Nice flat grassy sites with plenty of space.

We were there on what was presumably a busy night around New Year and still felt we had space to spread out. Facilities were a little dated compared to a Top 10 park, but all the important standard features were there and at a very reasonable price (Powered site $30-45pp @Top 10 vs. $18pp here). Major perk is being <5min drive from The Paca Shack - Fairlie's Gem Alpacas.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

Feb 2016: $5 per vehicle - access road is gravel with nasty potholes (pay to bring exact change).

Walk is relatively easy on the main path. Plenty of animal tracks can be followed to find your own private cathedral of wonder. Fascinating place, worth stopping off it you are passing through. Bring water and sunscreen! No toilet.

Jan 2018: Same price, same potholed road, much worse camper to drive in (much larger and only 2wd). Last time we parked at a small turnaround near the river and had to walk past a locked gate, down a very rough, "4wd only", single-lane dirt road (we thought it would be fun to have a quad bike along here). The road end carpark is now through those gates, the 4wd track now being wider and ok for 2wd - expect to be challenged with a large motorhome, but it's do-able. Carpark is much larger, plenty of turning space and closer to the 'Cathedral'. Still no toilet or shelter...doesn't need it, just go prepared. 2 years ago we had the place almost to ourselves...this time, a dozen other people around.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

My absolute favourite place in New Zealand to sleep.

Visited Jan 2018 on a beautiful clear night with full moon visible above the peak of mt cook. Next day, sunny and hot with snowy peaks and no wind. Also stayed here in Feb 2016 during 100kph wind and heavy rain...loved it just as much. Epic views and atmosphere no matter what the weather. Access to great tracks. Basic facilities - better to shower in self-contained than contend with the lines for the paid showers at the village. Nearest dump site and fresh water is Twizel, so go prepared. Sometimes the toilets get thrashed when it's busy...but if you are self contained the views alone are worth $13pp.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

One of my favorite places for a dip/swim!

The water is too beautiful to deny on a hot, sunny day. Cold? Yes. Do-able? Totally. Don't be a pussy. The sandflies will eat you alive, so either cover up or keep moving! Witnessed some bridge-jumpers and monkey-style bridge-crossings - not advisable activities for the average visitor, but fun to be had for those who are capable. If you plan on having a picnic, don't leave your food scraps on the rocks you filthy foreign fucks! Sitting on the primo photo spot while you dip chips is fine, but consider the next visitors before you ruin their experience of paradise with your sloppy guacamole and salsa everywhere. Don't give a fuck that it's 'biodegradable' - bad karma bro. Drive there is nice. Plenty of parking, but when it's busy it can be tight and difficult on sloped gravel for larger 2wd motorhomes.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

A stunning walk in any weather.

The 3 waterfalls on the right (as you walk up the glacier valley) are great for a shower/dip on a hot sunny day - do it on the walk back once you work up a sweat and you'll be dry by the time you walk back to the car ;) On a rainy day the clouds and raging river are moody and epic. As with any of these popular and easily accessible spots get in early or late to avoid the tour buses...and unless you luck upon a fresh clean, avoid the toilets - they get hammered by the hordes during the day. People who complain about not seeing much of the glacier should do a guided tour or heli-hike. The walk itself has so many beautiful vistas and resting spots along the way. Take water.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

Conveniently located between Wanaka and Haast Pass.

Incredible mountain vista - lovely at sunset. Basic toilet facility - quite dirty when we were there, though it's not DOC's fault that people piss all over the seat and floor...get it together people! $8pp is reasonable for lovely views and decent flat spaces, even better if freedom camping with a DOC pass.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

Well maintained track, loop around lake can be done in either direction.

We were lucky enough to be in the right places at the right times to catch reflections - worth the early morning wake-up call.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

Lake is nice for a swim.

Not a place that I would camp at again. The toilet block was new but horrendously smelly. The sandflies and mozzies made it impossible to cook outside, let alone use the toilet anytime in the evening. I wouldn't class this as a 'scenic' ($13pp) sight - it is standard($8) at best, bordering on basic($6). Perhaps it is the boating access (for fishing) that warrants the price? Better off freedom camping in Haast Pass if you're self-contained and not doing activities at the lake.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

If you are coming from the south and have visited the fjords or any of the signposted waterfalls in either of the passes, then you may not be impressed with Dorothy Falls.

If, like me, you're a waterfall-whore and enjoy swimming and bathing in nature, then this may be a nice detour on the way to/from Hokitika Gorge. Waterfall is a 5-10min drive from Hans Bay on an unsealed road. Do-able for a car/van/small camper, but not advisable for large,rented, 2wd motorhome. If you're sleeping at Hans Bay, you can walk the road early morning/early evening. Across the road from the falls is a short walk to the lake - well worth a look. In total ~3hr return walk from Hans Bay. Or if you're driving through, total stop-off time ~20min. Add on time for swimming - both the waterfall and lake are good options and you can often have the place to yourself.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

At only $8pp, the facilities, views and vibes here are a bargain.

Better scenery and facilities than some of the $15 'scenic' DOC camps. We stayed here on Xmas Eve and the place was relatively full, but we still found space. The toilets were kept clean, recycling facilities and bins throughout and the lake provided a crisp early-evening bath. Lake is gorgeous, perfect for skimming rocks at sunset. Bring your kayak or go for a swim....watch out for a nippy eel by the boat-ramp area of the beach. Community group rocked up on the back of a pickup truck singing xmas carols and spreading good vibes.

The unsealed road to Dorothy Falls is only 5-10min by car, but was not an option for our large, rented, 2wd camper. Managed to walk to Dorothy Falls early on Xmas morning. 1hr walk to falls + 10min more to the lakeside. After rock skimming and swimming, return the same way for a leisurely 3hr round trip by foot. Walk early to avoid traffic on the road.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

The walk is easy, with good viewpoints over fantastic geology.

We shared the experience with a crowd of people with differing ideas about personal space and acceptable behaviour. Go early morning to avoid the tourist hordes and both the walk and your photos will rate 9-10/10. It's still worth a brief stop even when it is crowded.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

Gorgeous walk with awesome views in every direction.

The steep hill at the end is not worth the slog for grandma! Let her sit in the shade somewhere while you ascend for the not-as-exciting-as-most-hope-for finale. A short detour to the river allowed us to dip our tired feet in cold glacial melt water - no swimming and obviously do not explore these areas unless you are guided. As with other popular walk carparks, do not rely on the toilets being clean as they tend to get bombarded by hordes of road-trippers.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

Only a 15 minute loop walk.

The Chasm itself is mesmerising and we spent a good 10 minutes staring into the abyss, despite the rain. The highlight though, is the cheeky Kea at the carpark! Do not feed them - they will pose for photos without a bribe.

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

Toyota Estima, 2 seater.

Perfect setup for the no-frills traveller. Plenty of space for our gear and tinted windows to keep prying eyes away from viewing all of our stuff. All essentials (cooker, awning, tables, chairs, solar light. bedding) provided. A taller person may find the bed too short, but for us it was just right. Helpful staff on call.

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016