Lake Dunstan / Bendigo
Overnight Campervan Parking
Maps
Camping NZ NEW
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
Photos
Images
Information
Lake Dunstan / Bendigo
These camping areas are free for everyone to enjoy, if they follow some simple guidelines.
These include:
not lighting fires
using the rubbish bins provided
not exceeding the maximum night stay.
Three night maximum stay.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Organisation |
Toitū Te Whenua (LINZ)Central government organisation |
|
|
Location |
South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Cromwell |
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
|
Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
-
0.5/5
On the night of 2nd January 2025 a group of young drunk kiwi almost lit on fire a Jucy van with fireworks.
Firefighters came and woke up probably all the campground at 1 am, or at least the people who weren't still awake cause of the noise of these kids.
Me and many others left the campground after the fact.
This is one of the reasons why freedom campsite are closed.
Thanks young irresponsible kids.
The view from the campground is great though.
-
4.0/5
We found out time here relaxing, sleeping in our tent, just being one with nature, yes there’s bugs but wasn’t bad.
Road noise but didn’t bother us too much. Drop toilet closest to us had a busted door hinge so couldn’t secure it while using, also take your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser to avoid an awkward moment. Wish there was a donation box system, would so donate for upkeep of this site.
-
4.5/5
Gorgeous spot with plenty of space between neighbours.
Clean block of 4 flush toilets plus drip toilets dotted along the site.
Views of the lake are stunning, can imagine it gets quite busy although its a long site along the river bank so there's plenty of space
-
5.0/5
Really nice spots with lots of space, great view over lake.
One toilet with water and a couple of drop toilets.
You do hear the busy road traffic sounds but it's not that bad.
-
4.0/5
Beautiful spot, great views over the lake.
As others mention a bit of noise from the road, but nice, friendly vibe: I was comfortable being there as a tent camping, solo, female, Tent spaces are best in area by the picnic benches, a sign by the toilet block suggests 2 other areas but very rocky and uneven sloping ground.
-
4.0/5
Nice spot at the Lake.
Plenty of room and toilets available. No drinking water, but place is free
-
-
4.0/5
We like this better than Lowburn on the other side of the lake .
Much quieter and picturesque. Clean flush toilets and two long drop. A good map by the main toilet block clearly shows where you can camp. A bit of road noise . But clean and tidy. We walked 1 km to the Rocky Point pottery shop . A small amount of Colin Pledgers( now deceased )pottery still for sale. His lovely wife took time to tell of the interesting history. A little further Bendigo loop road is worth exploring with historical remnants of gold mining days and now great thriving vineyards .
-
-
4.5/5
Neat toilets.
Place for at least 50 vans. Legendary sunsets. Only the road noise can be intense
-
5.0/5
Great views of the lake (if you’re into birdwatching you’ll love it!), clean toilets and lots of space!
-
3.0/5
There was no wifi like in the comments and the toilets are out of order.
Nice spot tho inbetween eucalyptus trees unless the noise from the highway ä.
-
0.5/5
On the night of 2nd January 2025 a group of young drunk kiwi almost lit on fire a Jucy van with fireworks.
Firefighters came and woke up probably all the campground at 1 am, or at least the people who weren't still awake cause of the noise of these kids.
Me and many others left the campground after the fact.
This is one of the reasons why freedom campsite are closed.
Thanks young irresponsible kids.
The view from the campground is great though.
-
4.0/5
We found out time here relaxing, sleeping in our tent, just being one with nature, yes there’s bugs but wasn’t bad.
Road noise but didn’t bother us too much. Drop toilet closest to us had a busted door hinge so couldn’t secure it while using, also take your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser to avoid an awkward moment. Wish there was a donation box system, would so donate for upkeep of this site.
-
4.5/5
Gorgeous spot with plenty of space between neighbours.
Clean block of 4 flush toilets plus drip toilets dotted along the site.
Views of the lake are stunning, can imagine it gets quite busy although its a long site along the river bank so there's plenty of space
-
5.0/5
Really nice spots with lots of space, great view over lake.
One toilet with water and a couple of drop toilets.
You do hear the busy road traffic sounds but it's not that bad.
-
4.0/5
Beautiful spot, great views over the lake.
As others mention a bit of noise from the road, but nice, friendly vibe: I was comfortable being there as a tent camping, solo, female, Tent spaces are best in area by the picnic benches, a sign by the toilet block suggests 2 other areas but very rocky and uneven sloping ground.
-
4.0/5
Nice spot at the Lake.
Plenty of room and toilets available. No drinking water, but place is free
-
-
4.0/5
We like this better than Lowburn on the other side of the lake .
Much quieter and picturesque. Clean flush toilets and two long drop. A good map by the main toilet block clearly shows where you can camp. A bit of road noise . But clean and tidy. We walked 1 km to the Rocky Point pottery shop . A small amount of Colin Pledgers( now deceased )pottery still for sale. His lovely wife took time to tell of the interesting history. A little further Bendigo loop road is worth exploring with historical remnants of gold mining days and now great thriving vineyards .
-
-
4.5/5
Neat toilets.
Place for at least 50 vans. Legendary sunsets. Only the road noise can be intense
-
5.0/5
Great views of the lake (if you’re into birdwatching you’ll love it!), clean toilets and lots of space!
-
-
3.0/5
There was no wifi like in the comments and the toilets are out of order.
Nice spot tho inbetween eucalyptus trees unless the noise from the highway ä.
-
5.0/5
By far our favorite Freedom Camping.
Yes, it's a bit noisy due to the main road closeby but the stunning views make up for it. Also clean flush toilets on site. Don't miss out on this one!
-
5.0/5
Large rest area, by the lake.
We just needed an overnight stop on our way North. Good flushing toilets with toilet paper. Good rubbish area too. Recycling was for glass only. Road a bit noisy but still ok. Nice work Bendigo.
-
4.0/5
Nice quiet place to stay.
I arrived later in the evening and left quite early. Nice quiet place that suited nicely
-
3.0/5
Mosquitoes like you wouldn’t believe.
And a dust storm.
It was a hot night with everything closed up.
Even fly screens couldn’t keep those little biters out!
-
4.0/5
Just arrived at night on the site guys, just wanna share that the location is wrong.
It’s just further on the right. -44.940331, 169.287394
Cheers
-
4.0/5
We visited in mid winter.
4-5 other vehicles there overnight. Peaceful, with road noise but didn’t bother us. Toilets passable and rubbish/recycling facilities much appreciated. Would definitely come back here.
-
4.0/5
Great views, lots of space if you arrive early.
Lots of toilets - portaloos at regular intervals along the parking strip and a permanent ablution block too. Pity that some people don’t use them and prefer to relieve themselves in adjacent bushes - please don’t, it’s a public health issue, it’s disgusting and a chargeable offence. Respect the kind you are visiting
-
4.5/5
Stayed at this place with a non-self-contained vehicle, it was no problem.
Great view, no sandflies and the toilet was fine (included toilet paper). There was even WiFi!
-
3.0/5
Nice view if you are staying in tent but with campervan no view, close to road so lots of road noise.
Toilets and recycle bins though one was damaged and unusable. Was only free place available after great Doubtful sound trip.
-
4.0/5
I liked it, although toilets were not the cleanest.
Don't know why some one else didn't like the cars - it's a freedom camping place for both self contained and non self contained. It's a pity, that some campers feel like they are worth more just because they have a big motorhome. People in cars are just as much able to camp!
-
4.0/5
Nice place with amazing scenic view.
The camping spot is huge,so planty space for travelers leaving/heading Queenstown.
+ No sandflies
+ Self contained / tants places
+ Plenty parking spots for vehicles
+ Calm place even if the place is located near main road
+ Nice location.Not just parking spot at the main road
- Toilets are quite clean with toilet paper, but I can imagine there are not enough toilets here during busy days.
-
1.0/5
Nice Spot, but...
(1) heaps of people, quite a Lot of rubbish and toilets Look how one would expect them to.
More importantly though
(2) "council watchdogs" indeed trying to do Something. In vain: they woke us in the dead of night, said we were parked the wrong way. We relocated and have now heaps of insects in our Car. Way to Go, dear council.
I would Pass on this one.
-
4.0/5
Nice views of the lame.
The toilets weren’t the cleanest, but better than some. A bit busy but a great place to stop for just one night. No water - bring your own. Non-self contained vehicles are welcome. Great for a free site.
-
1.0/5
A 2 for the mess people make of this beautiful place!
Toilets are horrible, bins are overloaded and lots of not self contained vehicles.
No respect for this spot.
It’s a pity that Cromwell city doesn’t take the lead and send his watchdogs to control.
We have the feeling that the self contained rules are less strict in the south compared with the north island
-
4.0/5
Campsite was okay, but not really suitable for tents.
Must be lucky to find one of the few good spots. Right next to the motorway which makes it quite noisy at night. The location next to the river was quite nice, but always brings sandflies with it, of course.
-
3.0/5
Nice big area.
Beautiful scenes, road noise is minimal during the night. Toilets are absolutely disgusting thank god for my own loo in the van.
