Lake Dunstan / Bendigo
Overnight Campervan Parking
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Lake Dunstan / Bendigo
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.
Details
| 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 |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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4.5/5
Really nice place just at the lake.
Quite a lot of space available but also quite busy in March. It’s super dusty though. During our stay it was very windy so the dust went everywhere and we had a shaky night in the van. Toilets were dirty and the doors didn’t really stay shut because of the wind. Good phone reception.
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(118,130,146)" /><path d="m 150 687 Q 215 85 -387 150 Q 215 215 150 -387 Q 85 215 687 150 Q 85 85 150 687 z" fill="rgb(169,119,83)" /><path d="m 150 453 Q 189 111 -153 150 Q 189 189 150 -153 Q 111 189 453 150 Q 111 111 150 453 z" fill="rgb(86,136,172)" /><path d="m 150 278 Q 271 29 22 150 Q 271 271 150 22 Q 29 271 278 150 Q 29 29 150 278 z" fill="rgb(137,125,109)" /></svg>)
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0.5/5
On the night of 2nd January 2025 a group of young drunk kiwi almost lit on fire a Jucy van with fireworks.
Firefighters came and woke up probably all the campground at 1 am, or at least the people who weren't still awake cause of the noise of these kids.
Me and many others left the campground after the fact.
This is one of the reasons why freedom campsite are closed.
Thanks young irresponsible kids.
The view from the campground is great though.
P![](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(251,87,66)" /><path d="m 150 602 Q 209 91 -302 150 Q 209 209 150 -302 Q 91 209 602 150 Q 91 91 150 602 z" fill="rgb(111,24,106)" /><path d="m 150 468 Q 72 228 -168 150 Q 72 72 150 -168 Q 228 72 468 150 Q 228 228 150 468 z" fill="rgb(144,231,149)" /><path d="m 150 198 Q 101 199 102 150 Q 101 101 150 102 Q 199 101 198 150 Q 199 199 150 198 z" fill="rgb(4,168,189)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
We found out time here relaxing, sleeping in our tent, just being one with nature, yes there’s bugs but wasn’t bad.
Road noise but didn’t bother us too much. Drop toilet closest to us had a busted door hinge so couldn’t secure it while using, also take your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser to avoid an awkward moment. Wish there was a donation box system, would so donate for upkeep of this site.
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4.5/5
Gorgeous spot with plenty of space between neighbours.
Clean block of 4 flush toilets plus drip toilets dotted along the site.
Views of the lake are stunning, can imagine it gets quite busy although its a long site along the river bank so there's plenty of space
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(153,143,171)" /><path d="m 150 672 Q 142 158 -372 150 Q 142 142 150 -372 Q 158 142 672 150 Q 158 158 150 672 z" fill="rgb(11,69,42)" /><path d="m 150 468 Q 240 60 -168 150 Q 240 240 150 -168 Q 60 240 468 150 Q 60 60 150 468 z" fill="rgb(244,186,213)" /><path d="m 150 275 Q 250 50 25 150 Q 250 250 150 25 Q 50 250 275 150 Q 50 50 150 275 z" fill="rgb(102,112,84)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Really nice spots with lots of space, great view over lake.
One toilet with water and a couple of drop toilets.
You do hear the busy road traffic sounds but it's not that bad.
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(20,32,162)" /><path d="m 150 751 Q 225 75 -451 150 Q 225 225 150 -451 Q 75 225 751 150 Q 75 75 150 751 z" fill="rgb(229,39,202)" /><path d="m 150 459 Q 87 213 -159 150 Q 87 87 150 -159 Q 213 87 459 150 Q 213 213 150 459 z" fill="rgb(26,216,53)" /><path d="m 150 314 Q 78 222 -14 150 Q 78 78 150 -14 Q 222 78 314 150 Q 222 222 150 314 z" fill="rgb(235,223,93)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Beautiful spot, great views over the lake.
As others mention a bit of noise from the road, but nice, friendly vibe: I was comfortable being there as a tent camping, solo, female, Tent spaces are best in area by the picnic benches, a sign by the toilet block suggests 2 other areas but very rocky and uneven sloping ground.
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(164,107,210)" /><path d="m 150 549 Q 70 230 -249 150 Q 70 70 150 -249 Q 230 70 549 150 Q 230 230 150 549 z" fill="rgb(159,37,242)" /><path d="m 150 477 Q 200 100 -177 150 Q 200 200 150 -177 Q 100 200 477 150 Q 100 100 150 477 z" fill="rgb(96,218,13)" /><path d="m 150 270 Q 250 50 30 150 Q 250 250 150 30 Q 50 250 270 150 Q 50 50 150 270 z" fill="rgb(91,148,45)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Nice spot at the Lake.
Plenty of room and toilets available. No drinking water, but place is free
u![](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(20,57,14)" /><path d="m 150 612 Q 291 9 -312 150 Q 291 291 150 -312 Q 9 291 612 150 Q 9 9 150 612 z" fill="rgb(15,190,135)" /><path d="m 150 421 Q 200 100 -121 150 Q 200 200 150 -121 Q 100 200 421 150 Q 100 100 150 421 z" fill="rgb(240,65,120)" /><path d="m 150 202 Q 218 82 98 150 Q 218 218 150 98 Q 82 218 202 150 Q 82 82 150 202 z" fill="rgb(235,198,241)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Neat toilets.
Place for at least 50 vans. Legendary sunsets. Only the road noise can be intense
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(40,244,7)" /><path d="m 150 659 Q 113 187 -359 150 Q 113 113 150 -359 Q 187 113 659 150 Q 187 187 150 659 z" fill="rgb(72,206,125)" /><path d="m 150 473 Q 286 14 -173 150 Q 286 286 150 -173 Q 14 286 473 150 Q 14 14 150 473 z" fill="rgb(183,49,130)" /><path d="m 150 255 Q 93 207 45 150 Q 93 93 150 45 Q 207 93 255 150 Q 207 207 150 255 z" fill="rgb(215,11,248)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Great views of the lake (if you’re into birdwatching you’ll love it!), clean toilets and lots of space!
AC![](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(182,156,39)" /><path d="m 150 543 Q 215 85 -243 150 Q 215 215 150 -243 Q 85 215 543 150 Q 85 85 150 543 z" fill="rgb(162,166,11)" /><path d="m 150 345 Q 155 145 -45 150 Q 155 155 150 -45 Q 145 155 345 150 Q 145 145 150 345 z" fill="rgb(93,89,244)" /><path d="m 150 300 Q 124 176 0 150 Q 124 124 150 0 Q 176 124 300 150 Q 176 176 150 300 z" fill="rgb(73,99,216)" /></svg>)
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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.
V![](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(194,207,192)" /><path d="m 150 603 Q 178 122 -303 150 Q 178 178 150 -303 Q 122 178 603 150 Q 122 122 150 603 z" fill="rgb(85,107,227)" /><path d="m 150 352 Q 222 78 -52 150 Q 222 222 150 -52 Q 78 222 352 150 Q 78 78 150 352 z" fill="rgb(170,148,28)" /><path d="m 150 216 Q 228 72 84 150 Q 228 228 150 84 Q 72 228 216 150 Q 72 72 150 216 z" fill="rgb(61,48,63)" /></svg>)
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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!
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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.
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(141,255,211)" /><path d="m 150 619 Q 49 251 -319 150 Q 49 49 150 -319 Q 251 49 619 150 Q 251 251 150 619 z" fill="rgb(223,194,197)" /><path d="m 150 487 Q 205 95 -187 150 Q 205 205 150 -187 Q 95 205 487 150 Q 95 95 150 487 z" fill="rgb(32,61,58)" /><path d="m 150 275 Q 125 175 25 150 Q 125 125 150 25 Q 175 125 275 150 Q 175 175 150 275 z" fill="rgb(114,0,44)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Nice quiet place to stay.
I arrived later in the evening and left quite early. Nice quiet place that suited nicely
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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!
V![](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(246,142,16)" /><path d="m 150 741 Q 164 136 -441 150 Q 164 164 150 -441 Q 136 164 741 150 Q 136 136 150 741 z" fill="rgb(224,165,189)" /><path d="m 150 323 Q 62 238 -23 150 Q 62 62 150 -23 Q 238 62 323 150 Q 238 238 150 323 z" fill="rgb(31,90,66)" /><path d="m 150 181 Q 100 200 119 150 Q 100 100 150 119 Q 200 100 181 150 Q 200 200 150 181 z" fill="rgb(9,113,239)" /></svg>)
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![](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(46,89,147)" /><path d="m 150 589 Q 226 74 -289 150 Q 226 226 150 -289 Q 74 226 589 150 Q 74 74 150 589 z" fill="rgb(15,142,83)" /><path d="m 150 409 Q 211 89 -109 150 Q 211 211 150 -109 Q 89 211 409 150 Q 89 89 150 409 z" fill="rgb(240,113,172)" /><path d="m 150 242 Q 147 153 58 150 Q 147 147 150 58 Q 153 147 242 150 Q 153 153 150 242 z" fill="rgb(209,166,108)" /></svg>)
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![](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(128,57,134)" /><path d="m 150 524 Q 207 93 -224 150 Q 207 207 150 -224 Q 93 207 524 150 Q 93 93 150 524 z" fill="rgb(160,100,170)" /><path d="m 150 552 Q 220 80 -252 150 Q 220 220 150 -252 Q 80 220 552 150 Q 80 80 150 552 z" fill="rgb(95,155,85)" /><path d="m 150 256 Q 183 117 44 150 Q 183 183 150 44 Q 117 183 256 150 Q 117 117 150 256 z" fill="rgb(127,198,121)" /></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(120,1,230)" /><path d="m 150 578 Q 84 216 -278 150 Q 84 84 150 -278 Q 216 84 578 150 Q 216 216 150 578 z" fill="rgb(59,22,136)" /><path d="m 150 444 Q 148 152 -144 150 Q 148 148 150 -144 Q 152 148 444 150 Q 152 152 150 444 z" fill="rgb(196,233,119)" /><path d="m 150 192 Q 48 252 108 150 Q 48 48 150 108 Q 252 48 192 150 Q 252 252 150 192 z" fill="rgb(135,254,25)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Really nice place just at the lake.
Quite a lot of space available but also quite busy in March. It’s super dusty though. During our stay it was very windy so the dust went everywhere and we had a shaky night in the van. Toilets were dirty and the doors didn’t really stay shut because of the wind. Good phone reception.
M -
0.5/5
On the night of 2nd January 2025 a group of young drunk kiwi almost lit on fire a Jucy van with fireworks.
Firefighters came and woke up probably all the campground at 1 am, or at least the people who weren't still awake cause of the noise of these kids.
Me and many others left the campground after the fact.
This is one of the reasons why freedom campsite are closed.
Thanks young irresponsible kids.
The view from the campground is great though.
P -
4.0/5
We found out time here relaxing, sleeping in our tent, just being one with nature, yes there’s bugs but wasn’t bad.
Road noise but didn’t bother us too much. Drop toilet closest to us had a busted door hinge so couldn’t secure it while using, also take your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser to avoid an awkward moment. Wish there was a donation box system, would so donate for upkeep of this site.
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4.5/5
Gorgeous spot with plenty of space between neighbours.
Clean block of 4 flush toilets plus drip toilets dotted along the site.
Views of the lake are stunning, can imagine it gets quite busy although its a long site along the river bank so there's plenty of space
E -
5.0/5
Really nice spots with lots of space, great view over lake.
One toilet with water and a couple of drop toilets.
You do hear the busy road traffic sounds but it's not that bad.
GG -
4.0/5
Beautiful spot, great views over the lake.
As others mention a bit of noise from the road, but nice, friendly vibe: I was comfortable being there as a tent camping, solo, female, Tent spaces are best in area by the picnic benches, a sign by the toilet block suggests 2 other areas but very rocky and uneven sloping ground.
N -
4.0/5
Nice spot at the Lake.
Plenty of room and toilets available. No drinking water, but place is free
u -
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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 .
V -
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4.5/5
Neat toilets.
Place for at least 50 vans. Legendary sunsets. Only the road noise can be intense
J -
5.0/5
Great views of the lake (if you’re into birdwatching you’ll love it!), clean toilets and lots of space!
AC -
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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.
V -
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!
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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.
S -
4.0/5
Nice quiet place to stay.
I arrived later in the evening and left quite early. Nice quiet place that suited nicely
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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!
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(152,220,70)" /><path d="m 150 746 Q 224 76 -446 150 Q 224 224 150 -446 Q 76 224 746 150 Q 76 76 150 746 z" fill="rgb(16,99,84)" /><path d="m 150 545 Q 299 1 -245 150 Q 299 299 150 -245 Q 1 299 545 150 Q 1 1 150 545 z" fill="rgb(239,156,171)" /><path d="m 150 311 Q 96 204 -11 150 Q 96 96 150 -11 Q 204 96 311 150 Q 204 204 150 311 z" fill="rgb(103,35,185)" /></svg>)
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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
V![](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(255,73,14)" /><path d="m 150 612 Q 194 106 -312 150 Q 194 194 150 -312 Q 106 194 612 150 Q 106 106 150 612 z" fill="rgb(184,249,253)" /><path d="m 150 315 Q 99 201 -15 150 Q 99 99 150 -15 Q 201 99 315 150 Q 201 201 150 315 z" fill="rgb(71,6,2)" /><path d="m 150 270 Q 188 112 30 150 Q 188 188 150 30 Q 112 188 270 150 Q 112 112 150 270 z" fill="rgb(0,182,241)" /></svg>)
