Wairau Diversion Reserve
Wairau Diversion Reserve
Overnight Campervan Parking
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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 nights.
NOTE - Marlborough generally gets particularly parched over summer, so please - NO FIRES
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim |
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Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 43.
Get the best out of it. Here's how…
Dennis Rijbroek
Ranking: 6/10
Road to the site is tricky when you go down to the riverside. No facilities available. Decent view.
Michael
Ranking: 3/10
Unfortunately, at our stay, this place was crowded with about 20 cars/campervans.
Yes, the beach and the river are really nice, but the campsite itself is just not worth it. There is a public toilet at the beach. If you don't go, you really are not missing out anything.
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Emma & Tom
Ranking: 9/10
Nice secluded spot down but the beach with lots of shelter or open ground if you prefer. Toilet ok as far as long drops go. Access via gravel path bit rough and pot holes but ok if you go slow! Newbie UK Jucy campers :)
Rick’d
Ranking: 10/10
Great site close to the ferry. Perfect for us - twice!
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Georgia
Ranking: 8/10
Lovely spot. Toilets are pretty clean and beach is cool. Lots of space
Glen Marshall UK
Ranking: 10/10
Site not exactly as shown on app but I think it may have just now moved up & it is easy, with the sea to your right turn up gravel road as you go over bridge then drive about 1km up with vineyards either side, we parked under tall pine trees at end of lake just before beach & near new toilet blocks “Brilliant site & views & facilities good”
Plenty of parking please respect this site or loose it one of the best freedom sites we have stayed at
Jas & Glen
Gareth Jones
Ranking: 8/10
Lovely spot.Loads of room by the river and beach. Gravel road for a km or so but keep going to the end. Toilets ok but no water supply.
Perfect for ferry the following day. We got to Picton early and had time to explore.
Gareth
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Ceri
Ranking: 10/10
Great freedom camp site. Plenty of room for everyone and 2 toilets near the beach which were clean when we arrived but did deteriorate. We were picked up from Tuamarina for our wine tour which was really convenient. It’s only 10 mins from Blenheim and 15 mins from Picton so perfect for the ferry. The grey sandy beach was almost deserted. Best freedom camp we’ve so far experienced.
Aisling
Ranking: 9/10
Like the other reviews mention once you turn into the road keep driving right down to the end. There's so much room down here and plenty of shaded areas to park. You're right beside the river and beach. Great for a little swim to cool off. Its peaceful, has a clean drop toilet but no water source. You're only 15 mins to blenheim town centre so easy to stock up on supplies
Hope
Ranking: 8/10
Nice place to stay for the night. Plenty of parking, came off the ferry at 23:30 and didn't have any issue finding a spot. Beautiful scenery. Vault toilet at the end of the road, we didn't see it at night when we came in but were easily able to find in the morning.
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Flatlanders
Ranking: 9/10
! It's not the spot located on the Rankers map, you need to drive further down the road to the end. There is an awsome oceanview that meets the river, plenty of spots for vans and tents, just a hole-toilet, nothing else. Plenty of shade under huge pinetrees, fishermen near the ocean (come and go). We arrived early and it made my day. Great place to unwine after the ferry (or before). Definitely in my top 3 free campsites so far.
Marinette Kegels
Ranking: 5/10
Beautiful place! BUT: people make a mess of it 🥴
2 years ago, the road was damaged, and the people had respect for this beautiful spot. Now they fix the road, more space for overnight and not enough control. For the first time on our NZ travel we found some shit and trash in bushes. Really ....!!!!
Were are the “watchdogs” from Blenheim?
Maëlle Salmon
Ranking: 9/10
The first free campground after the ferry was full so we went here. We didn't regret it, very peaceful and tons of space. The dry toilets are not as bad as described!
