46 Rankers Reviews
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Stunning views from your Campervan
Hawkes Lookout carpark is situated next to the main road between Motueka and Golden Bay. This is karst country!
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Organisation |
DOC Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Motueka |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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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. |
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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 have either a 'blue warrant' certificate of self-containment, or a 'green warrant' certificate of self-containment. |
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Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
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Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 4 nights You are permitted to stay at this campsite for up to four nights in a row. Four nights maximum in a single calendar month. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Dogs |
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DogsDoes 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. |
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Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
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DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Restricted Freedom Camping Site Department of Conservation Restricted Freedom Camping Sites are for Self Contained Vehicles only with restrictions over length of stay. Some of these locations may have a toilet, but this can't be expected. |
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WiFi Internet |
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WiFi InternetWhat type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available. |
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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. |
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Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
Stunning views from lookout
Good for a one-night stop
Quiet location
Clean toilets
Limited parking spots
Poor toilet conditions
Sloped parking area
A great wee place to park up for the night.
Shalamar
Nice spot.
Its Me
Astonishing view over the valley.
Bjorn Hedmark
Beautiful, quiet pit stop next to a steam.
Amy Strevens
Well....
Zdenda Barvinek
About 8 places to sleep.
You will sleep a bit downhill, but it is enough for a one-night stop.
Non-flush toilet, which was quite smelly.
View of the valley nearby.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Little, basic parking lot with wc nearby.
Arrived late at night, still found a spot as freedom sites at Mouteka wasn’t an option (one at port was full, parking in city seemed to shady)
Reviewed 7 months ago
Unexpected campground in the middle of the mountain where you would think you just need to keep driving.
More people do have the same idea so arrive on time as there is not much space!
Reviewed 9 months ago
Beautiful, quiet pit stop next to a steam.
Lots of grass land for plenty of campers. Clean toilets.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
Nice freecamp close to Takaka Hill highway (Low traffic during night time).
Toilet and lookout.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
Small car park (about 6 spots), good to come early.
Beautiful lookout.
Clean toilets.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
I've stayed here a few times over the years.
For some.reaosn, the passing trassic really bothered me this time. Maybe the road is busier? 4g signal was good although dropped a few times. I have no idea what people are going on about re it not being flat, they make it sound like you're parked on a hill. I looked and couldn't even find where the incline was. I felt safe, 3 other campers there in June. Toilet isn't the best but not as bad as some are making it out to be. Overall, a good spot. And visiting the woodshed cafe 5 minutes up the road is a must! Great cogfe and food and animal petting/feeding 🙂
Reviewed over 1 year ago
There's not many freedom campsites in Golden Bay.
This is one is. on the road in/out. You're basically up in the mountains so it's cold. Good overnighter site if you can get one of the few spaces.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
Useful stopover when driving down from the North end of Abel Tasman NP.
Space for at least 6 vans. The toilet was clean and the short walkway to the lookout has plenty of nice views.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Very basic but safe and clean space.
If good westher, nice walk with amazing view. Very friendly young weka:). No tap and only dry toilet- clean. Few people stopping there in the morning to walk to the lookout- quite busy!
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Convenient place to stay for a night on your way up to Abel Tasma/Collingwood.
Beautiful view from the lookout.
Not much space but not too busy.
Only dry toilets quite dirty, no water or dump station.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Does the job as a free camp site.
The view from the lookout is quite something.
Cons: The parking is really not level.
There was like 200 flies in the toilet.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Small but very nice spot!
Only a few places available but with a superb view and very quiet, even with the road beside!
Reviewed over 3 years ago
Great spot, awesome views from the lookout (5min walk).
Toilet was quite smelly, but not dirty per se.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
Great spot with awesome views (short walk required).
Surprisingly quiet given you are next to the road. We were the only motorhome!
Reviewed over 3 years ago
Surprisingly hidden from the road.
Minimal road noise didn’t bother us. Toilets very close however extremely stinky and heaps of flies. We were the only ones there for the night. Toilet gets quite a few visits throughout the afternoon and night as it’s a public toilet. Didn’t bother us. Would stay again. Phone reception was good. Enough space for 6 vans.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2022
A great wee place to park up for the night.
We were actually the only ones too yay! There is a cute wee walk that you can do to an amazing lookout. It has a toilet which was so nice & clean. Only con would be next to the main road & noise but saying that it wasn’t a biggy. You can’t see any of the vehicles and they can’t see you. Fantastic wee spot!!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2020
Close to the roadway for lots of loud traffic, very crowded and little parking, people were loud with music and TV.
Bathrooms were filthy and strong odor of ammonia.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020
About 8 places to sleep.
You will sleep a bit downhill, but it is enough for a one-night stop.
Non-flush toilet, which was quite smelly.
View of the valley nearby.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Little, basic parking lot with wc nearby.
Arrived late at night, still found a spot as freedom sites at Mouteka wasn’t an option (one at port was full, parking in city seemed to shady)
Reviewed 7 months ago
Unexpected campground in the middle of the mountain where you would think you just need to keep driving.
More people do have the same idea so arrive on time as there is not much space!
Reviewed 9 months ago
Beautiful, quiet pit stop next to a steam.
Lots of grass land for plenty of campers. Clean toilets.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
Nice freecamp close to Takaka Hill highway (Low traffic during night time).
Toilet and lookout.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
Small car park (about 6 spots), good to come early.
Beautiful lookout.
Clean toilets.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
I've stayed here a few times over the years.
For some.reaosn, the passing trassic really bothered me this time. Maybe the road is busier? 4g signal was good although dropped a few times. I have no idea what people are going on about re it not being flat, they make it sound like you're parked on a hill. I looked and couldn't even find where the incline was. I felt safe, 3 other campers there in June. Toilet isn't the best but not as bad as some are making it out to be. Overall, a good spot. And visiting the woodshed cafe 5 minutes up the road is a must! Great cogfe and food and animal petting/feeding 🙂
Reviewed over 1 year ago
There's not many freedom campsites in Golden Bay.
This is one is. on the road in/out. You're basically up in the mountains so it's cold. Good overnighter site if you can get one of the few spaces.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
Useful stopover when driving down from the North end of Abel Tasman NP.
Space for at least 6 vans. The toilet was clean and the short walkway to the lookout has plenty of nice views.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Very basic but safe and clean space.
If good westher, nice walk with amazing view. Very friendly young weka:). No tap and only dry toilet- clean. Few people stopping there in the morning to walk to the lookout- quite busy!
Reviewed over 2 years ago
Convenient place to stay for a night on your way up to Abel Tasma/Collingwood.
Beautiful view from the lookout.
Not much space but not too busy.
Only dry toilets quite dirty, no water or dump station.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Does the job as a free camp site.
The view from the lookout is quite something.
Cons: The parking is really not level.
There was like 200 flies in the toilet.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
Small but very nice spot!
Only a few places available but with a superb view and very quiet, even with the road beside!
Reviewed over 3 years ago
Great spot, awesome views from the lookout (5min walk).
Toilet was quite smelly, but not dirty per se.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
Great spot with awesome views (short walk required).
Surprisingly quiet given you are next to the road. We were the only motorhome!
Reviewed over 3 years ago
Surprisingly hidden from the road.
Minimal road noise didn’t bother us. Toilets very close however extremely stinky and heaps of flies. We were the only ones there for the night. Toilet gets quite a few visits throughout the afternoon and night as it’s a public toilet. Didn’t bother us. Would stay again. Phone reception was good. Enough space for 6 vans.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2022
A great wee place to park up for the night.
We were actually the only ones too yay! There is a cute wee walk that you can do to an amazing lookout. It has a toilet which was so nice & clean. Only con would be next to the main road & noise but saying that it wasn’t a biggy. You can’t see any of the vehicles and they can’t see you. Fantastic wee spot!!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2020
Nice spot.
Limited parks so you might have to be early in season. Close to road but no traffic at night. Really well maintained track to awesome lookout. The people who moan about the toilet do my head in. Its a fully self contained park only. If you don't like the free and bonus toilet provided dump in your own space.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2020
Nice remote sites with a short walk to a stunning lookout over the valley below.
The parking area isn’t big so you might have neighbours. Avoid the toilet if you can.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in August 2020
Good little spot to stop for overnight.
Can get crowded with campervans. Worth stopping just for the lookout alone
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020
