Fires are not allowed at any time. See fire rules on conservation land.
Fees
Free.
Lake Tennyson Campsite is accessed from the Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Road (Rainbow Road).
From Hamner Springs: Follow Clarence Valley Road, then turn left into Tophouse Road, which becomes Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Road. Follow this to the signposted turn off to Lake Tennyson. This road is suitable for cars but not for vehicles over 7 m long.
From St Arnaud: Turn off SH63 onto Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Road. Follow this to the signposted turn off to Lake Tennyson. This is a 4WD toll road with access restrictions – see the Rainbow Station for details.
Location
Grid reference: NZTM2000, E1578509-N5326736
Latitude: -42.21124721, Longitude: 172.73963927
Keep alpine lakes and tarns free of lindavia (lake snow)
The invasive alga lindavia is present in Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. It causes lake snow – a sticky mucus that hangs below the surface of the water.
Make sure all your gear is completely dry for 48 hours before swimming or taking water from any alpine lake or tarn, including Rotomaninitua/Lake Angelus.
Use a biosecurity cleaning station at Coldwater Hut, Lakehead Hut and Sabine Hut to disinfect any boots, socks, clothing, towels or drink bottles that are wet or damp from lake or river water.
Do not touch the water in Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake and Rotopōhueroa/Lake Constance.
Be extra careful if you’ve recently swum or filled a drink bottle from Lakes Rotoiti or Rotoroa.
Nelson Lakes National Park Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 521 1806 |
| Email: | nelsonlakesvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | View Road St Arnaud 7072 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |
Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
| Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |