directly adjacent to the Kahurangi National Park
In order to provide you with a quiet, intimate wilderness experience there are just 6 basic designated parking areas in a flat paddock, available year round. Between November and April they must be pre booked, and May to October they are available on a ‘first come first served’ basis. The site can be cold and shady in winter, with sunshine on the site between about 9am and 3pm.
The access road is narrow, winding and gravel and is totally unsuitable for caravans or large campers. Sprinter type vans are OK, that's maximum size. The site is 4km beyond the point where the Great Taste cycle trail passes, at Lublow’s Leap. See MAP below.
Please only park /pitch tent in one of the 6 clearly marked parking/camping spots to give space and privacy to each camper.
Note that the site is being developed with new planting features so please be careful around these.
The campsite is directly adjacent to the Ellis Valley walking track. This provides a pleasant day trip in beautiful bush up until the first river crossing (approx 90 mins each way.) There is a slightly steep, exposed section at the start of the track unsuitable for people with compromised mobility.
The upper Baton Valley is accessible from further downstream. A 4km journey along a 4WD track to a historic swingbridge can be done on foot or bikes for another adventure. The Lublows Leap shop and museum, open 365 days a year, 2km down the road, offers free wifi, and sells coffee, drinks, snakcs and icecreams alongside excellent local historical information. There is also a PLB (personal locator beacon) for emergencies and a defibrilator.
Come prepared for all seasons - the weather can get wild in these mountains - very cold or very hot, very wet, and sandflies are often nibbling. Insect screens on camper van windows are ideal. Sunscreen and insect repellent highly recommended. Cool long sleeves and pants in summer. Gumboots if wet, and walking shoes recommended.An invigorating site in winter!
There are NO rubbish facilities so please take only photos and leave only footprints.Strictly No Fires
its a long way for the fire brigade to get here!
As we have some particularly special wildlife in the valley – weka, kiwi, whio – we would prefer you don’t bring your dog to this site.
Location, map & directions
Travel times by car to Kahurangi Camping:
Allow 90 minutes from Nelson; 50 minutes from Motueka. The last 16km up the valley is on a winding, gravel road.
Take the coastal highway, go straight pass the Mapua turnoff on right and at the top of the hill take Gardner Valley Road through to the Moutere (Inland) Highway and turn LEFT. Drive 1.6km and turn RIGHT onto Neudorf Road off the inland highway, and then turn RIGHT at the Dovedale Rd T intersection. Turn RIGHT onto the Motueka Hwy at Woodstock Junction, then cross the Baton Bridge 100m on your LEFT. Turn LEFT over the bridge and head up the Baton Valley Rd.
Coming from Christchurch or the West Coast:
Head north at Kohatu Junction on the Motueka Valley Highway, SH61. Drive 25.7km, through Tapawera, to the Baton Bridge (about 20 mins). Make sure you don’t take the Tapawera-Baton Road, as you’ll end up on the wrong side of the Baton River and it’s a lengthy detour - over an hour. Head left over the Baton Bridge, then LEFT up the valley.
Coming from Motueka:
Drive about 30km, half an hour, south from Motueka on the Motueka Valley Highway. Look out for the turn on the RIGHT taking you over the Baton Bridge. It is signposted to ‘Kahurangi National Park’ and ‘Baton Run Huts Haven’. Turn LEFT once you cross the bridge.
From the Baton Bridge its about a 30 minute drive from the beginning of the gravel Baton Valley Road, and after passing a woolshed on your right and Lublows Leap (you can pay cash here for your campsite), continue on up the long straight towards the mountains. Wind around a few bends and you will drive through a small stream which crosses the road, and you will then see an intersection and the Baton Ford (river crossing) in front of you. Don’t cross the river but head RIGHT up the Ellis Valley. Drive for about 1km, through a closed gate, and you will find Kahurangi Camping on the green grassy area on your right.
Please drive slowly and carefully on the gravel road, it is narrow and winding in places, 30km/h is recommended.
Queries/Emergencies : Ange Palmer - 021 1450 334
NOTE THERE IS NO CELL PHONE RECEPTION ON THE SITE.
