Hangdog Camp has always had it's own special version of "luxury accommodation".
Because of t's immediate proximity to the limestone crags of Paynes Ford (5 minutes walk to the nearest cliff), it is the perfect base for a day, week or even months long climbing holiday; and there happens to be an awful lot of people out there who put the climbing over comfort. To accommodate these folks the campground was created to be, in two words, cheap and basic (was that three words??). The facilities are minimal, the cost is minimal, the company is usually very entertaining, and the setting is unbeatable. Did we mention that there is a clear flowing river with what has often been called "the best damn swimming hole in NZ" less than a minute walk away? Now THAT'S luxury.

The camp runs on an easy going honesty system- once you are signed in you can stay as long as you like and its up to you to try and pay up once a week or so. We really hate hassling people for money and we hope that it's not much to ask that you be honest and get yourself some good karma into the bargain.

There are basically two options for staying at Hangdog: Camping, or the Gay Carabiner Bunk House. The rates and facilities for each are as follows:

Camping
(Including vans, car sleepers and tree-dwellers)

The camping is a mix of open grass and tree-sheltered terrain, with much carefully planted, planned and friendly foliage around for RESPECTFUL use to tie up tarps, hammocks and other such ingenious inventions.
Facilities:
Shelter- There is a small cook shelter if the weather turns bad, but try to bring something for this instance as this shelter gets packed pretty quickly. Cooking facilities are NOT provided so you will need to be prepared. *NOTE: The cooking facilities in the Bunkhouse are for Bunkhouse patrons ONLY.
Toilets- There are two private toilets to be used by all, as well as a men's pee shack. During peak summer madness these facilities can often become strained, but extra loo's can be found in the Paynes Ford Reserve- a 5 min walk away.
Water- Onsite drinking water is pure and plentiful, so there is no need to buy any. But as always we ask people to be respectful of this precious resource.
Shower- There is a single shower available for a honesty charge of $1 to be paid with your camping, and again, this facility can offen be in high demand. The river is usually the first choice of most people for self maintenance, but shampoo and laundry detergent in the river is not cool.
Fridges- For those who like fresh food and cold beer, there are also a couple of fridges on site that usually work most of the time. Again, when we are busy, space becomes VERY scarce in these so please be prepared to go without for a while.
Other facilities include an awesome fire circle for cooking/ social entertainment, space for playing hacky, soccer, yoga etc, and there is a fantastic menagerie of speedy push bikes that are free for use to take to Takaka and back- BUT NOT FOR THE CRAG.
Reservations: There are NO reservations for the camping. 90% of the year you are totally safe to turn up and pitch your tent. Mid December to late Jan can vary but you definitely want to have a back up option if you are planning on coming at this time. If you turn up unlucky there are a couple of options we will be able to suggest. BACK TO TOP.

Bunkhouse

Capacity: 11 to 14 people depending on how cosy folks want to get.
Our cute wee bunkhouse (fondly known as the Gay Carabiner) has more comforts than a self-titled drifter can shake a cat at, and it is a popular choice for the school groups who often stay here, any families with children, and anyone not diggin' sleeping in a flooded tent.
Facilities: This luxury lodging is comprised of a central communal kitchen, two dormitory style bunk rooms and a nifty sleeping loft. To round it out is a clean toilet, hot shower, a covered verandah/ porch, and a very marginal sounding piano.
Kitchen- Supplied cooking facilities, running hot and cold water that is totally drinkable and rather yummy, a fridge/freezer and most basic facilities needed to cook, eat and clean up afterwards.
Sleeping- Please remember that this is set up dormitory style and there are no private quarters. Mattresses are provided, but bring your own bedding.
Sanitation- Toilet, hot water, shower and even a mirror!! What more could you want..??
Reservations: We do take bookings for the Bunkhouse, and we recommend this for all times of the year. Throughout the year there are often school groups and others who prefer a warm building to a tent on a cold winters night.
*A note- Partying in the Bunkhouse is often a lot riskier than in the camp- there are usually respectable people trying to sleep and the Manager's quarters are directly next door so if you are keen for some drinks try the verandah or if that doesn't work, head to the fire circle. BACK TO TOP.

General Info

The Office: The Office is a pretty important part of the camp: It's where you pay. It's easily found, being adjacent to the bunkhouse (on your left as you drive into camp). In here you will most likely find one- or a combination of- Troy, Daphne, Jayden and Ashton- our most wonderfully friendly and capable camp managers. They will sign you in, get you comfortable, let you know what's up and hopefully answer any questions you might have. Also available in the office is a variety of products including: Climbing gear for hire, climbing guide books for the local crags, a few catalogues of top quality climbing and outdoors gear that can be ordered for great prices, some locally made organic honey, and a few idea givers for those who fancy a change of scenery.

Cars: There is on site car parking at Hangdog, however, it is severely limited and every season we are filling up more and more with traveller and backpacker vehicles. We ask that people think twice about bringing their vehicles to Hangdog, and please car pool when coming for the day. Hangdog is conveniently located to most necessities- it's an easy 20-30 minute walk to town, and we have a wild selection of free-for-use camp bicycles that'll make every trip an adventure.
For those who are sleeping in their vehicles there a couple of nice spots we try to keep reserved for you- but in summer... no promises.

Rubbish: Rubbish is a big one for us and its simple: CONTAIN IT AND DEAL WITH IT.
Council rubbish bags are available from the office for $2.00, and these are collected once a week. Other than this, your rubbish MUST leave with you. For those with a vehicle the transfer station is only a 10 minute drive away.
There is, of course, a fairly efficient recycling system going on for glass, aluminium, plastic and paper that also gets delivered once a week to the local depo.

Environment: Hangdog is located on the edge of a conservation reserve in the heart of what could be called one of the most scenic, alternative and eco friendly communities in the country, and as such there is a very strong emphasis on environmental conservation. Any outdoors person caught disrespecting his or her environment will be doing the collective camp dishes for a week. Water should be used sparingly, recycling is a must, living trees are not firewood, and the ground is not your ashtray.
For more environmental info on the Paynes Ford reserve and the surrounds, click here.

Respect: Everyone is always looking to have a good time while on their holiday/ travels, but we all need to remember that one persons good time is another's really unsatisfactory sleep. Personal spaces can often become diminished over the busy season in camp, and everyone needs to do their part to keep it happy, friendly, fun and clean. When using facilities always try to "leave it how you found it", with others try to "treat them as you'd like to be treated", and please, if there's a problem, feel free to tell management. The river, nearby beaches and various pubs around make great alternatives to having a late night instead of keeping up those who'd rather be sleeping. BACK TO TOP.

Some Simple Rules

Please:
NO DOGS- We love the things but they make a real mess. This is non-negotiable.
MUSIC- Past dark/10pm there is to be NO electronic music in camp. Any base frequencies are really annoying to the neighbors- camp and local alike. Bust out the guitar, triangle or coconut and have a ho-down but please, keep it respectful.
SPEED LIMIT- This is to be kept to 5km per anum (really really friggin slow) as there is often children, other vehicles and vacant minded hippies around every corner.
ALCOHOL/ DRUGS- Basically do what you're gonna do but keep it respectful. We do not condone the use of any drugs in Hangdog, and if substances start getting out of hand, steps will be taken. However, the camp is often the home of many a social evening and everyone is encouraged to have fun.

Thanks and Enjoy!!