Lake Poaka Campsite

Lake Poaka Campsite - Lake Poaka Conservation Area - Overnight Campervan Parking

Lake Poaka Campsite

Lake Poaka Conservation Area - Overnight Campervan Parking

71 Rankers Reviews

12 Twizel

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Lake Poaka Campsite

Use this campsite as a base for recreational activities around the Twizel area or as an overnight stay in a picturesque setting.

Wildlife reserve full of birds on the side of the Pukaki canal. Camp right alongside the lake.

Use this campsite as a base for recreational activities around the Twizel area or as an overnight stay in a picturesque setting.

Turn off SH6 onto the Pukaki Canal Road (take care, this is a gravel road). The access road to the lake is signposted.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Lake Poaka Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.

DOC Basic Campsite

Basic campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water may be from a water tank that is untreated, stream or lake. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Access may be by road or boat.

Feature Value Value
Unpowered Site Adult $0.00 per night
Unpowered Site Child $0.00 per night
Unpowered Site Infant $0.00 per night

Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Canterbury

Central government organisation

Location

South IslandMount Cook - MacKenzieTwizel

Categories

  • Activity__freedom_campingFreedom Camping
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-44.2064199589622

170.095918083191

Latitude
-44.2064199589622
Longitude
170.095918083191

Websites

Reviews

    ✓ Quiet and peaceful

    ✓ Spacious with lots of room

    ✓ Nice lake views

    ✓ Good for stargazing

    ✓ Popular with fishermen

    𐄂 Bumpy gravel access road

    𐄂 Limited toilets, often smelly

    • Stayed two nights here.
    • Absolutely beautiful spot.
    • Quiet and secluded with lots of space!
    • Fantastic camping lake, well done doc !
    • Great little spot.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 22
    31%
    9/10 14
    20%
    8/10 25
    35%
    7/10 4
    6%
    6/10 1
    1%
    5/10 3
    4%
    4/10 1
    1%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 1
    1%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 4.0/5

    Quiet and secluded with lots of space!

    Not the incredible views of some other spots but loved being able to spread out!

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 2.5/5

    Visited in January 2025.

    Pros :

    - Lot of space, near to the lake (nice view)

    - Quiet

    - Good cell reception

    Cons :

    - Access by a bumpy gravel road of 2 kilometers

    - Only 2 toilets (no flush) for ~50 people, smelly

    - A LOT of flies and bugs

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.0/5

    The campsite is accesible through a 3km gravel road.

    The place is really big and can probably accomodate hundred campervans. There are two drop toilets and no water. Pay attention to the holes and stones

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.0/5

    Immense terrain de camping au bord d'un lac dans lequel il est possible de se baigner.

    Bien plus grand que ce qui est annoncé sur le site du DOC, donc les 2 toilettes sont un peu insuffisantes

    Peu de réseau Internet (One NZ & Spark)

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 5.0/5

    Gravel road is in a fine condition - not perfect but good enough for either slow or fast driving.

    Both ramps down to the campsite are in good condition for either small or large campervan.

    Area is huge and as of beginning of October, there's plenty of room - especially compared to super popular free campsite right next to Lake Pukaki. Views are not as great but there's a price to be paid for peacefulness.

    Reviewed 5 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Awesome spot although don't swim in lake go to canal above as heaps of ducks and geese trout aplenty huge camp area

    Reviewed 6 months ago and experienced in February 2024

  • 4.5/5

    As mentioned in other reviews, gravel road to get to this site, and then the site itself is a bit potholed, but no major issues if you take it steady.

    Couple of long drop toilets, nice view over the lake, and with an impressive mountain backdrop. Plenty of space for heaps of campers, and a short drive from Twizel if you need any supplies or fuel. One of our favourites

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Great spot - one of our favourites on this trip.

    Stayed 1 night. Very peaceful. Lots of room and lots of bird life on the lake. Looked popular with fishermen and people on holiday. Didn’t use the toilets but there were short queues sometimes.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Very crowded although it was just after Christmas.

    Lots of spots but be aware if you are next to the river someone might come and set up right next to you when it's busy. One toilet was clean and the other one was very smelly and dirty. Close to Twizel for supplies.

    Bonus is one of the most used viewpoints for Lake Pukaki is just around the corner so if you are staying a couple of nights you can go back when it's quiet and have those million dollar views to yourself.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Good campsite but it’s a fairly long gravel road to it.

    Doesn’t have fresh water though

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Gorgeous location with beautiful views and sunset.

    Big so no issue with space. 2 drop loos. Smelly but fairly clean

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 1.0/5

    I would not bring my tiny caravan back here.

    I came down the second entrance which worked well but as I was facing back towards the road drove out the the first entrance and only JUST made it, I skidded so badly getting up the very awfully and deeply pitted long bumpy gravel road 💩

    The roads were shocking, the view was ok. Trees were nice.

    I will not come back 🥺

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Quiet and secluded with lots of space!

    Not the incredible views of some other spots but loved being able to spread out!

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.0/5

    The campsite is accesible through a 3km gravel road.

    The place is really big and can probably accomodate hundred campervans. There are two drop toilets and no water. Pay attention to the holes and stones

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 2.5/5

    Visited in January 2025.

    Pros :

    - Lot of space, near to the lake (nice view)

    - Quiet

    - Good cell reception

    Cons :

    - Access by a bumpy gravel road of 2 kilometers

    - Only 2 toilets (no flush) for ~50 people, smelly

    - A LOT of flies and bugs

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.0/5

    Immense terrain de camping au bord d'un lac dans lequel il est possible de se baigner.

    Bien plus grand que ce qui est annoncé sur le site du DOC, donc les 2 toilettes sont un peu insuffisantes

    Peu de réseau Internet (One NZ & Spark)

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 5.0/5

    Gravel road is in a fine condition - not perfect but good enough for either slow or fast driving.

    Both ramps down to the campsite are in good condition for either small or large campervan.

    Area is huge and as of beginning of October, there's plenty of room - especially compared to super popular free campsite right next to Lake Pukaki. Views are not as great but there's a price to be paid for peacefulness.

    Reviewed 5 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Awesome spot although don't swim in lake go to canal above as heaps of ducks and geese trout aplenty huge camp area

    Reviewed 6 months ago and experienced in February 2024

  • 4.5/5

    As mentioned in other reviews, gravel road to get to this site, and then the site itself is a bit potholed, but no major issues if you take it steady.

    Couple of long drop toilets, nice view over the lake, and with an impressive mountain backdrop. Plenty of space for heaps of campers, and a short drive from Twizel if you need any supplies or fuel. One of our favourites

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Very crowded although it was just after Christmas.

    Lots of spots but be aware if you are next to the river someone might come and set up right next to you when it's busy. One toilet was clean and the other one was very smelly and dirty. Close to Twizel for supplies.

    Bonus is one of the most used viewpoints for Lake Pukaki is just around the corner so if you are staying a couple of nights you can go back when it's quiet and have those million dollar views to yourself.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Great spot - one of our favourites on this trip.

    Stayed 1 night. Very peaceful. Lots of room and lots of bird life on the lake. Looked popular with fishermen and people on holiday. Didn’t use the toilets but there were short queues sometimes.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Good campsite but it’s a fairly long gravel road to it.

    Doesn’t have fresh water though

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Gorgeous location with beautiful views and sunset.

    Big so no issue with space. 2 drop loos. Smelly but fairly clean

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    Parfait, Un peu éloigné des autres campings donc il n’y a pas grand monde, belle vue sur le lac c’est chouette Pas de réseau mais à part ça, parfait pour un camping gratuit

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 3.5/5

    Lake view and entry are amazing and available.

    Not too crowded, due to the 2km gravel drive to the campground. Stargazing in the evening is very cool. Two long drop toilets available, nothing else. No water, except the lake.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Great little spot.

    Toilet was well used as the other one out of order. Climb up the little bank next to the canal to take in the sunset. Stunning. Ducks a bit friendly! Tried to eat the burger out of my boyfriends hand!

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    So far on our two week tour of campsites this is our favourite.

    Ignore the pictures as it’s so much nicer in person. There is an easy to get to track down to it. The first track down is the pothole one as a previous review mentioned but just drive a tiny bit further and there are another 3/4 routes down to the lake or just park on the higher ground.

    Hardly any sandfly’s or mosquitos which was amazing, no rubbish and two toilets that were clean and had loo roll!!!

    We loved it so much we are staying there again tonight to see the beautiful dark sky and the Milky Way, no need for an expensive stargazing experience. We felt sorry for all the others parked back at the salmon farm or other campsites eaten alive by mosquitoes.

    There is a huge amount of space so everyone gets a lovely spot too.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 1.0/5

    I would not bring my tiny caravan back here.

    I came down the second entrance which worked well but as I was facing back towards the road drove out the the first entrance and only JUST made it, I skidded so badly getting up the very awfully and deeply pitted long bumpy gravel road 💩

    The roads were shocking, the view was ok. Trees were nice.

    I will not come back 🥺

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Long gravel road access, large open field beside a lake, no mosquitos was a plus.

    Free.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot!

    Good accessible. Great views. Perfect location for visiting mt Cook or lake tekapo / lake pukaki. Stayed 2 nights with tent.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 2.5/5

    Access road rough and wash out descending down to camp.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful site, can’t believe it’s free!

    Loads of space, a few toilets so you can camp as near or far away as you like. No issues with noise etc, lots of people coming and going very late at night and in the morning but not much of an issue

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Fantastic camping lake, well done doc !

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Lake Poaka is a fantastic camp spot and a favorite of ours yes it's free but we always leave a donation in the box which goes towards the upkeep of the toilets.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2021

    Bev's avatar

    Bev

  • 4.0/5

    Close to the main road but far enough away to not hear it, and free!

    A couple of long drop toilets, nice spot next to the canal. Easy.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2021

  • 5.0/5

    Great free campsite in a gorgeous location!

    Bathrooms were clean and the campsite was very quiet so we felt like we had it to ourselves. Only thing is to make sure you have fresh drinking water as there was none on site.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2020

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful spot down long gravel road.

    Lots of spots for campers under the trees. We parked up nice and close to the water for great views. Awesome sunset from the canal. Clean long drop toilets.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2020

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful spot!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020

  • 3.5/5

    Nice for a free campsite, one of the long drops is much nicer than the other.

    Lake is beautiful and no sandflies but lots of curious birds. No other amenities.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2020

  • 4.5/5

    Great free campsite with plenty of lakeside spots.

    Far better than expected - a very scenic spot. Toilets were a bit full but no complaints as it's free! About 5 min drive off main road down a gravel road

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2020

  • 5.0/5

    Absolutely beautiful spot.

    The lake is teaming with trout, too! Can only catch legally on fly gear. Toilet was fine and the lakeside campsites are perfect. Don’t drive past this one .. it’s well worth the stay

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2020

    JM's avatar

    JM

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful camping site with plenty of space, two toilets placed far from each other.

    We spent two nights (family with a 7 years old boy) and the toilet was very clean, however, at the end of the third day paper toilet and hand sanitizer had finished (is not a issue with you have yours). If you like fishing is a great spot to catch trouts - first, check fish and game booklets, they have some restrictions. No sand fly during the stay 🙌

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020