trees, great swimming spots nearby, a bit close and exposed to the main road but good for an overnight stay.
No cellphone coverage.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.0/5
Another free camp which passes the relax test.
Right by the river, and a short drive to Motueka. Gets cold in winter.
Reviewed about 9 years ago
3.5/5
Easy to find and accurate on the App map.
Approximately an hours drive after Abel Tasman National park, so fairly quick to settle in for the night after a hike.
Arrived in the dark so couldn't appreciate surrounds or see a toilet, etc. Road was close but we found it quiet (early August) and didn't even realise we were that close till light of morning. Next to the river, can imagine would be beautiful and peaceful during day or warmer months.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
4.0/5
Stopped for lunch.
Looks a good site. The current location marking is spot on.
Reviewed almost 10 years ago
4.5/5
A good stop for one night.
The position was very inaccurate!
Reviewed almost 10 years ago
4.0/5
Good river campsite.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
3.5/5
Beautiful spot.
Close to Motueka. Free toilet so both self-contained and non self-contained vehicles are welcome.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
3.5/5
Free, lots of space, toilet (little bit dirty), river for a swim.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
3.5/5
Free for vehicles.
Large area covered with lots of trees. Very nice river next to it. Close to highway, so a bit of noise, but wasn't an issue. If you arrive in the dark DO NOT head straight towards river after turning off of hi-way without 4-wheel drive, it was very muddy and I almost made that mistake! Only a couple other vehicles in April. Long drop toilet was fairly old and one of the least nice in our NZ trip. We are also certain that the Camping NZ app had marked this place in the wrong location. The actual campground was a few Kms south and on the other side of the hi-way from the marked location on the app. So if arriving late, be aware of that! Nice campground!
Reviewed over 10 years ago
4.0/5
A calm place even though it is near the road.
Lots of sand flies. It's free.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
4.0/5
Free camping with facilities (toilets).
Adjacent to the Motueka river, riverside picnic and swimming spot, quiet not very clean toilets.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
3.5/5
Nice camp-site next to the beach, $6 per night per person, cold shower.
Reviewed over 10 years ago
4.0/5
Free basic campground right off the highway.
We found plenty of space to park and enjoyed walking along the river. Great place to stop when driving between the West Coast and Nelson.
Reviewed almost 11 years ago
4.5/5
Great place to stop, beautiful river, has toilet but didn't look as we were self contained.
Only one other camper there.
Excellent.
Reviewed about 11 years ago
4.5/5
Great swimming, facilities free.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
3.5/5
Beautiful surroundings.
Lots of space. Easy access. Good birdwatching. 1 Outdoor toilet available.
River access for fishing.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
4.0/5
Beautiful view - allows dogs off leash.
Accessible. Close to plenty of facilities and nice beach - Good 1 hour walk.
Reviewed almost 15 years ago and experienced in April 2009