Freedom Camping

Waihora Park Domain Camping Ground Motukarara: Camping by the Little River Rail Trail

Check the local camping rules first. Freedom camping rules vary by area and change regularly, including where you can stay overnight, whether a self-contained vehicle is required, and how long you can stay. Before you park up for the night, check the local council's freedom camping rules.

Last updated November 2026

Waihora Park Domain Camping Ground is a large grassed camping area on Park Road at Motukarara, next to Motukarara Racecourse and about 22 km from Christchurch in a straight line. Its listing on selwyn.nz, Selwyn District Council’s visitor website, puts the price at $10 a night.

The camping ground has water and toilets, a playground, a tree hut and a free barbecue, in a tree-lined setting. Dogs are permitted, and the Little River Rail Trail passes about 50 m away. To arrange a stay, contact the domain through the email address on its listing.

Practical Information

Type
Domain camping ground
Address
Park Road, Motukarara (the listing gives both 134 and 136 Park Road)
Distance from the city
About 22 km from Christchurch (straight line)
Price
$10 per night
Camping area
Large grassed area among trees
Facilities
Water, toilets, playground, tree hut, free barbecue
Dogs
Permitted
Nearby
Little River Rail Trail (about 50 m); Motukarara Racecourse (next door)
Contact
By email, through the selwyn.nz listing
Listed by
selwyn.nz (Selwyn District Council’s visitor site)

Where to find it

Waihora Park Domain Camping Ground Motukarara
Map of Waihora Park Domain Camping Ground Motukarara

Get directions

About Waihora Park Domain Camping Ground

Waihora Park Domain sits on Park Road at Motukarara. The camping ground is a large grassed area in a tree-lined setting beside Motukarara Racecourse, and the selwyn.nz listing pitches it at family trips and barbecues.

It is a domain camping ground rather than a freedom camping site, so you pay a nightly fee and arrange your stay with the domain itself. The listing doesn’t say how many sites there are or which vehicles suit the ground, so ask when you get in touch.

The listing keeps its facility list short: water, toilets, a playground, a tree hut and a free barbecue on site. It doesn’t mention showers or powered sites, so ask the domain if you need either before you book.

The Rail Trail and the Racecourse

The Little River Rail Trail runs about 50 m from the camping ground, according to the listing, which makes the domain an option for people riding or walking the trail. Motukarara Racecourse is right next door.

Booking, Dogs and Dump Stations

The selwyn.nz listing gives an email address as the domain’s contact and mentions no online booking, so get in touch before you arrive to check there is space. The $10 a night price is the one the listing shows; confirm it when you contact the domain.

Dogs are permitted at the camping ground. If you are travelling in a self-contained vehicle, Selwyn District Council’s free public dump stations include one inside Rhodes Park Reserve at 722 Old Tai Tapu Road, Tai Tapu, 300 m up the drive to the right of the sports fields. It takes both black and grey water.

Where to Learn More

selwyn.nz: Waihora Park Domain Camping Ground: the listing with the price, facilities, dog rule and contact email.

Selwyn District Council: Dump stations: free public dump stations in the district and their current status.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Waihora Park Domain?

The selwyn.nz listing gives the price as $10 per night.

Are there toilets?

Yes. The listing includes toilets and water.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes. The listing says dogs are permitted.

How close is the Little River Rail Trail?

About 50 m from the camping ground.

How do I book?

Contact the domain using the email address on its selwyn.nz listing.

Where is it?

On Park Road, Motukarara, next to Motukarara Racecourse, about 22 km from Christchurch in a straight line.

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