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With Queenstown banning all freedom camping, this is the closest free campsite to the city.
Thirty minutes south of Queenstown, along the shores of Lake Wakatipu lies this magnificent spot. As daylight breaks, the morning fog slowly lifts off the lake and you can see Queenstown and the surrounding mountains in the distance.
Trees cover the sloped grassy parking areas starting lakeside and going up the hill 100m – enough space for 40-50 campers. (Must not exceed 50 campers) After a rainfall, the camping area is very muddy and campers can easily get stuck: we assisted a couple of folks in getting out.
Must only camp between the hours of 5pm and 10am for 2 nights in any 3-day period.
Remove all waste. Fires prohibited.
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Organisation |
Queenstown Lakes District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Kingston |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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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. Self Contained Vehicles Only |
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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 have either a 'blue warrant' certificate of self-containment, or a 'green warrant' certificate of self-containment. |
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Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? Local Council This experience is managed by a local council. |
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Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
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Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
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Rubbish Disposal |
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Rubbish DisposalWhat facilities are provided for the disposal of household rubbish? Trash (large bags) This location provides the facility to dispose of large bags of household rubbish. |
Stunning lake views
Clean toilets
Plenty of parking space
Ideal for star gazing
Busy, can get crowded
Uneven ground for parking
Toilets often smelly
You HAVE to come here.
Sophie Cooper
Cool spot and nice view!
Mckenzie Galbraith
This is such a beautiful campsite.
5 stars!
Such a beautiful spot, right on the lake.
Meaghan
Brilliant spot nearby the lake, and...
Chloe
Quiet place with nice view.
It is a bit windy. Lots of parking spaces, but few with flat surfaces. Clean toilets.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Great lake side views.
Gorgeous spot. There are toilets. It was busy when i stayed. Level ground is scarce. All round great spot
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Lovely Place next to the Lake.
Grass Path around Trees. Enough Space. Toilets were fine. Amazing Stargazing Spot at the Lake. Arrived around 6pm in June. Still Plenty of spots.
Reviewed 5 months ago
Excellent freedom site, only 30mins from Queenstown.
Toilets clean and in very good condition and lots of rubbish bins. Don't miss the gorgeous sunset over the lake.
Reviewed 8 months ago
Only free camping in the area halfway between Queenstown and Te Anau so it gets very quick very crowded.
Make sure you arrive early for a nice spot on the lake. The campground offer an awesome view on the lake and the mountains. There are only 2 long drop toilets so considering how many people camp there, it gets quickly very smelly but it's clean and there is enough toilet paper. Fine for a quick stop on the way to either of the towns. Actually had a night there both ways.
Reviewed 9 months ago
Whilst this campsite could probably be very nice our stay was not the best.
It's a big site nicely located next to the water however it was extremely busy when we visited mid-week and we struggled to find a relatively flat spot. If we weren't so lucky we would have been sleeping on a big slope like many others.
The toilets appeared clean however the smell was absolutely the worst we have dealt with over months of travel. I unfortunately caught a glimpse and they were full to the top! Disgusting!
These were our only issues however and we may just have gotten unlucky on our visit.
Reviewed 11 months ago
Very beautiful place, the lake is magnificent.
The campsite is large and there are many trees and birds. Toilets available
Reviewed 11 months ago
It’s very muddy and slippery at this time of year.
Be careful many van got stuck. The freecamp down the road has two dry sites as a substitute with rubbish and internet connectivity.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
Fantastic free camp!
Thanks Kingston! We were able to get close to where the beach starts, but goodness, we witnessed 3 folks get bogged, locals and tourists. Don't arrive when it's dark, especially in winter, if it's going to get cold over night, don't go down the wee slopes, get out of your vehicle and have a look where you're going first. Big-rigs might struggle in here, however our friends towing a 24ft caravan did manage to fit and stay! Toilets and bins provided. Self-contained only, although there were a couple in tents. Keep it clean! Keep it free! @tasmantravels
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Beautiful view of lake and semi even ground.
Lots of space to park up and can enter any time. Toilets stink and are a hole under the seat so be prepared.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
This is such a beautiful campsite.
There has always been enough space, there are trash bins and toilets (athough we didn't use the toilets). Such a lovely sleep at the sound of waves breaking at the shore.
We stayed here two times; before our way to Milford sound and again on after Milford sound.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Beautiful spot, the views we're amazing!
A lot of spaces, but not very flat.
Clean toilets!
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Great site right on the lake front with lovely views and beach access.
Toilet is clean, well supplied with hand gel. Natural toilet so no water or flush although did not smell and well maintained and modern.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Super cool Camp.
Beautiful Lake and nice people!
2 Toilets, only one can be looked.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Beautiful spot by the lake.
Toilets on site. Plenty of space and pretty busy in the summer.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Supernice location.
Fresh toilets. Lots of spots, the ones closest to the lake were around 10-15 so be there early. Blue and cold water.. :)
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Quiet place with nice view.
It is a bit windy. Lots of parking spaces, but few with flat surfaces. Clean toilets.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Great lake side views.
Gorgeous spot. There are toilets. It was busy when i stayed. Level ground is scarce. All round great spot
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Lovely Place next to the Lake.
Grass Path around Trees. Enough Space. Toilets were fine. Amazing Stargazing Spot at the Lake. Arrived around 6pm in June. Still Plenty of spots.
Reviewed 5 months ago
Excellent freedom site, only 30mins from Queenstown.
Toilets clean and in very good condition and lots of rubbish bins. Don't miss the gorgeous sunset over the lake.
Reviewed 8 months ago
Only free camping in the area halfway between Queenstown and Te Anau so it gets very quick very crowded.
Make sure you arrive early for a nice spot on the lake. The campground offer an awesome view on the lake and the mountains. There are only 2 long drop toilets so considering how many people camp there, it gets quickly very smelly but it's clean and there is enough toilet paper. Fine for a quick stop on the way to either of the towns. Actually had a night there both ways.
Reviewed 9 months ago
Very beautiful place, the lake is magnificent.
The campsite is large and there are many trees and birds. Toilets available
Reviewed 11 months ago
Whilst this campsite could probably be very nice our stay was not the best.
It's a big site nicely located next to the water however it was extremely busy when we visited mid-week and we struggled to find a relatively flat spot. If we weren't so lucky we would have been sleeping on a big slope like many others.
The toilets appeared clean however the smell was absolutely the worst we have dealt with over months of travel. I unfortunately caught a glimpse and they were full to the top! Disgusting!
These were our only issues however and we may just have gotten unlucky on our visit.
Reviewed 11 months ago
It’s very muddy and slippery at this time of year.
Be careful many van got stuck. The freecamp down the road has two dry sites as a substitute with rubbish and internet connectivity.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
Fantastic free camp!
Thanks Kingston! We were able to get close to where the beach starts, but goodness, we witnessed 3 folks get bogged, locals and tourists. Don't arrive when it's dark, especially in winter, if it's going to get cold over night, don't go down the wee slopes, get out of your vehicle and have a look where you're going first. Big-rigs might struggle in here, however our friends towing a 24ft caravan did manage to fit and stay! Toilets and bins provided. Self-contained only, although there were a couple in tents. Keep it clean! Keep it free! @tasmantravels
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Beautiful view of lake and semi even ground.
Lots of space to park up and can enter any time. Toilets stink and are a hole under the seat so be prepared.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
This is such a beautiful campsite.
There has always been enough space, there are trash bins and toilets (athough we didn't use the toilets). Such a lovely sleep at the sound of waves breaking at the shore.
We stayed here two times; before our way to Milford sound and again on after Milford sound.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Beautiful spot, the views we're amazing!
A lot of spaces, but not very flat.
Clean toilets!
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Great site right on the lake front with lovely views and beach access.
Toilet is clean, well supplied with hand gel. Natural toilet so no water or flush although did not smell and well maintained and modern.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Beautiful spot by the lake.
Toilets on site. Plenty of space and pretty busy in the summer.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Super cool Camp.
Beautiful Lake and nice people!
2 Toilets, only one can be looked.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Supernice location.
Fresh toilets. Lots of spots, the ones closest to the lake were around 10-15 so be there early. Blue and cold water.. :)
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
Brilliant spot nearby the lake, and...
One of the few available spot near Queenstown so very much appreciated.
Good toilet.
The ground was a bit uneven so a bit challenging a night to know where you go. Lots of spots.
Reviewed about 2 years ago and experienced in September 2023
Loved this spot.
Amazing views of the lakes and mountain. Good for a swim. Peaceful. Would be a 10, but some of the worst long drop toilets we experienced.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
Great place for a free overnight stop.
Nice views of the lake and several flat spots to park. Road is close but the noise didn't seem to bad. Several other vans around but plenty of room for everyone.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
