Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
These camping areas are free for everyone to enjoy, if they follow some simple guidelines.
These include:
not lighting fires
using the rubbish bins provided
not exceeding the maximum night stay.
Three night maximum stay.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Toitū Te Whenua (LINZ)Central government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Cromwell |
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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? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle. |
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. |
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? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
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. |
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. |
✓ Stunning lake views
✓ Clean and tidy toilets
✓ Spacious parking area
✓ Beautiful sunsets
✓ Birdwatching opportunities
𐄂 Some road noise
𐄂 Occasional mosquitoes
Large rest area, by the lake.
Very sketchy vibe to the place.
By far our favorite Freedom Camping.
Mosquitoes like you wouldn’t believe.
We visited in mid winter.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 6 |
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18% |
9/10 | 4 |
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12% |
8/10 | 12 |
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35% |
7/10 | 5 |
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15% |
6/10 | 4 |
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12% |
5/10 | 1 |
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3% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 2 |
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6% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4.0/5
Nice spot at the Lake.
Plenty of room and toilets available. No drinking water, but place is free
Reviewed about 1 month ago
5.0/5
Beautiful sunset!
Waiting for the sunrise! Come early if you want a primo spot.
Reviewed 8 months ago
4.5/5
Neat toilets.
Place for at least 50 vans. Legendary sunsets. Only the road noise can be intense
Reviewed 9 months ago
5.0/5
Great views of the lake (if you’re into birdwatching you’ll love it!), clean toilets and lots of space!
Reviewed 10 months ago
3.0/5
There was no wifi like in the comments and the toilets are out of order.
Nice spot tho inbetween eucalyptus trees unless the noise from the highway ä.
Reviewed 12 months ago
5.0/5
By far our favorite Freedom Camping.
Yes, it's a bit noisy due to the main road closeby but the stunning views make up for it. Also clean flush toilets on site. Don't miss out on this one!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Large rest area, by the lake.
We just needed an overnight stop on our way North. Good flushing toilets with toilet paper. Good rubbish area too. Recycling was for glass only. Road a bit noisy but still ok. Nice work Bendigo.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
Nice quiet place to stay.
I arrived later in the evening and left quite early. Nice quiet place that suited nicely
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Really great spot , only downside is it is not far from the main road.
But peaceful otherwise. Came on a hot sunny day , relatively empty , plenty of space to park . Long drops and flush toilets great. Free wifi ! Insects not bad. Clean and nice walks along side the lake , a very nice stay ! A map outside toilets where to camp or park areas . Nice one Bendigo!
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.0/5
Nice spot at the Lake.
Plenty of room and toilets available. No drinking water, but place is free
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.0/5
We like this better than Lowburn on the other side of the lake .
Much quieter and picturesque. Clean flush toilets and two long drop. A good map by the main toilet block clearly shows where you can camp. A bit of road noise . But clean and tidy. We walked 1 km to the Rocky Point pottery shop . A small amount of Colin Pledgers( now deceased )pottery still for sale. His lovely wife took time to tell of the interesting history. A little further Bendigo loop road is worth exploring with historical remnants of gold mining days and now great thriving vineyards .
Reviewed 7 months ago
5.0/5
Beautiful sunset!
Waiting for the sunrise! Come early if you want a primo spot.
Reviewed 8 months ago
4.5/5
Neat toilets.
Place for at least 50 vans. Legendary sunsets. Only the road noise can be intense
Reviewed 9 months ago
5.0/5
Great views of the lake (if you’re into birdwatching you’ll love it!), clean toilets and lots of space!
Reviewed 10 months ago
3.0/5
There was no wifi like in the comments and the toilets are out of order.
Nice spot tho inbetween eucalyptus trees unless the noise from the highway ä.
Reviewed 12 months ago
5.0/5
By far our favorite Freedom Camping.
Yes, it's a bit noisy due to the main road closeby but the stunning views make up for it. Also clean flush toilets on site. Don't miss out on this one!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Large rest area, by the lake.
We just needed an overnight stop on our way North. Good flushing toilets with toilet paper. Good rubbish area too. Recycling was for glass only. Road a bit noisy but still ok. Nice work Bendigo.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
Nice quiet place to stay.
I arrived later in the evening and left quite early. Nice quiet place that suited nicely
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
3.0/5
Mosquitoes like you wouldn’t believe.
And a dust storm.
It was a hot night with everything closed up.
Even fly screens couldn’t keep those little biters out!
Reviewed over 3 years ago
4.0/5
Just arrived at night on the site guys, just wanna share that the location is wrong.
It’s just further on the right. -44.940331, 169.287394
Cheers
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.0/5
We visited in mid winter.
4-5 other vehicles there overnight. Peaceful, with road noise but didn’t bother us. Toilets passable and rubbish/recycling facilities much appreciated. Would definitely come back here.
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.0/5
Great views, lots of space if you arrive early.
Lots of toilets - portaloos at regular intervals along the parking strip and a permanent ablution block too. Pity that some people don’t use them and prefer to relieve themselves in adjacent bushes - please don’t, it’s a public health issue, it’s disgusting and a chargeable offence. Respect the kind you are visiting
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.5/5
Stayed at this place with a non-self-contained vehicle, it was no problem.
Great view, no sandflies and the toilet was fine (included toilet paper). There was even WiFi!
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
3.0/5
Nice view if you are staying in tent but with campervan no view, close to road so lots of road noise.
Toilets and recycle bins though one was damaged and unusable. Was only free place available after great Doubtful sound trip.
Reviewed about 5 years ago
4.0/5
I liked it, although toilets were not the cleanest.
Don't know why some one else didn't like the cars - it's a freedom camping place for both self contained and non self contained. It's a pity, that some campers feel like they are worth more just because they have a big motorhome. People in cars are just as much able to camp!
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.0/5
Nice place with amazing scenic view.
The camping spot is huge,so planty space for travelers leaving/heading Queenstown.
+ No sandflies
+ Self contained / tants places
+ Plenty parking spots for vehicles
+ Calm place even if the place is located near main road
+ Nice location.Not just parking spot at the main road
- Toilets are quite clean with toilet paper, but I can imagine there are not enough toilets here during busy days.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
1.0/5
Nice Spot, but...
(1) heaps of people, quite a Lot of rubbish and toilets Look how one would expect them to.
More importantly though
(2) "council watchdogs" indeed trying to do Something. In vain: they woke us in the dead of night, said we were parked the wrong way. We relocated and have now heaps of insects in our Car. Way to Go, dear council.
I would Pass on this one.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.0/5
Nice views of the lame.
The toilets weren’t the cleanest, but better than some. A bit busy but a great place to stop for just one night. No water - bring your own. Non-self contained vehicles are welcome. Great for a free site.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
1.0/5
A 2 for the mess people make of this beautiful place!
Toilets are horrible, bins are overloaded and lots of not self contained vehicles.
No respect for this spot.
It’s a pity that Cromwell city doesn’t take the lead and send his watchdogs to control.
We have the feeling that the self contained rules are less strict in the south compared with the north island
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Campsite was okay, but not really suitable for tents.
Must be lucky to find one of the few good spots. Right next to the motorway which makes it quite noisy at night. The location next to the river was quite nice, but always brings sandflies with it, of course.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
3.0/5
Nice big area.
Beautiful scenes, road noise is minimal during the night. Toilets are absolutely disgusting thank god for my own loo in the van.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.5/5
Allows a lot of campers.
No problem with the large road next to the camping spot. Beautiful sunset. Downside was toilet but it works.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
3.5/5
Very lovely location beside a river/lake.
Lots of room. We stayed here at end of May and there were at least 15-20 camper vehicles. Still plenty of room.
Very basic - grass and trees. We did not find it noisy.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
3.5/5
Plenty of room to free camp.
Views are amazing but just expect a dirt patch and some trees.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
3.5/5
Nice and busy with people but not noisy.
Basic toilets.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
2.5/5
Flush toilets were dirty and a lot of noise from the road and youngsters...
Flush toilets were dirty and a lot of noise from the road and youngsters...
Reviewed over 8 years ago