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The MacKenzie District Council has allowed freedom camping along the shores of Lake Ruataniwha.
Camping not permitted between 23 December and second Monday in January.
Self-contained vehicles only.
3 nights consecutive maximum.
No camping within 20m of the lake foreshore.
Please respect these rules, or the locals will have no problems educating you about them. It's a beautiful place which has unfortunately been abused by previous campers, hence the rules. Enjoy.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
MacKenzie District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must display the "Responsible Camper" sticker. |
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 Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 3 nights You can only stay at this campsite for up to 3 nights in a row. |
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. Take note of the datys that camping here is banned |
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. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
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. |
✓ Stunning views
✓ Peaceful location
✓ Great bike rides and walks
✓ Tidy area
✓ Close to Twizel
𐄂 Vague signage
𐄂 Strict on non-self contained vehicles
Nice and quiet spot next to the busy ones.
Nice spot for free.
Very nice place to stop, looking over the river.
No facilities so difficult to say much.
Fabulous wild spot, very popular with campers.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 2 |
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13% |
9/10 | 3 |
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20% |
8/10 | 5 |
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33% |
7/10 | 3 |
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20% |
6/10 | 2 |
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13% |
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 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
Our new favourite!
Stunning views, peaceful and not far from Twizel. Great bike rides and walks! No toilets so not so many illegal campers. Area very tidy . Downside the freedom camping area sign by the council is very vague and poorly marked . I challenge anyone to decipher it !!
Reviewed 8 months ago
3.0/5
Very nice place to stop, looking over the river.
They are very strict on non-self contained vehicles staying here. We were barely out of our van (non self contained) and a ranger was over telling us that we could not stay the night. Sounds fair enough if they are preserving the land from littering mentioned in previous comments.
We moved along to another lovely spot & a free camping spot 15 mins away called Lake Poaka which does have drop toilets. See more on that place on this app. Rated 6, only lower because we couldn’t stay!
Enjoy
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
Can be hard to find as the Google maps "freedom camping ground" is not marked properly (on this app it is) Nice place to park up for the night with morning views over the lake
Reviewed about 4 years ago
3.5/5
Nice place for one night.
Just self contained vehicles, no facilities there but you’ll sleep in front of the lake:)
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.0/5
Fabulous wild spot, very popular with campers.
No toilets, despite a sign encouraging visitors to use their on board toilet or the one provided. Self-contained vehicles only. Too many people are using any handy shrub or tree to defecate beside, leaving toilet paper strewn around - it is disgusting, and a chargeable offence. Visitors please respect our land
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.0/5
Keep going on down the road past the campsite and other entrances to the reserve.
There are several spots just before a turning on your right. Easy to find somewhere on the waters edge with a view of the lake. High spots for those with the vehicles that can get up to them. Use your own toilet and don’t leave mounds of toilet paper in the trees! And don’t park right on top of others when there’s plenty of space!
Reviewed almost 5 years ago and experienced in January 2020
3.0/5
Nice spot for free.
Toilets weren’t the best. Seems like a lot of families love this spot
Reviewed about 5 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful spot.
Can only stay in the small yellow area shown on the map which can still cater for 20 campers or so. We parked up on the edge overlooking the water and the mountains and were just blown away.
No facilities so must be self contained. Easy to get to, close to twizel. Did get very windy there when we stayed.
Reviewed about 5 years ago
4.5/5
Excellent location and views.
Bags of room ....the dogs loved it. Great spot. Drove from their to the base of Lake Ohau along the canal where fisherman were catching huge trout.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.5/5
We have stayed here twice now during our two week camper van trip around the South Island.
It’s a top spot for a free night’s sleep. Very close to Twizel with all amenities you need so as long as you’re self-contained you’re all set! We loved waking up to the turquoise blue lake set amongst the autumn trees and there is so much space even having a dozen others staying there, there is more than enough room to have your own area. Definitely recommend.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
3.5/5
No facilities so difficult to say much.
Peaceful, quiet and lovely view over the lake. Nice area to stroll around and maybe do some fishing. Actually area for freedom camping a little confusing so make sure you check “the map” they have posted to ensure you are in the correct spot.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
5.0/5
Our new favourite!
Stunning views, peaceful and not far from Twizel. Great bike rides and walks! No toilets so not so many illegal campers. Area very tidy . Downside the freedom camping area sign by the council is very vague and poorly marked . I challenge anyone to decipher it !!
Reviewed 8 months ago
3.0/5
Very nice place to stop, looking over the river.
They are very strict on non-self contained vehicles staying here. We were barely out of our van (non self contained) and a ranger was over telling us that we could not stay the night. Sounds fair enough if they are preserving the land from littering mentioned in previous comments.
We moved along to another lovely spot & a free camping spot 15 mins away called Lake Poaka which does have drop toilets. See more on that place on this app. Rated 6, only lower because we couldn’t stay!
Enjoy
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
Can be hard to find as the Google maps "freedom camping ground" is not marked properly (on this app it is) Nice place to park up for the night with morning views over the lake
Reviewed about 4 years ago
3.5/5
Nice place for one night.
Just self contained vehicles, no facilities there but you’ll sleep in front of the lake:)
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.0/5
Fabulous wild spot, very popular with campers.
No toilets, despite a sign encouraging visitors to use their on board toilet or the one provided. Self-contained vehicles only. Too many people are using any handy shrub or tree to defecate beside, leaving toilet paper strewn around - it is disgusting, and a chargeable offence. Visitors please respect our land
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.0/5
Keep going on down the road past the campsite and other entrances to the reserve.
There are several spots just before a turning on your right. Easy to find somewhere on the waters edge with a view of the lake. High spots for those with the vehicles that can get up to them. Use your own toilet and don’t leave mounds of toilet paper in the trees! And don’t park right on top of others when there’s plenty of space!
Reviewed almost 5 years ago and experienced in January 2020
3.0/5
Nice spot for free.
Toilets weren’t the best. Seems like a lot of families love this spot
Reviewed about 5 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful spot.
Can only stay in the small yellow area shown on the map which can still cater for 20 campers or so. We parked up on the edge overlooking the water and the mountains and were just blown away.
No facilities so must be self contained. Easy to get to, close to twizel. Did get very windy there when we stayed.
Reviewed about 5 years ago
4.5/5
Excellent location and views.
Bags of room ....the dogs loved it. Great spot. Drove from their to the base of Lake Ohau along the canal where fisherman were catching huge trout.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.5/5
We have stayed here twice now during our two week camper van trip around the South Island.
It’s a top spot for a free night’s sleep. Very close to Twizel with all amenities you need so as long as you’re self-contained you’re all set! We loved waking up to the turquoise blue lake set amongst the autumn trees and there is so much space even having a dozen others staying there, there is more than enough room to have your own area. Definitely recommend.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
3.5/5
No facilities so difficult to say much.
Peaceful, quiet and lovely view over the lake. Nice area to stroll around and maybe do some fishing. Actually area for freedom camping a little confusing so make sure you check “the map” they have posted to ensure you are in the correct spot.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.5/5
Wow what a great location a few motorhomes here but all easily 300m apart so its like your own private wilderness with amazing views.
Hopefully the stars will be an amazing sight later.
We have not seen any amenities as already emptied tanks and filled water before we arrived.
This is freedom camping at one of its best. And the star show was really good even with half moon.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Magnificent spot, beautiful views, but toilets inexplicably locked when we visited.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
3.5/5
Nice and quiet spot next to the busy ones.
Good spot to have lunch and a swim.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016