Godley Head Campsite
17 Rankers Reviews
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Contractor on Godley Head Loop Track 17 to 28 November
There will be a contractor on the Godley Head Loop Track (working on historic buildings) from 17 to 28 November. Walkers should take care when passing.
First published on 3 November 2025.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Godley Head Campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
DOC Standard Campsite
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $10.00 to $15.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $5.00 to $7.50 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch |
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Categories |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Currently closed for asbestos removal. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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Basic Camping
Google Maps
Reviews
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The view from Godley Head is amazing.
Keith & Kay Finlayson -
Totally stunning spot.
Nickimay -
Beautiful spot with lots to explore.
Katie -
Beautiful camping spot!
Kelly Linn -
Awesome views at this spot!
Adrianna
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Awesome views at this spot!
A little expensive for the basic services only a toilet and non potable water. The price has gone up to $18 pp. Beautiful coastal walk to explore the area and the WW2 battery site was super cool! When you make the reservation online they will send you an email with the code for the gate, can’t get into the campsite without it!
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Great views, however when looking at value for money this site disappointed.
At $15 per person the facilities were in a terrible state. We’ve stayed at a ton of doc campsites for less than this and considering whites bay is $8 per person with cleaned toilets and a shower this one just didn’t cut the mustard, theres another camp for $10 a site at waihora park domain en route to Akaroha.
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If you want to stay somewhere that has outrageously good views then this is the place!
Absolutely stunning whatever way you looked. We were able to park in a spot that overlooked both the entrance to lyttleton harbour and on the other side Christchurch and up the east coast of the South Island. The sunrise in the morning was exceptional and we struck a time when there was not a breath of wind. Toilet was clean and there was a sink outside with drinking water and a place to do dishes easily. Highly recommend! Wasn't busy at all when we were there either which was brilliant.
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Totally stunning spot.
Scary drive up (for me...hubby was fine!) in our 7 metre bus as road quite steep and very narrow. Some spots have views of Lyttelton Harbour and also of Christchurch, the Alps and coastline right up the East Coast. Sunrise from the WW2 gun batteries was incredible. Thourougly recomend this spot! Apart from walkers, we had the place to ourselves. Only reason for 8/10 is very basic amenities for the price. Book online at least a few hours in advance. We didn’t and waited for a gate code a couple hours then had to ring, but it was quickly given to us over the phone.
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We enjoyed our stay here.
Even though apparently the camp ground was fully booked there was heaps of room and we chose a wee spot with a table and only had neighbours one night! So nice and private. Beautiful view out to sea as well. The toilets were clean but there was no hand soap so bring your own. The sunrise and sunset are apparently amazing but both were cloudy so we missed out. The only downfall of this campsite was that there were heaps of dogs running around off lead and nobody seemed to keep their dogs under control or near them. Our dog was happily tied up with us but it was annoying having lots of dogs come to visit him as we try and avoid on lead greetings. And a handy tip, bring your rubbish inside at night as ours was apparently delicious :)
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The route to this campsite is quite a challenging drive in a camper van ( but possible).
You wouldn’t want to park here if you intended using it as a base for day trips but if, like us, you were quite happy to use it as a base for walking locally, it is ideal. Beautiful views and plenty of space. We didn’t use the facilities ( which are open to the general public) but they looked clean. The weather was good for our stay but it is quite exposed if the weather is stormy. The email system for booking worked well.
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Beautiful spot with lots to explore.
Flush toilets, potable water, and a sink for doing dishes. Windy and not much shade, though.
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Lovely location with beautiful views & walks from campsite.
Very nice and quiet even on a Dec weekend
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The view from Godley Head is amazing.
The campsite is quite plain but the toilet facilities were neat and tidy. We were the only occupants though so it might be a bit busy in peak season. It cost $15 per adult and an early booking is a must because you need a code for the gate and it takes awhile for DOC to get that to you.
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Beautiful camping spot!
Hardly anyone around. Amazing sunset and sunrise. So close to Christchurch! We loved this spot. Getting in the gate was difficult, code didn’t come in for 5 hours after we booked online (it said it was supposed to within an hour) the lovely DPC worker on site let us in the gate when we got a hold of her. But don’t expect to show up and get in immediately!
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Overall nice location close to Christchurch.
The road coming in was not bad even in inclement weather. Drinking water present. 8/10 for this DOC campsite due to relative expense for what you get, difficulty with gate access, and only one bathroom working.
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Great drive to the site, simple DOC operation, book online and receive the gate code.
Find a pitch, choose carefully for the best views, go for a walk and just enjoy, perfect arrangement for us.
Basic but clean toilets as well and peaceful nights sleep.
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Beautiful view, not too overcrowded, toilet available and relatively clean, very quiet.
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We loved this unique spot!
You’re right at the edge of the cliffs and we had a great ocean view. The camp site used to be a military base in WWII and you can still see those buildings. The DOC ranger is really kind and mows the grass. However, the toilets were a bit smelly and could use some regular cleaning. There are two drinking water spots and plenty of picnic tables!
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Awesome views at this spot!
A little expensive for the basic services only a toilet and non potable water. The price has gone up to $18 pp. Beautiful coastal walk to explore the area and the WW2 battery site was super cool! When you make the reservation online they will send you an email with the code for the gate, can’t get into the campsite without it!
-
-
Great views, however when looking at value for money this site disappointed.
At $15 per person the facilities were in a terrible state. We’ve stayed at a ton of doc campsites for less than this and considering whites bay is $8 per person with cleaned toilets and a shower this one just didn’t cut the mustard, theres another camp for $10 a site at waihora park domain en route to Akaroha.
-
If you want to stay somewhere that has outrageously good views then this is the place!
Absolutely stunning whatever way you looked. We were able to park in a spot that overlooked both the entrance to lyttleton harbour and on the other side Christchurch and up the east coast of the South Island. The sunrise in the morning was exceptional and we struck a time when there was not a breath of wind. Toilet was clean and there was a sink outside with drinking water and a place to do dishes easily. Highly recommend! Wasn't busy at all when we were there either which was brilliant.
-
Totally stunning spot.
Scary drive up (for me...hubby was fine!) in our 7 metre bus as road quite steep and very narrow. Some spots have views of Lyttelton Harbour and also of Christchurch, the Alps and coastline right up the East Coast. Sunrise from the WW2 gun batteries was incredible. Thourougly recomend this spot! Apart from walkers, we had the place to ourselves. Only reason for 8/10 is very basic amenities for the price. Book online at least a few hours in advance. We didn’t and waited for a gate code a couple hours then had to ring, but it was quickly given to us over the phone.
-
We enjoyed our stay here.
Even though apparently the camp ground was fully booked there was heaps of room and we chose a wee spot with a table and only had neighbours one night! So nice and private. Beautiful view out to sea as well. The toilets were clean but there was no hand soap so bring your own. The sunrise and sunset are apparently amazing but both were cloudy so we missed out. The only downfall of this campsite was that there were heaps of dogs running around off lead and nobody seemed to keep their dogs under control or near them. Our dog was happily tied up with us but it was annoying having lots of dogs come to visit him as we try and avoid on lead greetings. And a handy tip, bring your rubbish inside at night as ours was apparently delicious :)
-
The route to this campsite is quite a challenging drive in a camper van ( but possible).
You wouldn’t want to park here if you intended using it as a base for day trips but if, like us, you were quite happy to use it as a base for walking locally, it is ideal. Beautiful views and plenty of space. We didn’t use the facilities ( which are open to the general public) but they looked clean. The weather was good for our stay but it is quite exposed if the weather is stormy. The email system for booking worked well.
-
Lovely location with beautiful views & walks from campsite.
Very nice and quiet even on a Dec weekend
-
Beautiful spot with lots to explore.
Flush toilets, potable water, and a sink for doing dishes. Windy and not much shade, though.
-
The view from Godley Head is amazing.
The campsite is quite plain but the toilet facilities were neat and tidy. We were the only occupants though so it might be a bit busy in peak season. It cost $15 per adult and an early booking is a must because you need a code for the gate and it takes awhile for DOC to get that to you.
-
Beautiful camping spot!
Hardly anyone around. Amazing sunset and sunrise. So close to Christchurch! We loved this spot. Getting in the gate was difficult, code didn’t come in for 5 hours after we booked online (it said it was supposed to within an hour) the lovely DPC worker on site let us in the gate when we got a hold of her. But don’t expect to show up and get in immediately!
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Overall nice location close to Christchurch.
The road coming in was not bad even in inclement weather. Drinking water present. 8/10 for this DOC campsite due to relative expense for what you get, difficulty with gate access, and only one bathroom working.
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Great drive to the site, simple DOC operation, book online and receive the gate code.
Find a pitch, choose carefully for the best views, go for a walk and just enjoy, perfect arrangement for us.
Basic but clean toilets as well and peaceful nights sleep.
-
Beautiful view, not too overcrowded, toilet available and relatively clean, very quiet.
-
We loved this unique spot!
You’re right at the edge of the cliffs and we had a great ocean view. The camp site used to be a military base in WWII and you can still see those buildings. The DOC ranger is really kind and mows the grass. However, the toilets were a bit smelly and could use some regular cleaning. There are two drinking water spots and plenty of picnic tables!
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Arriving at Godley Head Campsite after a steep, winding road, we found only a couple of neighbours for the weekend.
There is plenty of space (we are in a 7m converted bus) and it appears that even if the site was fully booked there would still be enough space and picnic tables.
The views are fantastic and there are a number of walking and cycling paths back down the hill. A lot of day hikers pass through the camp ground and there is a car park before the locked gate into the campsite.
There are clean and good quality toilets available for use. There is a groundskeeper on site who keep the campsite tidy and mows the grass.
* You must book this site to get a code for the gate's padlock. Don't just turn up and hope!
I didn't give the site a 10/10 due to not having any other facilities. It is a beautiful spot and I would recommend a stay here.