Cromwell is a town 60 km from Queenstown and 53 km from Wanaka, with some designated freedom camping sites. So that makes it a great place to park up for a few nights! Here’s how to avoid fines and camp responsibly.
Cromwell is surrounded by beautiful scenery. The area around it has highly productive land including some of New Zealand’s finest orchards and vineyards. At approximately 120km either side, Cromwell is one of the furthest points you could be from the sea in New Zealand.
Cromwell Freedom Camping Sites
If you check the CamperMate app, you will find a freedom camping site at Lowburn Harbour, next to Lake Dunstan near Cromwell. This is a designated freedom campsite provided by the Central Otago District Council. So, there are some extra bylaws you’ll need to look at.
Lowburn is around 5 minutes drive from Cromwell, within walking distance to the shops, cafes and restaurants, which is rare for freedom camping sites!
At the time of writing, self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles can stay for a maximum of three nights. However, it always pays to check for any changes to the freedom camping rules, which is easily done in your CamperMate app.
The Lowburn Harbour freedom camping site is quite a social place if you want it to be. It isn’t quite as social as say the Reids Farm campsite near Taupo, but a place where you can leisurely stroll over to a neighbour and strike up a conversation. Perhaps it’s because there’s quite a bit of space here.
At the same time, it’s possible just to find your own area parking here and not interact. That may rely on the time of year, however! Either way, this is one very beautiful freedom campsite right on the edge of Lake Dunstan.
Arriving at Lowburn Harbour Freedom Camping Site
As you pull in, you’ll see the large gravel parking area. The building on the right is the toilet block.
If it wasn’t for that toilet block, non-self contained campervans wouldn’t be allowed to stay here. So, be grateful and responsible!
If you’re lucky, you can get one of the spots by the picnic tables. There’s also a BBQ.
At the time of writing, there are no rubbish bins at Cromwell’s Lowburn Freedom Camping site, So, remember to take your rubbish out with you! Or look for rubbish bins and add them to the CamperMate app!
Overall, Lowburn Freedom Camping Site near Cromwell is a top-notch spot. Trout and Salmon fishing here is seasonally available. Kayaking or boating is completely possible, so if that’s your thing, bring them along! Plus, you get all the benefits of being close to plenty of vineyards and wineries!
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