Lindis Pass Historic Hotel Campsite
Nine Mile Historic Reserve
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Lindis Pass Historic Hotel Campsite
This is a basic campsite in Central Otago. This historic reserve is steeped in heritage and includes the remarkable remains of the Lindis Pass Historic Hotel.
A great opportunity to camp amongst historic ruins of a by-gone era at the Lindis Pass Historic Hotel. Enjoy the experience, but please don't remove any of the historical artefacts from the reserve.
From SH 8 take Old Faithful Road (unsealed) opposite Timburn Road. This 6km road is narrow and steep in places - not suitable for large campervans.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Lindis Pass Historic Hotel 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 |
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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.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC OtagoCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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3.0/5
*CAUTION* as of April 9, 2025 there’s a pretty sizeable puddle in the middle of the road about 5 minutes away from the campsite.
We took the gravel road and it was totally doable until the very end where our 2WD (with bad clearance) van couldn’t make it- I bet it’d be fine for any 4wd, or even for anyone once you wait a few days with good weather but just a heads up- a wee bit of a bummer to get the whole way there and then have the puddle stopping us, especially with not many campsites in the area. Just a heads up! Enjoy ⛺️!
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0.5/5
This place is nothing like the description.
The camp ground is small with no shade, there is a fence between the creek and the campsite. to get to the water you will need to go down a steep walk through high grass and then you'll get to the stream (Witch is underwhelming).
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4.5/5
Lots off space to camp ,the road in is solid with some minor pot holes we got our Mazda lwb campervan in easily just take your time a caravan would make it easily the river is not suitable for the
young to swim In
a visited in is a must
The toilet was clean
PF![](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(100,219,56)" /><path d="m 150 519 Q 271 29 -219 150 Q 271 271 150 -219 Q 29 271 519 150 Q 29 29 150 519 z" fill="rgb(92,137,252)" /><path d="m 150 343 Q 142 158 -43 150 Q 142 142 150 -43 Q 158 142 343 150 Q 158 158 150 343 z" fill="rgb(163,118,3)" /><path d="m 150 202 Q 104 196 98 150 Q 104 104 150 98 Q 196 104 202 150 Q 196 196 150 202 z" fill="rgb(155,36,199)" /></svg>)
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2.5/5
The dirt track is about 5km south of where the location is marked on the map.
Unsuitable for long vehicles, will definitely ground it in places. Road is either really smooth with mud (bad if it’s wet or icy) or really rocky and lots of deep potholes. There was a closed gate when I arrived but no sign saying the site was closed- think it was probably to keep livestock out. The drop loo is tiny with no paper or sanitiser.
Somebody else said this place had a creepy vibe to it and I took no notice. As soon as it was dark the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was the only one at this site and a solo traveller as well but I was convinced I could hear footsteps and voices close to me. I ended up getting so freaked out that I packed up everything and drove that dirt road a lot faster than I did on the way in. I was gone before 7pm. I’m sure it would be fine if you’ve got company or the site has more people but this place really does have a creepy vibe if you’re by yourself. Ended up at Lake Cromwell which felt much safer.
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(116,165,144)" /><path d="m 150 630 Q 175 125 -330 150 Q 175 175 150 -330 Q 125 175 630 150 Q 125 125 150 630 z" fill="rgb(172,220,173)" /><path d="m 150 373 Q 67 233 -73 150 Q 67 67 150 -73 Q 233 67 373 150 Q 233 233 150 373 z" fill="rgb(83,35,82)" /><path d="m 150 256 Q 160 140 44 150 Q 160 160 150 44 Q 140 160 256 150 Q 140 140 150 256 z" fill="rgb(139,90,111)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Worth heading off the track for this one great historic site fantastic river and so close to the stars feels like you could almost touch them
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3.5/5
Dirt road was in better condition that we thought it’d be.
Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer for long drop. In the middle of nowhere, no service or facilities around.
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(164,121,192)" /><path d="m 150 556 Q 232 68 -256 150 Q 232 232 150 -256 Q 68 232 556 150 Q 68 68 150 556 z" fill="rgb(53,177,36)" /><path d="m 150 555 Q 284 16 -255 150 Q 284 284 150 -255 Q 16 284 555 150 Q 16 16 150 555 z" fill="rgb(202,78,219)" /><path d="m 150 126 Q 190 110 174 150 Q 190 190 150 174 Q 110 190 126 150 Q 110 110 150 126 z" fill="rgb(91,134,63)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Long gravel road to it but lovely to feel like you’re on an adventure.
Think any camper could get down there.
Cool spot with the remains of the hotel and the river.
Long drop slightly unpleasant but saw worse on the travels around
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(210,113,27)" /><path d="m 150 681 Q 51 249 -381 150 Q 51 51 150 -381 Q 249 51 681 150 Q 249 249 150 681 z" fill="rgb(251,208,240)" /><path d="m 150 464 Q 245 55 -164 150 Q 245 245 150 -164 Q 55 245 464 150 Q 55 55 150 464 z" fill="rgb(4,47,15)" /><path d="m 150 112 Q 274 26 188 150 Q 274 274 150 188 Q 26 274 112 150 Q 26 26 150 112 z" fill="rgb(45,142,228)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Very good campsite at the end of a 5km shingle road, in great condition.
Easy access for cars and 2WD vehicles. Long- drop toilets (not DOC’s best work), no water other than the Lindis River. Good swimming hole on a hot day. Very good description of local history ( including the last gold miner) and buildings and old bridge piers still in place. This road was the bypass road when they rebuilt the existing main road, in the 1970’s. Good shelter and some shade but will be cold in the winter 🤣.
GG![](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(132,2,90)" /><path d="m 150 506 Q 191 109 -206 150 Q 191 191 150 -206 Q 109 191 506 150 Q 109 109 150 506 z" fill="rgb(138,167,62)" /><path d="m 150 474 Q 126 174 -174 150 Q 126 126 150 -174 Q 174 126 474 150 Q 174 174 150 474 z" fill="rgb(117,88,193)" /><path d="m 150 124 Q 285 15 176 150 Q 285 285 150 176 Q 15 285 124 150 Q 15 15 150 124 z" fill="rgb(123,253,165)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
The name "Historic hotel" certainly sums up what you find on arrival.
Neat to have the ruins to look around.
The campsite is about 6km along a gravel road, running parallel with the state highway.
There's plenty of grassey space for pitching a tent or parking up, and the stream very close by for swimming. BYO drinking water if you don't want to use the stream.
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(244,65,249)" /><path d="m 150 644 Q 168 132 -344 150 Q 168 168 150 -344 Q 132 168 644 150 Q 132 132 150 644 z" fill="rgb(204,56,25)" /><path d="m 150 520 Q 92 208 -220 150 Q 92 92 150 -220 Q 208 92 520 150 Q 208 208 150 520 z" fill="rgb(51,199,230)" /><path d="m 150 192 Q 285 15 108 150 Q 285 285 150 108 Q 15 285 192 150 Q 15 15 150 192 z" fill="rgb(11,190,6)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
The gravel road to get here is rough.
6km with lots of loose gravel and deep potholes. When you get there however the campsite is very serene and quite. The river drowns out the noise of the road. Very clean toilet when we got there during the day. Just lots and lots and lots of sandflies.
E![](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(121,45,136)" /><path d="m 150 644 Q 122 178 -344 150 Q 122 122 150 -344 Q 178 122 644 150 Q 178 178 150 644 z" fill="rgb(213,206,141)" /><path d="m 150 312 Q 222 78 -12 150 Q 222 222 150 -12 Q 78 222 312 150 Q 78 78 150 312 z" fill="rgb(42,49,114)" /><path d="m 150 191 Q 198 102 109 150 Q 198 198 150 109 Q 102 198 191 150 Q 102 102 150 191 z" fill="rgb(134,210,119)" /></svg>)
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1.5/5
dont bother drive to omarama village 40 minutes down the road rhere is a free campsite by the bridge Poor toilets in the middle of nowhere no signal took 20 minutes drive on a poor road to get
here just to turn around
creepy to be honest
N![](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(26,197,65)" /><path d="m 150 680 Q 102 198 -380 150 Q 102 102 150 -380 Q 198 102 680 150 Q 198 198 150 680 z" fill="rgb(23,25,57)" /><path d="m 150 454 Q 199 101 -154 150 Q 199 199 150 -154 Q 101 199 454 150 Q 101 101 150 454 z" fill="rgb(232,230,198)" /><path d="m 150 329 Q 297 3 -29 150 Q 297 297 150 -29 Q 3 297 329 150 Q 3 3 150 329 z" fill="rgb(229,58,190)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
It's quite a drive on a very dusty road to get to it but I difinatly was not disappointed when we got there.
A very lovely spot to spend a night or two, the ruins are quite amazing. How ever although the toilet itself was acceptable it did not look like it had been emptied in a very long time it was so full but apart from that I thought it was beautiful...
JS![](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(248,60,94)" /><path d="m 150 739 Q 215 85 -439 150 Q 215 215 150 -439 Q 85 215 739 150 Q 85 85 150 739 z" fill="rgb(192,124,205)" /><path d="m 150 402 Q 93 207 -102 150 Q 93 93 150 -102 Q 207 93 402 150 Q 207 207 150 402 z" fill="rgb(63,131,50)" /><path d="m 150 271 Q 67 233 29 150 Q 67 67 150 29 Q 233 67 271 150 Q 233 233 150 271 z" fill="rgb(7,195,161)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Nice camp site (for tents and caravans), comes with your usual bag of bugs.
There is no fee (freedom camping) and no cellphone reception.
Great piece of history and the river blocks out the road noise. The toilet was surprisingly clean and didn't smell when we arrived in the evening.
Some tips on getting there:
Take the Old Faithful Rd (dirt road) turn off. You will see a yellow arrow sign that says "Nine Mile Historic Reserve". The dirt road continues for roughly 15-20mins or about 6km. The road itself isn't too bad, just watch out for nasty potholes.
This is the only access way to the site. If you still stuck, turn on satellite images for the site and follow the dirt road to the highway and you will see the turn off.
Happy camping 🏕
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5.0/5
Loved this campsite.
I have driven past on the road on the other side of the river and I never knew it was there.
So quiet, even with the road on the other side of the river, all I could here was the river.
Beautiful ruins, good clean long drop too. I rate this highly.
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5.0/5
Awesome little spot.
Stayed here in winter after it had been raining so the road in was a bit of a mess. Had to put our snow chains on the next day or I don't think we would have got out in our van.
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(158,89,100)" /><path d="m 150 507 Q 89 211 -207 150 Q 89 89 150 -207 Q 211 89 507 150 Q 211 211 150 507 z" fill="rgb(221,141,137)" /><path d="m 150 342 Q 232 68 -42 150 Q 232 232 150 -42 Q 68 232 342 150 Q 68 68 150 342 z" fill="rgb(34,114,118)" /><path d="m 150 131 Q 76 224 169 150 Q 76 76 150 169 Q 224 76 131 150 Q 224 224 150 131 z" fill="rgb(97,166,155)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
When you have the road, take, (just like another review) always keep to the right.
Price: free
Location: it's is a beautiful and special place, especially the history
Insects: a view sandflies
Wc’s: one longdrop toilet, it’s okay
Douche: no, but there is a creek you can wash in
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5.0/5
Really nice place amongst the ruins and close to a river where we saw many people going for a swim in the afternoon and in the morning.
The one toilet was clean. All in all a very nice free campsite
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(198,55,67)" /><path d="m 150 637 Q 227 73 -337 150 Q 227 227 150 -337 Q 73 227 637 150 Q 73 73 150 637 z" fill="rgb(176,158,119)" /><path d="m 150 430 Q 188 112 -130 150 Q 188 188 150 -130 Q 112 188 430 150 Q 112 112 150 430 z" fill="rgb(79,97,136)" /><path d="m 150 142 Q 133 167 158 150 Q 133 133 150 158 Q 167 133 142 150 Q 167 167 150 142 z" fill="rgb(57,200,188)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Beautiful free campsite with a clean public toilet.
Totally enjoyed the scenery, greeted by cows, bulls, and sheeps :) location is pretty far to reach from the main road, but it's near the river to enjoy and the hotel remains are interesting. It was extremely windy though, went there in January. Bring your earplugs just in case, unless you are able to sleep like a rock.
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3.0/5
*CAUTION* as of April 9, 2025 there’s a pretty sizeable puddle in the middle of the road about 5 minutes away from the campsite.
We took the gravel road and it was totally doable until the very end where our 2WD (with bad clearance) van couldn’t make it- I bet it’d be fine for any 4wd, or even for anyone once you wait a few days with good weather but just a heads up- a wee bit of a bummer to get the whole way there and then have the puddle stopping us, especially with not many campsites in the area. Just a heads up! Enjoy ⛺️!
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0.5/5
This place is nothing like the description.
The camp ground is small with no shade, there is a fence between the creek and the campsite. to get to the water you will need to go down a steep walk through high grass and then you'll get to the stream (Witch is underwhelming).
P -
4.5/5
Lots off space to camp ,the road in is solid with some minor pot holes we got our Mazda lwb campervan in easily just take your time a caravan would make it easily the river is not suitable for the
young to swim In
a visited in is a must
The toilet was clean
PF -
5.0/5
Worth heading off the track for this one great historic site fantastic river and so close to the stars feels like you could almost touch them
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2.5/5
The dirt track is about 5km south of where the location is marked on the map.
Unsuitable for long vehicles, will definitely ground it in places. Road is either really smooth with mud (bad if it’s wet or icy) or really rocky and lots of deep potholes. There was a closed gate when I arrived but no sign saying the site was closed- think it was probably to keep livestock out. The drop loo is tiny with no paper or sanitiser.
Somebody else said this place had a creepy vibe to it and I took no notice. As soon as it was dark the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was the only one at this site and a solo traveller as well but I was convinced I could hear footsteps and voices close to me. I ended up getting so freaked out that I packed up everything and drove that dirt road a lot faster than I did on the way in. I was gone before 7pm. I’m sure it would be fine if you’ve got company or the site has more people but this place really does have a creepy vibe if you’re by yourself. Ended up at Lake Cromwell which felt much safer.
J -
3.5/5
Dirt road was in better condition that we thought it’d be.
Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer for long drop. In the middle of nowhere, no service or facilities around.
L -
4.0/5
Long gravel road to it but lovely to feel like you’re on an adventure.
Think any camper could get down there.
Cool spot with the remains of the hotel and the river.
Long drop slightly unpleasant but saw worse on the travels around
L -
4.5/5
Very good campsite at the end of a 5km shingle road, in great condition.
Easy access for cars and 2WD vehicles. Long- drop toilets (not DOC’s best work), no water other than the Lindis River. Good swimming hole on a hot day. Very good description of local history ( including the last gold miner) and buildings and old bridge piers still in place. This road was the bypass road when they rebuilt the existing main road, in the 1970’s. Good shelter and some shade but will be cold in the winter 🤣.
GG -
5.0/5
The name "Historic hotel" certainly sums up what you find on arrival.
Neat to have the ruins to look around.
The campsite is about 6km along a gravel road, running parallel with the state highway.
There's plenty of grassey space for pitching a tent or parking up, and the stream very close by for swimming. BYO drinking water if you don't want to use the stream.
L -
4.0/5
The gravel road to get here is rough.
6km with lots of loose gravel and deep potholes. When you get there however the campsite is very serene and quite. The river drowns out the noise of the road. Very clean toilet when we got there during the day. Just lots and lots and lots of sandflies.
E -
1.5/5
dont bother drive to omarama village 40 minutes down the road rhere is a free campsite by the bridge Poor toilets in the middle of nowhere no signal took 20 minutes drive on a poor road to get
here just to turn around
creepy to be honest
N -
4.5/5
It's quite a drive on a very dusty road to get to it but I difinatly was not disappointed when we got there.
A very lovely spot to spend a night or two, the ruins are quite amazing. How ever although the toilet itself was acceptable it did not look like it had been emptied in a very long time it was so full but apart from that I thought it was beautiful...
JS -
0.5/5
Couldn’t find this camp site.
Went up and down road twice. No signage and no sign of it.
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4.0/5
Nice camp site (for tents and caravans), comes with your usual bag of bugs.
There is no fee (freedom camping) and no cellphone reception.
Great piece of history and the river blocks out the road noise. The toilet was surprisingly clean and didn't smell when we arrived in the evening.
Some tips on getting there:
Take the Old Faithful Rd (dirt road) turn off. You will see a yellow arrow sign that says "Nine Mile Historic Reserve". The dirt road continues for roughly 15-20mins or about 6km. The road itself isn't too bad, just watch out for nasty potholes.
This is the only access way to the site. If you still stuck, turn on satellite images for the site and follow the dirt road to the highway and you will see the turn off.
Happy camping 🏕
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3.0/5
Nice enough camp spot, flat and thick with grass.
Farmland, so no native bush, just weeds and exotics. Midges are a problem at dusk (as per usual NZ camps). However a new experience was with what I assume were dung beetles, or perhaps a small chafer ; if you are in a tent with a light on they will crawl/fly up everywhere around the tent fly, seemingly an endless supply of beetles. My advice is to turn the light off and they crawl back into the ground from whence they came. Kind of creepy place full of these beetles, rats, weeds and ruins. But free, soft, grassy and the sound of a nice river (road wasn't too noisy)
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5.0/5
Loved this campsite.
I have driven past on the road on the other side of the river and I never knew it was there.
So quiet, even with the road on the other side of the river, all I could here was the river.
Beautiful ruins, good clean long drop too. I rate this highly.
M -
5.0/5
Awesome little spot.
Stayed here in winter after it had been raining so the road in was a bit of a mess. Had to put our snow chains on the next day or I don't think we would have got out in our van.
A -
4.5/5
When you have the road, take, (just like another review) always keep to the right.
Price: free
Location: it's is a beautiful and special place, especially the history
Insects: a view sandflies
Wc’s: one longdrop toilet, it’s okay
Douche: no, but there is a creek you can wash in
L -
5.0/5
Really nice place amongst the ruins and close to a river where we saw many people going for a swim in the afternoon and in the morning.
The one toilet was clean. All in all a very nice free campsite
M -
4.5/5
Beautiful free campsite with a clean public toilet.
Totally enjoyed the scenery, greeted by cows, bulls, and sheeps :) location is pretty far to reach from the main road, but it's near the river to enjoy and the hotel remains are interesting. It was extremely windy though, went there in January. Bring your earplugs just in case, unless you are able to sleep like a rock.
DK