Bucks Road Campsite
Standard campsiteLocated in Tararua Forest Park, WellingtonOpen
Current advisories
Predator control Tararua Forest Park
20 May 2026
DOC and OSPRI distributed toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter near this area on 11 and 23 March and 19 May 2026. A caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. Visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended. 1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080 . View the distribution map (PDF, 2749K) . View the pesticide summary map First published on 3 March 2026. Last reviewed on 21 May 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sites
- 25
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $10
- Power
- None
- Toilet
- Non-flush
- Water
- Yes
- Dogs
- On a lead
Getting there
Address: Bucks Road, Underhill Rd, Tararua Forest Park 5773
15 minutes from Featherston, via Wakefield St, Underhill Rd then Bucks Rd to end. 5 km of gravel with steep sections.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 41.06513° S, 175.35321° E
About this place
Enjoy the picturesque campsite above the Tauwharenīkau River set in regenerating bush. Walk the Tauwharenīkau Gorge Track or cool off with a swim in the river.
Fees and bookings
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027. If no availability shows online for your dates, the campsite is fully booked. No spaces are kept for campers arriving without a booking. Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee. Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Smith Creek Shelter
Wellington • 6.4 km
Smith Creek Shelter is a hut located in the Wellington region. The provided records contain no further details regarding its facilities or specific location.
Tutuwai Hut
Standard • 20 bunks • Wellington • 6.6 km
Tutuwai Hut is a 20-bunk hut located in the Tauwharenīkau Valley. It can be accessed from Waiohine Gorge roadend in Wairarapa or from Kaitoke and Marchant…
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Waiohine Gorge Campsite
Standard • Wellington • 8.3 km
Waiohine Gorge Campsite is a secluded campsite located at the head of two gorges above the Waiohine River in the Wairarapa region. The area is popular for…
Non-powered/tent sites • Toilets - flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Cone Hut
Basic/bivvies • 6 bunks • Wellington • 8.7 km
Cone Hut is a basic six-bunk hut in the Wairarapa region. It is the second oldest hut in the Tararuas.
Heating • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Greytown Campground
Wellington • 8.9 km
Walks nearby
Dobson Loop Track
Easy • 5.5 hr (return to Smith Creek Shelter) • 13 km (return to Smith Creek Shelter). 11.5 km (Dobson loop) • 7.97 km away
Smith Creek - Tauwharenīkau River
Advanced • 5.5 hr return • 13 km • 8.26 km away
Holdsworth - Kaitoke Track
Advanced • 2–3 days • 36 km • 9.05 km away
Tararua Southern Crossing
Advanced • 3 days • 11.18 km away
Lower Waiohine Track
Intermediate • 4 hr and 30 min • 8.7 km • 11.68 km away
Contact
Wellington/Kapiti information
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Campsites · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- DOC Campsites (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- OpenStreetMap Campsites · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.