Lake Ianthe Matahi Campsite
Harihari area
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Lake Ianthe Matahi Campsite
Camp beside one of Westland’s forest-lined freshwater lakes. Popular for boating, trout fishing and swimming.
Another one of the wonderful West Coast's forest-lined fresh water lakes. Popular for fishing, boating and swimming.
Notices
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Lake Ianthe Matahi Campsite closed
Lake Ianthe Matahi Campsite is closed due to an issue with the septic system.
First published on 21 November 2025. Last reviewed on 27 November 2025.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Lake Ianthe Matahi 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 |
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| 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 |
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Organisation |
DOC West CoastCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Harihari |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Basic Camping
Google Maps
Reviews
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Perfect spot except for the uneven ground.
Jessica Stokes -
Good, small site adjacent to the lake.
Lorraine Walker -
This little spot was brilliant.
Les Horn -
We stopped here for lunch and a swim.
Susan Boyton -
22April24.
Mike Fricker
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We stopped here for lunch and a swim.
Of so chilly but refreshing. Picnic tables on grassed area. Very small camping area and as of 21/5/25 the toilets are out of action hence 8/10.
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Good flushing toilets, sinks, picnic tables by the lake.
Quite a bit of traffic noise being right by the highway. Quieter at night.
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22April24.
Stopped for a break and cuppa. Nice site by the lake. Limited space.
Good flush toilets.
No sandflies evident. Time of year.
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Very nice and clean spot next to a lake.
The sandflies will eat you alive though. We had like 30 in our van...
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Amazing spot, limited space.
Clean flush toilets. Close to the main road, not too much traffic though. $8 per person.
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This little spot was brilliant.
We had this place all to ourselves. Toilets and facilities were clean and the entire area was lovely. Sunrise over the lake was priceless. Wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.
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Nice spot, new and clean toilets.
We paid 10$/person online before arriving only to see that it is 8$/person if you pay by cash at the site. Don’t know why this site is more expensive online, other sites have always been equally price no matter the payment method.
The parking spots are all on a slope, we had a really hard time trying to get the van flat in our designated « already booked online » spot.
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Good for tenting or campervanning.
Noisy by day from roadbut QUIET at night - no trucks going past. Cooking sheleter with sinks and clean toilets. Another good simple DOC site. Try a swim in the lake!
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Space on grass for a few tents, and a gravel parking lot for campervans.
Two long drops and two sinks with non potable water. The lake is wonderful, views are amazing and lovely to swim. Close to the road which is not busy at night. Worth the $8 to DOC
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Last minute overnight stop did not disappoint with the lake so beautiful.
Had a visit from the resident weka. Cleanish toilets. Take your bug spray, fly spray and wipes.
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Nice waterfront spot, quiet, new jetty to walk on.
Two toilets and sink/ bench under cover for cooking. Sheltered from wind and road noise.
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Can't believe what some people expect for $8.00.
Stunningly beautiful spot. Toilets don't have bidets but fine if you don't have facilities in your camper. Most can find a fairly level spot and the scenery and peace certainly make you glad to be alive. A "not to miss" spot.
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Worst site by far, only stay here if it's your only option.
Not worth $8/person self pay.
View of the lake, but car park is much too small and does NOT have the 12 stalls (unless they are sized by regular cars and not campers or RVs).
As many said, the ground slopes terribly to the waterfront, and bathrooms are NOT maintained.
Since there was no room, we paid but parked just outside of the main area, still off the road but closer to the entrance. It was better, but felt more exposed.
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Probably the worst place we stayed on our trip, small and not level at all.
Spots are not marked so people take up more space then they need leaving others to sleep on the hill. Fine for tent camping as there is grass. Toilet & covered table.
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Amazing spot.
We had the place to ourselves. Great location just next to a lake with fishing. It is gravel car park but not very level but fine for Motorhome if you're happy to sleep on a slight angle. Would happily stay again!
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Small area by the lake - beautiful and scenic; we had the most stunning sunset and only had to share the spot with a few other campers.
Don't forget the insect repellant as plenty of sandflies. 2 long-drop toilets were a bit smelly so better if you are self-contained.
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Large campsite, which is split into two, one surrounding the toilets and next to the lake and one a few yards away, just off the main road.
First was full, so we stayed on the latter.
Stunning lake but, beware, you need insect repellent. We learned too late. 27 bites, my husband counted and boy, didn't I know about it.
DOC site, and they do come round and check, so make sure you pay.
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We stopped here for lunch and a swim.
Of so chilly but refreshing. Picnic tables on grassed area. Very small camping area and as of 21/5/25 the toilets are out of action hence 8/10.
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Good flushing toilets, sinks, picnic tables by the lake.
Quite a bit of traffic noise being right by the highway. Quieter at night.
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22April24.
Stopped for a break and cuppa. Nice site by the lake. Limited space.
Good flush toilets.
No sandflies evident. Time of year.
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Very nice and clean spot next to a lake.
The sandflies will eat you alive though. We had like 30 in our van...
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Amazing spot, limited space.
Clean flush toilets. Close to the main road, not too much traffic though. $8 per person.
-
This little spot was brilliant.
We had this place all to ourselves. Toilets and facilities were clean and the entire area was lovely. Sunrise over the lake was priceless. Wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.
-
Nice spot, new and clean toilets.
We paid 10$/person online before arriving only to see that it is 8$/person if you pay by cash at the site. Don’t know why this site is more expensive online, other sites have always been equally price no matter the payment method.
The parking spots are all on a slope, we had a really hard time trying to get the van flat in our designated « already booked online » spot.
-
Good for tenting or campervanning.
Noisy by day from roadbut QUIET at night - no trucks going past. Cooking sheleter with sinks and clean toilets. Another good simple DOC site. Try a swim in the lake!
-
Space on grass for a few tents, and a gravel parking lot for campervans.
Two long drops and two sinks with non potable water. The lake is wonderful, views are amazing and lovely to swim. Close to the road which is not busy at night. Worth the $8 to DOC
-
Last minute overnight stop did not disappoint with the lake so beautiful.
Had a visit from the resident weka. Cleanish toilets. Take your bug spray, fly spray and wipes.
-
Nice waterfront spot, quiet, new jetty to walk on.
Two toilets and sink/ bench under cover for cooking. Sheltered from wind and road noise.
-
Can't believe what some people expect for $8.00.
Stunningly beautiful spot. Toilets don't have bidets but fine if you don't have facilities in your camper. Most can find a fairly level spot and the scenery and peace certainly make you glad to be alive. A "not to miss" spot.
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Worst site by far, only stay here if it's your only option.
Not worth $8/person self pay.
View of the lake, but car park is much too small and does NOT have the 12 stalls (unless they are sized by regular cars and not campers or RVs).
As many said, the ground slopes terribly to the waterfront, and bathrooms are NOT maintained.
Since there was no room, we paid but parked just outside of the main area, still off the road but closer to the entrance. It was better, but felt more exposed.
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Probably the worst place we stayed on our trip, small and not level at all.
Spots are not marked so people take up more space then they need leaving others to sleep on the hill. Fine for tent camping as there is grass. Toilet & covered table.
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Amazing spot.
We had the place to ourselves. Great location just next to a lake with fishing. It is gravel car park but not very level but fine for Motorhome if you're happy to sleep on a slight angle. Would happily stay again!
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Small area by the lake - beautiful and scenic; we had the most stunning sunset and only had to share the spot with a few other campers.
Don't forget the insect repellant as plenty of sandflies. 2 long-drop toilets were a bit smelly so better if you are self-contained.
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Fantastic spot for camping before the glaciers!
2 grassy areas to choose from to pitch tents. Gravel area for cars/vans/campers fills up so be there earlier to ensure a spot if in a campervan. Works on honesty box system. Tables and benches on grassy areas for eating etc, and two large areas under shelter to hide in the rain! 2 longdrop toilets - a bit smelly but perfectly fine. Great spot. 10/10.
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Perfect spot except for the uneven ground.
Also quite a small camping area. Really nice views of the lake with a quaint jetty.