Lake Rotoroa Campsite
Nelson Lakes National Park
Check Availability
Accommodation
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
Information
Lake Rotoroa Campsite
An easily accessible camp in a picturesque setting - enjoy water activities or a stroll in the native bush.
The Lake Rotoroa Camping Ground is surrounded by native forest and close to the lake edge. Lots of activities to do such as mountain biking, boating, kayaking, swimming, fishing and tramping. Gravel road but easy access for campervans.
Unfortunately this is a sandfly haven, so cover up.
No fires permitted at anytime.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Lake Rotoroa campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
DOC Standard Campsite
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
| Feature | Value | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Unpowered Site | Adult | $10.00 to $15.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $5.00 to $7.50 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 Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
|
|
Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Murchison |
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
|
Coordinates |
||
|
Websites |
|
Basic Camping
Reviews
-
4.0/5
Nice to have flushing toilets but they are about a 2 minute walk from where you’re allowed to camp.
Gorgeous views of the lake, would be very peaceful although ruined for me by some lady sobbing loudly for hours who was camping right at the jetty- where you’re not allowed. Once the sobbing stopped decided to play loud music for half of the South Island to listen to as well. I hope for other users that she’s not a long term resident.
-
5.0/5
Another beautiful doc campground.
Camping area is small so arrive early to ensure you find space. Sandflies not too bad in April.
-
3.5/5
Very small camping area.
bathrooms without shower. no power. little cell phone coverage. Full of sand flies and bees all day long, it is intolerable. We would have stayed more days but we really couldn't stay because of the flies. The lake is a beautiful place and has a short track. $10pp
-
3.5/5
I really liked this Campground.
The camping area is small as the Lake is a Day Area but it is well furnished. In February there were the mentioned Sandflies, and also as many Bumblebees. I covered so only Hands would be bitten, it was tolerable. Interestingly when Sandflies get in the Car they prefer to sleep than to eat. I couldn't use my Tablet as they were all over the Bright Screen. No Reception until you are at the Highway (11km). Short Rainforest Walk (ca. 2.5km).
-
3.0/5
It's just a basic patch of grass, but there are 2 picnic tables.
Bathrooms are indeed a bit of a walk from the camping are. $10pp is a bit steep but that's DOC's new plan, I guess. Sandflies live up to the reputation.
-
1.0/5
WARNING in Jan the sand flies are everywhere.
We couldn’t even get out of the van because there was a cloud of them waiting outside, almost impossible to even walk to the toilet. The camp area is a small piece of grass on a steady slope, no lake view with toilets and lake a walk away. Lake Rotiti DOC campsite is miles better for sand flies, facilities and lake views.
-
4.0/5
We went to this place in the middle of September, and I thought the sandflies would be worst.
There was quite a few, but it wasn't the problem for me at all. The problem was the location of the toilet: it's not too far to go with the daylight, but at night and alone it's very scary!! Hahaha. But clean toilets and nice view of the lake :)
-
3.5/5
The numerous mentions of sandflies were very true.
Deet up, and they won’t land on you, but they will follow you like a bad smell. Campsite is very small, and in an awkward location, and you can easily get parked in. We were planning on staying longer, but decided that the boards of sandflies were not our cup of tea and headed on. It’s not a bad campsite by all means, and was in a beautiful environment, but lord those sandflies
-
3.5/5
Cover up, sandflies.
Camp site is small can fill up quickly. Great sandfly free walks in area.
-
3.5/5
Beautiful lake and bush walk but if self contained dont bother, there is a free one down the road, we didnt have too much of an issue with sandflys but from the other reviews i think we were lucky
-
-
4.0/5
Nice little spot, cheap at $4pp.
Spectacular views.
Lots of tiny little bugs early morning so make sure you keep your doors closed unless necessary!
-
4.0/5
Nice to have flushing toilets but they are about a 2 minute walk from where you’re allowed to camp.
Gorgeous views of the lake, would be very peaceful although ruined for me by some lady sobbing loudly for hours who was camping right at the jetty- where you’re not allowed. Once the sobbing stopped decided to play loud music for half of the South Island to listen to as well. I hope for other users that she’s not a long term resident.
-
5.0/5
Another beautiful doc campground.
Camping area is small so arrive early to ensure you find space. Sandflies not too bad in April.
-
3.5/5
Very small camping area.
bathrooms without shower. no power. little cell phone coverage. Full of sand flies and bees all day long, it is intolerable. We would have stayed more days but we really couldn't stay because of the flies. The lake is a beautiful place and has a short track. $10pp
-
3.5/5
I really liked this Campground.
The camping area is small as the Lake is a Day Area but it is well furnished. In February there were the mentioned Sandflies, and also as many Bumblebees. I covered so only Hands would be bitten, it was tolerable. Interestingly when Sandflies get in the Car they prefer to sleep than to eat. I couldn't use my Tablet as they were all over the Bright Screen. No Reception until you are at the Highway (11km). Short Rainforest Walk (ca. 2.5km).
-
3.0/5
It's just a basic patch of grass, but there are 2 picnic tables.
Bathrooms are indeed a bit of a walk from the camping are. $10pp is a bit steep but that's DOC's new plan, I guess. Sandflies live up to the reputation.
-
1.0/5
WARNING in Jan the sand flies are everywhere.
We couldn’t even get out of the van because there was a cloud of them waiting outside, almost impossible to even walk to the toilet. The camp area is a small piece of grass on a steady slope, no lake view with toilets and lake a walk away. Lake Rotiti DOC campsite is miles better for sand flies, facilities and lake views.
-
4.0/5
We went to this place in the middle of September, and I thought the sandflies would be worst.
There was quite a few, but it wasn't the problem for me at all. The problem was the location of the toilet: it's not too far to go with the daylight, but at night and alone it's very scary!! Hahaha. But clean toilets and nice view of the lake :)
-
0.5/5
Would not recommend this campsite at all.
Sandflies were the worst I've ever seen. Had to sit in the car all evening then tent sounded like rain with them flying about underneath the outer layer.
On a positive note, the lake was beautiful and Braeburn track to the waterfall was lovely.
-
3.5/5
The numerous mentions of sandflies were very true.
Deet up, and they won’t land on you, but they will follow you like a bad smell. Campsite is very small, and in an awkward location, and you can easily get parked in. We were planning on staying longer, but decided that the boards of sandflies were not our cup of tea and headed on. It’s not a bad campsite by all means, and was in a beautiful environment, but lord those sandflies
-
3.5/5
Cover up, sandflies.
Camp site is small can fill up quickly. Great sandfly free walks in area.
-
2.5/5
We have read all the reviews complaining about sandflies and thought it can't be that bad, we tried it, and now we have to admit - it's a nightmare!
The lake is beautiful, but you just can't enjoy anything here, everyone just spent the time in their cars... We have at least tried the Braeburn walk to escape the flies, which worked quite well :)
-
3.5/5
Beautiful lake and bush walk but if self contained dont bother, there is a free one down the road, we didnt have too much of an issue with sandflys but from the other reviews i think we were lucky
-
1.0/5
Beautiful lake.
Very calm place. But don't go there if you have any other choice.
We called it «sandflies paradies» and it is trully how it is.
Thousands of them wait from you.
-
0.5/5
Don't even bother.
It's beautiful and much quieter than the other lakes, however the sandflies make enjoyment impossible. We cooked dinner in the car and left early the next morning. Even when they don't bite you, they are around your face in clouds :(
-
-
-
-
4.0/5
Nice little spot, cheap at $4pp.
Spectacular views.
Lots of tiny little bugs early morning so make sure you keep your doors closed unless necessary!
-
3.5/5
Nice camping spot with a nice lake next door, more or less clean toilets.
$4 but for just grass not worth it.
-
3.0/5
This was just a piece of grass we had to pay to park on.
Seemed kind of crazy. $4 per person.
-
3.5/5
$4 per person, great sight, smells like a honey jar and there are great locals around!
Gnats were a problem though.
-
3.0/5
Not what I would expect of a campground.
One side of the gravel road was camping sites and the other side was residential. Not much privacy or room for camping. The lake is beautiful but you have to walk or drive to get to the lake.
-
4.0/5
A very quiet site, near to some residential houses close to the lake.
The views were spectacular by the lake, but as well as those pesky sand flies we had a plague of bees to contend with. Hundreds of them. Facilities were DOC basic, and there were not many other campers there. Good value at $4 per person
-
4.5/5
Stayed here the week after easter (Tue) and it was suprisingly busy.
Very cheap ($4 adult, $1.50 child) although facilities are basic as you'd expect. Close to the lake, bring your kayaks. Also bring insect repellant and apply liberally as sandflies here are lethal. Try Lake Rotoiti if you want slightly better facilities but we loved the remoteness here, thanks DOC!
-
3.5/5
$4 per adult, toilets, loads of sandflies but great view over the lake.
Close to nice walks around the lake.
