Little River Campground
287 Okuti Valley Road, Little River 7591 New Zealand
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About
#1 of 1 campsite in Little River
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GreenLeaders Silver level
A peaceful, relaxing campground with powered campervan and tent sites and plus basic cabins at the gateway to Banks Peninsula 45minutes from the city and airport on a sealed flat road. 30minutes to Akaroa. Nestled in the secluded picturesque Okuti Valley with private native bush reserve to explore plus slippery slides & in-ground trampoline. The perfect place to start or finish your holiday. No hills to travel over, ideal for first day campervan drivers. The owners are happy to help you plan and suggest the best places to see on the peninsula and the South Island.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Electric vehicle charging station
Secured parking
Free internet
Wifi
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Location
287 Okuti Valley Road, Little River 7591 New Zealand
Getting there
Car HireSee all Little River car hire
62Reviews0Q+A8Room tips
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Absolutely loved our 2 night stay at Little River Campsite. I was over awed with the sounds, beautiful birdsong in the morning. Even the cicadas slept soundly as soon as the sun set! Pitches are well spaced & we loved the quirky decor around the bathrooms & kitchen/sitting area. The composting toilet is an unusual experience, but super clean. My baby granddaughter loved playing on the playground & with the blocks (fun drinking game for grown ups!). Could spend so much longer exploring the peninsula & Akaroa - maybe my favourite place in New Zealand.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Make time to explore the peninsula & beaches
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
A Tripadvisor Member wrote a review Nov 2021
This is the most wonderful campground I ever stayed at. It offers many private nooks as well as gathering spaces. The river is perfect for a quick dip on a hot day and the walks on the property are full of treasures. It feels like a playground for all ages. Just an hour away from Christchurch it offers the perfect weekend escape! I'll be back for sure!
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Date of stay: November 2021
Value
Location
Cleanliness
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
A nice little campground set in the native Bush. Was a little dissapointed as I was hoping to see the beautiful sunset and water views in the pictures, but that's very misleading its in a gully so you need to walk to the top of a trail to see any views. There are only 2 womens composting long drop toilets, no rubbish bins and it's an additional $2 for a shower. If tenting you also have to leave your car out on the road and carry all your gear into your campsite. Fun for kids but was very noisy at night with rowdy people until midnight.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marcus Puentener, Owner at Little River Campground
Responded 23 Sept 2021
Hi Joanne, thanks for taking the time to review the campground. I'd like to clarify some of your comments. We are beside a little river, with native bush surrounding, so views are of this. If you walk up the hill you do get lake views, the photos are taken from our 'lake view'. We are not beside the lake though. It sounds like you stayed on a busy weekend, where we do ask cars are parked in the carpark 50m from the camp areas. This is to keep the camp safer for the kids. We are a family friendly campground and our noise policy is no noise after 10.30pm. The toilets are a composting system, as it saves water, is better for the environment. We are a zero waste camp so the rubbish you bring with you needs to go home with you. I hope readers of this review understand the issues you raise. Thanks Marcus
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
This is my new favourite camping destination. Set in beautiful surroundings it has loads to do, biking, walking or simply relaxing. It's family friendly and we loved the slide and fire, it's great to have some good old fashioned entertainment that bought the whole camp together. Markus the host is knowledgeable, and thoughtfully placed us on a busy long weekend. The showers are $2 for 5 minutes and the best showers I've had in a camp ground, loads of water and lovely and clean. Fresh flowers and beautiful art in the toilets we're a lovely touch. I almost didn't review this campground as I don't want to many people to find out about this amazing little spot.
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Date of stay: February 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marcus Puentener, Owner at Little River Campground
Responded 23 Sept 2021
Thanks for deciding to review our campground, so the secret is out there! We love it you noticed all the additional things we try and do to make the place more home like. It is only for a few weekends that we are busy, so most of the time there are sites to choice from- sunny, sheltered, under the trees or near the playground. Thanks again and maybe we'll see you again, Marcus
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nice site but if you use composting toilets you have to have adequate for busy times especially when weather is hot. Also a pain not having vehicle on site nice setting pathetic wireless internet. Great idea mud slide and bonfire for children
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Marcus Puentener, Owner at Little River Campground
Responded 3 Jan 2021
Thanks for your comments Peter. We keep non essential vehicles off site to make it safer for the kids at the campground. If you are a parent with small children it means you can relax. As we are an eco campground the toilets are waterless, a system called Clivus Multrum, helping to save a precious resource (the water). They can smell in hot weather but it is mostly when guests do not use them properly, and even with adequate signage people leave the seats up. They are cleaned regularly and we have few complaints. Toughen up eh? Finally you are on holiday and not here to watch netflix, the wifi is pathetic, as are a rural property, so city folk use to ultra fast broadband will have to adapt. Our campers are mostly happy with their stay, as the reviews attest to, so maybe our place is not for you. We don;t force anyone to stay and do state all your concerns on our website so guests know what to expect. Sorry we did not gain a 5 star review from you. Thanks for the feedback though, Marcus (owner, cleaner, host).
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Unique experience at this cute and quiet eco-campground, nestled amidst native forest lands. Beautiful bird sounds, nature walks, and funky communal cooking/eating area. If walking into the hills nearby, check out the old movie set, gigantic slip n’ slide, and views from the lookout.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marcus Puentener, Owner at Little River Campground
Responded 15 Oct 2020
Thanks for the review Melissa. There is plenty do explore here and in the area. However the ChinaTown film set has been removed due to its temporary nature. Cheers Marcus
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This campground is set amongst native trees with walking and bike tracks close by. A simple facility with with a nice feel. All of what you need and more. Lots of things for kids to do. Clean facilities too.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marcus Puentener, Owner at Little River Campground
Responded 15 Oct 2020
Thanks for the review and yes, there is plenty of biking from here. We are a good base for Banks Peninsula exploring and happy to give advice and tracks and beaches and other activities. Thanks, Marcus
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Little River Campground has almost everything you need for tent or powered camper (no dump station though). Eco toilets, hot showers, friendly owner. And an AWESOME area to explore. There’s a little creek with big, old eels in it. And if you’re up for a challenge, the Utoki Track offers 7 km of trekking and an ascent of 8-900 meters. Great spot.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marcus Puentener, Owner at Little River Campground
Responded 15 Oct 2020
Thanks for the review and well summed up the camp and the walks. There ae some more too, from Summit to Shore, only 1.5hours to the beach and Saddle Hill with amazing views over Akaroa and the southern bays. Kind regards Marcus
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lovely little rustic charming site, clean hot showers and eco loos, a good outdoor kitchen with everything you could need. Marcus was a good host very informative and friendly. Very relaxing listening to the sound of the river and birdsong. Easy access to Akaroa and Banks Peninsula.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marcus Puentener, Owner at Little River Campground
Responded 15 Oct 2020
Happy camping is what we try and provide. Marcus
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
An absolutely awesome campground, with stunning, breathtaking and relaxing areas. Sitting by the river is so tranquil and is inspiring as well as a fun place to feed the Eels. The walks are beautiful, with some hidden little gems. Marcus is a gracious and kind host, and has reminded us, that beauty is at our front door, should we choose to open it. The roasting of marshmallows on the fire pit was so cool, and we found the facilities, though rustic, very endearing and very clean. This campground is one of the best, and an absolutely incredible place to stay and we certainly will be returning.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marcus Puentener, Owner at Little River Campground
Responded 15 Oct 2020
Thanks for the amazing review and you are welcome back anytime. The facilities are slowly getting an upgrade....but are still rustic- we make them from recycled materials where possible. Marcus
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandCanterbury RegionLittle River
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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Frequently Asked Questions about Little River Campground
Which popular attractions are close to Little River Campground?
Nearby attractions include Little River Gallery (3.6 km), Barrys Bay Cheese (7.0 km), and Manderley Farm (5.7 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Little River Campground?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free parking, kids activities, and free internet access.
Is parking available at Little River Campground?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Little River Campground?
Conveniently located restaurants include Little River Cafe and Store, Hilltop Tavern, and Little River Inn.
Are pets allowed at Little River Campground?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.