Jackson Bay, New Zealand
Freedom camping in one of the South Island's hidden gems
We posted up for the evening at an off-the-beaten-path freedom camping spot in Jackson Bay, the quaintest fishing village with an interesting history, a great seafood shack, nearby nature walks, and breathtaking scenery.
It’s so hard to pick a favorite spot in New Zealand given how beautiful and diverse the landscape is, but Jackson Bay may be at the top of our list. Most people drive to Haast and then head north to explore the West Coast, which you should definitely do, but first, head south. 20 minutes later you will stumble across the quaintest fishing village with an interesting history.
Initially, Jackson Bay, or Okahu, was home to a Maori (indigienous Polynesian people) settlement of ~300 people, but the population had decreased by the time Europeans began to settle the area and was abandoned in 1866.
In 1874, the area was chosen for a government-supported settlement under the assisted immigrant program. The vision was a thriving port town, rivaling Greymouth and Hokitika, however, within a few years, most of the settlers departed due to difficult conditions like above-average rainfall.
A few determined, and gritty, settlers stayed at Jackson Bay, and their descendants still live in the district.
There is a small freedom camping area, overlooking the water, that maybe fits 5 vehicles. It’s just past The Craypot, Jackson Bay’s only restaurant, and is hard to miss because there isn’t much else happening in town. There are public restrooms up the hill, near the pavilion. We were lucky enough to get a spot, but we saw others arrive an hour or 2 after us, and they were not so lucky.
Besides enjoying the breathtaking scenery, there are a few other things that you must do while there.
Wharekai-Te Kou Walk
Take the Wharekai-Te Kou Walk, a short walk that brings you through rainforest lushness, away from the bay, and to the rocky shores of Ocean Beach. We grabbed some beers and set out around sunset. We were the only 2 people on the beach.
The oldest grave on New Zealand's West Coast
Check out the oldest grave on New Zealand’s West Coast, right next to the freedom camping area. Claude Ollivier was 22 years old when he passed, and he was Jackson Bay’s first death from pneumonia. There is also a cemetery closer to the entrance of Jackson Bay called Pioneer Cemetery, which we did not see.
The Craypot
Have a meal at Jackson Bay’s classic seafood shack, The Craypot. It has delectable fish & chips, other fresh seafood choices, and, of course, unbeatable views.