Lake Heron Camping Ground
3.7 4 reviews
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Lake Heron Camping Ground
Please note this campground is only open between 1 October to 30 April.
Accommodation
Details
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Organisation |
Lake Heron Camping GroundCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Ashburton |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
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Reviews
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Far too many permanent empty caravans on site leaving very few sites for newcomers to choose from.
51 caravans (and a few tents) parked up and not being used and eight other sites taken up just by skeletal gazebo frames (not to mention areas 'fenced' off with wind break or brush, by said empty caravans for extra space wanted when they stay). Not fair for newcomers when you go ALL that way to stay there (including a half hour drive up a shingle road). Although seven sites were vacated after we arrived on a Sunday, at the time of arrival we only had the choice of two sites! One in full sun and the other in full shade. The road around the top of the campsite gets a lot of use from farm hands etc from the station as well as day trippers. The lake is beautiful and just gorgeous scenery surrounding it. Can't see much from the campsite, just a wee window out between the trees, but only a short walk to the lake. Quite cool at nights but fairly hot during the day. Campsite fairly sheltered from the winds. Good flush toilets, clean, but all water from the tap has to be boiled.
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Approx 14km gravel road, very deep in some places, not ideal for small cars.
Camp site was full of empty caravans. Only met one other couple there. Grassy area to put a tent up.
Lake and mountain views were lovely in morning when the sun came out.
Photo of sign is well out of date. $200 season pass or $20 per night. Bring your own toilet roll.
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The camp ground was not open when we stayed, however the owners allowed us to stay seeing that we are fully self contained and only needed somewhere to park our 'wheels'.
Lake Heron is a beautiful quiet and secluded place.
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Lake heron campsite was a pretty disappointing stay.
As mentioned in other reviews there are numerous caravans with most of them being pretty run down UK style and a few newer campers (at a guess 20 in total), half of which had “fenced” sections using netting etc. There was only one campsite being used during our stay (week before Christmas) yet still minimal camp site options due to all the taken sites - can imagine it being near impossible to find a site during peak season. Overall the whole camp had a super antisocial and trailer park vibe.
On a better note, the facilities were rather good with flushing toilets, a makeshift urinal in the men’s (can flush) and water available (required boiling).
There is lake access although not ideal for swimming etc and we found a good amount of rubbish strewn around the camp including used condoms. The trees provided a nice amount of cover from the winds in comparison to lake camp and Clearwater so could be a better choice if the weather packs in. Though the price online is not up to date, at the time of our stay it was $20.
Overall it’s probably not worth your time and the risk of not finding a campsite. Added to that, access is via a 14ish km gravel road used by the station and traveler’s, not very suitable for smaller vehicles. Just go to lake camp or lake Clearwater for a better experience.
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Far too many permanent empty caravans on site leaving very few sites for newcomers to choose from.
51 caravans (and a few tents) parked up and not being used and eight other sites taken up just by skeletal gazebo frames (not to mention areas 'fenced' off with wind break or brush, by said empty caravans for extra space wanted when they stay). Not fair for newcomers when you go ALL that way to stay there (including a half hour drive up a shingle road). Although seven sites were vacated after we arrived on a Sunday, at the time of arrival we only had the choice of two sites! One in full sun and the other in full shade. The road around the top of the campsite gets a lot of use from farm hands etc from the station as well as day trippers. The lake is beautiful and just gorgeous scenery surrounding it. Can't see much from the campsite, just a wee window out between the trees, but only a short walk to the lake. Quite cool at nights but fairly hot during the day. Campsite fairly sheltered from the winds. Good flush toilets, clean, but all water from the tap has to be boiled.
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Approx 14km gravel road, very deep in some places, not ideal for small cars.
Camp site was full of empty caravans. Only met one other couple there. Grassy area to put a tent up.
Lake and mountain views were lovely in morning when the sun came out.
Photo of sign is well out of date. $200 season pass or $20 per night. Bring your own toilet roll.
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The camp ground was not open when we stayed, however the owners allowed us to stay seeing that we are fully self contained and only needed somewhere to park our 'wheels'.
Lake Heron is a beautiful quiet and secluded place.