This farm based camp is 8km south of Geraldine and is a children_s paradise, you will know you are nearly there when you see the avenue of colourfully painted windmills. Spread over a farmlet of nearly 17 hectares are 30 power sites and innumerable tent sites snuggled into pockets of shelter belts. Amenities include a clean compact kitchen and dining area, with everything you might need provided, opening to a small lounge with a TV. There is another covered area outside with a sink, as well as picnic tables for outside eating. Excellent tiled ablutions that include a family suite and disability unit, there is a dump point for porta potties only, and the porch laundry has automatic washers and a dryer. The BBQ area is well supplied with wood plus a large _marshmallow pit_ for cooking your own yummy marshmallows. Fun for the children includes donkey rides, a sandpit, BMX track, play equipment, mini golf and mini motorbikes. A landscaped area has a pool and grassed tennis court, or go and meet Skippy the wallaby and his other furry friends. Your hosts, Geoff and Kerrie, are pet and people friendly. Tent sites are $35 to $37 for two people, or with power, $37 to $40.

In a rural setting at the southern end of Waimate is this well-maintained family park. Around 30 sites available in this four acre farmlet, with trees for shade and hedges for shelter. The central services block is an unusual but lovely pentagon shaped building and houses a well-equipped kitchen, dining tables, couches, as well as the laundry. Have a meal and watch TV while you wait for your washing to spin, or read a book from the library. There is only one unisex toilet and shower unit here, but they are clean and with wheelchair access. Take a nocturnal bush walk to see the locally bred wallabies, or use the free BBQ provided. All sites are $35 for two persons.

Number of tent sites - 40 This is an open but sheltered campsite. There are short walks nearby and historic relics to be seen.

An impressive stone entrance leads to a beautiful landscaped park, where the camp takes up about two acres of it. Level sites with large trees around the edges, there are 14 power points available and room for lots of tents too. The concrete block ablutions have coin operated showers ($2), there are basic toilets, and the kitchen has a small number of cooking appliances and a small dining area. A coin operated gas BBQ and picnic tables are there for your summer meals. A coin operated auto washing machine is available, as is a dump point that you will be charged for. The offsite manager is Graeme Watts of the Waimate District Council. Powered sites are $14 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years, non-powered sites are $13 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years. Long term rates available.

The Rangitata campground is now open from the 1st of September 2022 until the end of April 2023.

Situated on the north bank of the Rangitata River mouth, this is a beautiful old style campground. Most of the facilities are housed in the old style concrete block type buildings, but all have been painted and are immaculately clean and tidy. There are several different spots to camp, under trees, in small sheltered groupings, or out in the open for larger vehicles. All sites are level and the large pine tree hedges keep you sheltered if there happens to be any wind. The kitchen area includes dining table and several appliances, while the free showers and laundry are a special feature. With 24 powered sites, and plenty of non-powered, there is room for all, but be aware there is no dump station on site - lots of lovely spring water though. A very popular spot for salmon fishing and white baiting, the beach and river are only a short walk away. The camp opens early September and is open until Easter Weekend, do your shopping before you get here as the nearest shop is 24kms away at Hinds. You can bring your pets but dogs must be kept on a lead.

Turn at Lake Ruataniwha on to the private road. There is lake-edge camping
with flush toilets and boat ramps.

Well what a transformation in this huge camp in the centre of Temuka.
Recently purchased by a group of locals, it has undergone a transformation.
Big old shady trees with lots of open space providing campers with around 136
power and 110 tent sites on flat ground.  There is also a beautiful new animal
friendly space set apart from the main camping area, mostly unpowered but
with a couple of powered. What used to be the tired and uncared for facilities,
are still basic but have been renovated and cleaned to immaculate standards.
The kitchens are well stocked with everything you could possibly need, herbs
gardens too, and the ablutions show the same care and attention with clean shower curtains and water blasted floors. A large laundry has ample automatic
equipment and there is internet available as well as a dump point. Plenty of
room here as you are on the edge of a huge rugby field, that doubles as tent
sites in summer, and an adventure playground is only 50m away. Close by are
facilities where you can play tennis, mini golf, go skating, swim, play 18 holes
of golf, enjoy the cycle track or just go fishing. Very friendly onsite caretakers
will help you with any queries. Powered sites $25 to $32 for two, unpowered
from $8 to $12 per person.  Extra adults are $12, under 5 are free, 5-16
are only $5.

From Lake Benmore, take the turn off at the mountain end of Burkes Pass.
The journey is around 50km of unsealed road, but worth it if you want a
large lakefront camp with a boat ramp, fishing and boating. Owned by a
cooperative of enthusiastic campers, this is not luxury camping so you need
to be reasonably independent. Flush toilets are available but no showers, and there is a dump point here. Tent sites $20 per family, or a season ticket at $350 per annum.

In the middle of suburbia, and only a short walk to the nearby supermarket, this surprisingly spacious campground has an air of tranquillity. This is a large camp broken into small camping areas, all well supplied with large shade trees. Of the 150 sites most have power and some have waste disposal, there are also extra-large sites for the bigger vehicles. A modern purpose-built block with kitchen/dining facilities, consisting of full stoves, ceramic cooktops and a fridge/freezer. There are modern toilets and showers in this building and a paraplegic/family unit with shub and shower, underfloor heating throughout. The laundry is large with auto equipment and has been recently renovated. Plenty of additional facilities are provided in the busy season, all are immaculately presented and maintained. The children can be kept busy on the challenging playground equipment, the jumping pillow or have a go on a pedal cart. No visit to Timaru would be complete without a trip to Caroline Bay which is within walking distance. Gordon and Alison Collister are your lovely hosts and they provide free wifi as well as a Spark hotspot. Tent Sites are $39 for two, or with power $43 for two, $18 extras, $10 child.

Another lake-edge option with a choice of sites on various levels, there is no
power and fire bans are frequently in place. Lake Middleton on one side and
Lake Ohau on the other, you are spoilt for fishing choices. This reserve has at
least 20 tent sites in a pleasant, well-treed location and according to the locals
there are no sand flies. There are a couple of tables and ample rubbish bins on
hand, but the only amenities are toilets and taps. The honesty box is for your
registration. $400 for a season, overnight family tickets are $20 for two adults
and two children under 15.