Henley Lake Freedom Camping
4.4 46 reviews
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Henley Lake Freedom Camping
Easy access Freedom Camping in the Wairarapa.
Henley Lake is situated just off the highway but is very quiet with excellent facilities. It provides freedom camping for self contained vehicles in a great setting, close to the city. Note you must park on the sealed area. The toilets are closed at night.
Accommodation
Details
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Organisation |
Masterton District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
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Nearby
Reviews
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Beautiful lake view -
Free hot showers
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Spacious camping area
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Friendly atmosphere
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Busy location -
Toilets close at night
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Some permanent campers
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Free , and hot shower , lots of Space , lake.
Florian -
Awesome camp.
Robert -
Was good for a free night.
Swiss MiRi -
What a great freedom camp!!
@saltyskin -
Really nice spot!
Rebecca
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Basically just a public lakeside car park — about 20 spots — shared with joggers, dog walkers and overnight campers.
The accessible toilet is open all night — technically usable, emotionally demanding.
A few local “entrepreneurs” seem permanently stationed there. Random cars roll in, pick someone up for a very quick drive around the block, then return. Efficient logistics. Everyone’s peaceful though.
Geese, ducks and heroic amounts of droppings. Nice lake views. Social experiment camping. 🚐🦆
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Free overnight stay for self-contained vehicles.
We arrived here at 6:15 PM. There was still plenty of space. I hadn't checked the signs for the restrooms, so I discovered too late that the restrooms and shower are closed between 7 and 7 (in summer). It didn't look very clean, though. It's also a public parking lot, where several people live permanently in caravans or campers. We also encountered some loitering youth.
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Awesome camp.
Has plenty of space, lots of ducks, geese and swans, but they mean no harm. Lake view and tables. Has a free hot shower between certain times. Toilets are closed in the evening, but the disabled toilet is open 24/7, it seems. Really convenient camp, highly recommend.
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Henley Lake is a wonderful spot for an overnight stay.
The abundance of ducks, swans, geese, and other birds, along with the beautiful lake view right from your window, makes it very peaceful. Picnic tables are available, though expect some feathered guests keeping you company during your meal! The toilets close at night, but the disabled toilets remain accessible. The shower was lukewarm. We would definitely stay here again!
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Stayed 25/12/24.
What better Christmas gift than a free nights stay!
Lots of geese and swans to share the space with.
The one shower is very hot and was locked 30 minutes before it was supposed to be, at 6:30ish. The disabled toilets were left open overnight however the door does stick.
Potable water taps nearby.
Friendly other campers.
Picnic tables close by.
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Great place!
Free shower is always appreciated!! Contrary to other reviews, our shower was really hot. Maybe it depends on the weather since it was hot outside when we were there, too. Very spacious area to park. Lots of ducks & geese, pic nic tables, trees and grass, rubbish bin. Toilets were clean, they close at night. Some people seem to be living here more permantently, but no problem.
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10/10 because it's free and has a free hot shower, first time I've seen that.
Quiet spot by the public park lake, plenty of campervans when I was there in October.
Bathroom with showers closed at night, but the disabled bathroom is always open.
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Easy to find and close to town.
There is one shower in the women’s toilets that closes when the sun goes down. The public disabled toilet stays open at night. Shower was warm but not hot and only stays on for 10 seconds at a time.
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8thMay24.
A stop for lunch. The park is good with walks around the lake and the wider park.
Facilities are good and plenty of space. We didn’t stay overnight but would have been happy to if it fitted our itinerary.
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Nice spot, flushing toilets and rubbish.
You can have a free hot shower from 8 am to 7 pm. Lots of campervans. Nice walk alongside the lake.
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fantastic camp place, with free warm showers, recycling bins, mamy picnic benches.
great place for water birds lover, many duck’s families, gooses, black swans etc.
well maintained facilities and friendly campers.
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What a great freedom camp!!
Thank you very much Masterton! Big car carpark, with plenty of space to spread out. Lovely right next to the lake. Bins, full signal, loos, great jogging area and yes, indoor, free hot showers if you want to save your water. We did, just where your flipflops in the shower ha! Fantastic spot! Because this is here, we filled up, and spent quite a bit in Masterton! Keep it clean! Keep it free! Find us on YouTube if you’re touring Tasman Travels 8-)
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Very spacious parking lot next to 'lake' (more of pond, really).
Lots of geese, which were quite noisy during the night. But... Free hot showers! Good for an overnight stop.
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Unlimited spots beside a lake within a beautiful park.
Clean toilet block with free hot shower(!), and disabled toilet open all night. Lots of walking tracks adjacent and fresh water available.
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Free , and hot shower , lots of Space , lake.
No problem. Just dog's shit.
NO SANDFLIES , never see something like that in south island. So mabye North Island is better for free camp ?
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Good “off the beaten tourist path” freedom camping spot.
Bathrooms opened all night and a lovely hot shower in the morning. Great spot for a long walk through several parks after driving.
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Basically just a public lakeside car park — about 20 spots — shared with joggers, dog walkers and overnight campers.
The accessible toilet is open all night — technically usable, emotionally demanding.
A few local “entrepreneurs” seem permanently stationed there. Random cars roll in, pick someone up for a very quick drive around the block, then return. Efficient logistics. Everyone’s peaceful though.
Geese, ducks and heroic amounts of droppings. Nice lake views. Social experiment camping. 🚐🦆
-
Free overnight stay for self-contained vehicles.
We arrived here at 6:15 PM. There was still plenty of space. I hadn't checked the signs for the restrooms, so I discovered too late that the restrooms and shower are closed between 7 and 7 (in summer). It didn't look very clean, though. It's also a public parking lot, where several people live permanently in caravans or campers. We also encountered some loitering youth.
-
Awesome camp.
Has plenty of space, lots of ducks, geese and swans, but they mean no harm. Lake view and tables. Has a free hot shower between certain times. Toilets are closed in the evening, but the disabled toilet is open 24/7, it seems. Really convenient camp, highly recommend.
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Beautiful spot on a summers day.
Plenty of ducks and geese. Toilets were ok, but closed at night. It is a very busy location and clearly a favourite with the locals. Level carport. There are a few permanents there but they seemed harmless enough
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Henley Lake is a wonderful spot for an overnight stay.
The abundance of ducks, swans, geese, and other birds, along with the beautiful lake view right from your window, makes it very peaceful. Picnic tables are available, though expect some feathered guests keeping you company during your meal! The toilets close at night, but the disabled toilets remain accessible. The shower was lukewarm. We would definitely stay here again!
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Stayed 25/12/24.
What better Christmas gift than a free nights stay!
Lots of geese and swans to share the space with.
The one shower is very hot and was locked 30 minutes before it was supposed to be, at 6:30ish. The disabled toilets were left open overnight however the door does stick.
Potable water taps nearby.
Friendly other campers.
Picnic tables close by.
-
Great place!
Free shower is always appreciated!! Contrary to other reviews, our shower was really hot. Maybe it depends on the weather since it was hot outside when we were there, too. Very spacious area to park. Lots of ducks & geese, pic nic tables, trees and grass, rubbish bin. Toilets were clean, they close at night. Some people seem to be living here more permantently, but no problem.
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10/10 because it's free and has a free hot shower, first time I've seen that.
Quiet spot by the public park lake, plenty of campervans when I was there in October.
Bathroom with showers closed at night, but the disabled bathroom is always open.
-
Easy to find and close to town.
There is one shower in the women’s toilets that closes when the sun goes down. The public disabled toilet stays open at night. Shower was warm but not hot and only stays on for 10 seconds at a time.
-
8thMay24.
A stop for lunch. The park is good with walks around the lake and the wider park.
Facilities are good and plenty of space. We didn’t stay overnight but would have been happy to if it fitted our itinerary.
-
Nice spot, flushing toilets and rubbish.
You can have a free hot shower from 8 am to 7 pm. Lots of campervans. Nice walk alongside the lake.
-
fantastic camp place, with free warm showers, recycling bins, mamy picnic benches.
great place for water birds lover, many duck’s families, gooses, black swans etc.
well maintained facilities and friendly campers.
-
What a great freedom camp!!
Thank you very much Masterton! Big car carpark, with plenty of space to spread out. Lovely right next to the lake. Bins, full signal, loos, great jogging area and yes, indoor, free hot showers if you want to save your water. We did, just where your flipflops in the shower ha! Fantastic spot! Because this is here, we filled up, and spent quite a bit in Masterton! Keep it clean! Keep it free! Find us on YouTube if you’re touring Tasman Travels 8-)
-
Very spacious parking lot next to 'lake' (more of pond, really).
Lots of geese, which were quite noisy during the night. But... Free hot showers! Good for an overnight stop.
-
-
Unlimited spots beside a lake within a beautiful park.
Clean toilet block with free hot shower(!), and disabled toilet open all night. Lots of walking tracks adjacent and fresh water available.
-
Free , and hot shower , lots of Space , lake.
No problem. Just dog's shit.
NO SANDFLIES , never see something like that in south island. So mabye North Island is better for free camp ?
-
Good “off the beaten tourist path” freedom camping spot.
Bathrooms opened all night and a lovely hot shower in the morning. Great spot for a long walk through several parks after driving.
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Awesome amenities, hot shower (too hot for me actually) with a button that only gives you 10 secs of water time, but you can hold it down or keep pressing it endlessly.
Main toilet/shower locked in night but disabled toilets left open. About 1000 geese, ducks and swans around so be prepared for friends at the slightest rustle of a bread bag. Bird poop everywhere, but an awesome lakeside spot, heaps of carparking and room for busses, vans, campers, caravans. Even a tape by the little Riverway for filling containers. 10 min bike ride to New World/Town. Can see a public BBQ 5 mins walk away, lots of tree shade cover and 'private' parking, staggered parks.
Locals have a few regular campers here with dogs and cats but are harmless and friendly. Seen a few cats and dogs in campers. Awesome spot.