Area & getting there
Bucks Road Campsite
DOC campsite reference point, not a verified entrance or individual pitch.
Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)Location source & precision
- Reference coordinates
- -41.06513, 175.35321 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- DOC Maps campsite reference point (WGS84), exact official-page asset ID (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- Camping above the Tauwharenikau River with both road-end and short walk-in tent options.
- Middle Track no longer reaches the riverbed: its endpoint at the northwest car-park end was washed away.
- Active 1080 caution advises against bringing dogs; recheck the DOC map and notice rather than relying on normal lead-only access.
- Exposed in strong winds; 5 km gravel with steep sections. No fires.
- Camping styles
- tent, campervan, caravan
- Fees
- Non-powered camping: NZ$10 per adult 18+ per night; confirm booking total.
- Water
- Stream water listed; river-access damage means a convenient collection point is not guaranteed. Bring drinking water.
Camping above the Tauwharenikau River with both road-end and short walk-in tent options.
Choose the road end or carry the tent
Bucks Road offers camping at the road end and another grassy area reached by walking about 150 metres along the track. Decide which arrangement fits your equipment before arriving: the walk-in option is not a place to park a campervan. The approach from Featherston includes gravel and steep sections, so finish navigation and booking checks before starting the final part of the drive.
Do not rely on the former river access
The campsite sits above the Tauwharenikau River, but the Middle Track's endpoint has washed away and no longer provides riverbed access. An older description or photograph is not a reason to follow it. Look for current signs and choose activities that do not depend on that connection. DOC also warns that the site is exposed in strong winds; assess the available pitch before unpacking.
Let the active warning qualify the dog policy
Ordinary lead-only dog access is subject to a current predator-control caution advising against bringing dogs into the area. Recheck DOC's notice and operational map rather than assuming the camping rule settles that decision. Bring drinking water and your own cooking equipment, with no reliance on a fire. Keep the overnight flexible enough to move elsewhere if weather or the available ground does not suit your setup.
Check the official campsite information for current restrictions, facilities and booking arrangements.
