Located in Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region
From 21 December – 26 January there is a minimum charge, and restrictions on the length of stay.
Fires permitted in designated fire places and only if there is no fire ban. Check rules and fire bans before you light.
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.
Outside of a fire ban, there are designated fireplaces where you can light fires. Bring your own firewood.
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.
The DOC/NZMCA Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite except between 20 December 2020 and 8 February 2021.
To pay with your NZMCA pass, create/update your account on our booking system. Under 'Apply for a discount', select 'NZMCA Pass Holder' and upload a scan of your pass. Once we've verified your pass, it will be automatically applied when you make a booking.
Backcountry Hut Passes cannot be used at this campsite.
Bookings are open for stays to 30 June 2021.
Bookings are planned to open in May 2021, for stays that require bookings from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. The specific date that bookings will open will be added to this page, at least two weeks prior to the date.
Bookings are required all year. Book well in advance between Christmas and February.
A $10 service fee applies to all phone, email and in-person bookings.
From 21 December to 26 January: Minimum fee $30 per night with a maximum stay of 14 nights.
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.
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.
NZTM2000 coordinates: E1600414, N5481379
Latitude: -40.81860657, Longitude: 173.00490919
A concession is required to fly a drone on any public conservation land.
See Totaranui walks.
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 with both a cafe and restaurant.
Whakatū / Nelson Visitor Centre | |
Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
Address: |
Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 79 Trafalgar Street Nelson 7010 |
Postal Address: |
Private Bag 5 Nelson 7042 |
Full office details |