Quick drive around Okarito Campground near Franz Josef | West Coast | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: Campsites, West Coast Region

Tags: campsite, new zealand, okarito, okarito campground, west coast

Added: 2 years ago

Quick drive around Okarito Campground located near Franz Josef on the West Coast of New Zealand. This is an easily accessible campsite that was established by the Okarito community on a Department of Conservation managed recreation reserve. The campground is only a few minutes' walk from the beach and lagoon, and has a friendly and relaxed vibe. Campground amenities are simple yet provide what you need for a comfortable stay. It is the type of campground that is increasingly difficult to find, where the experience of being in a natural environment predominates.

The township of Okarito is an idyllic, remote settlement bounded by ocean, lagoon, native forest, and the snow-capped Southern Alps. The township attracts those passionate about nature, conservation and enjoying the outdoors.

The Okarito Lagoon is New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland covering 3,240 hectares of shallow water. The rugged Southern Alps dominate the landscape inland, with the impressive expanse of the estuarine lagoon along the coast. For those who like history, there is former gold town to explore. For walkers there are wetland, coastal or trig station walks close by and challenging tramps up the Whataroa Valley. To get your fill of birds, spend time on the lagoon or visit the white heron colony in the Waitangi Roto Nature Reserve.