Wairau Diversion Reserve
Overnight Campervan Parking
78 Rankers Reviews
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Wairau Diversion Reserve
Overnight Freedom Camping on the coast at Wairau Diversion Reserve. Great fishing and white-baiting spot. Good surfing too when there's an easterly swell. Self contained vehicles only and maximum stay of 2 consecutive nights in any four week period.
NOTE - Marlborough generally gets particularly parched over summer, so please - NO FIRES
The Wairau Diversion area is located on the northern side of the lower reach of the Diversion. It is
accessed from the intersection of Thomas Road and Neal Road.
The area of the Wairau Diversion at the eastern end of the site is a restricted area for responsible camping. The Wairau Diversion Reserve Restricted Area is part of the reserve from the eastern boundary of the prohibited area adjacent to the Hinepango Wetland stretching in an easterly direction to the Wairau Diversion day use area. The area permitting responsible camping has a fence on its eastern boundary between the day use and the camping area.
No person may responsible camp except in the area shown and must be in a certified self-contained
vehicle.
Look for the Green Camping Zone signs about 1km along the gravel road after entering the reserve from Neal Road.
There is clear signage into the area directing campers to the area allocated for camping.
Vehicle numbers are limited to 75 vehicles.
Details
| 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 |
Freedom Camping
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Nearby
Reviews
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Great views and sunsets -
Plenty of space to park
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Ideal spot for ferry travellers
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Calm and quiet location
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Rough access road -
Potholes and uneven ground
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Bathrooms are far and not well maintained
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Such a great spot!
Lilith Prins -
My best campsite in New Zealand !
Mathieu Quintard -
Great place.
Mark -
Nice spot, and close to Blenheim.
Tracey Leyston -
Large grass area on the bank of the river.
Ben
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Large grass area on the bank of the river.
Its a new spot after the origional was closed due to damage. Very basic but its an ideal spot to head before or after a ferry sailing. Beware of pot holes
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Road to it was a bit rough, but the actual location was lovely.
Lots of space with beautiful sunset and sunrises! 😍
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Wairau Diversion Reserve looks like a very nice spot, especially on sunny days!
Unfortunately, it was very rainy during our visit, and the ground was too boggy with quite a few potholes. We decided to divert to the nearby DOC campsite instead. Would say it’s not suitable for heavy motorhomes in wet weather, but otherwise we would definitely have stayed here.
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Lots of space - watch out for pot holes, but a lovely spot with a great view in the morning, you won’t have trouble finding a spot
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Beautiful spot where river is meeting the sea.
Huge area, magnificent sunrise. Not level area but easily managed. Toilets available about 900m. If you're really looking for a freedom camp this is great
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One of the most picturesque campsites I have visited.
The usual diversion campsite is under construction at the moment so they have set up a temporary one a little further back but this was equally pretty and really gorgeous along the river. There was plenty of room to park and easy to find in the day time.
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The actual camping spot is closed due to flood damage.
They have set up a secondary one a KM ahead of the original one. Signage could be improved as it is hard to see at night, and the roads have seen better days. Always lots of availability though, even when you arrive past midnight like we did. Easy spot to Freedom Camp if you get off the ferry late at night or have to get on early in the morning.
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Really nice spot, lots of places to camp Full 5G service No toilet Ground isn’t the most even
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Got off the late ferry around midnight after having the first one cancelled on us.
This was a good spot not too far from Picton. Dark, quiet and flat. Parking is pretty random and you’ll feel like you’re not in the right place but you are. Go through the concrete barriers and then drive down the road and camp on the righthand side of the road on the water. Beautiful views in the morning. Bathroom close by as well
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Great spot if you come from the ferry.
Beautifully located on the riverbank. Toilets are a far walk and okay regarding cleanliness. No toiletpaper. We were only 2 vans but heaps of space.
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17.07.22- reserve appears to be closed with Thomas Road blocked from the cross section with Neal Road.
Whole reserve appears inaccessible at least with a vehicle. Judging from nature of barrier it doesn't look like it will be open in a hurry, despite the temporary camping site marked on the Malborough website. High marks given as to not taint the future potential of this site in the hope it recovers, a shame considering this is written at 1am post ferry crossing
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This is an updated review since the recent flooding mid 2021.
The details around this Responsible Camping location is likely to change, when the council chooses its next move, but here's where it's at in late 2021 and into early 2022.
We've stayed here for around 15 years in between hopping on and off the ferry. It's always been a location of choice due to proximity to the Ferry and the fantastic location (Fishing / Surfing / Swimming and the rest).
This new change has pulled the location away from the ocean, so it's more of a walk to where we like to be. Plus the camping area isn't nearly as nice as the places closer to the beach. But in saying that, we greatly appreciated laying our heads down in this location after departing the ferry very late in the evening.
Thus I still give it a 7/10, but it's worth considering the Rarangi and Whites Bay DOC sites nearby, which are very close to the beach and have a much nicer vibe. Check the app for details. Chur.
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The road to the camping area has been blocked off with concrete blocks.
There is a small area along the river where camping is permitted, approximately 1km from the original camping area and toilet. The toilet appears to be unmaintained.
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But was an awesome spot when I first visited!
-STILL CLOSED AS OF 18/12/21-
Heaps of space, toilets weren't great, but the river was picturesque enough to make up for it
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Council has moved CSC camping further from the beach, by river diversion.
Quiet and plenty of space for parking. Not a lot of trees for shade and public toilets a bit far. Lovely sunrises. Nice walk to the beach.
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Large area under the pine trees to park up.
Only 25mins to Picton so great when getting off the Ferry. Long drop toilets are a short walk away. Also walking distance to the beach. Nice area not far off the main road which makes for a nice quiet spot.
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Large grass area on the bank of the river.
Its a new spot after the origional was closed due to damage. Very basic but its an ideal spot to head before or after a ferry sailing. Beware of pot holes
-
Road to it was a bit rough, but the actual location was lovely.
Lots of space with beautiful sunset and sunrises! 😍
-
Wairau Diversion Reserve looks like a very nice spot, especially on sunny days!
Unfortunately, it was very rainy during our visit, and the ground was too boggy with quite a few potholes. We decided to divert to the nearby DOC campsite instead. Would say it’s not suitable for heavy motorhomes in wet weather, but otherwise we would definitely have stayed here.
-
Lots of space - watch out for pot holes, but a lovely spot with a great view in the morning, you won’t have trouble finding a spot
-
Beautiful spot where river is meeting the sea.
Huge area, magnificent sunrise. Not level area but easily managed. Toilets available about 900m. If you're really looking for a freedom camp this is great
-
One of the most picturesque campsites I have visited.
The usual diversion campsite is under construction at the moment so they have set up a temporary one a little further back but this was equally pretty and really gorgeous along the river. There was plenty of room to park and easy to find in the day time.
-
-
The actual camping spot is closed due to flood damage.
They have set up a secondary one a KM ahead of the original one. Signage could be improved as it is hard to see at night, and the roads have seen better days. Always lots of availability though, even when you arrive past midnight like we did. Easy spot to Freedom Camp if you get off the ferry late at night or have to get on early in the morning.
-
Really nice spot, lots of places to camp Full 5G service No toilet Ground isn’t the most even
-
Got off the late ferry around midnight after having the first one cancelled on us.
This was a good spot not too far from Picton. Dark, quiet and flat. Parking is pretty random and you’ll feel like you’re not in the right place but you are. Go through the concrete barriers and then drive down the road and camp on the righthand side of the road on the water. Beautiful views in the morning. Bathroom close by as well
-
Great spot if you come from the ferry.
Beautifully located on the riverbank. Toilets are a far walk and okay regarding cleanliness. No toiletpaper. We were only 2 vans but heaps of space.
-
17.07.22- reserve appears to be closed with Thomas Road blocked from the cross section with Neal Road.
Whole reserve appears inaccessible at least with a vehicle. Judging from nature of barrier it doesn't look like it will be open in a hurry, despite the temporary camping site marked on the Malborough website. High marks given as to not taint the future potential of this site in the hope it recovers, a shame considering this is written at 1am post ferry crossing
-
The road to the camping area has been blocked off with concrete blocks.
There is a small area along the river where camping is permitted, approximately 1km from the original camping area and toilet. The toilet appears to be unmaintained.
-
This is an updated review since the recent flooding mid 2021.
The details around this Responsible Camping location is likely to change, when the council chooses its next move, but here's where it's at in late 2021 and into early 2022.
We've stayed here for around 15 years in between hopping on and off the ferry. It's always been a location of choice due to proximity to the Ferry and the fantastic location (Fishing / Surfing / Swimming and the rest).
This new change has pulled the location away from the ocean, so it's more of a walk to where we like to be. Plus the camping area isn't nearly as nice as the places closer to the beach. But in saying that, we greatly appreciated laying our heads down in this location after departing the ferry very late in the evening.
Thus I still give it a 7/10, but it's worth considering the Rarangi and Whites Bay DOC sites nearby, which are very close to the beach and have a much nicer vibe. Check the app for details. Chur.
-
But was an awesome spot when I first visited!
-STILL CLOSED AS OF 18/12/21-
Heaps of space, toilets weren't great, but the river was picturesque enough to make up for it
-
Council has moved CSC camping further from the beach, by river diversion.
Quiet and plenty of space for parking. Not a lot of trees for shade and public toilets a bit far. Lovely sunrises. Nice walk to the beach.
-
Large area under the pine trees to park up.
Only 25mins to Picton so great when getting off the Ferry. Long drop toilets are a short walk away. Also walking distance to the beach. Nice area not far off the main road which makes for a nice quiet spot.
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Not a bad place to stop off, a large grassy area with pine trees for shelter or more open at the end.
A little scruffy in parts and toilets poorly maintained. Close to the river and beach, views of the mountains.
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A very nice and quiet area at this time of year (Early March).
The district council have posted "No Camping" signage along the first half of the river so make sure you don't camp in those areas as the fine is $200.
The toilets are clean and tidy if needed.