Area & getting there
Kohaihai 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
- -41.10953, 172.10254 (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
- Coastal camping north of Karamea at the road end beside the Kohaihai River.
- Maximum two consecutive nights. River-mouth swimming and Heaphy-coast swimming are dangerous; rogue waves and riverside flooding possible.
- Heaphy Track slip diversion is tide-dependent, with works 28 September-7 October 2026. Check current instructions.
- Dogs cannot continue onto the Heaphy Track or into Kahurangi National Park.
- Camping styles
- tent, campervan, caravan
- Fees
- NZ$10 per adult (18+) per night, non-powered. Recheck the total for your dates.
- Water
- Untreated tap water; DOC says to boil before use. Carry a reserve.
Coastal camping north of Karamea at the road end beside the Kohaihai River.
Reach the road end prepared
Kohaihai sits at the end of the road north of Karamea, with a final gravel section. Plan shopping and equipment checks before that last leg, so the evening does not depend on another drive. Save the campsite booking and approach notes where they remain accessible offline. For a vehicle group, agree on an arrival window rather than travelling nose to tail simply to keep everyone together on the final approach.
Keep the coast a viewing place
The river mouth and nearby nikau forest give this stop its character. Make coastal observation and an appropriately chosen walk the focus rather than assuming the water is a swimming venue. Discuss the boundaries for children before unpacking and keep the party away from exposed shore edges. Any longer Heaphy outing deserves a separate plan; being camped at the track entrance does not settle its current tide, weather or maintenance requirements.
Fit the short-stay limit
DOC limits consecutive stays here, so organise an onward overnight before arriving. Pack a compact camp that can be set up and removed without spreading equipment widely. Keep dry layers available for an evening outside, and make drinking-water preparation part of the routine rather than an afterthought. Before departure, confirm the next destination and allow enough time to leave the pitch tidy. A quiet morning at camp need not become a rushed start to a long driving day.
Check the official campsite information for current restrictions, facilities and booking arrangements.
