Lake camping: 10 best waterfront sites in New Zealand

Looking for a family-friendly campsite where the kids can swim in calm waters? Or maybe you want a romantic campsite in one of the world’s most scenic settings? Whatever you’re after, you’ll find it on this list of the best lake camping spots in New Zealand!

Each lakeside campsite on this list is stunning and offers outstanding facilities. For each listing, we’ve included the address, price per night and information on the attractions and facilities available.

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Best lake camping in New Zealand: 10 spots to sleep by the shore

North Island

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1. Lake Okareka Campsite - Bay of Plenty

Address: 104/302 Millar Road, Lake Ōkareka, Rotorua 3076 | Price: From $15 per night

Camp on the edge of Lake Okareka, only a 15-minute drive from Rotorua. This is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding. It also forms part of the Lake Ōkāreka walkway, an easy 2.5km track that takes you through native forest, wetlands and a sandy beach.

Facilities include non-flush toilets, a cooking shelter and stream water. There are 12 non-powered sites available. Bookings are not required (first come, first served).

2. Waikaremoana Holiday Park (DOC) - East Coast

Address: 6249 Lake Road (SH38) Te Urewera, 4195 | Price: From $20 per night

Stay at the Waikaremoana Holiday Park, a fantastic DOC campsite on the edge of Lake Waikaremoana within Te Urewera National Park. Spend your day playing in the lake or walking part of the Lake Waikaremoana Track to Aniwaniwa Falls or Bridal Veil Falls.

This campsite is packed with facilities, including hot showers, flush toilets, a cooking shelter, barbeques, tap water, a shop, a dump station, a jetty, boat launching and more. There are 32 powered camping sites available. Bookings can be made through the DOC website.

3. Whakaipo Campsite - Lake Taupo

Address: Kinloch 3385 | Price: Free

Pull up at Whakaipo Campsite on the edge of Lake Taupo, a 10-minute drive from the town centre. Camp in the grassy field and splash around in the crystal clear waters of the lake. Walkers and mountain bikers will want to take on the Whakaipo Bay tracks, which run through the campsite.

Facilities include drop toilets and stream water. All campsites are unpowered. Bookings are not required (first come, first served). Be aware that this campsite is for self-contained vehicles only.

4. Lake Tūtira Campsite - Hawkes Bay

Address: State Highway 2, Tutira 4181 | Price: Free

Stay at the Lake Tūtira Campsite, a popular freshwater hole for fishing, swimming, kayaking and sailing. Discover the abundance of bird life that inhabits the area, walking to Table Mountain Trig (6.3km return) and taking in the sights over coastal Hawke’s Bay.

Facilities include drop toilets and stream water. All campsites are unpowered. Bookings are not required (first come, first served).

5. Rerewhakaaitu (Ash Pit Road Campsite) - Bay of Plenty

Address: 949 Ash Pit Road, Rerewhakaaitu 3073 | Price: From $10 per night

Camp on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu at the Ash Pit Road Campsite, the perfect place to spend a few days birdwatching, fishing, swimming and kayaking. This site is removed from civilization, so you’ll find plenty of peace and quiet.

Facilities include non-flush toilets, cooking shelters, stream water and boat launching. There are 51 unpowered campsites. Bookings can be made through the DOC website.

South Island

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6. Kerr Bay Campsite - Nelson Lakes National Park

Address: Kerr Bay Road, St Arnaud 7072 | Price: $20 per night

Stay at the Kerr Bay Campsite on the edge of Lake Rotoiti in the iconic Nelson Lakes National Park. Spend a day walking the Lake Rotoiti Walkway (23 - 31km return) and see the famous Lake Rotoiti Jetty.

Facilities at the campsite include hot showers, toilets, tap water, a cooking shelter, an electric stove, a dump station and boat launching. There are 10 powered campsites. Bookings are required through the DOC website.

7. Lake Mahinapua Campsite - West Coast

Address: 51B Shanghai Road, Ruatapu 7883 | Price: From $15 per night

Set up camp at the Lake Mahinapua Campsite and surround yourself with forest. This popular spot is perfect for water sports and boating. It was historically a route for paddle steamers to the coast.

Facilities at the campsite include flush toilets, cold showers, a cooking shelter, jetty, boat launching and tap water. There are 100 non-powered sites. Bookings can be made online through the DOC website.

8. Round Bush Camp - Canterbury

Address: Lake Ōhau 9412 | Price: Free

The Round Bush camping ground is one of the most tranquil and scenic in the Canterbury Region. Situated on the edge of Lake Ohau, this site is home to lots of birdlife and is perfect for those wanting to go swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking. Mountains set the backdrop for your view across the lake.

Facilities include long drop toilets, stream water and boat launching. There are 20 non-powered campsites. Bookings are not required (first-come, first-served basis).

9. Kinloch Campsite - Otago

Address: 876 Kinloch Road, Kinloch 9372, New Zealand | Price: $15 per night

Camp at the Kinloch Campsite on the shores of New Zealand’s longest lake - Lake Wakatipu. This scenic spot is surrounded by mountains and has hiking tracks for all levels of fitness. Try the Caples or Greenstone tramping track before taking a dip in the lake and stargazing at night.

Facilities include non-flush toilets, paid heated showers, stream water, boat launching and a jetty. There are 15 non-powered campsites. Bookings are not required (first-come, first-served basis).

10. Henry Creek Campsite - Fiordland National Park

Address: Te Anau Downs 9679 | Price: $15 per night

Stay at the Henry Creek Campsite, right on the edge of the pristine Lake Te Anau in Fiordland National Park. Throw in a line and try your hand at catching a trout. And the best part is that you’re only an hour’s drive from Milford Sound and three of New Zealand’s Great Walks.

Facilities include non-flush toilets and stream water. There are 40 unpowered campsites. Bookings are required through the DOC website.

Discover more lake camping spots

Want to discover even more of the best lake camping spots around New Zealand?

Take a look at our list of the best Lake Tekapo campervan sites and Lake Wanaka camping grounds!

Hire a campervan for your lake camping trip

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