Canterbury, South IslandCouncil campground
1 image in this gallery
Rakaia river-mouth camping with bookable powered and non-powered tent pitches.
Penny permits dogs kept under control.
Read recent visitor experiences on Google Maps.
AI illustration
Generic AI-generated camping artwork, not a photograph of this campsite. It does not represent the site's actual landscape, pitches or facilities.
Artwork: Outdoor Next / AI-generated artwork / AI-generated illustration / DetailsDOC campsite / Canterbury
AI illustration
Generic AI-generated camping artwork, not a photograph of this campsite. It does not represent the site's actual landscape, pitches or facilities.
Artwork: Outdoor Next / AI-generated artwork / AI-generated illustration / DetailsHoliday park / Canterbury
AI illustration
Generic AI-generated camping artwork, not a photograph of this campsite. It does not represent the site's actual landscape, pitches or facilities.
Artwork: Outdoor Next / AI-generated artwork / AI-generated illustration / DetailsHoliday park / Canterbury
A campervan at Alpine-Pacific Holiday Park, 69 Beach Road, Kaikoura, on 12 January 2011. This historical entrance view is of the actual property, not Kaikoura TOP 10; it does not show the current pitch layout.
Photo: studio tdes / The Daily English Show / CC BY 2.0 / DetailsHoliday park / Canterbury
Explore walking tracks across the region.
Illustrative
General backpacking illustration; location unverified. This is not a photograph of the named route or evidence of its terrain, condition or difficulty.
Photo: Cody Black / Unsplash License / DetailsCanterbury
Illustrative
General backpacking illustration; location unverified. This is not a photograph of the named route or evidence of its terrain, condition or difficulty.
Photo: Cody Black / Unsplash License / DetailsCanterbury
Area context
Akaroa head. Published in DOC's Akaroa Head Scenic Reserve walk guide. Photograph date not supplied; this is route-area context, not a verified trailhead or current-condition photograph.
Photo: Michael Smeaton / CC BY 4.0 / DetailsCanterbury
Peel Forest - Allans Track. Photograph of the named location or its documented route feature. Capture date not supplied; not a live view of current conditions.
Photo: Laura Honey / CC BY 4.0 / DetailsCanterbury
Ideas from the wider area, including neighbouring regions. Check travel times before setting out.
Illustrative
Pitched tents in Yosemite Valley, United States, not a New Zealand campsite or a pitching demonstration.
Photo: Andrew Scofield / Unsplash License / DetailsNew Zealand
Choose a New Zealand campsite by checking access, water, toilets and weather exposure, then assess your tent pitch before you unpack for the night.
Illustrative
A cooking pot on a canister stove, photographed in France. The pictured setup is not a tested product recommendation. Equipment illustration only: the stove is pictured on timber, not an approved fire-safe surface or certified setup. Follow the actual appliance instructions and local conditions.
Photo: damien dufour / Unsplash License / DetailsNew Zealand
Check fire restrictions, land-manager permission and camping stove instructions before cooking outdoors in New Zealand, with a practical no-flame backup plan.
Area context
A road near Glentanner, New Zealand, facing snow-covered mountains. The photograph does not establish current road conditions or typical seasonal weather.
Photo: JinHui CHEN / Unsplash License / DetailsTrip planning
Plan for left-side driving, mountain roads and realistic travel times. Confirm overseas-licence entitlement and November 2026 transition details with NZTA.
A map reference point has not been verified. Use the park's own directions to confirm the entrance and vehicle access.
Official park directionsRakaia river-mouth camping with bookable powered and non-powered tent pitches.
Arrange your site through Penny and obtain the key needed for the gate and services. Check-in starts after 2pm.
Penny explicitly permits tenting on its listed campsites. Read the pitch conditions and maximum-stay rules when booking.
Check the official campsite information before travelling. The source-check date is not live availability or an assurance that access conditions are unchanged.