Location

Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite is situated about 30 minutes from Hāwea, 40 minutes from Makarora, and 45 minutes from Wānaka.

Located on the shore of Lake Hāwea, this is a large, grassy campsite with shade provided by mountain beech trees.

As well as providing great access for water sports, the Sawyer Burn track begins at the campsite, and there are several other popular walks and hikes nearby.

Facilities are basic: there is a shelter for cooking, all sites are unpowered, and there are currently portable toilets at the site.

Dates

Volunteer for one week in December or January this 2026/27 summer.

The following dates are available:

• 14 – 21 December 2026
• 21 – 28 December 2026
• 28 December 2026 – 4 January 2027
• 4 – 11 January 2027
• 11 – 18 January 2027
• 18 – 25 January 2027
• 25 January 2027 – 1 February 2027

Tasks

Your duties will usually take about 2-3 hours a day depending on how busy the campground is. These include:

• making visitors feel welcome and answering their questions
• checking camp bookings and collecting camp fees
• checking in with Tititea/Mount Aspiring Visitor Centre at 8:30 am by phone each day.
• picking up rubbish from around the campground
• reporting maintenance and compliance matters to DOC staff

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy.

What to expect

We are seeking pairs of volunteer hosts, including friends, couples and families.

Age: You must be aged 20 or over.

Fitness: Low level of fitness required.

Skills required: You'll need to communicate with a range of people in a friendly manner and have a practical outlook. Preferably you will have some experience relevant to this opportunity.

Food and fuel reimbursement: Each volunteer pair will receive vouchers to the value of $100 as a contribution to grocery and fuel costs.

Dogs: Dogs and other domestic animals are not allowed at Kidds Bush campsite.

Insurance: DOC cannot pay for any medical costs or loss of personal equipment incurred during your stay. If you're an international volunteer we strongly recommend travel insurance.

What to bring

You need to be fully prepared for a week of camping. Applicants that don't have adequate gear will not be allowed to host. You will need to bring the following:

• own caravan/campervan/tent
• cooking equipment: cooker, plates, utensils, pots, etc
• wet weather gear
• warm clothing
• insect repellent
• sun protection
• walking shoes/boots, shoes for around camp
• torch (head torch and hand torch would be wise)
• personal medication/toiletries, including anti-histamines.

Optional:

• hiking gear, for example day pack, water bottle
• water sports gear, for example swimsuits, kayak, paddleboard, or boat.

What will be provided:

• free designated campsite (unpowered) for the week
• full induction and health and safety briefing by DOC ranger
• DOC camp host identification
• daily camp booking details
• Eftpos machine
• litter picker, rubbish bags, and gloves.

How to apply

Register your interest by filling out our online application form.

We are looking for volunteer hosts to apply in pairs. Each person must complete their own application and select the same hosting dates.

Commitment

Once you have confirmed that you will volunteer, we'll be relying on you to proceed with the position. Only apply if you can make the commitment – last minute cancellations and no-shows put us in a difficult situation.

We'll view applications and assign weeks as they come in and space is available. Camp host positions are popular so we can't guarantee that you'll get a place this season.