Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite
Hāwea Conservation Park • Otago
Alerts
Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.
- About
- Camp alongside Lake Hāwea in a large, grassy area with good shade from mountain beech trees. Walk along the lake shore, go fishing or swimming.
- Facilities
- Boat launching
- Non-powered/tent sites
- Shelter for cooking
- Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
- Wheelchair accessible with assistance
- Toilets - non-flush
- Toilets
- Water supply
- Activities
- Fishing, Swimming, Walking and tramping
- Dogs
- No dogs.
- Landscape
- Rivers and lakes
- Access
- Boat, Campervan, Car, Caravan
- Unpowered sites
- 40
Fees and bookings
Fees
This campsite is very busy and often booked out between Boxing Day and early February. Book well in advance and have an alternative campsite planned if this one is full. Alternative DOC campsites:
- Cameron Flat Campsite 15 min north of Makarora township on SH6
- Pleasant Flat Campsite 45 km east of Haast on SH6
- Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
- Child (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
- Infant (0 - 4 years): free
Passes
The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite.
Campsite Pass bookings must be booked online before occupying a site. If you do not book, bookings may be made by campground staff (if present) and will incur a $10 service charge. Sites may not be available if you do not book.
Bookings
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027.
- If no availability shows online for your dates, the campsite is fully booked.
- No spaces are kept for campers arriving without a booking.
- Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
- Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.
Book Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite online.
Your booking will be for a site, which will be allocated or selected on arrival.
Getting there
The campsite is located on the shore of Lake Hāwea on Meads Road, 40 min (32 km) north of Wānaka off SH6.
Meads Road is a gravel road and is narrow and steep in places. It is not suitable for large campervans.
Location
Grid reference: NZTM2000, E1302511-N5072411
Latitude: -44.4411771, Longitude: 169.26180602
Know before you go
For your safety, we recommend not camping under the trees at this campsite.
Kidds Bush Campsite has portable toilets until a new toilet block is built.
Activities
Kidds Bush Nature Walk starts from the campsite.
Nearby
Weather
Forecast at the campsite