Access is currently possible with a 2WD vehicle. However, this can change quickly after heavy rain. Unfortunately, we didn't see any kiwis during our night walk, but we did see nine possums. I built a dam to create a small swimming hole, but this could be destroyed after heavy rain. If you walk back along the road from the campsite for about seven minutes, up the hill, you'll find internet access again. I drank the water from the stream without any problems.

Lovely secluded campsite with beautiful nature. The toilet is just a pipe with no toilet roll, bin or lock on the door. Unfortunately we came on a day where it rained and the grass became waterlogged. We got stuck on the grass and there were tire marks from others who had also been stuck. We had to get towed out by a lovely local family who were luckily there too. There was no signal and it was far away from civilization. Would not reccomend going here if it's rainy unless you have a 4x4.

Absolutely magical spot by the stream in the beautiful forest! Only a toilet so bring your water and pack in pack out your rubbish! As per usual please follow leave no trace principles and be a tidy kiwi, take your rubbish or throw it away properly! Leave every place better than how you found it, pick up a couple pieces of rubbish before you go !

Great site, you can pitch up close to the stream. And gets good sun through the day. There’s plenty of space too, way more than 3 sites. Lovely bush walk. The road sign is an old style at car height opposite the road entrance, look closely and then follow the road / track.

Very nice campsite. Was no one there. No water only toilet available. Nice wee stream but the kiwi spotting walk was closed. Very remote. By the way, the A38 I’ve done from the lake side and was fine as off Dec 2023. It’s a 90km of gravel but very comfortable to drive, not steep.

This place is magic and idyllic, especially the walk into the mature forest! The photos don’t do it justice. See comment below about finding it though, and there were feral horses standing about on the road so drive slowly and carefully! There was no tap for water, but river very accessible.

We loved the Sanctuary. It’s just as called. A wonderful gem. Collect wood, have a fire, walk and hear birds. Well worth a visit.

Great place, peaceful by a river! If you want a relaxing stopover this is the place to come. Turn left at the sanctuary road sign, 5 min from Gravel road (no bp when driving quietly)

Really loved this spot - hard to find though. If you’re coming from the Whirinaki Conservation Area, don’t go straight. Instead turn left and look for Sanctuary Road (sign will be on the left). If you’re coming from the road, still follow the Sanctuary sign on the right. Then go down the dirt path all the way to the end. This spot had a bathroom, a night walk to hear/see Kiwis, and WE DID! Just be patient and wait at the end where there is a bench. We also had a campfire and saw wild horses (didn’t drink the river water cause of their poop). Definitely recommend as you’ll probably get it all to yourself.

A narrow, gravel road into the campsite but fine if you take it slowly. The Sanctuary Loop Track leaves from the campsite and is spectacular, dwarfing you in an ancient rainforest. Small but pretty campsite.