Campground · Fiordland National Park
Tiny riverside DOC camp with big Eglinton Valley views
Overview
A tiny DOC campsite tucked into the Eglinton Valley, Mackay Creek is the kind of low-key, riverside stop that rewards simplicity: big mountain-and-valley views, a clear creek, and a quiet night under Fiordland’s skies. It’s a great halfway pause on the Milford Road if you value space and scenery over facilities.
This is one of the quieter Milford Road camps, with direct access to the creek and valley views right from your tent or van. Anglers appreciate the easy fly-fishing access; non-anglers will still enjoy short wanders from camp and a tranquil evening backdrop.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhat Makes It DifferentMap
Local know-how
Arrive early—only about six sites and they go fast in summer.
Bring a filter or tablets; water is from the stream only.
Carry sandfly repellent and cover up at dusk.
Have cash for the honesty box; a ranger may also collect payment.
Check the DOC page for current status, fees, and any fire bans.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Fiordland Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Fiordland National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Fiordland audio tourRecorded for this place
Mackay Creek: Quiet Camp with Big Views“That small campground there is Mackay Creek. It's one of the quieter DOC camps, with just a handful of sites right on the open valley floor.”
Plays as you drive up to Mackay Creek Campsite in the Parkwolf Fiordland Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
The campground sits on the valley floor near the Eglinton River/creek, with open views to the surrounding peaks and pockets of beech. In summer, lupins add a splash of color along the banks. With only a handful of spots, it stays peaceful compared to larger road-access camps nearby—perfect if you’re after solitude.
You’re camping in classic Fiordland habitat—beech forest, river flats, and alpine walls—so expect native birdlife around camp and trout in the river. At dusk and dawn, the valley comes alive, though sandflies do too, so come prepared.
Capacity is small (about six sites), and it’s first-come, first-served. The fee is around $15 per person per night; there’s typically an honesty box and a ranger may come by to check passes or take payment. This site has seen status changes and temporary closures in recent years—always check the Department of Conservation page for current conditions and any alerts before you go.
Wildlife
1,181 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
199 sightingsFiordland PenguinMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
228 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
32 sightingsBottlenose DolphinMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
247 sightingsNew Zealand Fur SealMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
58 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Fiordland. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
Scenic pullout · 0.5 km awayEglinton Valley LookoutRoadside panorama of golden tussock plains and steep Fiordland peaks
Campground · 1.1 km awayTotara CampsiteQuiet beech‑forest DOC camp by a river with fire rings
Sight · 4.4 km awayMirror LakesTiny lakes that perfectly mirror the Earl Mountains on calm days
Campground · 7.3 km awayDeer Flat CampsiteRiverside DOC camp on Milford Road with big views and quiet vibesParkwolf’s Fiordland ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
