Lake Hawea Free Camp — Hotel in South Island

Giving it 5* because the views across the lake are stunning.

Yes the access off the main road is really bad, but once you're past that the ground is good.

This spot comprises 3 small interlinked gravel parking areas overlooking the lake. The tracks interlinking the 3 areas are narrow ish because they are overgrown, but there is room enough for a 7.5M motorhome to drive down, park up and easily turn around. There is level ground within the 2nd & 3rd parking areas. There is also a toilet in the 1st parking area.

This place was full of locals in their vans staying overnight... probably about 10 in total.. so we decided it was safe enough to join them and none of us were disturbed overnight.

There are x3 signs which say "no camping BEYOND THIS POINT". These signs are positioned on the x3 access tracks leading from the x3 parking areas down to the shorefront of the lake. This is because there are birds nesting in the bushes on the shorefront between Aug-Jan. From the car park you can see the birds flying and it's really beautiful.

When we visited in November 24, the water level was very high..nearly up as far as the signs,.but a local told us that at other times of the year its very low and there is a substantial "beach" around the edge of the lake.

Conclusion..Be respectful and stay behind the signs. Clear up after yourself and you will be fine...

This is Lake Hawea's best kept secret, and it shouldn't be. Don't be put off by the entrance, just drive past the long drop loo and over the rise, you fill find multiple bays to park in, and yes it's all permitted under the lakes free camping rules. If I can get a 7.5 metre camper in there, you should be fine. Enjoyed a great night stay, and I will use it again if I'm ever back there. Just stay clear of the beach and...

Found the campsite, pretty sure self contained camping is permitted here, unfortunately we woke up to someone messing with our van door handles acouple times so ended up driving back to albet town camp around 3:30am. Drive way Is pretty rough but passable. Track gets better...