Area & getting there
Gillespies Beach Campsite
DOC's decimal Location coordinates, copied verbatim. Its separately labelled grid reference is inconsistent; use official written road directions, not this point as a surveyed entrance.
Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)Location source & precision
- Reference coordinates
- -43.40805, 169.82862 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- Gillespies Beach Campsite: published Location coordinates (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- DOC says the approach is unsuitable for campervans and caravans.
- Only eight non-powered tent sites are listed; book first.
- The adult fee changes between NZ$18 and NZ$20 with the season.
- Boil tap water, keep dogs leashed and do not light fires.
- Location
- Gillespies Beach, 21 km from Fox Glacier Weheka
- Camping
- Eight non-powered/tent sites; car access
- Adult fees
- NZ$18 nightly, 9 Feb-25 Dec; NZ$20, 26 Dec-8 Feb; age 18+
- Access
- Narrow gravel road for over half the approach; no campervans or caravans
- Facilities
- Cooking shelter, non-flush toilets and untreated tap water
- Restrictions
- Dogs on a leash; no fires
Gillespies Beach needs a transport decision before a campsite decision. It is a small coastal camping area near Fox Glacier Weheka, but DOC explicitly rules out campervans and caravans on the approach. Do not let an attractive beach photograph override that restriction.
Check the vehicle first
DOC describes a 21 km journey from Fox Glacier, with more than half on narrow gravel road. The listed access is by car. If your trip depends on sleeping in a motorhome, remove this option from the shortlist instead of hoping a smaller pitch will solve the road problem.
For a hired car, check the rental terms against the planned approach. Leave enough daylight to find the entrance and assemble the tent without rushing the drive or unloading.
Reserve the small campground
There are eight non-powered tent sites and bookings are required. The adult rate is NZ$18 from 9 February to 25 December, rising to NZ$20 from 26 December to 8 February.
Check the total for the exact nights, especially on a stay crossing the seasonal boundary. Save the confirmation and identify another authorised camping option before leaving your previous stop. A place that appears spacious in an old photograph may still be fully booked.
Keep the camp setup simple
Facilities include a cooking shelter, non-flush toilets and untreated taps; boil water before use. Dogs must be leashed and fires are prohibited.
Choose meals that use the equipment you can carry and clean without an equipped kitchen. Keep lighting, rainwear and the first night's drinking water near the top of your luggage. Unpacking everything to locate one essential item is especially inconvenient at a small shared camping area.
Separate walking from the overnight stay
Mining-history and coastal walks start nearby. Treat each outing as a separate plan: check its current status, choose a turnaround time and confirm any track-specific dog restrictions. Permission at the campground does not automatically extend to every nearby route.
Our campsite selection guide helps balance access against scenery. Recheck the official Gillespies Beach listing before committing to the drive.
Source: Department of Conservation; factual information paraphrased under DOC's reuse terms.
Common questions
Can I bring a campervan to Gillespies Beach?
DOC explicitly says the access is unsuitable for campervans and caravans. This listing is filtered as tent camping only.
Does the NZ$18 price apply at Christmas?
Not throughout the holiday period. DOC lists NZ$20 per adult per night from 26 December through 8 February; confirm your dates when booking.
