Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
Southern end of lake
4.5 212 reviews
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Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping
This is one of the great Freedom Camping locations. On the right afternoon / evening, life is good as you watch the sun go down.
There's lots of space, but earliest arrivals get the best spots.
The lake makes for an invigorating swim (in glacial water....yeeeeaaaah)
Self Contained Vehicles only
Has toilets
No lighting fires
Use the rubbish bins provided
Maximum night stay N/A
This map pin is accurate. The only legal freedom camping spot on Lake Pukaki is at this one, near the power station (see photo). All previous freedom camping spots down Haymans Road are now not allowed.
Accommodation
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Standard
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
Free Campsite
Amazing views over Lake Pukaki for self-contained campervans. Basic facilities for no cost.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Toitū Te Whenua (LINZ)Central government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Google Maps
Nearby
Reviews
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Stunning views -
Plenty of space
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Clean toilets
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Quiet location
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Very crowded -
Uneven ground
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Limited facilities
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Got here at 12:30 and found very few campers.
Robert Killey -
Amazing views!!
Kane F -
It was AMAZING.
Almudena -
Awesome!
Nell Hearle -
Beautiful spot on Lake Pukaki.
Donna
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Great spot to camp with views of the lake.
Great location for exploring around. Was VERY busy when we were there but even then were able to find a space fairly easily. Worth noting it's fairly exposed to the wind. Clean long drop toilets. No water supply. Great free spot to stay but just come prepared as limited supplies.
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Il faut y trouver sa place qui 'est pas garantie d'être plate.
Le rond-point près des toilettes est plutôt bien.
Jolie vue depuis le site
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Ce free Camp est super, la vue est à couper le souffle.
Il est prisé, il y a beaucoup de monde.
Les emplacements à plat sont très recherché.
Très beau spot,
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Awesome for sleeping stop over during long travels, great view in the morning.
Lots of space and lots of other campers 👍
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Beautiful spot, good toilets, wonderful that it is free.
Giving 1 star to lower down the rating, because it so crowded..
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Beautiful view.
Very quiet place. There is plenty of parking. Even in this season it fills up very quickly. The parking is in a cascade and the phone signal is only at the highest point. This is at the cost of it being a bit windier than when you are standing lower. The toilets are very clean.
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Our nights had no wind, and every spot is perfect if you know how to place boulders to drive onto to get level..
A lovely place to watch the Sun sink into the snow tops.
WOW !
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Awesome location but self contained regulations mean nothing as many non self contained campers observed during our stay.
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Great spot.
Awesome view. Those who are into photography will love this spot for the view during sunrise or doing astrophotography at night. The place can be quite busy, so better arrive early to secure a good spot. I just noticed that some people don't know how to park properly, and will park parallel the lake to "own" the lake view while others have already parked facing the lake (or with the rear of the van facing the lake).
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Plenty of space for camper vans.
Toilets ok. One night stay, didn't explore as it was raining nonstop. Fine for a stop off
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The marked spot is very nice.
Not as close to the water as some would like but it has a beautiful view. While it may be tempting, make sure not to park up Hayman road instead of this spot. Every morning officials drive around early and give out $400 fines for doing so.
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Excellent spot with wonderful views of the lake and Mount Cook in the distance.
Was busy but you’d find a spot. Didn’t try the toilets so refer to other reviews on that.
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This is a great place for camping!
Just to clarify that there are four toilets stalls. Pretty clean too. I read someone’s reviews saying they didn’t find the toilets. This place has two entrances. There are few levels of parking area for camper van to park. The toilets are at the lowest level. There are walking trails and bikes tracks. The view is magnificent. When it’s clear, you can see Mt Cook. Please donate 1-2 dollars for the hard work of the cleaning crew. 👍 most campsites have great views. So no worries.
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Location!
Location! That's what this is all about with minimal facilities but incredible views over Pukaki lake to mount Cook. Mind you, everybody thinks the same so lots of vans and late arrivers struggled to find a flat spot. Plus with so many vans your view may generally be of other vans! Very beautiful tho and we went back for a second night. Off season would be perfect imagine.
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Must sleep on location!
The views in the morning are stunning. It is a huge so many cars can fit in. There are only long drop toilets, no sink etc.
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The most beautiful view over the lake - we got there early - like 1.30 and we got front row.
If you arrive later there is still lots of space and since it is on a hill most campers get nice views.
There is a little beach that you can go swimming from. The water is pretty cold - but felt amazing.
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Free, great view, and plenty of parking.
I didn’t see any toilets, but that would’ve been a great addition.
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Great spot to camp with views of the lake.
Great location for exploring around. Was VERY busy when we were there but even then were able to find a space fairly easily. Worth noting it's fairly exposed to the wind. Clean long drop toilets. No water supply. Great free spot to stay but just come prepared as limited supplies.
-
Il faut y trouver sa place qui 'est pas garantie d'être plate.
Le rond-point près des toilettes est plutôt bien.
Jolie vue depuis le site
-
Ce free Camp est super, la vue est à couper le souffle.
Il est prisé, il y a beaucoup de monde.
Les emplacements à plat sont très recherché.
Très beau spot,
-
Awesome for sleeping stop over during long travels, great view in the morning.
Lots of space and lots of other campers 👍
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Beautiful spot, good toilets, wonderful that it is free.
Giving 1 star to lower down the rating, because it so crowded..
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Beautiful view.
Very quiet place. There is plenty of parking. Even in this season it fills up very quickly. The parking is in a cascade and the phone signal is only at the highest point. This is at the cost of it being a bit windier than when you are standing lower. The toilets are very clean.
-
Our nights had no wind, and every spot is perfect if you know how to place boulders to drive onto to get level..
A lovely place to watch the Sun sink into the snow tops.
WOW !
-
Awesome location but self contained regulations mean nothing as many non self contained campers observed during our stay.
-
Plenty of space for camper vans.
Toilets ok. One night stay, didn't explore as it was raining nonstop. Fine for a stop off
-
Great spot.
Awesome view. Those who are into photography will love this spot for the view during sunrise or doing astrophotography at night. The place can be quite busy, so better arrive early to secure a good spot. I just noticed that some people don't know how to park properly, and will park parallel the lake to "own" the lake view while others have already parked facing the lake (or with the rear of the van facing the lake).
-
-
The marked spot is very nice.
Not as close to the water as some would like but it has a beautiful view. While it may be tempting, make sure not to park up Hayman road instead of this spot. Every morning officials drive around early and give out $400 fines for doing so.
-
Excellent spot with wonderful views of the lake and Mount Cook in the distance.
Was busy but you’d find a spot. Didn’t try the toilets so refer to other reviews on that.
-
This is a great place for camping!
Just to clarify that there are four toilets stalls. Pretty clean too. I read someone’s reviews saying they didn’t find the toilets. This place has two entrances. There are few levels of parking area for camper van to park. The toilets are at the lowest level. There are walking trails and bikes tracks. The view is magnificent. When it’s clear, you can see Mt Cook. Please donate 1-2 dollars for the hard work of the cleaning crew. 👍 most campsites have great views. So no worries.
-
Location!
Location! That's what this is all about with minimal facilities but incredible views over Pukaki lake to mount Cook. Mind you, everybody thinks the same so lots of vans and late arrivers struggled to find a flat spot. Plus with so many vans your view may generally be of other vans! Very beautiful tho and we went back for a second night. Off season would be perfect imagine.
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NO TENT CAMPING or in a SELF-CONTAINED VEHICLE on Hayman Road from the intersection with State Highway 8.
Signage in place, Prohibited area and an infringeable offence!!!!
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Must sleep on location!
The views in the morning are stunning. It is a huge so many cars can fit in. There are only long drop toilets, no sink etc.
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The most beautiful view over the lake - we got there early - like 1.30 and we got front row.
If you arrive later there is still lots of space and since it is on a hill most campers get nice views.
There is a little beach that you can go swimming from. The water is pretty cold - but felt amazing.
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Free, great view, and plenty of parking.
I didn’t see any toilets, but that would’ve been a great addition.
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Great place by the lake.
Fantastic views of the lake and mountains around. There’s a lot of space! Maximum stay is 3 nights.