The Pines
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking - Hayman Road
155 Rankers Reviews
15 Face-to-Face
19 Freedom Camping
1 Twizel
Accommodation
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Standard
The Pines
Free Campsite
Amazing views over Lake Pukaki for self-contained campervans. Basic facilities for no cost.
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Information
No facilities. Great views! Self Contained Vehicles only are allowed along the whole of Lake Pukaki.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel |
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Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 155.
Get the best out of it. Here's how…
Hakuna Matata
Ranking: 9/10
Nice spot with great views. Free so that’s a bonus. Beware that The Pines is not an apt description anymore, as all the pines have been chopped down, there are no more pines on this side of the lake (trying to curb wandering pine I think?) so it is very exposed. Great stars if you get a moonless night!
Seth
Ranking: 8/10
Good space to park up, two long drops provided clean and toilet paper in them. Weather was terrible when we stayed and so freezing but great spot!
Kristina
Ranking: 10/10
Picture perfect spot right on the lake. Peaceful and beautiful. Perfect one night stop on the way to Aoraki.
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Luke McCallum
Ranking: 10/10
The best place to park up in the South Island. Quiet, peaceful and amazing scenery. What more could you ask for
Alan Mcneil
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful out of the way place to camp.
I got here as the sun was just setting over the lake and there was only 2 other campers parks 50+ meters away from where I parked and it was peaceful and got a very short walk to the waters edge and great view of Mt Cook. Definitely stopping back in on my way back up.
The Gillies
Ranking: 10/10
This is a superb spot, one of our favourites in our month long tour of the South Island. We stayed here on the east to and from mt cook. It’s quiet, the views are spectacular in any weather, the lake is warm enough to dip in and there were no sand flies. No toilets. Dump station in Twizel.
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Alydia
Ranking: 10/10
This spot gets a 10/10 because of the pure natural beauty of the lake + small alpine forest!! 😍 definitely the BEST most beautiful free camping spot you can find. No facilities so must be self contained - it’s you and beautiful nature! Enjoy & remember to leave it even better than you found it!
Liv
Ranking: 10/10
The best freedom campsite we have stayed at in the South Island. Drive all the way along Lake Pukaki and pick a quiet spot sheltered by the trees... it was so magical to watch the moon over the still lake at night. There are toilets at some locations but if you can bare to be away from them for the night you will have a much nicer spot.
Christopher
Ranking: 10/10
A truly amazing spot, definitely the best on our South Island adventure. Amazing views, plenty of space and a magnificent view of the stars. Seriously, this is what freedom camping is all about. A far cry from the dusty building site charging $50 a night in Lake Tekapo, well worth the 30 minute drive.
Congratulations The Pines - Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking - Hayman Road
me
Ranking: 9/10
Wow a fantastically beautiful place, take everything with you as there are no facilities at all just nature.
Very peaceful and quite with a stunning dark sky at night and beautiful views of the ranges and mount cook
Lauren
Ranking: 8/10
HEAPS of spots for SC campers along the banks of the lake. There are some spots closer to drop toilets if you prefer. Can be quite windy but there are some spots with a bit more shelter from the pines, if need be.
There are several spots to turn off the gravel road and would suggest using google maps satellite mode to find the best entry point.
Samantha Williamson
Ranking: 9/10
This is by far the most beautiful lake and freedom camping area in the south island. Haymen Road is quite a long road so The Pines camping ground is spread out along this road. There are multiple areas of beauty to freedom camp in your campervan, no Tents though so be aware.Lots of eating benches/tables to have your snacks on etc. I think there was a cycling track that passed along Hayman Rd so just be courteous and polite. As the name suggests there are loads of pine trees here to give you a bit of shelter on hot sunny days. Easy to find on the map. Not too busy when we went in March 2020. The view of the lake is great. Take your rubbish with you please as no rubbish bins.No toilets or facilities just pure nature. The beach area of the lake had a lot of pebbles and large rocks scattered about along with some driftwood but made the place seem more beautiful. Its really breathtaking here with great far views towards Mount Cook and beyond. I could have stayed there on a fulltime basis!!!!
Maria
Ranking: 10/10
BEST CAMP EVER! We complained the day before that no freedom camp is like in the tourist magazines but then we found this magical site, some parts along the road has views over mt cook. Not many vehicles and you feel all by yourself. No facilities so you will use your porta potty but since no one around - who cares?
Dont forget to watch the stars at night! Magical!
