West Bay

Overview

West Bay sits on the western shore of Lake Rotoiti, a short drive from St Arnaud. The DOC-run campsite is split into two zones—Jetty and Buller—tucked among mānuka/kānuka just off Mt Robert Road. It’s a classic lakeside base: simple, tidy facilities, immediate water access, and short forest walks right from camp.

Layout & Facilities

• Two distinct areas (Jetty and Buller), each with its own entrance, ablution block, and cooking shelter.
• Ablution blocks have toilets and cold-water showers; facilities are noted as clean and modern for a DOC site.
• Day-use cooking shelters provide benches (bring your own stove, cookware, and utensils). Screen doors help keep sandflies at bay.
• Sites are mostly hardened soil/gravel for vans and caravans, with some grassy tent spots. Most sites are separated by shrubs for a bit of privacy.
• All camper sites are non-powered; pack-in/pack-out for all rubbish. One NZ and Spark mobile coverage is available.
• Nearby boat ramp and very quick access to the lake for a swim or paddle. Jet skis are not permitted on Lake Rotoiti.

Season, Bookings & Fees (2025–26)

• Jetty zone: open November 28, 2025 – April 30, 2026; bookings required.
• Buller zone: open December 13, 2025 – March 30, 2026; bookings required.
• Fees per night: Adults NZ$20 (18+); Children NZ$10 (5–17); Infants free.
• Camp rules: no pets, no fires, quiet after 10 pm, 5 km/h within the campground, vacate sites by 10 am on departure day.
• A volunteer camp host program generally runs mid-December to late April.

Short Walks From Camp

• Moraine Walk (~1 hr 30 min return): Loops behind West Bay over classic glacial moraine, with kettle ponds and gentle forest.
• Black Hill Walk (~1 hr 30 min return): Beech forest to a small clearing with views; Black Hill is a textbook roche moutonnée sculpted by past glaciers.
• Anglers Walk (~1 hr): Follows the Buller River’s north bank from Mt Robert Road and links nicely with the Moraine Walk. Good access for trout fishing (licence required).

Wildlife & Nature

Bellbirds/korimako, tūī, fantails/pīwakawaka, and South Island robins can be encountered around the bay and nearby bush. Predator-control efforts (such as Revive Rotoiti) support birdlife recovery. Trout cruise the Buller outlet and waterfowl work the shoreline. Sandflies are part of the deal around still lake edges—come prepared.

Practicalities

• Water is provided as per standard DOC campsites; bring treatment or check current advice at the St Arnaud Visitor Centre.
• No on-site rubbish or recycling—use regional transfer stations after your trip.
• St Arnaud has the DOC Visitor Centre (maps, track advice, fishing licences) plus a small store/cafe and fuel.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer season only (see dates above); book well ahead for Christmas/New Year, classic/power boat weekends, and Easter.
• For quieter vibes and softer light, aim for weekday dawn or late afternoon. Mornings are typically calmer for paddling and photography.
• Evenings can cool quickly at ~600 m elevation—pack warm layers and a decent sleeping bag.

Good To Know

• Fishing licences are required and available in St Arnaud; always check current regs.
• Lake Rotoiti allows general boating but prohibits jet skis.
• If you can’t find the camp host on-site late in the day, try checking at nearby Kerr Bay.