John Coull Campsite

Whanganui National Park

4 2 reviews See the top-ranked basic camping campsites in NZ

Notices

Whanganui Journey huts and campsites closures 5-19 January
The annual iwi river journey, Tira Hoe Waka, will take place on the Whanganui River from 5 to 19 January 2027. Many of the huts and campsites along the Whanganui Journey will have closures in place during this time.

Check the Whanganui Journey bookings page to see which huts and campsites are available for your travel dates.
- Ohinepani Campsite
- Poukaria Campsite
- Maharanui Campsite
- Whakahoro Campsite and Bunkroom
- Mangapapa Campsite
- Ohauora Campsite
- John Coull Campsite and Hut
- Mangawaiiti Campsite
- Mangapurua Campsite
- Tīeke Kāinga Campsite and Hut
- Ngaporo Campsite
- Downes Hut
First published on 5 October 2026.

DOC Campsite Pricing

John Coull Campsite is categorised as a DOC Great Walk Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Adults from $5 to $32, children from $0 to $16, infants are free. There is differential pricing for international visitors, as well as seasonal pricing. Visit the website for exact pricing.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Child	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Infant	Varies per night

Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Manawatu/Whanganui

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Whanganui River

Categories

Basic Camping

Operating Season And Hours

Operates year-round. Bookings are required from 1 October to 30 April (Great Walks season). Outside this period (1 May to 30 September), sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-39.2331696

174.91415657

Latitude
-39.2331696
Longitude
174.91415657

Websites

Online Booking

Reviews

This review is mostly about the hut: + Warm welcome from the host + Nice campspots for people with tents + The walk up...with all your stuff + Plenty of room for canoes + Big kitchen with gasstove
+ Everyone seems friendly and helpfull

+ The (printscreen) reservationcode on our phone was enough proof for our late booking

- Bad ventilation considering the amount of sleepers

- Toilet-amonia-smell was breathtaking and not in a good way

+/- Bring earplugs, some people snore ;)

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2019

Flatlanders
Beautifully located campsite with great views onto the river.
Clean toilets and well-maintained!

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2016

Daniel Pietzsch

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Medium Cost Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping only Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.
Campsite Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Payment Requirement	Paid access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.
Maximum Sites Available	More than 20 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available.	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available.
Dump Station	No dump station Dump Station Dump 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.	Dump Station Dump 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	Booking is Required Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance. Booking required in the Great Walk Seaon - Oct to May.	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance. Booking required in the Great Walk Seaon - Oct to May.
Powered Sites	No powered sites Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.	Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Dogs	No dogs allowed Dogs Does 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.	Dogs Does 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	No vehicle access Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Great Walk Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.
WiFi Internet	No WiFi WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.	WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.
Campfire Rules	Fires prohibited Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted.	Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted.
Campervan Water Refill	No campervan water refill Campervan Water Refill Can a campervan refill its freshwater tank here? No campervan water refill There are not facilities for refilling a campervan's freshwater tank at this site.'	Campervan Water Refill Can a campervan refill its freshwater tank here? No campervan water refill There are not facilities for refilling a campervan's freshwater tank at this site.'