MARLBOROUGH: BLENHEIM
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18-Apr-21 | return to location list print |
Wairou Diversion Reserve
end of Thomas Rd, Rarangi, Blenheim, Marlborough
rvexplorer id: 21206
Lat-Long: -41.43941, 174.02975
Freedom camping within the forested area before the beach
Entrance to the beachfront parking area
Kayaking at the harbour entrance
Fishing at the river mouth
Exercising the pets
Horse riding along the beach
The Wairou Diversion Reserve is on the river entrance to the harbour just north of Blenheim. Freedom camping is allowed in limited areas for self-contained motor caravanners
This is a stunning location spoiled only by the local council banning freedom camping from the beach front area. We visited on a beautiful clear day in mid autumn. It was a Sunday, and plenty of local people were enjoying the beach, either fishing, walking, exercising dogs, and even horse riding. There was still plenty of parking room for motorhomes, and we parked overlooking the river junction with the harbour. It would have be perfect to have stayed there overnight, except for the council ban.
To be fair, there were nice places to freedom camp further up the river, or nestled in the forest. But it was hard to understand the logic of allowing us to park during the day, when the beach had lots of day visitors, and then requiring that we move back from the beach front after everyone else had gone home.
Access is down 2.2 km of metal road. This is one of only 5 Responsible Camping locations now available in the Marlborough district. There is room for 75 vehicles and you can stay for a max of 2 nights.
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