

10 Reviews
Accessible from either direction by 2wd hiace van. The online booking offers 3 different camping areas but is unclear where they are. The upper one is around the old building on fairly lumpy ground. The middle is a large flat area next to the track. The lower area is next to the river channel but the actual river is across a muddy ditch then a long walk across shingle, it also has more sand flies that the other areas. Remember to book online, and the rangers do check.
Lovely backcountry DOC campsite. Very clean toilets when we visited, friendly rangers and lots of space to choose from. Nearby river offers swimming and trout fishing. The easy way from Hanmer is via Jack’s Pass; Jollies Pass is a steep, non-maintained road. You can book online via DOC booking system (search ‘Acheron’); good phone signal on site.
Just as info. If you are driving here from Hanmer Springs there is a hard way and an easy way. Jollies pass (which Google Maps will choose because most direct) is quite a tricky track and really for 4WDs. Jacks Pass aka the Clarence Valley Rd is a very easy and well maintained gravel road. Is a few more kms but super easy.
Nice and scenic doc campsite. 10$ now. The place is huge. 2 big fields and also space around the accomodation house. Quiet place. Just us and 2 other campers. There is a doc ranger on the grounds.
The drive through Jollies Pass was impossible for us to manage in our Toyota. Had to turn around and find another camp ground. Only drive through Jollies Pass if you have a truck
We unfortunately followed Google Maps and ended up driving from Hanmer Springs over Jollies Pass in our Mitsubishi Canter campervan. When we finally reached the junction with Acheron Road there was a sign saying that the road has no maintenance and is only suitable for 4WD vehicles. Good old Mitsi, she handled the VERY rough road well. The campsite? Loved it. We were the only ones there. Surrounded by amazing mountain scenery. Friendly and helpful ranger lives in a nearby cottage on the other side of the road.
Simple DOC $8pp campsite, accessible from Hanmer Springs via Clearance road suitable for all vehicles (the gps suggested Jolly's road which is 4x4 and we are not). Lots of Sandflies compared to Tennyson. The Road continues on for a long way offering another camping option that Campermate does not show. It looks like a long drive, and something we would have explored had it not been for the heavey rains of Cyclone Gita... The area has some interesting historical land marks and buildings about traveling in the area from the 1800s.
We got here from Blenheim in 6 hours for 175km with a 6.5 metre motorhome. A very scenic and quiet route but don't do it when you are an inexperienced or nervous driver. Magic campsite with lovely river swim and a joking fun DOC ranger to check you out.
Only suitable for 4WD!!! I didn't see the sign and went half way, the road is really bad!
We were the only ones here. Sandflies plus a lot of friendly bees, not much scenery really but quiet! The drive thru Jolies Pass from Hanmer Springs is steep and there's two stream crossings. There's a gate just before the campground that says the road is closed from 7pm to 7am, but we arrived at midnight so opened it anyways.
Paid Campsites•Mackenzie