Balmoral Recreation Reserve Camping...

Balmoral Recreation Reserve Camping Ground

beside Hurunui River

31 Rankers Reviews

6 Hanmer Springs

Accommodation

Maps

FREE Header

Camping NZ NEW

Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.

Photos

Balmoral Reserve
Heaps of sites
BBQ areas
Please respect

Information

Balmoral Recreation Reserve Camping Ground

The Balmoral Recreation Reserve Camping Ground is administered by the Balmoral Recreation Area Charitable Trust and is located along Culverden Road (turn left after Hurunui bridge).

It is a huge area; grassy, open and sunny with loads of mature pine trees. There is a range of facilities here including power and non powered sites, toilets, water taps and BBQ’s. There are no rubbish bins - you must carry out what you bring in.

Please adhere to the fire ban rules.

Bookings & Payment: Payments are made at the Caltex Garage (Mockett Motors) in Culverden

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Hurunui District Council

Council organisation

Location

South IslandCanterburyHanmer Springs

Categories

  • Activity__basic_facility_campingBasic Camping
  • Activity__dump_stationDump Station

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-42.86666671

172.7692167

Latitude
-42.86666671
Longitude
172.7692167

Nearby

Reviews

    ✓ Spacious area

    ✓ Clean toilets

    ✓ Drinkable water

    ✓ Affordable at $5/night

    ✓ Privacy available

    𐄂 Long drops in winter only

    𐄂 Not much else nearby

    • Great spot to stay.
    • Nice spot to unwind.
    • Could do with some of the potholes filled in.
    • Nice place to stay the night.
    • Stayed 2 nights here late December.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 9
    29%
    9/10 8
    26%
    8/10 10
    32%
    7/10 3
    10%
    6/10 1
    3%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 5.0/5

    10 based on a short stay for lunch only.

    Very large area with plenty of space and good facilities.

    Plenty of campers there but loads more space available.

    A very small hedgehog close to us too. Bonus!

    Reviewed 8 months ago

  • 4.5/5

    What a spot, heaps of room clean toilets and drinkable water from taps lovely at night to star gaze

    Reviewed 11 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    A great camping spot.

    Very spacious grassey area for pitching a tent or parking up, no need to be near to others if you'd like some privacy.

    Toilet block open in summer, long drops only in winter (quite a few distributed throughout the reserve). Lots of drinking water taps, plus a sink and tap for dish washing outside the toilet block.

    At $5 a night per adult, this was very reasonable.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Very very large grassy forest area, excellent facilities, only losing a point because there are no showers - although not an issue if your doing the Hamner thermal pools, as they have showers there.

    There can be quite a bit of wind at times.

    Reviewed almost 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    We took a dog with us in this camping ground.

    There are lots of space for dog running around. It costs only $5.00 per night for whole family. Water didn’t run this time of year. That’s why I put 8 points of review. Toilet is compost toilet. But it is great camping ground. From October, 2020 camp fee will be up to $10 for family and $5 per adult.

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Easy to access with plenty of space for the kids to run around.

    No showers but there are toilets and clean drinkable water during the summer. Short walk to the river. Can't get any better for the price and is an excellent lay over spot.

    Only downer is it can be quite noisy as it is right next to the highway.

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Stayed 2 nights here late December.

    Place was packed out but still found our group of 10 a spot under the shade of the pine trees. Good atmosphere and great vibe about the place. Little wind and virtually no sand flies during the day. Road noise from the state highway during the night on still nights might bother some people. Mobile reception was available through Vodafone's 4g network most of the time also.

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    It's very nice place with dogs with big space, quiet , and friendly people.

    It's a only minute to get the river and long truck to walk.

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice place to stay the night.

    Only thing negative is we could not find the box to put the money in. Maybe better to put it near the entrance

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    A 10, this is one of the most beautiful places we found.

    Pool to swim, clean toilets, water supply, lots of places, no annoying people coming complain at 8pm to talk more quietly 🙈....

    Perfect, we come back. Also thanks to the lady for the pool tip. It was very hot today and the swim was welcome

    Reviewed almost 6 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great campsite with plenty of space for privacy and just far enough away from the highway to not get the noise and only $5 a night

    Reviewed about 6 years ago

  • 3.0/5

    Very large grassy, sandy area with lots of trees!

    Pick a sunny or shaded place. Toilets. Honesty box ($5) by toilets or pay the lady in the caravan at the far end. Run by the council who take care of the place! Thumbs up! Thanks! We stayed in January.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    10 based on a short stay for lunch only.

    Very large area with plenty of space and good facilities.

    Plenty of campers there but loads more space available.

    A very small hedgehog close to us too. Bonus!

    Reviewed 8 months ago

  • 4.5/5

    What a spot, heaps of room clean toilets and drinkable water from taps lovely at night to star gaze

    Reviewed 11 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    A great camping spot.

    Very spacious grassey area for pitching a tent or parking up, no need to be near to others if you'd like some privacy.

    Toilet block open in summer, long drops only in winter (quite a few distributed throughout the reserve). Lots of drinking water taps, plus a sink and tap for dish washing outside the toilet block.

    At $5 a night per adult, this was very reasonable.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Very very large grassy forest area, excellent facilities, only losing a point because there are no showers - although not an issue if your doing the Hamner thermal pools, as they have showers there.

    There can be quite a bit of wind at times.

    Reviewed almost 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    We took a dog with us in this camping ground.

    There are lots of space for dog running around. It costs only $5.00 per night for whole family. Water didn’t run this time of year. That’s why I put 8 points of review. Toilet is compost toilet. But it is great camping ground. From October, 2020 camp fee will be up to $10 for family and $5 per adult.

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Easy to access with plenty of space for the kids to run around.

    No showers but there are toilets and clean drinkable water during the summer. Short walk to the river. Can't get any better for the price and is an excellent lay over spot.

    Only downer is it can be quite noisy as it is right next to the highway.

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Stayed 2 nights here late December.

    Place was packed out but still found our group of 10 a spot under the shade of the pine trees. Good atmosphere and great vibe about the place. Little wind and virtually no sand flies during the day. Road noise from the state highway during the night on still nights might bother some people. Mobile reception was available through Vodafone's 4g network most of the time also.

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    It's very nice place with dogs with big space, quiet , and friendly people.

    It's a only minute to get the river and long truck to walk.

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice place to stay the night.

    Only thing negative is we could not find the box to put the money in. Maybe better to put it near the entrance

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    A 10, this is one of the most beautiful places we found.

    Pool to swim, clean toilets, water supply, lots of places, no annoying people coming complain at 8pm to talk more quietly 🙈....

    Perfect, we come back. Also thanks to the lady for the pool tip. It was very hot today and the swim was welcome

    Reviewed almost 6 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great campsite with plenty of space for privacy and just far enough away from the highway to not get the noise and only $5 a night

    Reviewed about 6 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    I hope we come across more like this, big space, for $5 per night what more could you want, site was clean and at this time of year on a sat night a lot of room, very impressed

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Could do with some of the potholes filled in.

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice, cheap place.

    Basic, only toilets. Possibility to clean dishes. Lots of space.

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Really nice place to stop with plenty of space, clean facilities and the river next door!

    We highly recommend this campground.

    Reviewed almost 7 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great site!

    You pay only $5 into the honesty box for a site. The campsite has flush toilets, fireplaces for BBQ and a lot of space. The river is nearby for swimming. With showers I would give 10/10.

    Reviewed almost 7 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Great wee spot not far from Hamner Springs and a good swimming hole in the Hurunui River, 5 minutes walk from campground.

    Fire pits for when there's not a fire ban, too.

    Bring your own loo paper as there's none to be had here. Also, if you're not a fan of raid noise, drive further into the camping area. Lots of shade and very few insects.

    Reviewed about 7 years ago

    Bec's avatar

    Bec

  • 4.0/5

    A little bit noisy because it is close to the main road.

    All bbq spots are 'broken'. Big, beautiful trees.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful place with plenty of room for campers, nicely kept.

    Decent (flush) toilet facilities, and a decent price. Clean drinkable water available, pets allowed (on a leash). Only downside to our stay (not the camp's fault) was a random (French) camper attempting to kick our dogs - they were tied up on their leads to the car, not even barking; he just didn't like how they looked at his kids... mind you, I suppose Maltese/Shih-Tzu can look pretty ferocious. =_= Needless to say we had to move for our dogs' sake, but it ended up putting a damper on our camping experience.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 3.0/5

    Very large grassy, sandy area with lots of trees!

    Pick a sunny or shaded place. Toilets. Honesty box ($5) by toilets or pay the lady in the caravan at the far end. Run by the council who take care of the place! Thumbs up! Thanks! We stayed in January.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Great large area to stay, has a flushing toilet facilities with drinking water all around the place.

    Quite busy in December but still heaps of space! Close to the road which was busy due to the Kaikoura earthquake. Otherwise great place to stay with great facilities for just $5 no mossies too! Would definitely stop here again!

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice spot to unwind.

    Set in amongst pines. Basic toilet facilities. Have stayed there a couple of times now .

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful site, very spacious, clean flushing toilets, for $5 honesty box, it was a perfect stopover and very picturesque.

    Would have stayed a couple of nights if we were not on a timetable. Drinking water taps scattered around the site.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Cheap place ($5 for 2 persons) that provided drinking water and flushing toilets.

    Next to main road, so easy to find. Plenty of space to tent and close to the river for exploring and a swim. Hardly any sandflies or mosquitos. Can occasionally hear road traffic.

    Reviewed almost 9 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great spot to stay.

    Plenty of space and clean toilets!

    Reviewed about 9 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Lots of space, drinking water, toilet - clean and flushing.

    Committee member chatty and helpful. Great price, stayed twice!!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.0/5

    $5 per campervan or $70 per year.

    Large camping area, clean facilities - toilet area, very helpful staff. Subject to flooding on lowest areas.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 4.0/5

    Great couple there mowing the lawn, brought us wood to supplement what we had collected.

    Toilets very clean, $5 total (2 persons). Water good to drink.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago and experienced in December 2012

  • 4.5/5

    Nice spot.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in February 2011

  • 3.5/5

    A lovely restful, safe area to camp at only $5 per night.

    Toilets but no showers provided.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in November 2011