Lake Dunstan / Bendigo
Overnight Campervan Parking
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Lake Dunstan / Bendigo
These camping areas are free for everyone to enjoy, if they follow some simple guidelines.
These include:
not lighting fires
using the rubbish bins provided
not exceeding the maximum night stay.
Three night maximum stay.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Toitū Te Whenua (LINZ)Central government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Cromwell |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Google Maps
Nearby
Reviews
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Stunning lake views -
Ample parking space
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Clean toilets available
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Quiet atmosphere
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Road noise can be intense -
Limited drinking water
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Occasional dirty toilets
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Neat toilets.
Jorian -
Nice free place to stay for free.
Udo Wagner -
Great views, lots of space if you arrive early.
Diana -
Great view.
Michael LaPorte -
Great place, some mosquito, pit toilet
Nina
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10 people might be there overnight even in the busy season.
Heaps of room for maybe 50+ cars and campers, but only
There are two sets of toilets. Beautiful view across the lake.
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Really nice Spot.
Great Views over the Lake. Next to the Road, easy access and big enough for all kind of vehicle. Toilet was ok, no lights in the night. Take a headlamp with you. Some Rubbish bins are there.
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Nice spot with great view of lake Dunstan.
Has ample parking space and also allows non self-confained cars to stay. Toilet is clean and doesn't smell. The spot is also right beside SH8, so it is quite accessible even if there is an emergency.
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Great spot little bit of road noise main toilets block open.
Other long drops shut for winter plenty of room and we had great views of the lake
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Very nice place to stay for a night.
Yes, the road is close but it didn’t bother our sleep. Clean toilet.
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Really nice place just at the lake.
Quite a lot of space available but also quite busy in March. It’s super dusty though. During our stay it was very windy so the dust went everywhere and we had a shaky night in the van. Toilets were dirty and the doors didn’t really stay shut because of the wind. Good phone reception.
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On the night of 2nd January 2025 a group of young drunk kiwi almost lit on fire a Jucy van with fireworks.
Firefighters came and woke up probably all the campground at 1 am, or at least the people who weren't still awake cause of the noise of these kids.
Me and many others left the campground after the fact.
This is one of the reasons why freedom campsite are closed.
Thanks young irresponsible kids.
The view from the campground is great though.
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We found out time here relaxing, sleeping in our tent, just being one with nature, yes there’s bugs but wasn’t bad.
Road noise but didn’t bother us too much. Drop toilet closest to us had a busted door hinge so couldn’t secure it while using, also take your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser to avoid an awkward moment. Wish there was a donation box system, would so donate for upkeep of this site.
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Gorgeous spot with plenty of space between neighbours.
Clean block of 4 flush toilets plus drip toilets dotted along the site.
Views of the lake are stunning, can imagine it gets quite busy although its a long site along the river bank so there's plenty of space
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Really nice spots with lots of space, great view over lake.
One toilet with water and a couple of drop toilets.
You do hear the busy road traffic sounds but it's not that bad.
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Beautiful spot, great views over the lake.
As others mention a bit of noise from the road, but nice, friendly vibe: I was comfortable being there as a tent camping, solo, female, Tent spaces are best in area by the picnic benches, a sign by the toilet block suggests 2 other areas but very rocky and uneven sloping ground.
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Nice spot at the Lake.
Plenty of room and toilets available. No drinking water, but place is free
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We like this better than Lowburn on the other side of the lake .
Much quieter and picturesque. Clean flush toilets and two long drop. A good map by the main toilet block clearly shows where you can camp. A bit of road noise . But clean and tidy. We walked 1 km to the Rocky Point pottery shop . A small amount of Colin Pledgers( now deceased )pottery still for sale. His lovely wife took time to tell of the interesting history. A little further Bendigo loop road is worth exploring with historical remnants of gold mining days and now great thriving vineyards .
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There was no wifi like in the comments and the toilets are out of order.
Nice spot tho inbetween eucalyptus trees unless the noise from the highway ä.
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10 people might be there overnight even in the busy season.
Heaps of room for maybe 50+ cars and campers, but only
There are two sets of toilets. Beautiful view across the lake.
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Really nice Spot.
Great Views over the Lake. Next to the Road, easy access and big enough for all kind of vehicle. Toilet was ok, no lights in the night. Take a headlamp with you. Some Rubbish bins are there.
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Nice spot with great view of lake Dunstan.
Has ample parking space and also allows non self-confained cars to stay. Toilet is clean and doesn't smell. The spot is also right beside SH8, so it is quite accessible even if there is an emergency.
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Very nice place to stay for a night.
Yes, the road is close but it didn’t bother our sleep. Clean toilet.
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Great spot little bit of road noise main toilets block open.
Other long drops shut for winter plenty of room and we had great views of the lake
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Really nice place just at the lake.
Quite a lot of space available but also quite busy in March. It’s super dusty though. During our stay it was very windy so the dust went everywhere and we had a shaky night in the van. Toilets were dirty and the doors didn’t really stay shut because of the wind. Good phone reception.
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On the night of 2nd January 2025 a group of young drunk kiwi almost lit on fire a Jucy van with fireworks.
Firefighters came and woke up probably all the campground at 1 am, or at least the people who weren't still awake cause of the noise of these kids.
Me and many others left the campground after the fact.
This is one of the reasons why freedom campsite are closed.
Thanks young irresponsible kids.
The view from the campground is great though.
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We found out time here relaxing, sleeping in our tent, just being one with nature, yes there’s bugs but wasn’t bad.
Road noise but didn’t bother us too much. Drop toilet closest to us had a busted door hinge so couldn’t secure it while using, also take your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser to avoid an awkward moment. Wish there was a donation box system, would so donate for upkeep of this site.
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Gorgeous spot with plenty of space between neighbours.
Clean block of 4 flush toilets plus drip toilets dotted along the site.
Views of the lake are stunning, can imagine it gets quite busy although its a long site along the river bank so there's plenty of space
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Really nice spots with lots of space, great view over lake.
One toilet with water and a couple of drop toilets.
You do hear the busy road traffic sounds but it's not that bad.
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Beautiful spot, great views over the lake.
As others mention a bit of noise from the road, but nice, friendly vibe: I was comfortable being there as a tent camping, solo, female, Tent spaces are best in area by the picnic benches, a sign by the toilet block suggests 2 other areas but very rocky and uneven sloping ground.
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Nice spot at the Lake.
Plenty of room and toilets available. No drinking water, but place is free
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We like this better than Lowburn on the other side of the lake .
Much quieter and picturesque. Clean flush toilets and two long drop. A good map by the main toilet block clearly shows where you can camp. A bit of road noise . But clean and tidy. We walked 1 km to the Rocky Point pottery shop . A small amount of Colin Pledgers( now deceased )pottery still for sale. His lovely wife took time to tell of the interesting history. A little further Bendigo loop road is worth exploring with historical remnants of gold mining days and now great thriving vineyards .
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Neat toilets.
Place for at least 50 vans. Legendary sunsets. Only the road noise can be intense
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Great views of the lake (if you’re into birdwatching you’ll love it!), clean toilets and lots of space!
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