Waitaki Lakes Camping

01/11/2026

OUR PARKS, RESERVES AND OPEN SPACES 🌳

How should we care for Waitaki's parks, reserves and open spaces over the next 20 years? It's an important question, and one we want our community to help answer.

We've developed a draft 20-year Open Space and Recreation Strategy to guide how we care for these places, meet our changing community's needs and make the best use of the land we manage.

Alongside this, we're reviewing our parks and reserves landholdings, with a review of our Reserves Management Plan to follow. These decisions will shape our district for generations to come, and we're inviting your feedback on the draft strategy now, open until 29 November, with an opportunity to have your say on the management plan next year.

We’ll also be out in your communities’ open spaces with pop-up Let’s Talk stands to chat about the draft Strategy during the next few weeks. You’ll find us at the following places:

Saturday 7 November, Palmerston Park Run, East Otago High School - 8am - 10am
Saturday 14 November, Ōamaru Park Run, Ōamaru Public Gardens - 8am - 10am
Saturday 21 November, Otematata Shopping Centre - 9am – 11am

You can find the draft strategy, supporting information and the feedback survey on our Let’s Talk webpage: https://www.letstalk.waitaki.govt.nz/

30/10/2026

Our dump stations at Parsons Rock, Boat Harbour, Wildlife, Sailors Cutting, Falstone Creek, and Omarama are designed for one job:

✅ Caravan toilet waste
❌ Mystery objects
❌ Household rubbish
❌ "It'll probably be fine" items

Recently, the Wildlife Campground dump station was blocked by a rather unusual item that certainly wasn't meant to be there.

Please remember: if it didn't come from your caravan or campervan waste system, it doesn't belong in the dump station. Our Camp Supervisor already has plenty to do without having to investigate surprise blockages!

Thanks for doing your bit to keep our facilities operating smoothly for all campers. 😊

06/10/2026

Its nearly Labour weekend again and this is an important reminder: As per the last few years at Labour weekend, an alcohol ban will be in effect in Otematata from 5pm Friday 24th through to 12am Tuesday 28th. The ban covers Wildlife campground north side, Loch Laird Road (both sides), Loch Laird peninsula, and the upper terrace of Loch Laird campground. Lower terrace camping area is excluded - check the map for details.

23/09/2026

If you are up camping at the lakes during the season and a library member, don't forget about the Waitaki District Libraries community libraries at Otematata and Omarama - check the library website for opening times. Perfect to grab a lakeside read in the sun!

With the Waitaki Lakes Camping opening tomorrow, it’s a great time to remind visitors and locals that both Otematata and Omarama community libraries are open on Saturdays and ready to help you stock up on holiday reading.

You can borrow books, or return items, o while you’re in town — easy, friendly, and right where you need them.

Otematata Community Library
Lakes Centre, West Road, Otematata — entrance around the back at the east end of the building, with parking right outside. After-hours returns are available via the drop box next to the front door.

Omarama Community Library
35 Chain Hills Highway, inside the Omarama Community Hall — a small, light-filled library full of heart and stories.

Both libraries offer adult fiction and non-fiction, children’s and youth collections, large print books, audiobooks, Council information, and more.
Can’t find what you’re after? Just ask one of the friendly volunteers — items can be brought in from another Waitaki library for you.

Not a member yet? Pop in and sign up to enjoy access to Waitaki District Libraries. Join during September and you’ll go in the draw to win.
A big thank you to the wonderful volunteers who make these community libraries welcoming places for everyone.

Whether you’re camping, travelling through, or enjoying a day by the lakes, call in, say hello, and take a good read with you.

16/09/2026

This Saturday is the big day and we know you're just as excited as we are! To make sure everything runs smoothly and safely, especially on Saturday morning, here are a few important things to keep in mind:

✅All campers are welcome to stay in Loch Laird top paddock on Friday night. Our team will help manage this to keep things flowing.
✅Camps open at 8am on Saturday morning – please don’t congregate around entrances or on roads.
✅Campers must have their ticket prior to setting up their site. Make sure your camping tickets and boat ramp passes are clearly visible at all times.
✅First In, First Served - we don’t reserve sites – but please enter sites in an orderly fashion, and no running ahead of those queuing.
✅Please be respectful to others as you wait to enter the campgrounds – remember these will be your fellow campers.

The weather at this stage is looking reasonable with perhaps some wind (which is very normal!). However, it can be changeable at this time of year so make sure you are well prepared.

Please be sensible when towing, drive carefully, and be considerate of others on the road and in the campgrounds. Kids will be around, so keep your speed down.

Most of all, have a fantastic opening weekend and summer season!

If you have any issues, please contact the Camp Manager – we’re here to help!

08/09/2026

Less than 2 weeks till opening - time to get ready to reconnect with your summer crew

We will have more information on opening weekend logistics next week

And if you haven’t got your season ticket yet - you better get one

https://au.openforms.com/Form/538d8067-492b-4aca-85d6-7b892bb7cdfb

03/09/2026

With less than three weeks to go until opening weekend at the Waitaki Lakes Camping grounds, its a good time to check your gear, make sure you have everything you need to make summer this year the best it can be (and maybe make sure the kids haven’t left something unrecognisable stuffed in a box somewhere!! )

We all have a favourites things to take to the lakes with us - let us know what your ‘can’t live without' piece of camping equipment is?

27/08/2026

At the Waitaki Lakes, there are a few things you can count on:

Great views, Good times on the water, and of course…
a nor'wester turning up sooner or later!

Don't let the wind win:
✅ Add extra pegs (longer pegs are even better!)
✅ Angle pegs steeply for a stronger hold
✅ Use extra guy ropes where needed
✅ Park vehicles to help block the wind
✅ Pack away gear before it becomes airborne
✅ If strong winds are coming, pull down shelters and awnings early - make sure you are checking the forecast.

Pro tip: The early bird catches the calm water, so get the boat out before the wind arrives, the best skiing often happens earlier in the day

Stay safe, stay prepared, and enjoy everything our stunning lakes have to offer.

24/08/2026

It’s time to reconnect with the water - boat ramps tickets run for the full year - get in while there's some settled weather ⛅️

https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Facilities/Parks-and-Recreation/Camping/Waitaki-lakes-camping