Little River Campground and Manaia Native Habitat

About this place

Escape the ordinary. Little River Campground is a back-to-basics campground that is a blast from the past: a classic Kiwi camping experience with rustic facilities and waterless long-drop eco toilets. Think rustic accommodation in a tranquil native bird sanctuary. The kids and nature lovers love it. We are set in the secluded Okuti Valley at the gateway to Banks Peninsula, on the way to Akaroa and only 45 minutes from central Christchurch. Around 50 sites in grassy areas suit tents and camping vehicles, secluded or open, shady or sunny, and we have 4 different cabins. The Manaia Native Habitat is five hectares of native bush with silver ferns, mature totara and matai, and birds including bellbirds, fantails, wood pigeons and a visiting tui. We are one of the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust covenants, and your camp fees help us protect native tree and bird species. We run a zero waste camp, compost kitchen scraps, offer timed showers and have composting eco toilets. We are Banks Peninsula's only dog-friendly campground. Well behaved dogs on leads at all times are welcome. While we are a small campground, there is loads to do: hand feed the longfin eels in the river (gently, they are protected), take a whirl down the 20 metre gnarly bush slide, swing out on the giant tree swing from a 200 year old matai, walk the Okuti Valley bush loop, toast marshmallows round the campfire in the busy season, and wake to the dawn chorus. We are an authentic ol'skool rustic campground and accept it isn't for everyone, so take a look at what we offer before you book. Small, owner-operated, 100% Kiwi owned and proudly hosting fun since 2010.

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