Observation Beach Campsite

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Location in Abel Tasman

Camping near Abel Tasman

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Information

Visit this beachside campsite on the Tinline to Anchorage section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.

There is now a foot track down to the beach - awesome!

Notices

Predator control operation for Abel Tasman National Park

A predator control operation using toxic bait containing 1080 was completed on 12 September 2025.

Abel Tasman National Park is open to the public with warning signs in place at key entrances.

There may be toxic carcasses and bait (green coloured pellets) in the area. It’s not safe to hunt for food in this area for up to 8 months. Warning signs and this web alert will be removed when the area is safe again.

You are not allowed to hunt or bring your dog to this area at any time.

DOC and Project Janszoon are carrying out the operation in partnership and it supports DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.
First published on 7 July 2025. Last reviewed on 12 September 2025.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Observation Beach campsite is categorised as a DOC Great Walk Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Adults from $5 to $32, children from $0 to $16, infants are free. There is differential pricing for international visitors, as well as seasonal pricing. Visit the website for exact pricing.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Child	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Infant	Varies per night

Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Great Walk

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Abel Tasman

Categories

Basic Camping

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-40.9673910640483

173.050374984741

Latitude
-40.9673910640483
Longitude
173.050374984741

Websites

Online Booking

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Medium Cost Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping only Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.
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.
Payment Requirement	Paid access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.
Maximum Sites Available	6 to 10 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in.
Booking Required	Booking is Required Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance.	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Dogs	No dogs allowed Dogs Does 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.	Dogs Does 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	No vehicle access Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Great Walk Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.
WiFi Internet	No WiFi WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.	WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.
Campfire Rules	Fires permitted (in designated sites) Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires permitted (in designated sites) Open air fires are allowed only in the provided fireplaces. Open air fires are not allowed if a total fire ban is currently in place. Portable cooking stoves may be used.	Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires permitted (in designated sites) Open air fires are allowed only in the provided fireplaces. Open air fires are not allowed if a total fire ban is currently in place. Portable cooking stoves may be used.

Reviews

No walk access makes this a great option for kayakers.
Kayak or Boat

Very sheltered and a beautiful little bay with the campsite right by the beach. The best kayak camping option in the Astrolabe in my opinion.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2016

Cymen Crick
Great scenery, different starting points for day tours, water taxis could be more flexible.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2011

Angela