39 Rankers Reviews
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Stay in a self contained vehicle for up to 2 nights at peaceful Taylor Dam Reserve. Good walking and mountain biking options, while also in close proximity to Wither Hills Walkway and only 6kms from Blenheim township.
The responsible camping area at the Taylor Dam Reserve is in the Upper Levels of the Reserve.
The Taylor Dam Reserve Upper Level is located off Taylor Pass Road approximately 7 kms from Blenheim as shown on the Taylor Dam Reserve Upper Level map.
No person may responsible camp except in the area shown and must be in a certified self-contained
vehicle.
There is clear signage into the area directing campers to the area allocated for camping.
The maximum period anyone can responsible camp in this area is two consecutive nights in any four-
week period.
Vehicle numbers are limited to 10 vehicles.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Marlborough District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim |
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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? ![]() Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must display the "Responsible Camper" sticker. |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? ![]() Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 2 nights You may stay up to two nights in a row. |
Maximum Sites Available |
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Maximum Sites AvailableHow 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. 10 sites available |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? No water supply There is no supply of fresh water. |
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. Extra large vehicles will find access difficult |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? ![]() Dogs allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
WiFi Internet |
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WiFi InternetWhat type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available. |
Campfire Rules |
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Campfire RulesWhat are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. toilet 500 m from camp spot |
Beautiful nature reserve
Clean toilets
Lots of bird life
Peaceful location
Toilets far from campsites
Few parking spots
Parking areas often full
Great wee spot.
Mags
Great spot above the dam.
Juanita
Location is ok.
Stefanie
Quiet place close to Blenheim.
Carl Fogarty
Lovely reserve not far from Blenheim.
Emma Guthrie
Toilets Closed May 27 due to broken water pump.
No indication when it’ll be open. Head elsewhere if you need toilets.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Beautiful spot right by a little nature reserve.
Not many spots so be mindful that they will fill up fairly quickly. Toilets a short walk past the dam.
Reviewed 10 months ago
Beautiful location, but only has about 9 spots.
Located on the left just a few meters after turning off the main road. Make sure you arrive early to secure your spot. Last one filled up by 8PM even in off season. We didn't have any cell reception here.
Reviewed 10 months ago
Our best spot prior to or post ferry .
Peaceful area but 10 spots fill fast. Sad to see the large caravans taking up two spaces just to park their car. I felt sorry when there was no room for a late comer . Lovely walks around and 5 km from Blenheim . 10/10 toilets !!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Nice spot next to a beautiful lake,with lots of swans and surounded by hills.
Clean toilets after a 5min walk.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Beautiful spot close to a lake.
There is a view on surrounding hills. The places are only around 10, so it's better to be here earlier
Reviewed over 1 year ago
First stop after the ferry to the South Island.
Quiet, clean flushing toilets, nice spot.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Great wee spot.
Site was pretty level. Get there early if you want a spot. Filled up by dark. Nice clean toilets about a 5 min walk away with lights at night. Lots of bird life and was nice waking up to the birds
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
The best spot before or after sailing to Wellington.
Very calm to hear the birds and see the stars. Just the toilets are quite far away. There is a water tap on the first “electric pole”.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
Lovely spot close to nature.
Modern, clean toilets. Slightly sloped camp area, just off the road. Space for 10 SC vehicles, which filled up quickly after 5pm. About 15 mins drive from Blenheim. Quiet throughout the night.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
Good spot, lovely lake with one bench.
9 spots all in a row, didn’t fill up. Lovely sunset and lots of ducks in the lake/reservoir. Some cars at weird hours of the night.
One portaloo which was in fairly grim condition although toilet roll present, 4 min walk from camping area.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
To repeat the last review can confirm the same thing toilets are still being upgraded but a portaloo is onsite and is a 2-3 min walk away camping spot is limited so arrive before 6 I reckon ground doesn
't permit pitched awnings and as is sloped slightly which has been mentioned
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Parking area slightly sloped, otherwise alright.
Not quite at the lake, but close. Watch out, currently no toilets. The “new toilets” mentioned by others were closed for repair and no alternative was provided. But it was free, and there are public toilets about 5 minutes away driving next to a biking park. Easily 8/10 if the toilets were working.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Very nice spot, near forest and small lake.
Not too big and enough space for 6-8 campervans. A bit noisy with cars that drive there and then leave (young people, we guessed). A shame that toilets are closed
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Nice campsite just off the main road next to a small lake full of swans and ducks.
Brand new toilet block at the bottom of the lake … however it’s not open, there is a sign on it saying it’s “closed due to Covid” there is 1 portaloo attached to a tree instead. Slightly disappointing as there are 10 spaces in the freedom carpark! We thought about moving to another location, however we have the ferry tomorrow morning so it’s a good spot for that.
Recommend for location, but don’t expect the toilets to be open (hopefully they will as peak season come around)
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Arrived here at about 4pm and were the first people here, and by 7pm there were another 5 campers with 4 spaces left.
Not a lot here, but you can take a nice walk around the water. The toilets are still closed due to covid restrictions so bare this in mind. Was a very quiet and peaceful spot.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Nice rural free camp.
Spots clearly marked. Toilets not open during our visit and a good 5 min walk from the free camp spots. Nice walk around the lake takes you past the toilets and back to the camping parks. Quiet during our stay and minimal road noise. Liquid wash in Blenheim is a great place to do washing and drying.. taking under 1hr for a family of 4 washing including drying time... getting you back to looking around with minimal interruption.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Toilets Closed May 27 due to broken water pump.
No indication when it’ll be open. Head elsewhere if you need toilets.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Beautiful spot right by a little nature reserve.
Not many spots so be mindful that they will fill up fairly quickly. Toilets a short walk past the dam.
Reviewed 10 months ago
Beautiful location, but only has about 9 spots.
Located on the left just a few meters after turning off the main road. Make sure you arrive early to secure your spot. Last one filled up by 8PM even in off season. We didn't have any cell reception here.
Reviewed 10 months ago
Our best spot prior to or post ferry .
Peaceful area but 10 spots fill fast. Sad to see the large caravans taking up two spaces just to park their car. I felt sorry when there was no room for a late comer . Lovely walks around and 5 km from Blenheim . 10/10 toilets !!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Nice spot next to a beautiful lake,with lots of swans and surounded by hills.
Clean toilets after a 5min walk.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Beautiful spot close to a lake.
There is a view on surrounding hills. The places are only around 10, so it's better to be here earlier
Reviewed over 1 year ago
First stop after the ferry to the South Island.
Quiet, clean flushing toilets, nice spot.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Great wee spot.
Site was pretty level. Get there early if you want a spot. Filled up by dark. Nice clean toilets about a 5 min walk away with lights at night. Lots of bird life and was nice waking up to the birds
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
The best spot before or after sailing to Wellington.
Very calm to hear the birds and see the stars. Just the toilets are quite far away. There is a water tap on the first “electric pole”.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
Lovely spot close to nature.
Modern, clean toilets. Slightly sloped camp area, just off the road. Space for 10 SC vehicles, which filled up quickly after 5pm. About 15 mins drive from Blenheim. Quiet throughout the night.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
Good spot, lovely lake with one bench.
9 spots all in a row, didn’t fill up. Lovely sunset and lots of ducks in the lake/reservoir. Some cars at weird hours of the night.
One portaloo which was in fairly grim condition although toilet roll present, 4 min walk from camping area.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
To repeat the last review can confirm the same thing toilets are still being upgraded but a portaloo is onsite and is a 2-3 min walk away camping spot is limited so arrive before 6 I reckon ground doesn
't permit pitched awnings and as is sloped slightly which has been mentioned
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Parking area slightly sloped, otherwise alright.
Not quite at the lake, but close. Watch out, currently no toilets. The “new toilets” mentioned by others were closed for repair and no alternative was provided. But it was free, and there are public toilets about 5 minutes away driving next to a biking park. Easily 8/10 if the toilets were working.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Very nice spot, near forest and small lake.
Not too big and enough space for 6-8 campervans. A bit noisy with cars that drive there and then leave (young people, we guessed). A shame that toilets are closed
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Nice campsite just off the main road next to a small lake full of swans and ducks.
Brand new toilet block at the bottom of the lake … however it’s not open, there is a sign on it saying it’s “closed due to Covid” there is 1 portaloo attached to a tree instead. Slightly disappointing as there are 10 spaces in the freedom carpark! We thought about moving to another location, however we have the ferry tomorrow morning so it’s a good spot for that.
Recommend for location, but don’t expect the toilets to be open (hopefully they will as peak season come around)
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Arrived here at about 4pm and were the first people here, and by 7pm there were another 5 campers with 4 spaces left.
Not a lot here, but you can take a nice walk around the water. The toilets are still closed due to covid restrictions so bare this in mind. Was a very quiet and peaceful spot.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Nice rural free camp.
Spots clearly marked. Toilets not open during our visit and a good 5 min walk from the free camp spots. Nice walk around the lake takes you past the toilets and back to the camping parks. Quiet during our stay and minimal road noise. Liquid wash in Blenheim is a great place to do washing and drying.. taking under 1hr for a family of 4 washing including drying time... getting you back to looking around with minimal interruption.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Location is ok.
Only a few spots available. A few minutes walk from the toilets, which are closed right now (end of September) due to renovations.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Great spot above the dam.
Lots of bird life.
We walked up the hill to watch a beautiful sunset. We were treated to an air show with planes from the local area.
Toilets immaculately clean, only downside that they are a 3 min walk away so not ideal if you need to in the night.
We did hear some boy racers but not for long.
Reviewed over 3 years ago