Lake Opuha
Bennetts Road
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Lake Opuha
Self-Contained Camping
You MUST be self-contained
Maximum 3 night stay
No camping 23 December to second Monday in January
No camping within 20m of the lake shore
Details
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Organisation |
MacKenzie District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Fairlie |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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4.5/5
Fantastic site!
Clean flush toilets Lots of space (some areas quite un level) Obviously a favorite spot for locals to play on the lake! Apparently dry by last summer but wonderful now!
Worth the short drive off the main road
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3.5/5
Flat areas of the ground.
Toilets flush but no lights inside so abit scary to use at night. Good location between stops in a road trip. Empty in shoulder season. Gate was locked when we left in the morning with rope so we just let ourselves out. No lake in may though still stunning view
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4.0/5
Fab spot large grassy area plenty of room, lovely views.
However due to a very dry summer the lake was dry! Still amazing to see and walk on the lake bed . Toilets very clean .
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5.0/5
This was our first camping that we tried with our campervan.
It’s free, the grass was cut recently and the bathrooms were clean.
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4.0/5
Fab spot with loads of room & super quiet, the lake seems modest after looking at Tekapo & Pukaki but still cool to camp lakeside.
Immense amount of bugs at nightfall, close your doors - but i was able to tolerate sitting outside with a citronella candle
Phone signal: yes
Sandflies: yes
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4.0/5
Good spot with great lake views.
Access to the lake bit difficult for a swim but doable. Decent toilet.
We arrived in the middle of Jan on Sat. Beautiful weather so quite a few locals with speed boats and jet skis. Bit noisy but hey it's their backyard so can't blame them.
Would stop there again.
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3.0/5
Nice views of lake.
Big public toilets. But mostly uneven surface. Seems to get quite busy.
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4.0/5
Great spot to freedom camp for when hiring a self - contained campervan.
Toilets very clean and of flushing type. No toilet seat though so make sure you've been doing your squats beforehand (toilet paper seats won't help you here)! Tremendous view of the lake. Quite a few campervans were already there when we arrived at 7pm and some turned up afterwards too. Some locals were fishing over the weekend too as it was a bank holiday weekend and they were also camping on site (some were bending the rules and also leaving some rubbish around which was a shame (some other tourists were the ones being very respective of the rules and picking up the rubbish))
Overall it was an excellent place to freedom camp and I would recommend.
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5.0/5
Beautiful, quiet and picturesque.
We arrived around 3:30pm and there was only 2 other people there when we arrived. Grass is a little uneven but plenty of space. There is a toilet block there but we think it was locked. Nice view of the lake and nearby sheep
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3.5/5
Great FC area.
Plenty of space, quiet and lovely lake views. Self contained only as toilets are closed during winter. Cell reception 75% both Spark & One.
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4.5/5
Huge grassy area directly at the lake.
Clean water toilets. Stayed here one night in the beginning of March and wanted to come back a in the beginning of April but unfortunately the gate at the start of the road was closed and we were not sure if the campground was closed or if it was only for the farm animals. We went to one of the other sites at the lake instead. Good cell phone reception.
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1.0/5
Kids on a quad bike riding past ever 5mins for 10 hours untill 8pm...
Non stop the parents obviously didn't give a rats about the 30 odd campervans keeping the peace. Other than that it was ok
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4.5/5
Fantastic site!
Clean flush toilets Lots of space (some areas quite un level) Obviously a favorite spot for locals to play on the lake! Apparently dry by last summer but wonderful now!
Worth the short drive off the main road
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3.5/5
Flat areas of the ground.
Toilets flush but no lights inside so abit scary to use at night. Good location between stops in a road trip. Empty in shoulder season. Gate was locked when we left in the morning with rope so we just let ourselves out. No lake in may though still stunning view
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4.0/5
Fab spot large grassy area plenty of room, lovely views.
However due to a very dry summer the lake was dry! Still amazing to see and walk on the lake bed . Toilets very clean .
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4.0/5
Fab spot with loads of room & super quiet, the lake seems modest after looking at Tekapo & Pukaki but still cool to camp lakeside.
Immense amount of bugs at nightfall, close your doors - but i was able to tolerate sitting outside with a citronella candle
Phone signal: yes
Sandflies: yes
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5.0/5
This was our first camping that we tried with our campervan.
It’s free, the grass was cut recently and the bathrooms were clean.
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4.0/5
Good spot with great lake views.
Access to the lake bit difficult for a swim but doable. Decent toilet.
We arrived in the middle of Jan on Sat. Beautiful weather so quite a few locals with speed boats and jet skis. Bit noisy but hey it's their backyard so can't blame them.
Would stop there again.
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3.0/5
Nice views of lake.
Big public toilets. But mostly uneven surface. Seems to get quite busy.
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4.0/5
Great spot to freedom camp for when hiring a self - contained campervan.
Toilets very clean and of flushing type. No toilet seat though so make sure you've been doing your squats beforehand (toilet paper seats won't help you here)! Tremendous view of the lake. Quite a few campervans were already there when we arrived at 7pm and some turned up afterwards too. Some locals were fishing over the weekend too as it was a bank holiday weekend and they were also camping on site (some were bending the rules and also leaving some rubbish around which was a shame (some other tourists were the ones being very respective of the rules and picking up the rubbish))
Overall it was an excellent place to freedom camp and I would recommend.
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5.0/5
Beautiful, quiet and picturesque.
We arrived around 3:30pm and there was only 2 other people there when we arrived. Grass is a little uneven but plenty of space. There is a toilet block there but we think it was locked. Nice view of the lake and nearby sheep
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3.5/5
Great FC area.
Plenty of space, quiet and lovely lake views. Self contained only as toilets are closed during winter. Cell reception 75% both Spark & One.
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4.5/5
Huge grassy area directly at the lake.
Clean water toilets. Stayed here one night in the beginning of March and wanted to come back a in the beginning of April but unfortunately the gate at the start of the road was closed and we were not sure if the campground was closed or if it was only for the farm animals. We went to one of the other sites at the lake instead. Good cell phone reception.
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5.0/5
Open grassy spot plenty of options for overnight stay.
Lovely sunsets
Clean flushing toilet
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1.0/5
Kids on a quad bike riding past ever 5mins for 10 hours untill 8pm...
Non stop the parents obviously didn't give a rats about the 30 odd campervans keeping the peace. Other than that it was ok
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4.5/5
Beautiful place just by the lake, water flushing toilets.
Some boats driving early in the morning, otherwise calm and quiet.
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5.0/5
Lovely spacious site with the best view of the mountains.
This morning they are lightly sprinkled with snow and make a breathtaking view with my morning cup of tea. There were about 6 campers parked up with the night we stayed but heaps of space between everyone so privacy is maintained. Definitely worth the 12k drive out of town.
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3.0/5
Very peaceful place to stay.
The view is amazing - best view from all the places we stayed. Bathrooms were closed during winter or possibly covid? Only one other campervan which was a bit creepy. Lots of birdsong and ducks at night.
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4.5/5
Stunning place...flush toilets there.
Unfortunately cloudy so we couldn't see stars.
Our neighbors left their rubbish and I picked it up before the birds came ... please leave nothing but footprints!
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4.0/5
Pretty lake, seems to be quite popular with local watersport enthusiasts!
Flush toilets and sink available.
Cost (2p, non-powered): $0
Location: Next to lake (although not allowed to camp within 20m)
Facilities: Flush toilets and sink
Value: 10/10 (free!)
Sandflies: Not may for a lakeside camp
X-Factor: The view is good but not quite spectacular, so no
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4.5/5
A perfect free campsite.
The views over the lake were out of this world - the perfect introduction to the South island for us. Clean toilets too. Can imagine what it would be like at the height of summer (when it's a little warmer) - being able to swim in the lake would be the icing on top!
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3.5/5
The only free campsite we managed during our journey.
Was a beautiful place to wake up to with the view across the lake. Facilities basic, but fine. A few yahoo’s the night we were there, but wasn’t a real disturbance in our camper. The view and and price made it a good spot to stay.
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4.5/5
Lots of space, right next to a lake and the most amazing view in the morning of the sunrise against the mountain!
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5.0/5
Stunning spot!
As the other reviewers say - nice enough flush loos and a fair bit of space. Pretty popular so worth arriving while light for a space and for sunset on the beautiful mountain views. If it’s clear, stay out for the stars - really bright and we saw shooting stars. Great alternative to busy/expensive Tekapo
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5.0/5
Beautiful place with lovely mountain views.
Flushing toilets and space for about 10 vans. Very quiet and peaceful. One of our favourite camping spots.
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5.0/5
Fabulous free camp by a lovely lake with mountains in the background.
Very decent toilets with even a sink and soap dispenser. Super quiet and calm despite about 15 vans here.
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4.5/5
Loved this quiet place by the lake.
Toilets clean. Beautiful sunrise over the mountains.
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4.0/5
Ideal free spot before visiting Tekapo, not too far from main road turn off.
Clean toilets, no water supply, grass a bit long in places. Nice lake and pretty views, bit too cold for a swim in October!
