Wharariki Beach Holiday Park

About 45 minutes north of Westport lies a special campground: Gentle Annie. This is a spacious, family-run campground set between the Mokihinui River and a beautiful, driftwood-strewn beach. The campground itself has heaps to do—you can go for a beach walk, have a driftwood beach bonfire, go fishing, swim in the ocean or river, or walk the Gentle Annie Point Maze. Look for Hector’s dolphins in the sea and stargaze at night. You can also use the campground as a base for some great day trips in the northern West Coast. Head to the nearby Charming Creek Walkway, or drive north to the start of the Heaphy Track to do a day walk to Scott’s Beach. The Oparara Arches near Karamea are yet another amazing day trip from here.