Cameron Flat Campsite
Makarora
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
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
-
Predator control for Wānaka area
We distributed toxic bait pellets containing 1080 on Saturday 27 April 2024 in these areas:
- Gillepsie Circuit
- Upper Wilkin Valley
- Blue Valley
See a map of the operation area: Pesticide summaries webpage
There may be toxic carcasses and bait (green coloured pellets) in the area. It's not safe to hunt for food or have your dog in this area for up to 8 months. Warning signs and this web alert will be removed when the area is safe again.
This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.
First published on 26 October 2023. Last reviewed on 29 April 2024.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 OtagoCentral government organisation |
|
|
Location |
South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Makarora |
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
|
Coordinates |
||
|
Websites |
|
Basic Camping
Reviews
-
4.5/5
Parkplatz etwas höher gelegen.mit toller Sicht auf den Fluss.
Leider hatte es auch hier viele sandfliegen wie überall in der Region.
-
1.5/5
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…
-
4.0/5
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.
-
4.0/5
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.
-
4.5/5
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.
-
4.0/5
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
-
4.0/5
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
-
5.0/5
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.
-
3.5/5
Stunning surroundings.
Would be quite exposed if weather is bad. Lots of parking spaces. Drop toilet available but very smelly.
-
-
4.5/5
Great campsite with well maintained toilets and a cooking shelter.
It was raining the whole time we were here so we didn't see much but the occasional glimpses of the surrounding mountains was cool, I bet it'd be amazing when it's clear and dry. Right across the road from the Blue Pools walk.
-
2.5/5
Kleiner Platz mit verteilten Plätzen.
Ca 15-20. Gegen 20 Uhr noch ein Platz bekommen.
Nah an den Blue Pools, schöne Aussicht zum Fluss. Aber viele Sand Flies!!!
-
4.5/5
Parkplatz etwas höher gelegen.mit toller Sicht auf den Fluss.
Leider hatte es auch hier viele sandfliegen wie überall in der Region.
-
1.5/5
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…
-
4.0/5
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.
-
4.0/5
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.
-
4.5/5
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.
-
4.0/5
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
-
4.0/5
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
-
5.0/5
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.
-
3.5/5
Stunning surroundings.
Would be quite exposed if weather is bad. Lots of parking spaces. Drop toilet available but very smelly.
-
-
4.5/5
Great campsite with well maintained toilets and a cooking shelter.
It was raining the whole time we were here so we didn't see much but the occasional glimpses of the surrounding mountains was cool, I bet it'd be amazing when it's clear and dry. Right across the road from the Blue Pools walk.
-
4.0/5
No shadow, some sandflies but beautiful surroundings especially at night to watch the stars, milkyway.
Nearby easy walk to blue pools. Toilets get cleaned very well every day. Sink for washing your dishes.
-
3.5/5
Great view and location but lots of sandflies, couldnt sit outside.Be sure to bring lots of drinking water or means to boil before use of the tap water provided.
-
3.5/5
SANDFLIES!!!
So many sandflies, we couldn’t spend any time outside. Apart from that it’s quite a nice campsite with great views, a cooking shelter and large very clean toilets. Close to the stunning blue pools. We just couldn’t wait to leave because of the sandflies sadly
-
4.5/5
Beautiful spot between snow capped mountains, Big site, lots of room for vans but only a few of us the night we stayed .
Further development occurring. Great walk through forest track to Blue pools - well worth the walk. Toilets. Close to road but not a lot of traffic.
-
2.5/5
Kleiner Platz mit verteilten Plätzen.
Ca 15-20. Gegen 20 Uhr noch ein Platz bekommen.
Nah an den Blue Pools, schöne Aussicht zum Fluss. Aber viele Sand Flies!!!
-
-
3.0/5
This place was fine to stop over and camp one night but the toilets were on the gross end (needed a solid clean), and had basic ammenities (a shelter and water basin area).
The camping spots were basically just an open parking lot so no privacy and no trees around. A nice enough view of the mountains and river over the road. $8 per person per night. Can’t complain but have camped in nicer spots along the west coast. Birds are loud in the morning but that’s not a negative.
-
4.0/5
nice campsite with good view of the mountains and the jungle, not super shelter up a hill of the road but no noise during the night; heaps of sandflies around that time of the year but definitely a good
option to have a cheap campsite; beautiful bush walk starts right at the spot, 20 min. to the blue pools with way mooore sandflies there but stunning blue water
-
5.0/5
Beautiful location, short walk away from Blue Pools.
We were self contained so no issues with toilets and need lots of repellent for sandflies. No issue with cost as supports conservation work locally.
-
4.0/5
Ended up here because we didn’t want to get caught in a heavy storm in Haast.
A little pricey but not outrageous. There were about 6-8 vans. Quiet and decent bathrooms. The view over the valley was ok since it was raining.
-
4.0/5
Absolutely beautiful location, and the Blue Pools (an easy walk) were stunning.
Downsides - the toilets were pretty feral, considering the 24 dollar pricetag...
-
4.0/5
Nice location just before heading through to the Westland.
It's has toilet and a sink area if you need. Couple of parking site which you can choose for the night. However, there is no cell phone signal in this area when I was there.
-
5.0/5
Great location, clean facilities, good price and beautiful views.
What more do you need?
-
4.5/5
Hello!
Woke up to mountains! Cute location in the season with time (winter) lots of bugs in the am, would stay again, blue pools very close which I recommend to visit! Lots of room at the camp, well looked after.
-
5.0/5
One of our favourite campsites!
Amazing views over the snow topped mountains. Toilets ok and shelter for cooking if required. Also picnic benches with great views.
-
4.5/5
Conveniently located between Wanaka and Haast Pass.
Incredible mountain vista - lovely at sunset. Basic toilet facility - quite dirty when we were there, though it's not DOC's fault that people piss all over the seat and floor...get it together people! $8pp is reasonable for lovely views and decent flat spaces, even better if freedom camping with a DOC pass.
-
4.5/5
Awesome vistas of the mountains.
10 minute hike to the Blue Pools from campsite.
Many many blackflies at dawn and dusk. Toilets were good.
-
4.5/5
This campsite is beautiful and pretty quiet too (especially once the traffic stops in the evening).
Good basic facilities including cooking shelter, sinks and flush toilets. Would have been 10/10 if not for the sandflies (of which there were many!!) Cover up and enjoy!
-
3.5/5
Good remote option for self contained campers who need a place to stay between Wanaka and the glaciers ($8pp).
Toilets weren’t that clean (we’ve had better facilities at free campsites which is why we’ve marked it down), and tons of sandflies. Awesome view and lots of space. If you’re brave enough to venture outside at night the stars are incredible.
