Last updated October 2026
The Thornbury camping area is a Southland District Council freedom camping site at 212 Gropers Bush Thornbury Road, by the Thornbury bridge over the Aparima River. It is about 25 km northwest of Invercargill in a straight line, and it is the nearest of the council’s camping areas to the city.
Unlike most of Southland District’s town sites, Thornbury is mapped as a tents-allowed area, and the council’s page says non-self-contained camping is allowed. You can stay up to 28 days a year. The council’s map shows a public toilet at the same address.
Practical Information
- Address
- 212 Gropers Bush Thornbury Road, Thornbury
- Distance from the city
- About 25 km from Invercargill (straight line)
- Who can camp
- Tents and non-self-contained camping allowed (council page)
- Maximum stay
- No more than 28 days per year
- Toilet
- Thornbury Bridge public toilet, same address (council map)
- Dogs
- On a leash in the camping area
- Fires
- No open fires; gas cookers allowed
- Generators
- 8am to 9pm only
- Nearest dump stations
- Riverton and Otautau (council map)
- Cost
- Free
About the Thornbury Camping Area
Thornbury is on the Aparima River, northwest of Invercargill, and the camping area is beside the bridge on Gropers Bush Thornbury Road. The council’s site page shows the permitted camping area on a map, and you need to stay within it.
What sets Thornbury apart is who can stay. Southland District Council has two kinds of freedom camping area: self-contained only, and tents allowed. Most of its town sites, such as Winton, Browns and Edendale, are self-contained only.
Thornbury is one of the few in the tents-allowed group, so you can pitch a tent or stay in a vehicle without its own toilet.
The council’s freedom camping map lists the Thornbury Bridge toilet at the same address as the camping area. The council asks campers to use public toilets where they are provided. There is no water, power or shower listed for the site, so bring what you need.
On top of the 28-day yearly limit, the district-wide bylaw says nobody may freedom camp in the district for more than one month in any three months.
Southland District Council Rules
The council’s Freedom Camping Bylaw 2015 applies to public places in the district, not to conservation land or private property. At its designated sites, open fires are not allowed, though gas cookers and gas barbecues are permitted. Dogs must be on a leash in the camping area, and generators may only run between 8am and 9pm.
The council also asks campers to keep the site tidy, empty wastewater at a dump station, drive only on formed tracks, wash with biodegradable products in a container away from the river, and look after native plants and animals.
The bylaw is under review. The council plans formal public consultation on a proposed new bylaw in late 2026, so the rules for Thornbury could change. Check the site page before you go.
Dump Stations Nearby
There is no dump station at Thornbury. The council’s map shows camper van dump stations at Riverton, about 9 km south in a straight line, and at Otautau, about 17 km north. Winton also has one.
Where to Learn More
Southland District Council: Thornbury: the camping area map and the rules for this site.
Southland District Council: Freedom camping interactive map: camping areas, toilets and dump stations across the district.
Southland District Council: Freedom camping need to know: the district rules, the bylaw and responsible camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp in a tent at Thornbury?
Yes. The council maps Thornbury as a tents-allowed area and says non-self-contained camping is allowed.
How long can I stay?
No more than 28 days per year at this site, and no more than one month in any three months anywhere in the district.
Is there a toilet?
The council’s map shows the Thornbury Bridge public toilet at the same address as the camping area.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, but dogs must be on a leash in the camping area.
Can I light a fire?
No open fires. Gas cookers and gas barbecues are allowed.
Where is the nearest dump station?
The council lists dump stations at Riverton and Otautau, both within about 17 km in a straight line.
How far is Thornbury from Invercargill?
About 25 km northwest of Invercargill in a straight line.
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