Timber Yard Point Lakeside Domain Camping Area
Lake Ellesmere
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Timber Yard Point Lakeside Domain Camping Area
Lake Ellesmere is New Zealand's fifth largest lake and has a huge biodiversity of birdlife. The lake is actually a lagoon covering 20,000 hectares and is a mix of fresh and salt water. The lake is surprisingly unknown and under used as a recreational resource. It is an awesome place for fishing, bird watching, walking, mountain biking and all types of water sports.
This site is the habitat of the Mayfly, which at different times of the year swarm in very large numbers.
They are not mosquitoes, nor do they bite or sting.
There are boat ramps and lake access all around the lake as well as a couple of camping/ picnic areas.
This is a designated freedom camping area supported by the Selwyn District Council. The Timber Yard Point Lakeside Domain can be found at Timber Yard Road, just off the Lake Road.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Selwyn District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch |
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Categories |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Year round. Open 24 hrs/day. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Bird Watching
Nearby
Reviews
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3.5/5
There is plenty of space and places, including an outdoor shower, and the toilets were clean.
It was a day with few mayflies, but that's fine. The view is lovely. It's definitely worth stopping here for a few days.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(199,213,193)" /><path d="m 150 747 Q 258 42 -447 150 Q 258 258 150 -447 Q 42 258 747 150 Q 42 42 150 747 z" fill="rgb(141,14,157)" /><path d="m 150 342 Q 65 235 -42 150 Q 65 65 150 -42 Q 235 65 342 150 Q 235 235 150 342 z" fill="rgb(114,241,98)" /><path d="m 150 182 Q 99 201 118 150 Q 99 99 150 118 Q 201 99 182 150 Q 201 201 150 182 z" fill="rgb(56,42,62)" /></svg>)
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3.0/5
SWARMS of Mayflies in the evening.
Literally couldn’t exit the van. At least the sunset and the lake were beautiful. Not so many flies in the morning but we left at 7.30am.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(118,130,146)" /><path d="m 150 687 Q 215 85 -387 150 Q 215 215 150 -387 Q 85 215 687 150 Q 85 85 150 687 z" fill="rgb(169,119,83)" /><path d="m 150 453 Q 189 111 -153 150 Q 189 189 150 -153 Q 111 189 453 150 Q 111 111 150 453 z" fill="rgb(86,136,172)" /><path d="m 150 278 Q 271 29 22 150 Q 271 271 150 22 Q 29 271 278 150 Q 29 29 150 278 z" fill="rgb(137,125,109)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Very nice spot with a looot of space, several toilet and clean.
A lot of fly but didnt bothered us
L![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(51,10,46)" /><path d="m 150 536 Q 80 220 -236 150 Q 80 80 150 -236 Q 220 80 536 150 Q 220 220 150 536 z" fill="rgb(119,95,227)" /><path d="m 150 320 Q 47 253 -20 150 Q 47 47 150 -20 Q 253 47 320 150 Q 253 253 150 320 z" fill="rgb(136,160,28)" /><path d="m 150 200 Q 142 158 100 150 Q 142 142 150 100 Q 158 142 200 150 Q 158 158 150 200 z" fill="rgb(204,245,209)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
A huge grass camsite next to the lake with many trees and a lot of space.
There are flush toilets, a sink and a cold shower. Mosquitos and flies come in the evening
MS![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(184,0,124)" /><path d="m 150 625 Q 65 235 -325 150 Q 65 65 150 -325 Q 235 65 625 150 Q 235 235 150 625 z" fill="rgb(152,126,105)" /><path d="m 150 513 Q 198 102 -213 150 Q 198 198 150 -213 Q 102 198 513 150 Q 102 102 150 513 z" fill="rgb(103,129,150)" /><path d="m 150 322 Q 273 27 -22 150 Q 273 273 150 -22 Q 27 273 322 150 Q 27 27 150 322 z" fill="rgb(71,255,131)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Great!
Possibility to shelter from the wind or by the lake. Lots of space! No mosquitoes for us!
N![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(139,231,82)" /><path d="m 150 751 Q 264 36 -451 150 Q 264 264 150 -451 Q 36 264 751 150 Q 36 36 150 751 z" fill="rgb(200,196,34)" /><path d="m 150 486 Q 240 60 -186 150 Q 240 240 150 -186 Q 60 240 486 150 Q 60 60 150 486 z" fill="rgb(55,59,221)" /><path d="m 150 219 Q 71 229 81 150 Q 71 71 150 81 Q 229 71 219 150 Q 229 229 150 219 z" fill="rgb(116,24,173)" /></svg>)
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2.0/5
Full of mayflies.
In terms of facilities, plenty of space here for campers. Very dirty toilet (and full of mayflies). Also a large sink.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(205,156,71)" /><path d="m 150 556 Q 284 16 -256 150 Q 284 284 150 -256 Q 16 284 556 150 Q 16 16 150 556 z" fill="rgb(127,111,222)" /><path d="m 150 462 Q 232 68 -162 150 Q 232 232 150 -162 Q 68 232 462 150 Q 68 68 150 462 z" fill="rgb(128,144,33)" /><path d="m 150 336 Q 203 97 -36 150 Q 203 203 150 -36 Q 97 203 336 150 Q 97 97 150 336 z" fill="rgb(50,99,184)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Technically free, although there is a donations box for those keeping the toilets clean.
For a free spot it's pretty great. Excellent clean flush toilets. Cold outdoor shower and cold water faucet available for personal hygiene. Plenty of space. Only downside is the mayflies but they ain't so bad.
F![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(185,49,76)" /><path d="m 150 563 Q 232 68 -263 150 Q 232 232 150 -263 Q 68 232 563 150 Q 68 68 150 563 z" fill="rgb(85,69,59)" /><path d="m 150 307 Q 165 135 -7 150 Q 165 165 150 -7 Q 135 165 307 150 Q 135 135 150 307 z" fill="rgb(170,186,196)" /><path d="m 150 108 Q 147 153 192 150 Q 147 147 150 192 Q 153 147 108 150 Q 153 153 150 108 z" fill="rgb(70,206,179)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Perfect!
Spacious campground with beautiful views, very quiet. Clean toilets, an outdoor shower and a sink to wash dishes.
Don’t forget to leave a donation in the box!
E![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(71,91,26)" /><path d="m 150 618 Q 231 69 -318 150 Q 231 231 150 -318 Q 69 231 618 150 Q 69 69 150 618 z" fill="rgb(150,68,74)" /><path d="m 150 518 Q 147 153 -218 150 Q 147 147 150 -218 Q 153 147 518 150 Q 153 153 150 518 z" fill="rgb(105,187,181)" /><path d="m 150 256 Q 184 116 44 150 Q 184 184 150 44 Q 116 184 256 150 Q 116 116 150 256 z" fill="rgb(184,164,229)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
During the week, we stayed, and it was quiet.
What a super location
Only 5 other vehicles.
Lots of space near lake edge.
What a sunset and what a sunrise.
Awesome indeed.
AS![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(90,5,142)" /><path d="m 150 549 Q 73 227 -249 150 Q 73 73 150 -249 Q 227 73 549 150 Q 227 227 150 549 z" fill="rgb(163,6,70)" /><path d="m 150 452 Q 113 187 -152 150 Q 113 113 150 -152 Q 187 113 452 150 Q 187 187 150 452 z" fill="rgb(92,249,185)" /><path d="m 150 243 Q 145 155 57 150 Q 145 145 150 57 Q 155 145 243 150 Q 155 155 150 243 z" fill="rgb(165,250,113)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
What a great place, nice clean toilets, even has a cold shower Huge lake which I got the paddle board out on Loads of room to park up
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4.5/5
This camp spot is much nice than the photos.
There are hundreds of spots here, we have a beautiful view of the sunset and lake. Toilet facility is fine and lots of area for kids to run, not much else so all in all it’s a fantastic spot for a free camp.
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5.0/5
Our first overnight trip away in our new camper.
I have to give Timber Yard Point a rating of 10 as I cannot fault it.
A beautiful setting, flat ground, plenty of space, quiet (at the time of our visit, I imagine it comes to life during the summer holidays!), clean flushing toilets, a cold shower, and it's all free.
We were on the south side of the grounds and well protected from the wind by the trees. Phone reception was a bit patchy where we were set up. Stunning sunset and sunrise over the lake!
LF![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(92,32,24)" /><path d="m 150 691 Q 150 150 -391 150 Q 150 150 150 -391 Q 150 150 691 150 Q 150 150 150 691 z" fill="rgb(192,46,253)" /><path d="m 150 482 Q 238 62 -182 150 Q 238 238 150 -182 Q 62 238 482 150 Q 62 62 150 482 z" fill="rgb(63,209,2)" /><path d="m 150 143 Q 120 180 157 150 Q 120 120 150 157 Q 180 120 143 150 Q 180 180 150 143 z" fill="rgb(163,223,231)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Lovely and quiet freedom campsite with loads of spaces.
We stayed here after picking up our camper van from Christchurch airport. There are toilets, sink and big trash bins. Great start to our holidays!
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(182,122,218)" /><path d="m 150 697 Q 220 80 -397 150 Q 220 220 150 -397 Q 80 220 697 150 Q 80 80 150 697 z" fill="rgb(208,205,1)" /><path d="m 150 324 Q 280 20 -24 150 Q 280 280 150 -24 Q 20 280 324 150 Q 20 20 150 324 z" fill="rgb(47,50,254)" /><path d="m 150 338 Q 85 215 -38 150 Q 85 85 150 -38 Q 215 85 338 150 Q 215 215 150 338 z" fill="rgb(73,133,37)" /></svg>)
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3.5/5
Great place, lots of mosquitoes in the summer, plenty of space for vehicles.
Bathrooms with flush toilets and shower (!!) really great, yet shower cold water only.
N![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(238,31,181)" /><path d="m 150 663 Q 226 74 -363 150 Q 226 226 150 -363 Q 74 226 663 150 Q 74 74 150 663 z" fill="rgb(211,155,212)" /><path d="m 150 425 Q 152 148 -125 150 Q 152 152 150 -125 Q 148 152 425 150 Q 148 148 150 425 z" fill="rgb(44,100,43)" /><path d="m 150 281 Q 205 95 19 150 Q 205 205 150 19 Q 95 205 281 150 Q 95 95 150 281 z" fill="rgb(17,224,74)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Very lovely spot!
Lots of space! And clean flush toilet - very nice!
It’s a great view too and flat so good for camping
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4.5/5
Honestly one of the best free campsites in all of New Zealand.
Lots of space, even good places to put your tent if you want to protect it from the wind. Very clean toilets, running water, rubbish bins, a cold shower… everything you need. Yes, there are many Mayflies (hence the 9/10), but at least they don’t bite and weren’t super annoying (we stayed there in November, it might be different in other months). Lovely view of the lake, you can’t swim in it tho
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(154,231,187)" /><path d="m 150 540 Q 66 234 -240 150 Q 66 66 150 -240 Q 234 66 540 150 Q 234 234 150 540 z" fill="rgb(135,247,90)" /><path d="m 150 387 Q 114 186 -87 150 Q 114 114 150 -87 Q 186 114 387 150 Q 186 186 150 387 z" fill="rgb(120,8,165)" /><path d="m 150 262 Q 263 37 38 150 Q 263 263 150 38 Q 37 263 262 150 Q 37 37 150 262 z" fill="rgb(101,24,68)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(37,126,167)" /><path d="m 150 548 Q 148 152 -248 150 Q 148 148 150 -248 Q 152 148 548 150 Q 152 152 150 548 z" fill="rgb(134,10,151)" /><path d="m 150 515 Q 109 191 -215 150 Q 109 109 150 -215 Q 191 109 515 150 Q 191 191 150 515 z" fill="rgb(121,245,104)" /><path d="m 150 146 Q 291 9 154 150 Q 291 291 150 154 Q 9 291 146 150 Q 9 9 150 146 z" fill="rgb(218,129,88)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(172,94,153)" /><path d="m 150 589 Q 259 41 -289 150 Q 259 259 150 -289 Q 41 259 589 150 Q 41 41 150 589 z" fill="rgb(54,210,95)" /><path d="m 150 394 Q 83 217 -94 150 Q 83 83 150 -94 Q 217 83 394 150 Q 217 217 150 394 z" fill="rgb(201,45,160)" /><path d="m 150 128 Q 74 226 172 150 Q 74 74 150 172 Q 226 74 128 150 Q 226 226 150 128 z" fill="rgb(83,161,102)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(58,132,63)" /><path d="m 150 645 Q 233 67 -345 150 Q 233 233 150 -345 Q 67 233 645 150 Q 67 67 150 645 z" fill="rgb(72,164,231)" /><path d="m 150 551 Q 187 113 -251 150 Q 187 187 150 -251 Q 113 187 551 150 Q 113 113 150 551 z" fill="rgb(183,91,24)" /><path d="m 150 105 Q 257 43 195 150 Q 257 257 150 195 Q 43 257 105 150 Q 43 43 150 105 z" fill="rgb(197,123,192)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(236,205,130)" /><path d="m 150 596 Q 101 199 -296 150 Q 101 101 150 -296 Q 199 101 596 150 Q 199 199 150 596 z" fill="rgb(7,123,181)" /><path d="m 150 340 Q 154 146 -40 150 Q 154 154 150 -40 Q 146 154 340 150 Q 146 146 150 340 z" fill="rgb(248,132,74)" /><path d="m 150 253 Q 71 229 47 150 Q 71 71 150 47 Q 229 71 253 150 Q 229 229 150 253 z" fill="rgb(19,50,125)" /></svg>)
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3.5/5
There is plenty of space and places, including an outdoor shower, and the toilets were clean.
It was a day with few mayflies, but that's fine. The view is lovely. It's definitely worth stopping here for a few days.
M -
3.0/5
SWARMS of Mayflies in the evening.
Literally couldn’t exit the van. At least the sunset and the lake were beautiful. Not so many flies in the morning but we left at 7.30am.
M -
4.5/5
Very nice spot with a looot of space, several toilet and clean.
A lot of fly but didnt bothered us
L -
5.0/5
A huge grass camsite next to the lake with many trees and a lot of space.
There are flush toilets, a sink and a cold shower. Mosquitos and flies come in the evening
MS -
5.0/5
Great!
Possibility to shelter from the wind or by the lake. Lots of space! No mosquitoes for us!
N -
2.0/5
Full of mayflies.
In terms of facilities, plenty of space here for campers. Very dirty toilet (and full of mayflies). Also a large sink.
M -
5.0/5
Technically free, although there is a donations box for those keeping the toilets clean.
For a free spot it's pretty great. Excellent clean flush toilets. Cold outdoor shower and cold water faucet available for personal hygiene. Plenty of space. Only downside is the mayflies but they ain't so bad.
F -
5.0/5
Perfect!
Spacious campground with beautiful views, very quiet. Clean toilets, an outdoor shower and a sink to wash dishes.
Don’t forget to leave a donation in the box!
E -
4.5/5
During the week, we stayed, and it was quiet.
What a super location
Only 5 other vehicles.
Lots of space near lake edge.
What a sunset and what a sunrise.
Awesome indeed.
AS -
5.0/5
What a great place, nice clean toilets, even has a cold shower Huge lake which I got the paddle board out on Loads of room to park up
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4.5/5
This camp spot is much nice than the photos.
There are hundreds of spots here, we have a beautiful view of the sunset and lake. Toilet facility is fine and lots of area for kids to run, not much else so all in all it’s a fantastic spot for a free camp.
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5.0/5
Our first overnight trip away in our new camper.
I have to give Timber Yard Point a rating of 10 as I cannot fault it.
A beautiful setting, flat ground, plenty of space, quiet (at the time of our visit, I imagine it comes to life during the summer holidays!), clean flushing toilets, a cold shower, and it's all free.
We were on the south side of the grounds and well protected from the wind by the trees. Phone reception was a bit patchy where we were set up. Stunning sunset and sunrise over the lake!
LF -
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5.0/5
Lovely and quiet freedom campsite with loads of spaces.
We stayed here after picking up our camper van from Christchurch airport. There are toilets, sink and big trash bins. Great start to our holidays!
M -
3.5/5
Great place, lots of mosquitoes in the summer, plenty of space for vehicles.
Bathrooms with flush toilets and shower (!!) really great, yet shower cold water only.
N -
5.0/5
Very lovely spot!
Lots of space! And clean flush toilet - very nice!
It’s a great view too and flat so good for camping
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4.5/5
Honestly one of the best free campsites in all of New Zealand.
Lots of space, even good places to put your tent if you want to protect it from the wind. Very clean toilets, running water, rubbish bins, a cold shower… everything you need. Yes, there are many Mayflies (hence the 9/10), but at least they don’t bite and weren’t super annoying (we stayed there in November, it might be different in other months). Lovely view of the lake, you can’t swim in it tho
M -
0.5/5
Travelled in September and it was absolutely full of mayflies.
Barely able to see infront of you due to the hundreds of thousands of bugs. Would NOT recommend at all unless you're coming to park only and have an internal kitchen, toilet, etc. Opened the door once to get in and out and dozens of bugs swarmed inside in seconds. Left soon after as we had a kitchenette outside only.
N![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(93,29,89)" /><path d="m 150 714 Q 147 153 -414 150 Q 147 147 150 -414 Q 153 147 714 150 Q 153 153 150 714 z" fill="rgb(82,243,115)" /><path d="m 150 384 Q 102 198 -84 150 Q 102 102 150 -84 Q 198 102 384 150 Q 198 198 150 384 z" fill="rgb(173,12,140)" /><path d="m 150 160 Q 67 233 140 150 Q 67 67 150 140 Q 233 67 160 150 Q 233 233 150 160 z" fill="rgb(162,226,166)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
This place was a hidden gem if you like peace and quiet, we came in May 2023, loads of flies which is expected they don’t bite so don’t panic, great toilet block, fairly new I think, cold water but outside
shower and sink for washing up, toilets clean and had soap and paper, right next to water so be careful if it’s due to rain a lot, we walked all round to see if ground was waterlogged so knew to park further in , lots of people turning up but loads of room to park still.
AC![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(96,94,246)" /><path d="m 150 624 Q 80 220 -324 150 Q 80 80 150 -324 Q 220 80 624 150 Q 220 220 150 624 z" fill="rgb(87,152,5)" /><path d="m 150 552 Q 168 132 -252 150 Q 168 168 150 -252 Q 132 168 552 150 Q 132 132 150 552 z" fill="rgb(168,103,250)" /><path d="m 150 334 Q 115 185 -34 150 Q 115 115 150 -34 Q 185 115 334 150 Q 185 185 150 334 z" fill="rgb(159,161,9)" /></svg>)
