Freedom Camping in Tasman

Freedom Camping in Tasman

Interested in free camping in the Tasman region? Here are five of the most important things you need to know before you begin your adventure.

1. Free camping on Council-owned land is only allowed for mobile vehicles certified as self-contained with an installed self-contained toilet and at least three days storage capacity for drinking water, toilet waste and grey water.
2. Free camping is prohibited on Council-owned land for people in tents, or in the case of vehicles that are not certified as self-contained.
3. Free campers are only permitted to camp within one kilometre of a single location for two nights out of every four weeks. Motueka Beach Reserve is an exception to this rule. Free camping at Motueka Beach Reserve is restricted to two consecutive nights, but you are permitted to return for another two consecutive nights after leaving the area for at least one night.
4. Freedom camping is prohibited: within 500 metres of any “no camping” signs on Tasman District Council-controlled land; on any Tasman District Council reserve (apart from road reserve), except for Edward Baigent Memorial Reserve and Motueka Beach Reserve; on any formed roadway; at Kaiteriteri Beach area from Tapu Bay to Breaker Bay; at Marahau from the start of the residential area to the end of the Marahau-Sandy Bay Road; the river side of any stopbank (except that area in the vicinity of the State Highway Bridge at Waitapu, Golden Bay); and any location where the activity of freedom camping may cause an obstruction or hazard to traffic;
5. Human effluent and rubbish must be disposed of appropriately. Effluent must be disposed of at a campervan waste dumping station. Rubbish should be bagged and dropped off at any Resource Recovery Centre.

Avoid being fined! Download and read Tasman District Council’s Freedom Camping Bylaw 2011 and Tasman District Council Freedom Camping (Motueka Beach Reserve) Bylaw 2013 for full rules and regulations.