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Self-contained campers only, 3 night stay maximum
These camping areas are free for everyone to enjoy, if you follow some simple guidelines:
Don't light fires
Use the rubbish bins provided
Don't exceed the maximum night stay.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Toitū Te Whenua (LINZ)Central government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Cromwell |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must display the "Responsible Camper" sticker. |
Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 3 nights You can only stay at this campsite for up to 3 nights in a row. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? No water supply There is no supply of fresh water. |
Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available. |
Dump Station |
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Dump StationDump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles. |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Powered Sites |
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Powered SitesDoes this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? Dogs allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
WiFi Internet |
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WiFi InternetWhat type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available. |
Campfire Rules |
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Campfire RulesWhat are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
✓ Beautiful lake views
✓ Heaps of space
✓ Good browsing spot
✓ Safe and peaceful
✓ No sandflies
𐄂 Windy conditions
𐄂 Basic or dirty toilets
Great place with a lot of ducks and free wifi!
Nice spot overlooking the lake.
Hard to find using the directions on here...
Easily one of the best sites in the south.
Nice place.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 21 |
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20% |
9/10 | 24 |
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23% |
8/10 | 41 |
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40% |
7/10 | 14 |
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14% |
6/10 | 3 |
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3% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
Amazing views, clean toilets with flush, nice clean campsites with multiple rubbish points, picnic tables and good phone reception as well.
Much better than many paid DOC campsites
Reviewed 19 days ago
4.0/5
Huge place, lots of spots.
Toilet was a bit dirty, no Toilet paper.
No sandflies, always nice coming from the west coast.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.5/5
Nice spot.
Great views. Very busy with campers. Toilets were clean.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.0/5
Big gravel spot with even surfaces.
Beautiful lake views and nice with a refreshing swim :) It's close to the road but we we're too bothered with noise. There were a lot of people here in the beginning of Feb. Toilets were nice a clean.
Reviewed 7 days ago and experienced in February 2024
3.5/5
7/10 - great spot enroute to bannockburn - lovely lake!
Perfect for a stopover
Very quiet - busy when we arrived full of NZ families enjoying the lake and camping that is a testament to the space
Toilets basic but clean enough
Plenty of space - hardly any bugs
Reviewed 11 months ago
4.5/5
Very handy spot like others mention.
Good toilets with running water. Great that it’s so large, I can’t imagine it ever filling up completely so nice to know you have a guaranteed free spot if you are arriving late. We came 8th Jan and there were about 100 vans there already! You could fit another 100 though
Reviewed 11 months ago
3.0/5
The Lakeview is lovely.
The bathrooms leave something to be desired: not maintained well, outdoors, and not repaired. It is very windy in this location. Also, if your goal is to go into Cromwell or access the Vineyards you will have to drive from this location. There are no walking trails to them.
Reviewed 11 months ago
4.0/5
Unlimited spaces, almost all on even ground, nice toilets, although they are only half covered, so if it's windy it'll be windy in the toilet as well.
Good spot for a swim in the lake. No fresh water.
Reviewed 12 months ago
3.5/5
Lots of space!
We came around 8PM and there were lots of space to park.
There are two toilets, but we didnt try them.
Only rating 7/10 because of the traffic noise from the road close by.
Reviewed 12 months ago
4.5/5
Nice spot overlooking the lake.
Not as noisy as expected considering how close it is to the road. Flushing toilets and bins. Did get stuck in a toilet stall, maybe avoid locking!
Reviewed about 1 year ago
3.0/5
Found this free camp spot with hug area for large motorhome.
Very peaceful and quiet. Toilets were dirty when we arrived. Nice view of the lake with ducks swimming around. U are allowed to park right next to the lake and enjoy the view.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.0/5
Big gravel spot with even surfaces.
Beautiful lake views and nice with a refreshing swim :) It's close to the road but we we're too bothered with noise. There were a lot of people here in the beginning of Feb. Toilets were nice a clean.
Reviewed 7 days ago and experienced in February 2024
5.0/5
Amazing views, clean toilets with flush, nice clean campsites with multiple rubbish points, picnic tables and good phone reception as well.
Much better than many paid DOC campsites
Reviewed 19 days ago
4.0/5
Huge place, lots of spots.
Toilet was a bit dirty, no Toilet paper.
No sandflies, always nice coming from the west coast.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.5/5
Nice spot.
Great views. Very busy with campers. Toilets were clean.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
3.5/5
7/10 - great spot enroute to bannockburn - lovely lake!
Perfect for a stopover
Very quiet - busy when we arrived full of NZ families enjoying the lake and camping that is a testament to the space
Toilets basic but clean enough
Plenty of space - hardly any bugs
Reviewed 11 months ago
4.5/5
Very handy spot like others mention.
Good toilets with running water. Great that it’s so large, I can’t imagine it ever filling up completely so nice to know you have a guaranteed free spot if you are arriving late. We came 8th Jan and there were about 100 vans there already! You could fit another 100 though
Reviewed 11 months ago
3.0/5
The Lakeview is lovely.
The bathrooms leave something to be desired: not maintained well, outdoors, and not repaired. It is very windy in this location. Also, if your goal is to go into Cromwell or access the Vineyards you will have to drive from this location. There are no walking trails to them.
Reviewed 11 months ago
4.0/5
Unlimited spaces, almost all on even ground, nice toilets, although they are only half covered, so if it's windy it'll be windy in the toilet as well.
Good spot for a swim in the lake. No fresh water.
Reviewed 12 months ago
3.5/5
Lots of space!
We came around 8PM and there were lots of space to park.
There are two toilets, but we didnt try them.
Only rating 7/10 because of the traffic noise from the road close by.
Reviewed 12 months ago
4.5/5
Nice spot overlooking the lake.
Not as noisy as expected considering how close it is to the road. Flushing toilets and bins. Did get stuck in a toilet stall, maybe avoid locking!
Reviewed about 1 year ago
5.0/5
Nice grounds on the lake.
Take your rubbish with you as the bins were overflowing.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
5.0/5
Great free spot with views of the lake.
Plus there are wineries and orchards close by.
Close to the road, so this is more of a one night kind of place.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
Kinda chilly late May, maybe being by the water.
Overall felt safe, lots of space and other campers doing their own thing.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
BEAUTIFUL spot to camp at.
Toilets available and semi clean. Loved this area!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
There's sooooo much space here.
I came in May and there were probably a couple dozen other vans but it still felt fairly empty. Nice views across the lake. Toilets were decent but a bit smelly. And being right beside the main road it was a little loud throughout the night.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Huge site with plenty of availability when we visited in late March.
One toilet block which is not very pretty but sufficed for a night. Nice views across the lake and not too many bugs. No drinking water and the bins were absolutely overflowing and rubbish piled up beside them, so bare that in mind before stopping.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Stayed in this free campsite on two occasions.
Loads of space - but some big caravans all about. Our smaller camper found a nice spot by the toilets. We enjoyed a short loop walk up a nearby hill to see the surrounding views. The toilets were ‘okay’, but dark and a little broken. The bins wer sadly overflowing on both stays. But, we did stay twice so it’s in a great location, there is space and it’s safe.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Lots of spaces.
The view is really nice on the lake and we could see the stars. We heard the cars early in the morning but still had a good night of sleep.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Lots of space, sheltered, great internet connection, safe, peaceful, no sand flies, close to town, friendly locals, great library near by, dirty toilets with full rubbish when we were there
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
Enormous campsite so always space by the water but even so must have been 100+ vehicles.
1x loo block with very strong tap and only 2x loos per gender. A very very poorly woman in one of the females! Limited bins. Lovely to swim in the lake, and took water to boil and drink etc. No sandflies but lots of wind (very dusty to be outside). Overall great.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Packed out during the first week of Jan, but we were lucky to find a nice private spot down the far right by a lake access.
Dog friendly, great swimming in the lake. Quick drive to town and nearby walks. Toilets and bins were not in good shape by the 4th Jan, but I guess that’s pay off for a free site.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Great spot.
The sky in the evening was just amazing. Toilets ok, no toilet paper. Some sandflies but not too bad. I‘ve never seen so many parking possibilities. Very nice!
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
We were there in April school holidays and it was one of the most popular well used freedom camping spots.
There was still plenty of room but in more popular months it might pay to get there earlier in the day. The toilet was basic but the views of the lake fabulous.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.0/5
Lots of motor homes and campervans were there when I pulled in so it's a popular place.
There was still lots of room for me. Felt safe which is a plus for a freedom camping place. Toilet block down one end (didn't visit) and a long drop down the other. Wasn't nasty but it could've done with a clean. Woke up to a spectacular view. Quiet even though it's beside main road. A definite spot to revisit.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.0/5
Fairly larger area can be exposed to strong wind.
Many campervans so get there a little early to get a decent spot. The toilets a bit stinky and over used so use your own onboard toilet. 5 minutes from Cromwell
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.0/5
Nice place.
Large area for a lot of campers. Next to the road so you do get road noises. We parked next to a toilet which was quite manky so we used our own. Did see another block of toilets down the other end so don’t know what those are like.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.0/5
Great for a stop off point if you want a place to stay for the night.
The views are nice and there are plenty of spots. Only thing that wasn’t great was the toilets- no lights at night and no toilet paper.
Reviewed over 3 years ago