Cameron Flat Campsite
Makarora
4 61 reviews
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Cameron Flat Campsite
This is a standard campsite in the Wanaka/Makarora area. Camp near the Makarora River. Plenty of great activities are available nearby, such as hunting, tramping or fishing.
The large campsite is located near the Makarora River, just 15 mins north of Makarora Township.
The campsite is quite exposed on a fairly high plateau, you want to get here early to set yourself up to sit back and relish the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. There are heaps of activities in the area including hunting, fishing, walking and scenic flights.
Notices
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Predator control for Mt Aspiring National Park
A predator control operation using toxic bait containing 1080 was completed on 2 March 2026.
The operation area includes Mt Aspiring National Park. It is open to the public with warning signs in place at key entrances.
There may be toxic carcasses and bait (green coloured pellets) in the area. Do not touch the bait or animal carcasses.
Water supply at the huts will be unaffected as tanks will be disconnected from the guttering, but as usual we recommend treating water before drinking.
This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.
First published on 16 September 2025. Last reviewed on 2 March 2026.
Accommodation
DOC Campsite Pricing
Cameron Flat 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 | $15.00 to $20.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $7.50 to $10.00 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 OtagoCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Makarora |
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Basic Camping
Google Maps
Reviews
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Small site, not much room for tents.
Dave Reynolds -
Blue pools closed.
Laura -
Pretty location.
Kate Glover -
Nice place but so many fuc*ing sandflies!
Terezka -
Good DOC campsite, great views...
Deon Bossenger
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Location is great and very handy off the side of the highway.
Relatively limited facilities though and a lot of flies about. Did the job for a stop over on the way south.
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Nice and quiet place.
Nice view. Toilets a bit dirty and can't be locked. Possibility to use the sink for dishes. Good phone signal. Lots of space, but it fills up quickly.
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Nice campsite, plenty of space to park - though most spots aren’t level.
Easy access from the roadside. Very short walk towards the (temporarily closed) Blue pools. Nice wind shelter to cook and clean dishes in. Flies were at a minimum but still annoying. Issues - 4G tower (new?) is very very loud at night when the generator kicks in. Park accordingly.
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Good place to stay before and after hiking, for example, Brewster trail.
Clean toilets, nice place under roof for cooking and dish washing. Bit noisy at night, still ok for the price
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Beautiful morning views, sandflies were not so bad.
And saw no rats, nice walk to blue pools, yes under construction but nice walk still. Beautiful clean water, we filled up a jug to drink
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Nice views, not too busy (we arrived around 19:00 and had ample place to choose from).
Views are great. But the sandflies, oh man. Most I’ve experienced so far. The toilets were clean but the smells from the drip were quite intense compared to other long drops.
Would recommend if not for the sheer amount of sandflies..
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I’ve never seen so many sand flies In all of NewZealand.
Views 10/10
Toilet 7/10
Sand flies 0/10
Ruined our experience. Nice quiet place with okay toilets
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Parkplatz etwas höher gelegen.mit toller Sicht auf den Fluss.
Leider hatte es auch hier viele sandfliegen wie überall in der Region.
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Would not recommend this site in the near future…there are great views yes, but problems.
As soon as it got dark, the rats came out. I saw rats running around the bushes and around the site. They were running near my car and running away when I moved my foot. I moved my car twice to get away from the bushes, but still ended up with mice in my car. Rats and mice have infested this site.
I called the DOC and apparently there was a poison drop, but has not worked yet.
Camp with caution…
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Stayed for one night on the way to Wanaka.
Was wet and windy but would have been amazing if not! Blue pool bridge was shut. Ideal spot when open and if weather is great! Toilets standard holes with paper. $10 an adult $5 child.
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Million dollar views!
This is an epic campsite with views across river in the valley. It is directly opposite the blue pools which are well worth a visit/swim. The bridge was closed but you can just cross the river. The campsite filled up late at night with people parking everywhere. We got blocked in and had to ask people to move so we could get our caravan out. Apparently the online booking said it was full but people were still rolling in and I am sure not paying. Lots of sand flies! It cost us $55 for 2 adults and 3 kids which is pretty expensive for what was provided.
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Stayed here for one night, it’s a nice campsite but the toilets were filled with dead bugs - they covered the floor.
It’s incredibly close to the blue pools and a peaceful spot. We had a 30-day DOC pass so cost wasn’t a factor.
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Pros: + Amazing view of the valley + Lots of parking and grass spaces for tents + Bathrooms are permanent portos + Water is tap + Across the road from the Blue Pools (must do little hike) + Great
spot for the price
Cons:
- The sand flies are insane here
- No grey water dump station
- Very popular camp site, get here early for a good spot
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Great little site with clean toilets and shelter from rain and wind to cook.
So many vans pulling in all night though
Sandflies are horrendous so cover up and bring insect repellent as well as something to put on your bites
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Great campsite and very few sandflies considering the reviews.
It was a hot January day with lots of sun so don’t know if that makes a difference. Possibly the nicest view from a campsite we have had except mount cook site. Lovely walk to the blue pools to cool down, clean toilets and a nice shelter to sit under.
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Stunning surroundings.
Would be quite exposed if weather is bad. Lots of parking spaces. Drop toilet available but very smelly.
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There is a DOC power generator that runs all night and it is right in the middle of where everyone is sleeping.
What would otherwise be a perfect site is ruined by an engine running all night, ruining the peacefulness and interrupting sleep for all :(. Very unfortunate and would recommend a quiet free camping spot over this.
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Location is great and very handy off the side of the highway.
Relatively limited facilities though and a lot of flies about. Did the job for a stop over on the way south.
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Nice and quiet place.
Nice view. Toilets a bit dirty and can't be locked. Possibility to use the sink for dishes. Good phone signal. Lots of space, but it fills up quickly.
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Good place to stay before and after hiking, for example, Brewster trail.
Clean toilets, nice place under roof for cooking and dish washing. Bit noisy at night, still ok for the price
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Nice campsite, plenty of space to park - though most spots aren’t level.
Easy access from the roadside. Very short walk towards the (temporarily closed) Blue pools. Nice wind shelter to cook and clean dishes in. Flies were at a minimum but still annoying. Issues - 4G tower (new?) is very very loud at night when the generator kicks in. Park accordingly.
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Beautiful morning views, sandflies were not so bad.
And saw no rats, nice walk to blue pools, yes under construction but nice walk still. Beautiful clean water, we filled up a jug to drink
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Nice views, not too busy (we arrived around 19:00 and had ample place to choose from).
Views are great. But the sandflies, oh man. Most I’ve experienced so far. The toilets were clean but the smells from the drip were quite intense compared to other long drops.
Would recommend if not for the sheer amount of sandflies..
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I’ve never seen so many sand flies In all of NewZealand.
Views 10/10
Toilet 7/10
Sand flies 0/10
Ruined our experience. Nice quiet place with okay toilets
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Parkplatz etwas höher gelegen.mit toller Sicht auf den Fluss.
Leider hatte es auch hier viele sandfliegen wie überall in der Region.
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Would not recommend this site in the near future…there are great views yes, but problems.
As soon as it got dark, the rats came out. I saw rats running around the bushes and around the site. They were running near my car and running away when I moved my foot. I moved my car twice to get away from the bushes, but still ended up with mice in my car. Rats and mice have infested this site.
I called the DOC and apparently there was a poison drop, but has not worked yet.
Camp with caution…
-
Stayed for one night on the way to Wanaka.
Was wet and windy but would have been amazing if not! Blue pool bridge was shut. Ideal spot when open and if weather is great! Toilets standard holes with paper. $10 an adult $5 child.
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Million dollar views!
This is an epic campsite with views across river in the valley. It is directly opposite the blue pools which are well worth a visit/swim. The bridge was closed but you can just cross the river. The campsite filled up late at night with people parking everywhere. We got blocked in and had to ask people to move so we could get our caravan out. Apparently the online booking said it was full but people were still rolling in and I am sure not paying. Lots of sand flies! It cost us $55 for 2 adults and 3 kids which is pretty expensive for what was provided.
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Stayed here for one night, it’s a nice campsite but the toilets were filled with dead bugs - they covered the floor.
It’s incredibly close to the blue pools and a peaceful spot. We had a 30-day DOC pass so cost wasn’t a factor.
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Pros: + Amazing view of the valley + Lots of parking and grass spaces for tents + Bathrooms are permanent portos + Water is tap + Across the road from the Blue Pools (must do little hike) + Great
spot for the price
Cons:
- The sand flies are insane here
- No grey water dump station
- Very popular camp site, get here early for a good spot
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Great little site with clean toilets and shelter from rain and wind to cook.
So many vans pulling in all night though
Sandflies are horrendous so cover up and bring insect repellent as well as something to put on your bites
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Great campsite and very few sandflies considering the reviews.
It was a hot January day with lots of sun so don’t know if that makes a difference. Possibly the nicest view from a campsite we have had except mount cook site. Lovely walk to the blue pools to cool down, clean toilets and a nice shelter to sit under.
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Stunning surroundings.
Would be quite exposed if weather is bad. Lots of parking spaces. Drop toilet available but very smelly.
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