Courthouse Flat Campsite

Fees

• Adult (18+ years): $10 per night
• Child (5–17 years): $5 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

Passes

The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite.

Campsite Pass bookings must be booked online before occupying a site. If you do not book, bookings may be made by campground staff (if present) and will incur a $10 service charge. Sites may not be available if you do not book.

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.

Book Courthouse Flat Campsite online.

By car

Turn off SH 61 at Tapawera. Follow Rd to Bushend Rd then Wangapeka River Rd to end.

Gravel road not suitable for caravans and campervans. The Dart River ford crossing can be impassable after heavy rain.

By foot

Courthouse Flat Campsite used to have walking access via swing bridge, however the bridge washed away in June 2014, and is yet to be replaced.

Caution required on Dart River Ford on the Wangapeka River

Dart Ford
Image: Ivan Rogers | DOC

If you’re planning to cross the Dart Ford by vehicle, identify suitable conditions first.

Due to ongoing gravel migration filling the ford, the river is flowing over the ford even at low water levels. The ford may be impassable after heavy rain.

We recommend the use of a 4WD vehicle to safely negotiate the ford.

Check river flow for Wangapeka at Walter Peak on the Tasman District Council website before you set off.

As a guide, if the flow indicated on the graph exceeds 40 cumecs then it is not advisable to cross. However, the river may still be unsafe to cross because:

• the flow shown on the website can be inaccurate, or
• the Dart River may be flowing higher than the Wangapeka indicates, or
• the culverts under the ford may be choked with gravel.

So you must re-assess the flow conditions once you arrive in terms of your vehicle and driving skill level. Don’t forget to check the weather forecast for your return trip too.

Location

NZTM2000 coordinates: E1563825, N5409209
Latitude: -41.46789928, Longitude: 172.56678759

Take repellant for ferocious sandflies.

There are wasps at this campsite. They are particularly common from December until April – carry antihistamine and Epipen if you are allergic to their stings.

Activities nearby Courthouse Flat Campsite include picnicking, hunting and walking.