Welcome Flat Campsite

Overview

Welcome Flat Campsite sits beside the Welcome Flat Hut on the Copland Track—a classic West Coast overnighter where your reward is a soak in natural hot pools ringed by big valley views. It’s a backcountry site with simple comforts: you pitch near the hut, then use the hut’s water supply and toilets. Bookings are required year‑round for both the hut and the campsite.

Getting There: The Walk In

Plan for roughly 18 km one way and 6–9 hours each direction, depending on fitness, conditions, and creek levels. The Copland Track blends well‑formed sections with bouldery riverbed, swing bridges, and occasional slips. Flood detours can add time; start early and carry poles if you like extra stability.

Facilities at Camp

• Toilets and water: Shared with the adjacent hut.
• Cooking: None provided—bring a gas cooker, fuel, and your own cookware.
• Rubbish: No bins; pack out everything you carry in.
• Lights/showers: No public showers; lighting is in the hut only. The separate bookable Sierra Room inside the hut has its own gas cooker and hot shower, but toilets are still shared.

Hot Pools: The Headliner

The geothermal water emerges hot, while the main bathing pools are kept around a comfortable soak temperature. Basic etiquette keeps the pools pleasant and safe: don’t submerge your head, skip soaps and glass, and rinse off mud before heading back. Sunrise or an after‑dark dip can be magical—and often less buggy.

Conditions and Safety

Heavy rain can close the Copland Track at short notice; refunds are issued if the track is officially closed. There’s little to no cell service, so go prepared—carry a headlamp, a small first‑aid kit, and consider a PLB. Expect sandflies; cover up and bring repellent.

Wildlife and Nightlife

Listen for kea in the valley and watch for glow worms on the short path to the pools after dark. Keep wildlife wild—store food properly and leave no trace.

Booking and Fees

Bookings are essential year‑round. Campsite fees are typically NZ$15 per adult per night, NZ$7.50 per child (5–17), and infants are free. A Backcountry Hut Pass is only valid here from 1 May to 30 September; it’s not accepted from 1 October to 30 April. No waitlists—space is first‑come via online booking.

Best Time to Visit

For the most relaxed experience, avoid weekend peaks and start hiking early so you arrive with daylight to spare. Summer brings longer evenings but also more sandflies; shoulder seasons can be quieter if the weather plays nice. Photographers love the soft light around sunrise and late afternoon at the pools and flats.

What to Pack (Short List)

Stove, fuel, lighter; pot and mug; plenty of food and snacks; warm layers and rain gear; swimwear and a small towel; sandfly repellent; trekking poles; headlamp; rubbish bags for pack‑out.