Camping Gear Must-Haves

Shelter and Bedding

• Tent: Choose a sturdy, weather-appropriate tent that has enough space for everyone coming. If you don’t have your own tent (or if camping isn’t really your thing), check out our glamping options.
• Sleeping Bag: Opt for lightweight sleeping bags suited to New Zealand’s summer nights.
• Sleeping Mat or Air Mattress: These are a game changer to your sleep when camping. You can drive right up to your own camp site, so it doesn’t have to pack down super small.
• Pillows and Blankets: Don’t forget these extras for a cozy night under the stars or for when you’re eating s’mores by the fire pit.

Cooking Equipment

• Portable Stove or BBQ: If you’re planning to cook meals when you’re camping, you’ll need one of these. A portable stove is great for boiling some water. Buuut, if you fancy a wood-fired pizza, some tacos or treating yourself to a s’mores dip, you can find that all at The Food Truck on site.
• Cooking Utensils: Pack lightweight pots, pans, and cutlery. There’s plenty of food options nearby (including coffee on site), but plan to try and only take utensils you’ll know you will use.
• Cooler or Chilly Bin: Summer at Lake Hāwea can be hot, so make sure you’ve got something to keep food and drinks fresh.
• Reusable Plates, Bowls, and Cups: Eco-friendly options are ideal and easy to come across.
• Dish Soap and Sponge: Don’t forget cleaning supplies – you just need the basics.

Clothing Essentials

Layers for Comfort

• Lightweight Clothing: Pack breathable fabrics for daytime activities. Merino wool base layers provide great warmth, are anti-odour and fire repellent.

• Swimwear: The Camp is nestled right on the shorefront – it’d be rude not to take a dip while you’re here! The Secret Sauna is also located at The Camp. If you’re game enough, you can even cold plunge in the lake after your sauna! You can rent out the whole sauna, or take a spot in a public session.

• Warm Layers: The days might be warm, but the evenings can get chilly. Make sure you pack a fleece or warm jacket for after the sun goes down.
• Waterproof Jacket: Be prepared for sudden summer showers when visiting New Zealand. A raincoat is a must, especially if you’re planning on any hiking.
• Footwear: Hiking boots or sneakers are a must for exploring trails. Sandals are another great option for summer days if you plan to spend lots of time by the water.
• Sun Hat and Sunglasses: Regardless on your adventures planned during your stay in Hāwea, this one is a must have.

Adventure Accessories

Outdoor Activity Gear

• Water Activities Gear: Don’t forget to bring your kayak, paddleboard, and snorkelling gear for the kids. With the water right there, it’s the perfect spot to get in some lake time.
• Fishing Gear: Lake Hāwea is a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts – you’ll find Quinnat Salmon, Brown and Rainbow Trout in the lake here. You can get a rod, lures and fishing licence from The Camp office, and there’s even a hot smoker on site. If you want to go further afield, we offer a huge range of fishing packages too.
• Binoculars: If you’ve got them, definitely bring them – they’re perfect for wildlife spotting or enjoying panoramic views.
• Camera: Most of us nowadays use our phones, but there’s something that hots different about bringing the actual camera on holiday. Capture memories of your time with arguably one of the best views for the background.

Safety and First Aid

Health and Safety Essentials

• First Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and any personal medications. If you notice you’re missing something, check out The Camp office – we try to predict what you might have forgotten.
• Sunscreen and Insect Repellent: Stay protected from the sun and bugs. Make sure you bring a quality sun screen that is water repellent.
• Reusable Water Bottles: We’ve got water refill stations scattered around The Camp to help reduce plastic waste.
• Torch or Headlamp: For navigating your campsite at night – it’s always helpful when you’re camping overnight!

Entertainment and Relaxation

Leisure Items

• Books or E-Readers: If you’re a reader, this one is a must. Enjoy some quiet reading time by the lake at sunset or in the chair by your tent, cozy with blanket and hot chocolate, depending on the time of day. A great activity for the kids is drawing too.
• Board Games or Cards: If you’ve got a group of people, this is a great way to spend some quality time when the sun starts to leave for the day.
• Stargazing Gear: Here in Hāwea, our light pollution is very low, which means it’s the perfect place to startgaze when you’re camping. Grab a blanket (and binoculars or telescope, if you’ve got one) for enjoying Lake Hāwea’s clear night skies.

Eco-Friendly Camping Tips

Minimize Your Impact

• Reusable Containers: They always come in handy to store food and reduce waste.
• Biodegradable Soap: Use eco-friendly products for washing dishes and yourself.
• Trash Bags: Leave no trace by packing out all your rubbish. We’ve got recycling on site, so there’s no excuse. Help us to keep our beautiful place the same for future generations!

Now that you’ve got your checklist, you’re all set for an unforgettable summer camping experience at Lake Hāwea. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or simply looking to relax by the lake, The Camp offers everything you need for a memorable getaway.

Ready to start your summer adventure? Book your stay at The Camp today and let the magic of Lake Hāwea take care of the rest.

Book Your Stay

The Christmas and New Year periods are our busiest time of the year and we don’t want you to miss out on the back-to-nature holiday of a lifetime, so please read the following carefully to ensure you don’t miss your spot for next year!

Repeat and regular campers:

For our repeat campers bookings for the 2024/25 Christmas and New Year period must be made prior to March 31 2024 after your stay this season.

NOTE: If you are a regular camper, your spot will not be reserved unless you call or email us direct to rebook for the following season.

NEW campers

For NEW campers, please call or email us direct to book AFTER 1 April 2024. We will not take bookings prior to this date.

Please note that we only take direct bookings for this period so please contact us either by email (stay@thecamp.co.nz) or book direct by calling us on +64 (0)3 443 1767

Have a great summer season for 2023 / 2024 everyone! We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Kids feeling restless and ready for some adventure? Looks like it’s about that time to plan a family trip. And while we know that it can be a massive challenge keeping even the littlest ones happy, we’ve got some tips and tricks for you to make sure that your family holiday to The Camp goes down as one of the family favourites. 

Keep it classic

We all remember going camping with the family when we were young. Helping our parents set up the tent, rolling out our sleeping bags and snuggling in at night listening to the crackling fire pit and the hum of the crickets.

The Camp takes that incredible family vacation vibe and elevates it. With accommodation options like Bell Tents, Denver Tents and Safari Tents for glamping, as well as tiny homes, cabins and good old fashioned tent sites, kids will love this new-age style of family camping.

Let the kids explore

The Camp’s grounds are a wonder for the kids. From the playground, to the lake, to the forest, there’s so much to discover. Even inside our glamping tents, there’s always little nooks just waiting to found by the tiniest explorers.

Activities for all

In Lake Hawea, there’s no shortage of awesome family activities. Check out fishing, boating and or hang at the lake. If you’re looking to get out for a family friendly day mission, there are tons of incredible hikes in the region or bike trails – check out the Department of Conservation website for details. Or maybe you’re up for a little friendly competition, in that case, bring the crew over to the Lake Hawea Disc Golf course. You can even rent discs at The Hub here at The Camp.

Eats to please

All this adventure, and you know that the family is going to be hungry. At The Food Truck + Bar, found on-site at the Camp, you can get delicious brewpub eats like burgers, fried chicken and (a crowd favourite) wood-fired pizzas. For Mum and Dad, don’t forget that we serve beautiful local wines and unique craft beers. Be sure to check out our website for the most up-to-date days and hours that The Food Truck + Bar is open.

Ready to book your family trip? Check out our accomodation options.

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