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Freedom Camping

The Hurunui District starts 45 minutes north of Christchurch.

We encourage travellers and campers to use camping grounds and other accommodation facilities as much as possible while visiting our district.

There is extensive information available on this website covering "what you can see", "what you can do" and "where you can stay" during your visit.

Freedom camping is defined as overnight parking in areas that are in the vicinity of roads and are easily accessed by cars/campervans. It is not intended to apply to the “back country” experience.

We ask you to comply with the following rules which apply to all forms of camping whether in tents, cars, campervans, boats or buses.

Freedom camping within the Hurunui District is subject to the Hurunui District Council Freedom Camping Bylaw which was adopted September 2011. Breaches of the bylaw can occur a fine up to but not exceeding $20,000.00

Print off the Hurunui District Freedom Camping Brochure before you head off on your trip.

CAMPERS ARE WELCOME provided that you:

1. Respect our environment. Leave the site clear of all rubbish, waste and damage.
Understand that dumping of waste and litter is an offence and will result in instant fines or prosecution. Litter infringement - $400 . (as of 1 July 2011)

2. Act responsibly, and respect the access and enjoyment rights of other public space users.

3. Have immediate access to, or on-board, three day capacity toilet, wastewater collection and rubbish disposal facilities. Toilet and greywater must be disposed of in an approved campervan dump station.

4. Use designated public spaces, camping areas (e.g. Department of Conservation sites) or commercial premises as available. Check with the local i-SITE (information centre), local council website or other camping guides if unsure of freedom camping sites in the area. Appreciate that some environmentally or culturally sensitive, and built-up, areas will not permit any form of freedom camping.

5. Understand that freedom camping is a temporary activity, generally considered to be two days unless otherwise informed.

Conditions of Freedom Camping

1. Freedom camping is permitted in areas other than those listed below.

2. Freedom camping must only be undertaken in a vehicle that is certified as a self-contained vehicle and includes onboard cooking facilities.

3. No person may undertake Freedom Camping for longer than 2 nights in any calendar month at any single location.

4. Toilet waste and greywater must be disposed of at a Council approved dump point.

5. All refuse must be disposed of at an approved refuse collection facility.

6. An area used for Freedom Camping must be left in a clean and tidy state by users.

7. Any request made by an Authorised Officer to move on must be complied with.

Prohibited Camping Areas in the Hurunui District

1. All areas where Hurunui District Council "No Camping or Overnight Parking" signs are displayed
2. Any Urban Area
3. Any area within 500 metres of any accommodation facility
4. Any area in which freedom camping is prohibited by any other enactment

Freedom Camping Prohibited Maps

Amberley		Amberley Beach
Cheviot		Culverden
Gore Bay		Greta Valley
Hanmer Springs		Hawarden
Hurunui River Mouth		Leithfield
Leithfield Beach		Motunau Beach
Mt Lyford		Rotherham
Waiau		Waikari
Waipara		Northern Pegasus Bay

LOCAL DUMP STATION LOCATIONS

Amberley
• Amberley Beach Campground, Amberley Beach Road
• Delhaven Motels & Caravan Park, 124 Carters Road
• Mobil Petrol Station, Carters Road

Cheviot
• State Highway 1 (town centre)

Greta Valley
• Greta Valley Camping Ground, State Highway 1

Hanmer Springs
• Alpine Adventure Tourist Park, 200 Jacks Pass Road
• Alpine Holiday Apartments & Campground, 9 Fowlers Lane
• Hanmer River Holiday Park, 26 Medway Road
• Mountain View Top 10 Holiday Park, Hanmer Springs Road
• Pines Holiday Park, 158 Argelins Road

Hurunui
• Balmoral Recreation Reserve (beside the Hurunui River)

Leithfield Beach
• Leithfield Beach Motor Camp, 18 Lucas Drive

Waiau
• Waiau Motor Camp & Backpackers, 9 Highfield Street

Waikari
• Waikari Domain, Princes Street

Waipara
• Waipara Sleepers, Glenmark Drive

LOCAL CAMPING GROUND & HOLIDAY PARK LOCATIONS

Amberley
• Delhaven Motels & Caravan Park, 124 Carters Road
• Amberley Beach

Cheviot
• Cheviot Motels & Holiday Park, 44 Ward Road
• Gore Bay & Buxton Camping Grounds

Greta Valley
• Greta Valley Camping Ground, just off State Highway 1

Hanmer Springs
• Alpine Adventure Tourist Park, 200 Jacks Pass Road
• Alpine Holiday Apartments & Campground, 9 Fowlers Lane
• Hanmer River Holiday Park, 26 Medway Road
• Hanmer Springs Forest Camp, 243 Jollies Pass Road
• Mountain View Top 10 Holiday Park, Hanmer Springs Road
• Pines Holiday Park, 158 Argelins Road

Hurunui
• Balmoral Camping Ground (beside Hurunui River), State Highway 7. ** please note only basic facilities on site

Leithfield Beach
• Leithfield Beach Motor Camp, 18 Lucas Drive

Mt Lyford
• Mt Lyford Lodge, 10 Mt Lyford Forest Drive (right beside State Highway 70)

Waiau
• Waiau Motor Camp & Backpackers, 9 Highfield Street

Waikari
• Waikari Domain, Princes Street

Waipara
• Waipara Sleepers, Glenmark Drive

RECYCLING & RUBBISH DISPOSAL

There are free recycling drop off points at the Amberley, Culverden, Hanmer Springs, Waiau and Waikari Transfer Stations for newspapers, magazines, food and drink cans, plastic bottles, cardboard and paper.

Rubbish Disposal Cost: per large bag/sack $3 each

Hurunui District Council Transfer Stations -

Amberley (Carters Road, State Highway 1)
Open: Mon to Fri 9am to 4.30pm. Sat: 9am to 12 noon

Cheviot (Mina Road)
Open: Tues, Thurs & Sun 10am to 1pm

Culverden (St Leonard’s Road)
Open: Sun & Wed 2pm to 4pm. Sat: 9am to 10.30am

Hanmer Springs (near the river bridge)
Between 1 June and 31 August. Open: Sun & Wed 1pm to 4pm
Remainder of the year - Open: Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun 1pm to 4pm

Waiau (just south of the river bridge)
Open: Sat 10.30am to 12 noon. Sun & Wed 1pm to 3pm

Waikari (Waikari Limeworks)
Open: Wed 1pm to 3pm and Sun 2pm to 4pm
Able to accept glass, green (garden waste) and general waste