Lake Tennyson Campsite
Molesworth Station
Photos
Information
Lake Tennyson Campsite
This isolated campsite beside Lake Tennyson offers trout fishing, kayaking, boating and walking opportunities.
If you are keen to stay in the middle of isolation, Lake Tennyson will be your calling. A beautiful spot for walks, fishing, swimming and relaxing next to the lake.
Accessible all year from Hanmer Springs via gravel road. This road is not suitable for large vehicles. If you are planning to drive from St Arnaud, the toll road to Lake Tennyson is open between December through until April. If you are travelling during other times you will need to contact Rainbow Station Ltd - 03 545 7600
Notices
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Tophouse Road washout detour
Due to a significant washout on Tophouse Road, a temporary detour is in place between the St James Homestead and the Edwards Valley Track.
Ensure you follow the temporary detour to avoid further erosion. The temporary detour is not a formed track, so additional care is required.
First published on 5 November 2025. Last reviewed on 31 July 2026. -
Awatere Valley Road partial closure
Awatere Valley Road is currently closed to all traffic between Jordan Bridge and Limestone Bridge due to washouts and slips.
From 1 October 2026, visitors travelling to Acheron Road, Molesworth Cob Cottage Campsite, and Acheron Accommodation House Campsite must use the southern entry/exit via Acheron Road/Hamner Springs.
This closure also affects access to hunting blocks:
- Mt Severn
- Boundary
- Upper Severn
- Upper Saxton
Allow extra travel time and check road conditions before you travel.
First published on 30 September 2026.
Accommodation
DOC Campsite Pricing
Lake Tennyson Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.
DOC Basic Campsite
Basic campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water may be from a water tank that is untreated, stream or lake. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Access may be by road or boat.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $0.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $0.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC MarlboroughCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Hanmer Springs |
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Categories |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Open all year. Access from Hanmer Springs is available year-round via Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Road for vehicles under 7 metres in length. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Reviews
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Beautiful location!!!
Jessica Wagner -
Beautiful spot on the lake.
Maayke Reidsma -
Isolated.
Joanna du Toit -
Great off grid campsite.
Rey -
Amazing isolated location.
Laura Samuel
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Quiet and stunning!
You jave to drive like 1 to 2h gravel road to reach this place - worth it! Unfortunately it was too windy to stay.
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Great off grid campsite.
Fantastic views of mountains, lakes, rivers. Drop toilets clean.
No cel coverage
Billions of sand flies when its not windy
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Great and peaceful spot with the lonesomest toilet I ever have sawn!
But there are a lot of sandflies in the morning and the evening!
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Amazing isolated location.
Only a few vehicles here and a bike tourer. There are a few very clean toilets and a shelter by the lake. The lake is gorgeous, perfect for swimming, fishing and relaxing by. Quite a bit of wind here which keeps the flies away. We're off on a walk around the lake now. It took 45mins to drive here from St.James campground so consider fuel needed and time. We'll worth the drive out weather 2 or 4wd.
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Beautiful spot on the lake.
Only a few people when we were there and all locals. Really nice walk around the lake (be careful to go there as it is a dirt road over the mountains).
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This camp ground is for those looking for a rural high country setting.
It provided everything we needed, a flat camp site, fresh water from the lake, the freshest smelling long drop I have ever experienced and a great outlook. The gravel road in was well maintained and an easy drive from Hanmer. We continued through to Nelson Lakes, but you need a 4WD with reasonable clearance to take the journey beyond the DOC boundary as there are fords and the road was rough and rocky in places. As mentioned in the description, this track is only open certain months of the year.
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Isolated.
Great views. Plagued by sand flies but if you get past them it's lovely. Long drop toilets on a windy day is a must experience.
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We planned a lot about this place but after we reached at 8:00 we were nothing short of disappointed, the 32 km gravel road is a pain and the result is not worth it.
Don't camp here unless this is the only option.
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We were lucky with the weather and had the place all to our self 4 deg during the day -3 at night but really nice spot.
Long drop was clean and tidy but the road in is a mission like mentioned before if your not prepared to drive on a pot hole not well maintained shingle road then you might want to think twice. We loved the place
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Camp under the stars, by pristine lake, no one for miles, stunning mountain views.
Very cold (visited in May) heavy frost. Road in OK for 2 wheel drive vehicles, but gravel and lots of potholes. Bring everything with you, there is a long drop only. Take out what you take in and keep this place beautiful for everyone!
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