32 Rankers Reviews
0 Face-to-Face
NOTE - Please depart by 9am each morning.
This is a fantastic spot to have breakfast after camping the night, but please note that you must depart before 9am in the morning, or you may be subject to a $200 fine.
The local DOC Ranger says thanks those who do depart by 9am as it really reduces his work load:)
Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township |
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Categories |
Showing 13 reviews of 32.
Mark N
Ranking: 2/10
WARNING. The entrances have been blocked with boulders. All that is left is a small gravel parking area. But sufficient to stay a night if you’ve driven out there. You can walk next door and see what great place it once was. Now a small gravel car park. Give it a miss.
Marc S
Ranking: 5/10
Biggist part of the free camp got closed of. Just enough place for 3-4 campers on the waterfront. Got there at midday to have lunch and got attacked by quite a few sand fly’s. I wouldn’t stay there if you can drive to an other spot even if the water side view is beautiful.
Hamish
Ranking: 6/10
Obviously used to be bigger... would definitely recommended getting there at 5pm. Tight parking on the lake front (room for about 5 vehicles) room for about 5 more parking around the edges. Great view of mountains and lake. Very windy spot. Free - can’t complain. No facilities.
Daniel
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful small spot. All of the lakeside spots were taken when we arrived at 5pm (there is only 4). There are no facilities, but amazing views.
Each camping location is approved by a regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
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Almudena
Ranking: 10/10
Amazing spot in the middle of the nature. Not many vans, not amenities. Highly recommended for those who love being in the nature in a peaceful place. We loved it!
(At evening the sandflies are terrible so cover your skin)
Forrest Poirier
Ranking: 8/10
Amazing views of Lake Wakatipu with the surrounding snow peaked mountains out every window. Arrive right at 5 if you want a spot on the water. We got here at 5:15 and 5/6 waterfront spots were taken. Room for another ~8 campers with views of the mountains and bush. Please re-open the rest of the lot!
Andrew Hammond
Ranking: 9/10
Larger section was closed but there were still about 8 campervans of various sizes parked with us in the smaller section when we woke up. Make sure you have plenty of bug spray as there can be a lot of sand flies.
Ash
Ranking: 5/10
Large section of the place is currently closed off so not a lot of space, it was quite overcrowded when we stayed.
Nice view over the lake for the first ~2 arrivals and those braving the sandflies on the shore. 5pm-9am only.
Short drives to glenorchy or queenstown.
MimzieTT
Ranking: 7/10
Free spot on route to Glenorchy. You will see a sign which indicates you need to turn in, just before a small bridge when the road drops to a single lane. There was enough space for a dozen campervans but it did feel like a carpark. You had to park close together and there was a combination of enclosed vehicles and those sleeping in cars/vans. We found a lot of beautiful D.O.C sites for only $8 in Glenorchy which we would have preferred such as Lake Sylvan. When you head through Glenorchy there is a sign that says "freedom camping is now permitted from here onwards" so if you are coming to do the routeburn track or a walk in the area and find this area full - keep on driving another 20 minutes or so for further spaces.
Charlotte
Ranking: 9/10
Being the nearest free site near Queenstown was highly beneficial (roughly 30min). Stayed here 2 nights while exploring Queenstown in the day. Located right before the one way bridge on glenorchy-queenstown road. Cold overnight and morning but peaceful with the sounds of the lake.
John
Ranking: 10/10
Great spot, very popular though.
BER&GENE
Ranking: 10/10
Environ 15 à 20 places mais nous sommes arrivés vers 17h pour avoir un emplacement Top face au lac.
1ier free camping en venant de Queenstown.
Pat
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful spot by the lake. You can take your car right up to the waves — amazing to hear the water as you sleep.
There’s ample space for dozens of campervans and there were at least 12 or so when we were there.
No picnic tables, toilet, or drinking water... it is just a safe and legal place to sleep. Self-contained only. And you can camp between 5pm to 9am. So plan on leaving before 9am.
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍