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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
Lake Tennyson Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.
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 |
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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.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC MarlboroughCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Hanmer Springs |
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Categories |
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Operating Season And Hours |
All year |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle. |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Maximum Sites Available |
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Maximum Sites AvailableHow many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in. 10 sites |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Water is only available from a stream, so boil or treat before using. |
Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available. |
Dump Station |
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Dump StationDump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles. |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Powered Sites |
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Powered SitesDoes this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. The unsealed road is not suitable for vehicles over 7m long |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked. |
WiFi Internet |
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WiFi InternetWhat type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available. |
Campfire Rules |
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Campfire RulesWhat are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop toilet only |
Beautiful spot on the lake.
Beautiful location!!!
Amazing isolated location.
Fantastic scenery, only WC, clean, unspoilt.
Great off grid campsite.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 7 |
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47% |
9/10 | 6 |
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40% |
8/10 | 0 |
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0% |
7/10 | 1 |
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7% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 1 |
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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
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 almost 9 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 over 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
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
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 over 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 almost 9 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 over 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