Area & getting there
Lake Mahinapua Campsite
DOC's published campsite reference point, not a surveyed entrance or individual pitch.
Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)Location source & precision
- Reference coordinates
- -42.79468, 170.90106 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- Lake Mahinapua Campsite: published Location coordinates (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- Book with DOC before arrival, including when using a Campsite Pass.
- Cold showers and flush toilets are listed; hot showers are not confirmed.
- Boil the untreated tap water before use.
- Dogs need a DOC permit; take rubbish and recycling away.
- Location
- Lake Mahinapua, 10 km south of Hokitika
- Camping
- 100 non-powered sites; tents, campervans and caravans
- Adult fee
- NZ$18 per person (18+) per night; confirm with DOC
- Facilities
- Cold showers, flush toilets, cooking shelter, jetty and boat launching
- Water
- Untreated taps; boil before use
- Dogs and fires
- Dogs by DOC permit only; no fires
Lake Mahinapua suits a lakeside overnight stop when you want a few basic washing facilities without booking a serviced holiday park. Make the decision around water, sleeping arrangements and your group's evening routine, not simply the photograph of the lake.
Choose the right level of comfort
DOC confirms cold showers, flush toilets and a cooking shelter. Think of the shelter as weather cover: bring your own stove, cookware and washing-up arrangement rather than expecting kitchen appliances. A shower filter match here means a cold shower, which may be an important distinction for children or anyone arriving after a wet day.
Keep dry sleeping clothes separate from the bag you use for swimming or washing. That small packing choice can matter more than bringing extra bulky equipment.
Reserve and organise arrival
The current adult rate is NZ$18 per night, and reservations are required. The approach leaves SH6 about 10 km south of Hokitika, with the camping area at the end of Lake Mahinapua Access Road.
Save your confirmation and the final turn-off instructions before driving. Set aside time to choose a suitable position, unpack food and establish the sleeping area before adding an evening activity. A reserved stay does not promise a particular lake-facing pitch.
Water and waste
The taps are untreated; DOC instructs campers to boil the water. Arrive with drinking water so preparing a meal does not depend on finding the tap and heating water immediately.
There are no rubbish or recycling facilities. Allocate separate sealed containers for food waste and recyclables before leaving home, and keep that storage accessible when the vehicle is packed. Our camping preparation guide helps compare these practical needs with other options.
Dogs and lakeside plans
Dogs require a DOC permit and fires are prohibited. A booking receipt is not evidence of dog permission, so settle that question before committing to transport.
Leave space in the itinerary for changing the day's activity. A lakeside address is an invitation to consider the water, not an assessment that conditions suit your group. Check the official listing again before departure.
Source: Department of Conservation; factual information paraphrased under DOC's reuse terms.
Common questions
Are the showers hot?
DOC lists cold showers. Do not plan around a hot-water service that has not been confirmed.
Does my campsite booking cover a dog?
No. The listing requires a separate DOC dog permit; obtain it before visiting.
