A relaxed friendly camping ground situated near the mouth of the Kakanui River.  You will find Kakanui by travelling 10 minutes south of Oamaru, along the coastal scenic road.

Take a short walk along the riverside to the local store/bottle store, with fruit and vegetable stalls along the way. Enjoy fishing, swimming, surfing or looking for penguins within walking distance.

We have 30 Caravan and tent sites available, with power to some of these, available on request.

Our facilities block is clean and tidy, including a small lounge with television within the kitchen/dining area, Laundry facilities including coin operated washing machine and dryer.  All our facilities are wheelchair accessible.

 

The Kakanui Camping Ground has been ordered to cease operating, except for five camping sites, by the Environment Court after a two-day hearing in Oamaru.

For more than 15 years, the camping ground's owner has been embroiled in a battle with the Waitaki District Council over its legality. The hearing in Oamaru this week the fourth time the issue has gone before the Environment Court over either resource consents or an abatement notice on owner Allan Jones in December last year, ordering he cease operating visitor accommodation (a camping ground).

This week's hearing , was to hear an appeal by Mr Jones against the abatement notice.

He clainmed exsiting use rights, saying there had been camping on the 1.22ha site on the south side of the Kakanui River next to Waianakarua Rd, since the 1950s.

The appeal was challenged by the council, supported by site neighbours Bob and Linda Hildeman, before Judge Gordon Whiting and commissioners Kevin Prime and Katherine Edmonds.

On Thursday, Judge Whiting issued an interim decision amending the abatement notice, directing Mr Jones to cease operating the camping ground, except for five camping sites at any one time, including caravans, tents, motorhomes and cabins.

The camping ground has 30 tent and caravan sites, according to its website.

Judge Whiting said the abatement notice would also prevent "any creep" (expansion) of the camping ground in the interim.

Mr Jones was directed to file with the council within five working days an amended resource consent application to operate the camping ground, and the council to publicly notify it for submissions 10 working days after receiving it.

The application would then follow the normal Resource Management Act process.

Judge Whiting said it became apparent, from evidence, the hearing would not end the issue and may well complicate it, resulting in increased costs for all parties and the court.

Mr Jones and the parties would proceed with an amended resource consent application, to a determination as soon as possible. The determination could end the matter, or if one or more parties appealed, it would be beneficial for the court to hear both the appeal and abatement notice together.

In December, Mr Jones had filed with the council a resource consent application, but it had been on hold, subject to further information being provided by him. Agreement had been reached on an amended consent application, which would now be filed to meet the court's direction.

 

Kakanui Township is located 10 minutes south of Oamaru, along the costal scenic road.

Continue past the Kakanui Store, and over the Kakanui bridge.

View Larger Map

 

Just had 10 of the most fantastic days ever at this camping ground. The hosts bend over backwards to help. Always clean and well presented. Will be staying here again. I recommend this camp to anyone wanting a true Kiwi camping experience the way it used to be.

Reviewed 02 January 2010.

What fantastic hosts Alan and Chris are. Great camping ground, clean and well presented. Nothing was a problem to them, pity more camps are not like this. Cheep at double the price.

Reviewed 02 January 2010.