New Zealand Lake Hawea (from Kidds Bush Campsite)

Kidds Bush Campsite is a beautiful DOC campground nestled on the western shores of Lake Hāwea, surrounded by mountain beech forest and spectacular alpine scenery. With its peaceful lakeside setting, crystal-clear water, and easy access to walking tracks, swimming, fishing, and kayaking, it is one of the South Island's most scenic camping destinations.

In the mornings and the evenings, the water can tend to be very calm and easy going which gives you rare reflections on this otherwise quite choppy lake.

Kidds Bush Campsite is located about 40 minutes (32 km) north of Wānaka, accessed via Meads Road off State Highway 6 near The Neck between Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea. The final section is a narrow gravel road, and bookings through the Department of Conservation (DOC) are recommended, especially during the summer holiday season.