Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
Blue X marks potable water and dumping station
zoomSpace for non-self-contained camping
There are spaces for non-self-contained camping on either side of the train platform, between the signposted arrows on site. Up to 7 nights in any 30 day period. There are no other spaces for non-self-contained campers in the town and there is an enforcement service in place if camping occurs outside of the identified non-self-contained area.
There is also a commercial camping facility available at the northern end of the Lumsden township if the non-self-contained area is full. Another option up the road at the Lodge and Holiday Park in Athol.
Self-contained camping is permitted in the town in any public carpark, and the toilet car park is recommended. Up to 3 nights in any 30 day period for self-contained.
Any person found to be camping in a tent, car or non-self-contained vehicle outside the designated parking area is liable to receive a $200 infringement fee, so all visitors are encouraged to ensure that they camp in the designated parks
The Northern Southland Community Pool may be open, get current information from the Four Square. Clean showers plus a place to charge your mobile phone, a lovely community pool :)
This is a great place for a swim and shower in Lumsden.
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Organisation |
Southland District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Lumsden |
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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. |
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Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Only in a vehicle Overnight stays are only permitted within a vehicle. Camping in a tent or out in the open is not allowed. |
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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. |
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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. Non-self-contained (between the arrows at the Railway Station) – up to 7 nights in any 30 day period. Self-contained - up to 3 nights in any 30 day period. |
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Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. |
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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? Dump station available There is a dump station available at this location for the safe emptying and disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
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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. |
Stayed in winter.
Jenda
This camp spot was great.
Laura
Great village!!
Luis Vigil Vidal
Best freedom camping we have been so far.
Tim Mitterer
Awesome site to stay overnight for free.
Sandy
Nice spot with plenty of parking for both certified self-contained and non-certified self-contained vehicles...
Flush toilets close by...
Sink for washing dishes (no plug and only cold water)
Laundry 2 minute walk - $10 wash, $10 dry...
Key available for pools that have hot shower - $20 cash deposit required, $5 for shower
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Very nice place.
There is no view of the mountains or the sea, but they take good care of it. I think there are over 30 parking spaces. Toilets very clean. Possibility to wash dishes and refill drinking water. Nearby cafe, shop and dump station.Possibility to use hot showers nearby. In winter you need to borrow a key from a local shop for a $20 deposit. And you can go to a nearby swimming pool to use the showers.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
This is a great place to park up .
Lots of park spots great clean toilets. If your driving to or from Milford sound etc it's 1 hr from The Anau. Shops are over the road cafes petrol everything. The local council has done a great job providing this parkup .
Reviewed 3 months ago
Staying with stream trains can't do that anywhere else in NZ clean dish washing area across from a library .Has nice tables on platform It's on way to Invercargill from Kingston well set up by
council Queenstown council needs something similar
Reviewed 6 months ago
Stayed in winter.
Awesome spot halfway between Milford Sound & Queenstown.
Clean toilets. Large dishes sink. Undercover tables x 4.
Free WiFi on the NZ library network. APNK.
Same password as all NZ libraries. apnk2765
Thanks Lumsden. Thanks NZ
Reviewed 6 months ago
We stayed here on the way through towards Queenstown.
Lots of space for campers, and felt very safe. Very well organised thanks to the community of Lumsden.
Make sure to use the bins provided, and not the coffee shop’s bins at the back of their shop - they get fined if rubbish isn’t sorted properly!
Reviewed 8 months ago
Great free stopover provided by the local community.We visited the local pub and were welcome.
Honestly box by the station which I urge others to make a donation so this can continue
Great example of good community spirit
Reviewed 10 months ago
Amazing place in the center of the town.
Good flush toilets, an outside sink for washing dishes, a library with free wifi, a supermarket, a tasty coffee, and a chinese takeaway - everything is right next to you. The swimming pool with hot showers is a 10 min walk. Milford sound is a 3h drive
Reviewed 10 months ago and experienced in December 2024
Clean toilets, drinking water, a laundromat close by - very convenient spot for the night.
If you wanna have a shower, you need to pick up the key for the community pool at the supermarket across the street. You pay a 20 Dollar deposit (which you get back as soon as u bring the key card back) and 10 dollars for 1 - 2 ppl for the shower. 5 Dollars additional for every other person.
The supermarket opens from 7am - 7pm, so you have to pick up the key during that time. It needs to be brought back the latest the next day before 9am.
There is an explanation sheet right by the dish washing station in the railway station.
Reviewed 12 months ago
Amazing little spot with clean toilets and a supermarket and a cafe across the street - and 5$ for a swim in the pool+showers!
Really amazing tbh
Reviewed about 1 year ago
This was a lovely spot to set up for the night.
Toilets were clean and well lit, the dishwashing station was much appreciated and overall I felt very welcome as the community has clearly put some thought and care into this place.
Check the information booth sign as you come in for information about where you are allowed to set up- there are different spots for self contained vs not, and basically the whole carpark area is free game, including behind the trains and in the carpark on the far side of the toilets. Note some parks are reserved for staff. The sign is just outside the craft shop.
Finally, I highly recommend getting a coffee from Roasted and Toasted just next door- one of the best coffees I had in NZ!
Reviewed about 1 year ago
When we stayed there (early July) there were much more as the 2 free spots announced, at least 15 were marked as ok.
Best free campsite ever 😃
Not sure if this seasonal?
Many clean flush toilets nearby, amazing playground, washbasin with even the dishwashing liquid available…. Cute handmade shop in the old train station and old trains to see for free (closed at night but open in the morning).
A bit loud at night because of the trafic, but not annoying.
Donations are welcome for the community and they are well deserved!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
For a free campsite, couldn’t ask for more.
Toilets are clean and flush, with loo roll and lights and locks. It’s a car park so no uneven ground and has basic facilities like sink and tables to prepare food. Has a laundry service 50m away too and dump and refil stations. Best free site we have been. Great for if you’re on your way or returning from Milford sound
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Best campsite we’ve visited so far and it was free!
It had clean toilets, good facilities, lots of space for parking and also the benfit of being an interesting and pretty place with trains and a play area! We enjoyed a quick seesaw before bed where we slept well
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Plenty of spaces in this car park.
Clean toilets which are open all night. Also has dish washing sink, dump station and water. Super coffee shop right next to the car park. A great stop for a night.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Nice spot with plenty of parking for both certified self-contained and non-certified self-contained vehicles...
Flush toilets close by...
Sink for washing dishes (no plug and only cold water)
Laundry 2 minute walk - $10 wash, $10 dry...
Key available for pools that have hot shower - $20 cash deposit required, $5 for shower
Reviewed about 1 month ago
Very nice place.
There is no view of the mountains or the sea, but they take good care of it. I think there are over 30 parking spaces. Toilets very clean. Possibility to wash dishes and refill drinking water. Nearby cafe, shop and dump station.Possibility to use hot showers nearby. In winter you need to borrow a key from a local shop for a $20 deposit. And you can go to a nearby swimming pool to use the showers.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
This is a great place to park up .
Lots of park spots great clean toilets. If your driving to or from Milford sound etc it's 1 hr from The Anau. Shops are over the road cafes petrol everything. The local council has done a great job providing this parkup .
Reviewed 3 months ago
Staying with stream trains can't do that anywhere else in NZ clean dish washing area across from a library .Has nice tables on platform It's on way to Invercargill from Kingston well set up by
council Queenstown council needs something similar
Reviewed 6 months ago
Stayed in winter.
Awesome spot halfway between Milford Sound & Queenstown.
Clean toilets. Large dishes sink. Undercover tables x 4.
Free WiFi on the NZ library network. APNK.
Same password as all NZ libraries. apnk2765
Thanks Lumsden. Thanks NZ
Reviewed 6 months ago
We stayed here on the way through towards Queenstown.
Lots of space for campers, and felt very safe. Very well organised thanks to the community of Lumsden.
Make sure to use the bins provided, and not the coffee shop’s bins at the back of their shop - they get fined if rubbish isn’t sorted properly!
Reviewed 8 months ago
Amazing place in the center of the town.
Good flush toilets, an outside sink for washing dishes, a library with free wifi, a supermarket, a tasty coffee, and a chinese takeaway - everything is right next to you. The swimming pool with hot showers is a 10 min walk. Milford sound is a 3h drive
Reviewed 10 months ago and experienced in December 2024
Great free stopover provided by the local community.We visited the local pub and were welcome.
Honestly box by the station which I urge others to make a donation so this can continue
Great example of good community spirit
Reviewed 10 months ago
Clean toilets, drinking water, a laundromat close by - very convenient spot for the night.
If you wanna have a shower, you need to pick up the key for the community pool at the supermarket across the street. You pay a 20 Dollar deposit (which you get back as soon as u bring the key card back) and 10 dollars for 1 - 2 ppl for the shower. 5 Dollars additional for every other person.
The supermarket opens from 7am - 7pm, so you have to pick up the key during that time. It needs to be brought back the latest the next day before 9am.
There is an explanation sheet right by the dish washing station in the railway station.
Reviewed 12 months ago
Amazing little spot with clean toilets and a supermarket and a cafe across the street - and 5$ for a swim in the pool+showers!
Really amazing tbh
Reviewed about 1 year ago
This was a lovely spot to set up for the night.
Toilets were clean and well lit, the dishwashing station was much appreciated and overall I felt very welcome as the community has clearly put some thought and care into this place.
Check the information booth sign as you come in for information about where you are allowed to set up- there are different spots for self contained vs not, and basically the whole carpark area is free game, including behind the trains and in the carpark on the far side of the toilets. Note some parks are reserved for staff. The sign is just outside the craft shop.
Finally, I highly recommend getting a coffee from Roasted and Toasted just next door- one of the best coffees I had in NZ!
Reviewed about 1 year ago
When we stayed there (early July) there were much more as the 2 free spots announced, at least 15 were marked as ok.
Best free campsite ever 😃
Not sure if this seasonal?
Many clean flush toilets nearby, amazing playground, washbasin with even the dishwashing liquid available…. Cute handmade shop in the old train station and old trains to see for free (closed at night but open in the morning).
A bit loud at night because of the trafic, but not annoying.
Donations are welcome for the community and they are well deserved!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
For a free campsite, couldn’t ask for more.
Toilets are clean and flush, with loo roll and lights and locks. It’s a car park so no uneven ground and has basic facilities like sink and tables to prepare food. Has a laundry service 50m away too and dump and refil stations. Best free site we have been. Great for if you’re on your way or returning from Milford sound
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Best campsite we’ve visited so far and it was free!
It had clean toilets, good facilities, lots of space for parking and also the benfit of being an interesting and pretty place with trains and a play area! We enjoyed a quick seesaw before bed where we slept well
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Plenty of spaces in this car park.
Clean toilets which are open all night. Also has dish washing sink, dump station and water. Super coffee shop right next to the car park. A great stop for a night.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
L’emplacement ne paye pas de mine mais honnêtement tout est parfait et bien penser.
Ancien hall de gare aménagé avec toutes les commodités (évier vaisselle, machine à laver juste à côté, vidange, fontaine à eau). Commerces et cafés juste à côté, WC sûrement les plus propres qu’on ait vu… Étape parfaite avant les Fjords
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Great free campground with clean toilets and even a place to wash your dishes!
Feeling very welcome in Lumsden.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
