Lake Māhinapua Campsite

Lake Māhinapua Campsite sits within the Māhinapua Scenic Reserve, just 10 km south of Hokitika on New Zealand’s West Coast. Managed by the Department of Conservation, this lakeside campground offers 100 non-powered tent sites spread across a large grassy area beside the tranquil lake. The reserve was gazetted in 1907 and provides a forested margin around the lake, which was once a coastal lagoon before dune systems transformed it into a shallow inland waterway.

Facilities include flushing toilets, solar showers, running tap water, a cooking shelter with dishwashing stations, and picnic tables. A boat ramp and jetty provide easy access to the lake for kayaking and boating. The campground operates as pack-in, pack-out for rubbish and recycling. Bookings are required and can be made through the DOC website. Access is via a short gravel road off State Highway 6, opposite the Pioneer Hotel.

The lake and surrounding bush support a rich variety of birdlife, including black swans, grey and mallard ducks, and the occasional sighting of the rare bittern and seasonal white herons. The shy fernbird can sometimes be heard flitting through the swampy wetland areas along the lake edge. Several short walks of an hour return or less follow the lakeshore, and the Mahinapua Walkway offers a longer four to five hour return walk along an old logging tramway. The warm, shallow water makes for pleasant swimming and paddling during summer months.