A simple, quiet campsite near the mouth of the Ashburton River in Hakatere. The toilet facilities are new, exceptionally well-equipped, and clean. A small sink outside is also provided. We couldn't pay the $5 per person per night online, so the next morning we drove to the District Council in Ashburton and paid the super-friendly ladies at the counter. Very quick and easy.

Very clean toilets and access to fresh water. There is even a Sink for Brushing teeth etc. ! I was completely alone which was nice, only a cat who meowed through the night XD

Quiet night except for the birds. 2 toilets, picnic benches . 4 others on site. Unable to do bank transfer from UK bank, but phoned council and payment taken over phone.

Easy to find and can park before the sign and it's $5 per person per night. Longdrop is clean.

Great place to stay near the ocean (no beach access). $5 a night, see Ashburton Council website for online banking payment details. Potable water with tap fitting available to refill tanks. Two drop toilets which were impressively clean and didn't smell at all. I was the only one here. There's a parking area closest to the beach where you can't camp past the signs, but camping before that point is fine.

Lovely little spot with a view of the ocean (but you can't get down to the beach from there). Toilets are very clean and smell nice. Outside sink for dishes and drinking water.

Everything is already said and still like the last comment, very quiet and clean toilets, address is 1226 river road. Pied shags are bit smelly on the beach though but who cares ;)

I drove to two spots down there and at both sites it had huge no camping signs up. Didn't risk staying over night to test. Good spot for day picnic though.

Absolutely wonderful! We paid the feed in council - but at the end of the road stay down, don’t drive the Hakatere road up! We loved to observe the thousand of wild birds down by the river! Toilets clean and even water available!

Peaceful and quiet spot on the grass opposite Hakatere Huts, highly recommend. Flushing toilets are functional and clean, and drinkable water from taps on the campsite. Easy to pay by bank transfer, though this might be more difficult for international travellers without a NZ bank account. Must have been over 1000 Shags down on the beach, what an incredible sight. Even better, there was no smell or noise from them.