Image: Samuel Mann | Creative Commons
Totaranui early morning.
Tōtaranui Campground

Located in Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region

Camp next to the clear waters and golden sands of Tōtaranui beach at the northern end of the Abel Tasman National Park. It's a great place to relax on the beach, swim, kayak, fish or explore native bush on one of the nearby tracks.

Campsite details

Tōtaranui is a large campground catering for up to 850 people. Sites are across the camp road from the Tōtaranui beach, and alongside the estuary. Camping on the beach side of the camp road for Abel Tasman Coast Track walkers only. 

The campground is divided into 23 zones separated by shelter belts, with six modern amenities blocks spread throughout. View a map of campground zones (PDF, 2,744K).

Tōtaranui 'Ngarata' Homestead functions as an education centre and may be booked for private stays when not used by school groups.

Rules for Tōtaranui Campground.

Facilities and services

Camp office

  • From 1 December to mid-April, the office is open 8 am to 4 pm. Outside this period check the door for hours.
  • Eftpos payment is available during office hours only. 
  • The office has maps and a pay phone, and sells items such as rubbish bags, ice, insect repellent, sunscreen, postcards, phone cards, and snack items.
  • Staff on site all year.

Fireplaces

Outside of a fire ban, there are designated fireplaces where you can light fires. Bring your own firewood.

No rubbish facilities

You must remove all rubbish and recycling. The nearest transfer station is at 45 Scott Road, off Abel Tasman Drive, 40 minutes from Tōtaranui. 

During peak season food scraps are collected daily from the campsite by staff for composting.

Fees

9 February to 25 December

  • Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
  • Child (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
  • Infant (0–4 years): free

26 December to 8 February

  • Adult (18+ years): $18 per night
  • Child (5–17 years): $9 per night
  • Infant (0–4 years): free

A minimum fee of $36 per night applies from 26 December to 8 February with a maximum stay of 14 nights.

Passes

The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite except between 26 December to 8 February inclusive.

Campsite Pass bookings must be booked online before occupying a site. If you do not book, bookings may be made by campground staff (if present) and will incur a $10 service charge. Sites may not be available if you do not book. 

Bookings

Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2025.

All bookings are first-come first-served. We do not have waiting lists for bookings for future seasons or facilities that are already booked-out.

Book Tōtaranui Campground online.

Bookings are required all year. Book well in advance for the peak period from 1 December - 28 February and for public holiday weekends.

A $10 service fee applies to phone and in-person booking. This is a limited service – book online first. An in-person booking is dependent on there being space available.

Your booking will be for a site, which will be allocated or selected on arrival.

Nelson to Tōtaranui is about two and a half hours. Take SH6 south out of Nelson and turn onto SH60 (the Coastal Highway) once past Richmond. Follow SH60 over the Takaka Hill to Takaka.

From Takaka follow signs to Pohara and Tata Beach, which will lead you past the Abel Tasman Memorial and onto Tōtaranui. The last 12 km is a narrow, winding, unsealed road.

Camp gates are locked overnight. Opening times as follows.

  • 1 October to 31 March: 7:30 am to 8:30 pm
  • 1 April to 30 September: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm

There is a seasonal bus service, and daily water taxis from Kaiteriteri, Marahau and many of the beaches in the park. See commercial operators for Abel Tasman National Park.

Location

NZTM2000 coordinates: E1600414, N5481379
Latitude: -40.81860657, Longitude: 173.00490919
  • Mobile phone coverage is unreliable at Tōtaranui.
  • The busiest period is between Christmas and mid-February. Visiting mid-February through to Easter is a good option as there are generally fewer people.

All drone use must be authorised by DOC

You must have a permit to fly a drone on public conservation land.

Visit our Drone use on conservation land page for more information.
Water activities
  • Swim or snorkel in the clear waters at Tōtaranui beach.
  • Take the kids in to the safe waters of the estuary when the tide is in.
  • Explore the estuary by kayak, go waterskiing or sail out for some fishing.  
Walking
  • Explore one of the several short walks in the area such as the Puketea Walk.
  • Take one of the longer walks in the area such as the Headlands Track for great views over Tōtaranui.
  • Walk south along the coast to Goat Bay and on to Awaroa for lunch at the Awaroa Lodge. Walk or catch a boat back.

See Totaranui walks.

Mountain biking

The nearest shops are in Pohara (25 minutes away). Pohara has a shop, takeaways and a good choice of cafes. 

Takaka is the nearest town (45 minutes away) and has a supermarket, petrol stations, information centre, banks, cafes and restaurants, museum, art and craft galleries and a movie theatre.

Awaroa Lodge is a 2.5–3 hour walk south on the Abel Tasman Coast Track or a short boat ride away, and is open daily in summer with both a cafe and restaurant.