Lake Tennyson Campsite

Lake Tennyson Campsite

Molesworth Station

15 Rankers Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

14 Basic Camping

2 Hanmer Springs

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Photos

Lake Tennyson serenity
Follow the road to goodness - Lake Tennyson
Lake Tennyson Scenic Reserve

Information

Lake Tennyson Campsite

This isolated campsite beside Lake Tennyson offers trout fishing, kayaking, boating and walking opportunities.

If you are keen to stay in the middle of isolation, Lake Tennyson will be your calling. A beautiful spot for walks, fishing, swimming and relaxing next to the lake.

Accessible all year from Hanmer Springs via gravel road. This road is not suitable for large vehicles. If you are planning to drive from St Arnaud, the toll road to Lake Tennyson is open between December through until April. If you are travelling during other times you will need to contact Rainbow Station Ltd - 03 545 7600

DOC Campsite Pricing

Lake Tennyson Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.

DOC Basic Campsite

Basic campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water may be from a water tank that is untreated, stream or lake. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Access may be by road or boat.

Feature Value Value
Unpowered Site Adult $0.00 per night
Unpowered Site Child $0.00 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

Organisation

DOC Marlborough

Central government organisation

Location

South IslandCanterburyHanmer Springs

Categories

  • Activity__basic_facility_campingBasic Camping
  • Free

Operating Season And Hours

All year

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-42.21178331

172.7398833

Latitude
-42.21178331
Longitude
172.7398833

Websites

Reviews

    • Fantastic scenery, only WC, clean, unspoilt.
    • Isolated.
    • Beautiful location!!!
    • Quiet and stunning!
    • Beautiful spot on the lake.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 7
    47%
    9/10 6
    40%
    8/10 0
    0%
    7/10 1
    7%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 1
    7%
  • 5.0/5

    Quiet and stunning!

    You jave to drive like 1 to 2h gravel road to reach this place - worth it! Unfortunately it was too windy to stay.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great off grid campsite.

    Fantastic views of mountains, lakes, rivers. Drop toilets clean.

    No cel coverage

    Billions of sand flies when its not windy

    Reviewed almost 4 years ago

    Rey's avatar

    Rey

  • 5.0/5

    This is amazing place, definitely worth to have a look!

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great and peaceful spot with the lonesomest toilet I ever have sawn!

    But there are a lot of sandflies in the morning and the evening!

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Amazing isolated location.

    Only a few vehicles here and a bike tourer. There are a few very clean toilets and a shelter by the lake. The lake is gorgeous, perfect for swimming, fishing and relaxing by. Quite a bit of wind here which keeps the flies away. We're off on a walk around the lake now. It took 45mins to drive here from St.James campground so consider fuel needed and time. We'll worth the drive out weather 2 or 4wd.

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Beautiful spot on the lake.

    Only a few people when we were there and all locals. Really nice walk around the lake (be careful to go there as it is a dirt road over the mountains).

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Great spot, great view, not so many tourists, very quiet!

    Great hike along the lake!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    This camp ground is for those looking for a rural high country setting.

    It provided everything we needed, a flat camp site, fresh water from the lake, the freshest smelling long drop I have ever experienced and a great outlook. The gravel road in was well maintained and an easy drive from Hanmer. We continued through to Nelson Lakes, but you need a 4WD with reasonable clearance to take the journey beyond the DOC boundary as there are fords and the road was rough and rocky in places. As mentioned in the description, this track is only open certain months of the year.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Isolated.

    Great views. Plagued by sand flies but if you get past them it's lovely. Long drop toilets on a windy day is a must experience.

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in May 2015

  • 5.0/5

    We were lucky with the weather and had the place all to our self 4 deg during the day -3 at night but really nice spot.

    Long drop was clean and tidy but the road in is a mission like mentioned before if your not prepared to drive on a pot hole not well maintained shingle road then you might want to think twice. We loved the place

    Reviewed about 10 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Camp under the stars, by pristine lake, no one for miles, stunning mountain views.

    Very cold (visited in May) heavy frost. Road in OK for 2 wheel drive vehicles, but gravel and lots of potholes. Bring everything with you, there is a long drop only. Take out what you take in and keep this place beautiful for everyone!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    One of the most beautiful places I've ever been to.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Quiet and stunning!

    You jave to drive like 1 to 2h gravel road to reach this place - worth it! Unfortunately it was too windy to stay.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great off grid campsite.

    Fantastic views of mountains, lakes, rivers. Drop toilets clean.

    No cel coverage

    Billions of sand flies when its not windy

    Reviewed almost 4 years ago

    Rey's avatar

    Rey

  • 5.0/5

    This is amazing place, definitely worth to have a look!

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great and peaceful spot with the lonesomest toilet I ever have sawn!

    But there are a lot of sandflies in the morning and the evening!

    Reviewed almost 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Amazing isolated location.

    Only a few vehicles here and a bike tourer. There are a few very clean toilets and a shelter by the lake. The lake is gorgeous, perfect for swimming, fishing and relaxing by. Quite a bit of wind here which keeps the flies away. We're off on a walk around the lake now. It took 45mins to drive here from St.James campground so consider fuel needed and time. We'll worth the drive out weather 2 or 4wd.

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Beautiful spot on the lake.

    Only a few people when we were there and all locals. Really nice walk around the lake (be careful to go there as it is a dirt road over the mountains).

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Great spot, great view, not so many tourists, very quiet!

    Great hike along the lake!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Isolated.

    Great views. Plagued by sand flies but if you get past them it's lovely. Long drop toilets on a windy day is a must experience.

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in May 2015

  • 4.5/5

    This camp ground is for those looking for a rural high country setting.

    It provided everything we needed, a flat camp site, fresh water from the lake, the freshest smelling long drop I have ever experienced and a great outlook. The gravel road in was well maintained and an easy drive from Hanmer. We continued through to Nelson Lakes, but you need a 4WD with reasonable clearance to take the journey beyond the DOC boundary as there are fords and the road was rough and rocky in places. As mentioned in the description, this track is only open certain months of the year.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 0.5/5

    We planned a lot about this place but after we reached at 8:00 we were nothing short of disappointed, the 32 km gravel road is a pain and the result is not worth it.

    Don't camp here unless this is the only option.

    Reviewed about 9 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    We were lucky with the weather and had the place all to our self 4 deg during the day -3 at night but really nice spot.

    Long drop was clean and tidy but the road in is a mission like mentioned before if your not prepared to drive on a pot hole not well maintained shingle road then you might want to think twice. We loved the place

    Reviewed about 10 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Camp under the stars, by pristine lake, no one for miles, stunning mountain views.

    Very cold (visited in May) heavy frost. Road in OK for 2 wheel drive vehicles, but gravel and lots of potholes. Bring everything with you, there is a long drop only. Take out what you take in and keep this place beautiful for everyone!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    One of the most beautiful places I've ever been to.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful location!!!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Fantastic scenery, only WC, clean, unspoilt.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago