South Arm Campsite – Basic Camping at Lake Manapouri, Fiordland

South Arm Campsite (Lake Manapouri)

Fiordland National Park

3.3 3 reviews

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South Arm Campsite (Lake Manapouri)

This is a basic campsite in a beautiful setting surrounded by beech forest on Lake Manapouri, Fiordland National Park. Access by boat or via Borland Road.

Borland Road is closed between Grebe Lookout and South Arm due to slip damage beyond this point.

Notices

Borland Road partially open

Borland road is open from Borland Lodge to the Grebe Lookout. The road is closed from Grebe Lookout to South Arm Manapouri.

South Arm campsite is not accessible by car.
First published on 30 May 2025. Last reviewed on 1 May 2026.

DOC Campsite Pricing

South Arm Campsite (Lake Manapouri) is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	$0.00 per night
Unpowered Site	Child	$0.00 per night
Unpowered Site	Infant	$0.00 per night

Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Fiordland

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Manapouri

Categories

Basic Camping

Operating Season And Hours

Bookings are not required; sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Borland Road access may be subject to closure at any time.

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-45.5854226622093

167.372381591797

Latitude
-45.5854226622093
Longitude
167.372381591797

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Free Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.
Overnight Stay Rules	Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must have either a 'blue warrant' certificate of self-containment, or a 'green warrant' certificate of self-containment.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must have either a 'blue warrant' certificate of self-containment, or a 'green warrant' certificate of self-containment.
Campsite Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Maximum Sites Available	6 to 10 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. From the river	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. From the river
Booking Required	First Come, First Served Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.
Powered Sites	No powered sites Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.	Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Dogs	No dogs allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.
Vehicle Access	Vehicle accessible Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle.	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Basic Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.

Reviews

3.3 3 Reviews Analysis
Borland Road is closed between Grebe Lookout and South Arm due to slip damage beyond this point.
14/11/2024

First published on 3 November 2024.

Reviewed over 1 year ago

Ian
A beautiful spot, the road in isn't for the faint hearted and is best suited to 4x4, definitely not suitable for large or towing vehicles.
A beautiful spot, the road in isn't for the faint hearted and is best suited to 4x4, definitely not suitable for large or towing vehicles. The sandflies are horrendous so come prepared, and also come prepared for Fiordland weather. My only negative is the long-drop toilet was pretty nasty!

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2021

Tony Kissell
Would give it 0 if I could.
We got to a certain point and there was a sign saying you can’t go down the road towards the campsite unless you have a 4x4. It should be there sooner to stop you wasting your time. Don’t bother going.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020

Peter

South Arm Campsite (Lake Manapouri...

South Arm Campsite (Lake Manapouri)

Fiordland National Park

Information

South Arm Campsite (Lake Manapouri)

Notices

Borland Road partially open

DOC Campsite Pricing

DOC Basic Campsite

Details

DOC Fiordland

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Stay Rules

Overnight Stay Rules

Campsite Managing Organisation

Campsite Managing Organisation

Payment Requirement

Payment Requirement

Maximum Sites Available

Maximum Sites Available

Water Supply

Water Supply

Booking Required

Booking Required

Powered Sites

Powered Sites

Large Vehicle Access

Large Vehicle Access

Dogs

Dogs

Vehicle Access

Vehicle Access

DOC Campsite Category

DOC Campsite Category

Reviews