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.
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.
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 for 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026
Bookings open at 9.30 am on Wednesday 4 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.
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.
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.
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.
