Feb 2106: If you think the carpark view is gorgeous at 760m elevation, just wait until you get to the top of the track.

STUNNING views on a clear day! But nothing in life is free - you will pay for this view the next day - 1800+ stairs will challenge your legs and your fitness. A dip in the alpine lake at the summit is a chilly reward.

Jan 2018: Went at a much busier time of year and had to contend with a lot more people on the track. Pays to go nice and early if it is a sunny day. Those that started late had to contend with almost unbearable temperatures and no reprieve from the sun. There are no facilities at the tarn - no toilet, no shelter, no tap - please be prepared! Too many people at the top appeared to be lacking in food, water and sun protection.

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

Right next to the beautiful lake.

Stayed 1 night, then ventured on a day trip to Milford Sound from here. Stayed another night after a cold rainy day in the Fjords. New Years celebration in the community park (5min walk) included bonfire, music and impressive fireworks over the lake (better fireworks that I've seen in many Auckland celebrations). Clean, modern facilities. Plenty of kitchen space, BBQ, clean toilets and hot showers - just what you should expect from a Top 10 park. Powered sites are quite close together - also found this to be the case at other Top 10 parks. Location and standard of facilities are reasons to stay here - good after a wet day in Milford or after playing on the lake all day. If you are self contained and want to splurge on a nice powered facility with dump/fresh water, this is a good pick - found lots of little extras: hairdryer in bathroom, vacuum for motorhomes, free bikes and a delightful mix of 90s jams playing in the showers/bathroom 24/7 - so thoughtful! Also, lovely staff.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

Maze and illusion room are great fun on a quieter day...especially if you get there upon opening.

On a busy day don't bother to do the paid entry, but do stopoff, stretch legs and refresh. There is a gift/souvenier shop, cafe and toilet to use, along with free puzzle tables in the welcome area to entertain while you wait.

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

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

We arrived late after some issues with our motorhome delayed us.

We could not really make sense of the space given how dark it was and how many vehicles there were. It was 29th of December and jampacked. In the morning we could not locate a toilet by walking around, so we were forced to pack up and leave to find one. Would like to return and explore the lake a little when it's not abnormally busy. The fact that it was free means we cannot really complain much as it provided a flat, safe place to sleep - plenty of space for big vehicles to park and turn around, even when busy.

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

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

The jet reaches places in the canyon/river that are otherwise inaccessible.

Beautiful scenery, cheerful/funny commentary from the driver. An expensive activity, but worth it for both the thrill and the landscape.

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016