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Freedom camping available by the workshop. No camping in the picnic area by the office. The local Community Board lock the gate to this picnic area each night.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Hanmer Springs |
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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. |
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. |
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, between 5 pm and 9 am the following day. |
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. |
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. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
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. |
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. |
✓ Quiet and peaceful
✓ Clean flushing toilets
✓ Close to town
✓ Great forest walks
✓ Dog-friendly area
𐄂 Can get very busy
𐄂 Limited parking spaces
Good spot.
Nice and quiet spot with clean toilets.
An ok spot with town still walkable.
Very busy.
26Apr24.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 18 |
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20% |
9/10 | 27 |
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30% |
8/10 | 29 |
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32% |
7/10 | 9 |
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10% |
6/10 | 4 |
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4% |
5/10 | 1 |
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1% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 3 |
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3% |
4.0/5
Beautiful tranquil place to park up.
Close to.bush walks and birdsong all day. Toilets are flushable and clean. Idyllic! Only issue we had was a security guard knocking on our door at 9pm to say we weren't allowed to dry towels and togs off the van window! Very odd! Had.no valid I.D. and couldn't explain what the rule was we were breaching. He said next time.... there would be a $300 fine.
Reviewed 9 days ago
4.5/5
We stayed here for two nights mid-week as we loved Hamner Springs so much that we extended our stay!
It is quite a small car park but on both days we arrived here at 5pm (we parked in town during day 2 and then returned to the car park in the evening) and there were still plenty of spaces (although we did see one or two bigger caravans turn around at about 8/9pm as it had got full and the spaces left weren’t big enough for them). There are nearby toilets which were clean, although one of the three toilets didn’t have soap, there wasn’t anything to dry your hands and on day 2 we noticed the flush in the disabled loos had broken leaving only 2 toilets. Despite being by a main road, we didn’t experience any noise disturbance during the night and we felt safe all the time. This was our favourite free camping site so far on our trip of NZ.
Reviewed 12 days ago
3.0/5
Very busy the night we've been there.
Nothing special but did the job if u just need a place to sleep.
Next to the forest and a small river. Toilets a bit dirty and non drinking water tap.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.0/5
An ok spot with town still walkable.
Sort of behind a workshop area, which made it a bit tricky to find. It is not in the forest park. Keep going past the forest park entrance and then turn left.
Reviewed 2 months ago
5.0/5
26Apr24.
2 adults in motorhome.
Very busy. We were fortunate to get in with our 7.2m van.
In spite of being busy it was very quiet. Good loos too.
A reasonable walk to town for the purposes of the hot pools and/or after pool imbibing and/or eating.
Not aware of the other freedom site as mentioned in a previous review.
Reviewed 7 months ago
5.0/5
Fantastic place.
Quiet and very dog friendly. Lots of bush and forest walks as well as all levels of mountain biking. There is even an area set up to work on your mountain bike skills.
Locals are very friendly.
Will definitely be back
Reviewed 8 months ago
4.5/5
It’s a great spot very close to town nice and flat with toilets available.
Incredibly there seems to be Wi-Fi but I don’t know how to get the password
I stayed one night and it was completely completely full with about 20 vehicles of different types If you’ve got a camper, it’s perfect
Reviewed 8 months ago
4.5/5
Great little spot just out of town, nice and scenic and still found a park at 7pm.
This may be the last one everyone tries like we did, personally think it’s the best of the lot in Hamner.
Reviewed 8 months ago
5.0/5
Really nice campground, peaceful area near the forest so not too windy here, cute little birds around.
Flushing toilets that were clean and didn’t smell. We arrived late (20.30) and didn’t find a place for us on the other freedom campground so came here and we were really lucky to be here instead! Ranger came around 9pm to check if everything’s alright
Reviewed 9 months ago
3.5/5
Good spot.
Very close to the city center. Great locations for hikes and bikes. Unfortunately the toilets are closed and everyone goes in the woods...
There are be public toilets in town where you have to drive or cycld
Reviewed 10 months ago
4.0/5
Nice and quite campground, facilities with flushing toilets were fine.
Not too many spots so do not show up to late. Beware of sand flies. Nice walking tracks nearby and it was really dark during the night, big plus.
Reviewed 12 months ago
3.0/5
Arrived dark and rainy day.
The other 2 free campsites were already filled. There was one tent camping in the area. I fell asleep well for maybe about an hour or so but woke up to big steps walking on the roof. Im sure they're not of possums. It was like the feet of a deer or something similar. It went on for almost 2 hours. Worst comes to worst, I was ready to crawl to the driver's seat and sped off to the town centre. The following day, i asked the locals about it as there was news about wild cat spotted in South Island. The footprints on the roof and on the windscreen resembles to it
Reviewed about 4 years ago
4.0/5
Beautiful tranquil place to park up.
Close to.bush walks and birdsong all day. Toilets are flushable and clean. Idyllic! Only issue we had was a security guard knocking on our door at 9pm to say we weren't allowed to dry towels and togs off the van window! Very odd! Had.no valid I.D. and couldn't explain what the rule was we were breaching. He said next time.... there would be a $300 fine.
Reviewed 9 days ago
4.5/5
We stayed here for two nights mid-week as we loved Hamner Springs so much that we extended our stay!
It is quite a small car park but on both days we arrived here at 5pm (we parked in town during day 2 and then returned to the car park in the evening) and there were still plenty of spaces (although we did see one or two bigger caravans turn around at about 8/9pm as it had got full and the spaces left weren’t big enough for them). There are nearby toilets which were clean, although one of the three toilets didn’t have soap, there wasn’t anything to dry your hands and on day 2 we noticed the flush in the disabled loos had broken leaving only 2 toilets. Despite being by a main road, we didn’t experience any noise disturbance during the night and we felt safe all the time. This was our favourite free camping site so far on our trip of NZ.
Reviewed 12 days ago
3.0/5
Very busy the night we've been there.
Nothing special but did the job if u just need a place to sleep.
Next to the forest and a small river. Toilets a bit dirty and non drinking water tap.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.0/5
An ok spot with town still walkable.
Sort of behind a workshop area, which made it a bit tricky to find. It is not in the forest park. Keep going past the forest park entrance and then turn left.
Reviewed 2 months ago
5.0/5
26Apr24.
2 adults in motorhome.
Very busy. We were fortunate to get in with our 7.2m van.
In spite of being busy it was very quiet. Good loos too.
A reasonable walk to town for the purposes of the hot pools and/or after pool imbibing and/or eating.
Not aware of the other freedom site as mentioned in a previous review.
Reviewed 7 months ago
5.0/5
Fantastic place.
Quiet and very dog friendly. Lots of bush and forest walks as well as all levels of mountain biking. There is even an area set up to work on your mountain bike skills.
Locals are very friendly.
Will definitely be back
Reviewed 8 months ago
4.5/5
It’s a great spot very close to town nice and flat with toilets available.
Incredibly there seems to be Wi-Fi but I don’t know how to get the password
I stayed one night and it was completely completely full with about 20 vehicles of different types If you’ve got a camper, it’s perfect
Reviewed 8 months ago
4.5/5
Great little spot just out of town, nice and scenic and still found a park at 7pm.
This may be the last one everyone tries like we did, personally think it’s the best of the lot in Hamner.
Reviewed 8 months ago
5.0/5
Really nice campground, peaceful area near the forest so not too windy here, cute little birds around.
Flushing toilets that were clean and didn’t smell. We arrived late (20.30) and didn’t find a place for us on the other freedom campground so came here and we were really lucky to be here instead! Ranger came around 9pm to check if everything’s alright
Reviewed 9 months ago
3.5/5
Good spot.
Very close to the city center. Great locations for hikes and bikes. Unfortunately the toilets are closed and everyone goes in the woods...
There are be public toilets in town where you have to drive or cycld
Reviewed 10 months ago
4.0/5
Nice and quite campground, facilities with flushing toilets were fine.
Not too many spots so do not show up to late. Beware of sand flies. Nice walking tracks nearby and it was really dark during the night, big plus.
Reviewed 12 months ago
4.0/5
Peu d'emplacements, dont certains ne sont pas droits Proche de la forêt Toilettes disponibles et propres, proches du free camp
Reviewed about 1 year ago
3.5/5
Nice spot, not loads of spaces but was room when we arrived which was late evening, toilet block onsite fairly clean.
Was easy to find thanks to other photos.
Nice walks if you wanted to in the morning also.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
It’s a basic spot with some toilets nearby.
Great quiet spot
The area isn’t marked that clearly but photos helped to find the spot.
Great place to start a number of nice walks and still just a short drive from Hanmer Springs.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
An easy 5 min drive out of town.
A small area which appeared busy. We stayed on a Friday night, arrived around 7pm and managed to secure the last spot. The toilets were very clean. It’s not the prettiest place to stay, but ticked the box for us as we were only staying one night.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Nice and quiet spot with clean toilets.
Probably room for about 10-15 vans. This location is the start of a number of nice walks and good mountain biking trails. (lots of sandflies)
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Great little spot next to DOC workshop.
Gravel car park and was lots of space. 3 clean flush toilets.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
Good spot.
Arrived 1700 and was 2 slots left, but in the end around 15 campers squeezed in all ways.
Some very jolly (drunk) big rig owners but they quietened down by 11pm.
Nice toilets but no bins. Easy 15 min walk into town/ to the hot springs.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Great little spot for freedom camping - close to working and clean toilets.
Not many flat sites.. we slept on a bit of a downward slope which didn’t bother us. Got here about 8pm after river site was full! No max on vehicles but would struggle to fit more than 8 here
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.0/5
Lovely quiet spot in a wooded area, plenty of level parking for self contained camper vans.
Nice walk in to town centre.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
3.5/5
Solid free spot.
Our night was marred by the midnight arrival of some idiots running a vehicle with no muffler blasting Eminem while they setup in their tent and argued about it. Bummer, but not the fault of the site, just a hazard of camping in general, especially when it's free.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.5/5
Small parking lot next to the park workers storage kits.
Toilets were flushing and well maintained. Hard to find flat land. Only space for 3 caravans on flat ground. The forest walk around the site is lovely.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
5.0/5
Nice site to freedom camp.
Very secluded. 3 working toilets that are decent. You can find the campground on google maps which is very handy.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
5.0/5
Referred to on Google Maps as Hanmer Springs Parking Freedom Campersite and also as Hanmer Amenities area.
It was a welcome relief when we realised we could stay here after finding the River Reserve was coned off and closed - possibly due to bad weather and rising river.
Doesn’t appear to be a limit on number of campers, surroundings are lovely with trees and grassy areas. Quite level and 3 flushing toilets available including one disability toilet.
Not far from town and what looks to be some nice walks.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.5/5
Nice place for the night!
Good toilets and it's pretty quiet.
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
5.0/5
Great wee place for freedom camping.
Not too far from the town of Hanmer. There were nice clean toilets and soap and basin to wash your hands too. Plenty of space. Only con were the sandflies so remember your sprays haha.
Reviewed almost 4 years ago