As said by others, if you like quirky, this is your place.

Place has history with humor and absolutely in the wilderness. The mountain river runs right by the site. The mountain views stunning. Mr Gunn's story is all over this place and let's you into what being a frontier Kiwi was/is all about. $15pp no better deal. Non powered ... They run the lights on a generator. So come fully loaded in your Self Contained. Cabins in the site are also quirky with history dripping off them.

Ps shower fired by wood burner...great. 45 minutes to Milford Sound

Reviewed about 10 years ago

You can read all about it anywhere.

We took the morning 2 hour cruise and had a boat that was no more than 10% full...to early for the busses from Queenstown. We went with "Real Adventures". We got a full on sunny day. (Special because it rains here 2 out of 3 days).

Absolutely memorizing. You cannot do the South Island and miss this.

Ps the drive in is spectacular.

Reviewed about 10 years ago

Great site.

Views on lake. All amenities top notch. Great recharge site.

We did the hot pools (fresh water, not mineral) and sauna for 28$ pp 5 minutes walk from our site. Very clean, fresh facility. Great value on a quiet afternoon.

Reviewed about 10 years ago

Sound full utility park.

Setting is in the middle of town so your nature comes from the views. Great place to launder, recharge all systems and tour Arrowtown (great mainstreet and Chinese mining huts to tour as well as key LoTR sites.

Reviewed about 10 years ago

Long drive in rewarded with freedom camping at the lake in the trees.

Campfire, walk to point look out. Yes there are sandflys. Seems like some irresponsible campers have caused DOC to block vehicles from the prime sites in the trees. Too bad still we parked on the edge of the car park and it was great.

Reviewed about 10 years ago

All have said it already.

If I could give a 20 rating I would. As far as location we took a left 4.2 klm past the bridge at the end of the sealed road. Site directly on the lake, emerged in the pines, with fire pit and abundant wood. Well protected from weather.

Views of Cook, the night sky and the serene aqua lake are once in a lifetime. Totally secluded. Some low hanging pine limbs, so not for large campervans. Totally self contained is best.

If you Freedom camp this is the number 1 place we have found in NZ. (We have been touring for 2 months)

Reviewed about 10 years ago

Ok so this is more than the walkway.

Take the drive to Lord of The Rings filming sites around the area and up into Diamond Lake you can imagine Isengard, take the walk to Lake Sylvain through the moss covered Forrest. You will need the LoTR guide. Nothing is signposted. We went on to Greenstone Station over 3 river fords and back Don't worry they are mild. Freedom camped on the lake by 25 mile bridge. This was a "10" day.

Reviewed about 10 years ago

Amazing, We had been touring the north island for 4 weeks pulled in here after the experience of Huka falls and found a freedom campsite in the trees on the fast river better than anything we experienced

so far.

I have seen the other reviews and rest assured they have built new toilets and all is good.

I understand it gets busy at high season and I can see why. When we were there it was quiet.

If you like trees, rivers and stunning scenery...for free don't miss this one

Reviewed about 10 years ago

Only choice in Matamata (Hobbiton).

Great staff all services, a little tired and pools in need of a freshening.

Reviewed about 10 years ago

Outstanding.

Run by a beautiful lady with over 60 years of horse experience

Over 100 horses.

The guides are from all over the world and great. We took the 2 hour ride out onto the ranchs dunes right on the beach and in the surf. My wife had tears in her eyes. Quite an experience. We lingered after and had a great Kiwi burger. Highly recommend if into horses.

Reviewed about 10 years ago

Efficient full service site.

Short steps to a lovely beach. Some traffic noise as site is close to the main road.

500 meter walk to town and boutique shops and grocery store.

Great place close to Auckland to load up and find more "nature" sites going north. Staff very friendly and helpful.

Reviewed about 10 years ago

Great DOC campground, short walk over dunes to beach.

Toilets clean. Quiet and great view of the night sky. Excellent walk to neighboring beach.

Sites in open with some low level trees.

Very few campers there in October and understand it fills quickly in high season.

Great one night stop.

Reviewed about 10 years ago