Last updated October 2026
Waihī Gorge Campsite is a Department of Conservation campsite on the banks of the Waihī River, 14 km northwest of Geraldine and about 45 km north of Timaru in a straight line. DOC describes it as a popular spot surrounded by kahikatea, mataī and lowland tōtara forest.
With 40 non-powered and tent sites it is a large campsite, and every stay has to be booked online in advance. Adults pay $10 a night and children $5, with flush toilets, tap water and a fire pit on site.
The last stretch of road is gravel, and DOC warns that the lower part of the campsite can flood in severe weather.
Visiting Waihī Gorge Campsite: The Essentials
- Location
- Waihī Gorge Road, 14 km northwest of Geraldine
- Distance from the city
- About 45 km from Timaru (straight line)
- Sites
- 40 non-powered/tent sites, allocated or chosen on arrival
- Fees
- Adult $10, child (5 to 17) $5, infant (0 to 4) free, per night
- Booking
- Required; pay online when you book
- Campsite Pass
- Accepted (book online first)
- Facilities
- Flush toilets, tap water (not treated, boil before use), fire pit
- Road
- Gravel on the final section
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Flood warning
- Lower section and riverbank can flood in severe weather
The Background
The campsite lies in the Waihi Gorge Scenic Reserve, beside the Waihī River northwest of Geraldine. Native forest of kahikatea, mataī and lowland tōtara surrounds the camping area, which DOC places in its Geraldine area alongside other South Canterbury sites.
For a Standard campsite it has a useful set of facilities: flush toilets, a tap and a fire pit. The tap water is untreated, so boil it before drinking. Campfires are allowed in the fire pit unless a fire ban is in force. There are no powered sites, and DOC lists no showers.
You can reach the campsite by car, campervan or caravan. Your booking is for a site rather than a particular spot: you choose or are given your site when you arrive.
Dogs are not allowed, and other pets follow DOC’s rules for pets on conservation land.
River Flooding
DOC’s advice is not to camp in the lower section of the campsite, or anywhere near the riverbank, during severe weather, because the river can flood the lower campsite and wash away the bank. Check the forecast before you go, and keep away from the lower area if severe weather is expected.
Booking, Fees and Camp Hosts
Book and pay online before you arrive. Bookings are made through DOC’s online booking system, and same-day online bookings are possible until 8pm if there is space.
DOC keeps no spaces for walk-in campers, so if no availability shows online, the campsite is full. Phone and in-person bookings at a visitor centre carry a $10 service fee. DOC Campsite Pass holders must also book online before taking a site.
Between October and April each year DOC looks for volunteers to act as camp hosts at Waihī Gorge for two weeks or more, so you may find a host on site over summer.
Getting There
From Geraldine, follow Main North Road, then Woodbury Road, and turn into Waihī Gorge Road. The campsite is 14 km northwest of Geraldine, and the last part of the road is gravel.
Official Sources for Waihī Gorge Campsite
Department of Conservation: Waihī Gorge Campsite: campsite information, alerts and bookings. Campsite information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Geraldine area: other DOC campsites and tracks around Geraldine.
Questions Visitors Ask
Where is Waihī Gorge Campsite?
On Waihī Gorge Road beside the Waihī River, 14 km northwest of Geraldine and about 45 km north of Timaru in a straight line.
Do I need to book?
Yes. All stays must be booked and paid online before you arrive. DOC keeps no spaces for campers without a booking.
How much does it cost?
$10 per adult and $5 per child (5 to 17) per night. Infants under 5 are free, and the DOC Campsite Pass is accepted.
What facilities are there?
Flush toilets, a tap with untreated water (boil before drinking) and a fire pit. There are no powered sites.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs are not allowed at the campsite.
Does the campsite flood?
The lower section can. In severe weather, DOC advises against camping in the lower area or near the riverbank.
Is the road sealed?
No. The final stretch of Waihī Gorge Road is gravel. DOC lists access for cars, campervans and caravans.
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