Area & getting there
Twelve Mile Delta 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
- -45.06744, 168.54652 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- Twelve Mile Delta Campsite: published Location coordinates (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- Camping is first come, first served, with no reserved space.
- The DOC Campsite Pass cannot be used here.
- Boil untreated tap water and bring your own cooking setup.
- Dogs must be leashed; avoid pitching beneath trees.
- Location
- Glenorchy Road, 12 km west of Queenstown
- Camping
- 100 non-powered sites; tents, campervans and caravans
- Booking
- First come, first served; no booking required
- Adult fee
- Current canonical DOC page: NZ$15 per person (18+) nightly; reconfirm on arrival
- Pass
- DOC Campsite Pass not accepted
- Facilities
- Non-flush toilets, boat launching and untreated tap water
- Restrictions
- Dogs on a leash; no fires; avoid camping beneath trees
Twelve Mile Delta is an option for a flexible overnight near Queenstown, not a substitute for a guaranteed booking. Its combination of first-come camping and a fee is worth understanding before comparing it with reserved DOC sites.
Plan for an unreserved arrival
DOC lists 100 non-powered sites and first-come access. The campground sits by Twelve-Mile Creek near Lake Wakatipu, around 12 km west of Queenstown on Glenorchy Road.
Decide what you will do if the suitable spaces are taken. A large total site count says little about what remains when your particular vehicle arrives. Keep enough time to move to another authorised option rather than turning a full campground into a late-night search.
Budget separately from the Campsite Pass
The pass cannot be used here. The canonical DOC page checked on 26 September 2026 lists NZ$15 per adult per night; older indexed versions differ, so reconfirm the applicable charge.
Keep campsite payment in the trip budget even when other nights are covered by a pass. Follow the current onsite instructions for how to pay; do not assume a particular payment method or staffed reception. If a fixed overnight is essential, compare the separately bookable Moke Lake campsite, including its own access limitations.
Approach and set up carefully
The road is sealed to the river delta, then becomes narrow gravel around the campsite. DOC advises against camping beneath trees. Take time to check the permitted area and manoeuvring space before unloading equipment.
Non-flush toilets and untreated tap water are listed. Boil the water before use, and bring cooking equipment rather than expecting a shared kitchen. Keep drinking water available for the first meal so arrival does not revolve around finding and preparing a supply.
Keep the evening flexible
Dogs must be leashed and fires are prohibited. Nearby walks include the route towards Bob's Cove and Mt Crichton Loop; check each route independently before starting.
Choose between a short outing and settling into camp based on remaining daylight and the group's energy. A first-come arrival has no fixed setup duration. Review the official Twelve Mile Delta page before travelling.
Source: Department of Conservation; factual information paraphrased under DOC's reuse terms.
Common questions
Does first-come camping mean it is free?
No. DOC lists a camping fee, and the Campsite Pass is excluded. Follow current onsite payment instructions.
Why should I recheck the price?
The canonical page checked on 26 September 2026 states NZ$15 per adult per night, while older indexed versions show a different tariff. Confirm the applicable rate directly rather than relying on a search snippet.
