Lake Wardell Rest Area Overnight Campervan Parking
Twizel
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Lake Wardell Rest Area Overnight Campervan Parking
Large camping area underneath pine trees
This is a large camping area underneath pine trees, it's named after a lake but its a small pond really......
Just out of Twizel past the Pukaki-Ohau canel, before the Mt. Cook turn off.
Very basic facilities and is for self contained vehicles only.
Max 3 night stay.
Details
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Organisation |
MacKenzie District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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4.0/5
Cosy stay in the pine trees, sheltered from the wind and rain.
Level sites, good access and not much road noise.
DS![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(238,152,165)" /><path d="m 150 608 Q 268 32 -308 150 Q 268 268 150 -308 Q 32 268 608 150 Q 32 32 150 608 z" fill="rgb(12,92,165)" /><path d="m 150 364 Q 264 36 -64 150 Q 264 264 150 -64 Q 36 264 364 150 Q 36 36 150 364 z" fill="rgb(243,163,90)" /><path d="m 150 116 Q 127 173 184 150 Q 127 127 150 184 Q 173 127 116 150 Q 173 173 150 116 z" fill="rgb(17,103,90)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
We decided to stay there for a night because the camping with view on the lake was extremely windy that day.
This camping spot is more isolated from the wind and is really close by. The long drop toilet was super smelly but otherwose clean and with toiletpaper. There is plenty of space and space in the shade. It's close from the road but it was very quiet during the night. Would recommend for a quick stop before heading up to Mount Cook
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(212,18,29)" /><path d="m 150 661 Q 298 2 -361 150 Q 298 298 150 -361 Q 2 298 661 150 Q 2 2 150 661 z" fill="rgb(61,2,53)" /><path d="m 150 316 Q 182 118 -16 150 Q 182 182 150 -16 Q 118 182 316 150 Q 118 118 150 316 z" fill="rgb(194,253,202)" /><path d="m 150 133 Q 144 156 167 150 Q 144 144 150 167 Q 156 144 133 150 Q 156 156 150 133 z" fill="rgb(43,237,226)" /></svg>)
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3.0/5
Good spot under trees.
But the road was noise and there is only one toilet wich can be far from you dépend on were you are
L![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(51,10,46)" /><path d="m 150 536 Q 80 220 -236 150 Q 80 80 150 -236 Q 220 80 536 150 Q 220 220 150 536 z" fill="rgb(119,95,227)" /><path d="m 150 320 Q 47 253 -20 150 Q 47 47 150 -20 Q 253 47 320 150 Q 253 253 150 320 z" fill="rgb(136,160,28)" /><path d="m 150 200 Q 142 158 100 150 Q 142 142 150 100 Q 158 142 200 150 Q 158 158 150 200 z" fill="rgb(204,245,209)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Gday staying at lake warredall is great.
It is free with a donation box next to long drop,so please DONATE to keep it clean. Suggestion $3.00 per nite p/p. Thank you.
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5.0/5
Close to the road, not noisy at night, one long drop toilet, gets cleaned regularly and one of the best we had so far.
Many spaces, not crowded, easy to find a sheltered spot. Ground very uneven, might need to rearrange the car a few times but worth it! Loads of birds that are curious.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(151,5,142)" /><path d="m 150 681 Q 140 160 -381 150 Q 140 140 150 -381 Q 160 140 681 150 Q 160 160 150 681 z" fill="rgb(224,255,82)" /><path d="m 150 347 Q 225 75 -47 150 Q 225 225 150 -47 Q 75 225 347 150 Q 75 75 150 347 z" fill="rgb(31,0,173)" /><path d="m 150 330 Q 276 24 -30 150 Q 276 276 150 -30 Q 24 276 330 150 Q 24 24 150 330 z" fill="rgb(104,250,113)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Difficile de trouver un emplacement plat Un seul toilette qui peut donc être assez éloigné selon où vous vous installez
MP![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(119,196,102)" /><path d="m 150 570 Q 120 180 -270 150 Q 120 120 150 -270 Q 180 120 570 150 Q 180 180 150 570 z" fill="rgb(122,240,25)" /><path d="m 150 549 Q 140 160 -249 150 Q 140 140 150 -249 Q 160 140 549 150 Q 160 160 150 549 z" fill="rgb(133,15,230)" /><path d="m 150 140 Q 64 236 160 150 Q 64 64 150 160 Q 236 64 140 150 Q 236 236 150 140 z" fill="rgb(136,59,153)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Small camping area just off the road, fairly quiet and plenty of spots for parking up.
Has one toilet that was super clean!
A![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(21,232,123)" /><path d="m 150 601 Q 230 70 -301 150 Q 230 230 150 -301 Q 70 230 601 150 Q 70 70 150 601 z" fill="rgb(109,120,164)" /><path d="m 150 312 Q 219 81 -12 150 Q 219 219 150 -12 Q 81 219 312 150 Q 81 81 150 312 z" fill="rgb(146,135,91)" /><path d="m 150 268 Q 215 85 32 150 Q 215 215 150 32 Q 85 215 268 150 Q 85 85 150 268 z" fill="rgb(234,23,132)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Stayed here a few times when passing this way, it's well sheltered and had a clean toilet.
Nice spot next to a pond and the canal. Good phone reception too which helps when writing reviews 🤣
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5.0/5
Really great place to relax, not over crowded, lake (pond) is small but for us it was perfect sitting g ft or a few days, peaceful and a great Oporto unwind.
LT![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(69,81,104)" /><path d="m 150 522 Q 47 253 -222 150 Q 47 47 150 -222 Q 253 47 522 150 Q 253 253 150 522 z" fill="rgb(134,30,84)" /><path d="m 150 511 Q 166 134 -211 150 Q 166 166 150 -211 Q 134 166 511 150 Q 134 134 150 511 z" fill="rgb(121,225,171)" /><path d="m 150 308 Q 89 211 -8 150 Q 89 89 150 -8 Q 211 89 308 150 Q 211 211 150 308 z" fill="rgb(186,174,151)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful place.
Easy access next to canals. We staying in our self contained caravan. Will def be back thats for sure. Quite magical.
No fish but worth it . Was one of the cleanest toilets ever. Well done to the people taking care of it .
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(24,106,185)" /><path d="m 150 515 Q 182 118 -215 150 Q 182 182 150 -215 Q 118 182 515 150 Q 118 118 150 515 z" fill="rgb(10,20,222)" /><path d="m 150 345 Q 166 134 -45 150 Q 166 166 150 -45 Q 134 166 345 150 Q 134 134 150 345 z" fill="rgb(245,235,33)" /><path d="m 150 330 Q 215 85 -30 150 Q 215 215 150 -30 Q 85 215 330 150 Q 85 85 150 330 z" fill="rgb(231,149,70)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Great campsite, we loved it and it's free!
Lots of nice sheltered spots around the pond or in the "forest". Not busy or to crowded. Liked this better than the other one nearby. One clean dropdown toilet that had toliet paper.
J![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(201,234,82)" /><path d="m 150 666 Q 88 212 -366 150 Q 88 88 150 -366 Q 212 88 666 150 Q 212 212 150 666 z" fill="rgb(152,124,244)" /><path d="m 150 446 Q 66 234 -146 150 Q 66 66 150 -146 Q 234 66 446 150 Q 234 234 150 446 z" fill="rgb(103,131,11)" /><path d="m 150 136 Q 137 163 164 150 Q 137 137 150 164 Q 163 137 136 150 Q 163 163 150 136 z" fill="rgb(54,21,173)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
I think I left my blue and black rayban sunglasses in the toilet on the site.
Hi there,
I was wondering if anyone has found them, if they could leave a message on here. I'm in the area for a few more days. I would really appreciate it!
Cheers, Sam
S![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(121,119,52)" /><path d="m 150 574 Q 113 187 -274 150 Q 113 113 150 -274 Q 187 113 574 150 Q 187 187 150 574 z" fill="rgb(34,172,60)" /><path d="m 150 504 Q 114 186 -204 150 Q 114 114 150 -204 Q 186 114 504 150 Q 186 186 150 504 z" fill="rgb(221,83,195)" /><path d="m 150 271 Q 154 146 29 150 Q 154 154 150 29 Q 146 154 271 150 Q 146 146 150 271 z" fill="rgb(134,136,203)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Tried to camp at the other campground by lake pukaki but it was very full and we had to park further up hill which meant nice views but far away from toilet and very exposed to wind.
Ended up moving as wind was super strong and went back down road to here. A lovely campsite and calm! Only a few vans here and the setting is a lush forest. Very clean toilet (long drop) and even has hand sanitizer! Weather was rubbish too so not worth staying at other campsite for mountain views (cloudy so still didn’t see mt cook)
a![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(240,230,66)" /><path d="m 150 709 Q 73 227 -409 150 Q 73 73 150 -409 Q 227 73 709 150 Q 227 227 150 709 z" fill="rgb(196,43,131)" /><path d="m 150 306 Q 200 100 -6 150 Q 200 200 150 -6 Q 100 200 306 150 Q 100 100 150 306 z" fill="rgb(59,212,124)" /><path d="m 150 145 Q 67 233 155 150 Q 67 67 150 155 Q 233 67 145 150 Q 233 233 150 145 z" fill="rgb(15,25,189)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Beautiful sheltered spot.
Quiet at this time of year. New clean and smell free long drop. 1 minute walk and your fishing in the canal. 15 min walk to the outlet from Pukaki. Close enough to Twizel if you need something but far enough away to feel like your out in the boonies. Free stargazing.
C![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(199,226,222)" /><path d="m 150 519 Q 275 25 -219 150 Q 275 275 150 -219 Q 25 275 519 150 Q 25 25 150 519 z" fill="rgb(127,223,124)" /><path d="m 150 555 Q 265 35 -255 150 Q 265 265 150 -255 Q 35 265 555 150 Q 35 35 150 555 z" fill="rgb(128,32,131)" /><path d="m 150 338 Q 165 135 -38 150 Q 165 165 150 -38 Q 135 165 338 150 Q 135 135 150 338 z" fill="rgb(56,29,33)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Great freedom camping!
All sorts of spots and pretty isolated from each other. New drop toilet that gets cleaned each morning. We enjoyed this spot!
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(64,4,217)" /><path d="m 150 685 Q 175 125 -385 150 Q 175 175 150 -385 Q 125 175 685 150 Q 125 125 150 685 z" fill="rgb(81,106,40)" /><path d="m 150 445 Q 65 235 -145 150 Q 65 65 150 -145 Q 235 65 445 150 Q 235 235 150 445 z" fill="rgb(174,149,215)" /><path d="m 150 290 Q 54 246 10 150 Q 54 54 150 10 Q 246 54 290 150 Q 246 246 150 290 z" fill="rgb(191,251,38)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Nice quieter site we were heading for site further up but came across this & got a perfect pitch so stayed, it was by the side of private road & bear the toilet block which we used & it was fine.
The lake colours are amazing & good place to stay so would recommend it, got to say most tourist do respect the freedom sites & have the self contained vans so the comment made earlier be a NZ camper is unfair as we’ve seen plenty of people in none rental vehicles staying over night which can’t be tourists, great place to stay near Twizel
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(174,36,205)" /><path d="m 150 645 Q 118 182 -345 150 Q 118 118 150 -345 Q 182 118 645 150 Q 182 182 150 645 z" fill="rgb(1,95,94)" /><path d="m 150 442 Q 257 43 -142 150 Q 257 257 150 -142 Q 43 257 442 150 Q 43 43 150 442 z" fill="rgb(254,160,161)" /><path d="m 150 119 Q 234 66 181 150 Q 234 234 150 181 Q 66 234 119 150 Q 66 66 150 119 z" fill="rgb(81,219,50)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(172,61,85)" /><path d="m 150 612 Q 252 48 -312 150 Q 252 252 150 -312 Q 48 252 612 150 Q 48 48 150 612 z" fill="rgb(183,122,75)" /><path d="m 150 518 Q 198 102 -218 150 Q 198 198 150 -218 Q 102 198 518 150 Q 102 102 150 518 z" fill="rgb(72,133,180)" /><path d="m 150 331 Q 106 194 -31 150 Q 106 106 150 -31 Q 194 106 331 150 Q 194 194 150 331 z" fill="rgb(83,194,170)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(71,87,70)" /><path d="m 150 673 Q 235 65 -373 150 Q 235 235 150 -373 Q 65 235 673 150 Q 65 65 150 673 z" fill="rgb(182,243,232)" /><path d="m 150 302 Q 251 49 -2 150 Q 251 251 150 -2 Q 49 251 302 150 Q 49 49 150 302 z" fill="rgb(73,12,23)" /><path d="m 150 192 Q 133 167 108 150 Q 133 133 150 108 Q 167 133 192 150 Q 167 167 150 192 z" fill="rgb(184,168,185)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(70,210,166)" /><path d="m 150 709 Q 211 89 -409 150 Q 211 211 150 -409 Q 89 211 709 150 Q 89 89 150 709 z" fill="rgb(209,34,170)" /><path d="m 150 460 Q 137 163 -160 150 Q 137 137 150 -160 Q 163 137 460 150 Q 163 163 150 460 z" fill="rgb(46,221,85)" /><path d="m 150 273 Q 48 252 27 150 Q 48 48 150 27 Q 252 48 273 150 Q 252 252 150 273 z" fill="rgb(185,45,89)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Cosy stay in the pine trees, sheltered from the wind and rain.
Level sites, good access and not much road noise.
DS -
4.0/5
We decided to stay there for a night because the camping with view on the lake was extremely windy that day.
This camping spot is more isolated from the wind and is really close by. The long drop toilet was super smelly but otherwose clean and with toiletpaper. There is plenty of space and space in the shade. It's close from the road but it was very quiet during the night. Would recommend for a quick stop before heading up to Mount Cook
M -
3.0/5
Good spot under trees.
But the road was noise and there is only one toilet wich can be far from you dépend on were you are
L -
5.0/5
Gday staying at lake warredall is great.
It is free with a donation box next to long drop,so please DONATE to keep it clean. Suggestion $3.00 per nite p/p. Thank you.
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5.0/5
Close to the road, not noisy at night, one long drop toilet, gets cleaned regularly and one of the best we had so far.
Many spaces, not crowded, easy to find a sheltered spot. Ground very uneven, might need to rearrange the car a few times but worth it! Loads of birds that are curious.
M -
4.0/5
Difficile de trouver un emplacement plat Un seul toilette qui peut donc être assez éloigné selon où vous vous installez
MP -
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4.0/5
Small camping area just off the road, fairly quiet and plenty of spots for parking up.
Has one toilet that was super clean!
A -
5.0/5
Stayed here a few times when passing this way, it's well sheltered and had a clean toilet.
Nice spot next to a pond and the canal. Good phone reception too which helps when writing reviews 🤣
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5.0/5
Really great place to relax, not over crowded, lake (pond) is small but for us it was perfect sitting g ft or a few days, peaceful and a great Oporto unwind.
LT -
5.0/5
Beautiful place.
Easy access next to canals. We staying in our self contained caravan. Will def be back thats for sure. Quite magical.
No fish but worth it . Was one of the cleanest toilets ever. Well done to the people taking care of it .
M -
4.5/5
Great campsite, we loved it and it's free!
Lots of nice sheltered spots around the pond or in the "forest". Not busy or to crowded. Liked this better than the other one nearby. One clean dropdown toilet that had toliet paper.
J -
5.0/5
I think I left my blue and black rayban sunglasses in the toilet on the site.
Hi there,
I was wondering if anyone has found them, if they could leave a message on here. I'm in the area for a few more days. I would really appreciate it!
Cheers, Sam
S -
4.5/5
Tried to camp at the other campground by lake pukaki but it was very full and we had to park further up hill which meant nice views but far away from toilet and very exposed to wind.
Ended up moving as wind was super strong and went back down road to here. A lovely campsite and calm! Only a few vans here and the setting is a lush forest. Very clean toilet (long drop) and even has hand sanitizer! Weather was rubbish too so not worth staying at other campsite for mountain views (cloudy so still didn’t see mt cook)
a -
4.0/5
Beautiful sheltered spot.
Quiet at this time of year. New clean and smell free long drop. 1 minute walk and your fishing in the canal. 15 min walk to the outlet from Pukaki. Close enough to Twizel if you need something but far enough away to feel like your out in the boonies. Free stargazing.
C -
4.0/5
Great freedom camping!
All sorts of spots and pretty isolated from each other. New drop toilet that gets cleaned each morning. We enjoyed this spot!
M -
4.5/5
Nice quieter site we were heading for site further up but came across this & got a perfect pitch so stayed, it was by the side of private road & bear the toilet block which we used & it was fine.
The lake colours are amazing & good place to stay so would recommend it, got to say most tourist do respect the freedom sites & have the self contained vans so the comment made earlier be a NZ camper is unfair as we’ve seen plenty of people in none rental vehicles staying over night which can’t be tourists, great place to stay near Twizel
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4.5/5
Lots of shady spaces under the pine trees, conveniently located near Mt Cook NP and only a short drive from Twizel.
Drop toilets were fine. BYO toilet paper.
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4.0/5
Lovely big open areas to camp and still have privacy.
2 hole in ground loos, but we used our own amenities. Rainbow and Brown trout caught in the canal at the back of the lake. Great eating. Remember to take all your rubbish with you to keep NZ green.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(199,143,28)" /><path d="m 150 586 Q 112 188 -286 150 Q 112 112 150 -286 Q 188 112 586 150 Q 188 188 150 586 z" fill="rgb(78,241,89)" /><path d="m 150 309 Q 179 121 -9 150 Q 179 179 150 -9 Q 121 179 309 150 Q 121 121 150 309 z" fill="rgb(177,14,166)" /><path d="m 150 277 Q 259 41 23 150 Q 259 259 150 23 Q 41 259 277 150 Q 41 41 150 277 z" fill="rgb(56,112,227)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Would be 10/10 if there had been a flush toilet.
Cold and starry night, free stargazing. Nice place to stay the night.
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