Lake Coleridge and the Canterbury High Country by Campervan

Quick summary: Lake Coleridge is the quiet side of the Canterbury high country, and a peaceful campervan or motorhome escape around 105 km from Christchurch. A long, deep lake set among bare tussock hills and snow-tipped ranges, it is surrounded by a scatter of smaller lakes and big, open views, with very few people. Come for fishing, walking, photography and the silence, and combine it with the Rakaia Gorge or Arthur’s Pass for a longer trip.

At a glance
Distance from Christchurch	Around 105 km to Lake Coleridge village
Driving time	Around 1 hr 30 min each way
Suggested time	1–2 nights
Road	Sealed to the village via Windwhistle; roads beyond are largely unsealed
Key stops	Darfield, Windwhistle, the Rakaia Gorge (detour), Lake Coleridge village and lakeshore
Signature experiences	Fishing, lakeside walks, high-country photography, stargazing
Overnight options	Simple camping areas, Rakaia Gorge, nearby foothill towns
Best for	Anglers, walkers and travellers looking for solitude

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Why go to Lake Coleridge?

Because it shows you the high country without the crowds. Lake Coleridge, known to Māori as Whakamatau, fills a glacial valley around 17 km long, its colour shifting from deep blue to silver with the weather. Around it lie open tussock basins, sheep and cattle stations and a chain of smaller lakes, with the Southern Alps rising beyond. The small village at its southern end grew up around one of New Zealand’s earliest hydro-electric power stations, which still operates.

There’s little to “do” in the busy sense, which is exactly the appeal. It is a place to walk, fish, read, watch the light change on the hills and enjoy dark, starry nights.

How do you get to Lake Coleridge?

From Christchurch, drive west to Darfield, then follow the road south-west to Windwhistle, where the Inland Scenic Route 72 crosses. From Windwhistle, a road leads north-west into the hills to Lake Coleridge village. The Rakaia Gorge, a short detour from Windwhistle, is worth visiting on the way.

Stop	Distance from Christchurch	Time to allow	What’s there
Darfield	Around 45 km	15 min	Supplies and fuel
Windwhistle	Around 70 km	10 min	Junction with Route 72
Rakaia Gorge (detour)	Around 85 km	1–2 hours	Turquoise gorge, walkway, jet boating
Lake Coleridge village	Around 105 km	Overnight	Lakeshore, power station, walks

What can you do at Lake Coleridge?

• Fish for trout and salmon. Lake Coleridge and the nearby lakes and rivers are known for their fishing. A New Zealand freshwater fishing licence is needed, and local rules apply to each water.
• Walk the lakeshore and hills. Tracks lead along the shore and up into the hills for views over the lake and the Rakaia valley.
• Visit the smaller lakes. Lake Ida, Lake Selfe and others sit in the hills nearby, each with its own character, though the roads to them are unsealed.
• Explore the village. The historic power station and the arboretum planted by its early workers give the village a surprising leafy centre.
• Watch the stars. With almost no artificial light, the night sky here is outstanding. See our stargazing by campervan guide.

What tours and experiences are nearby?

• Jet boating in the Rakaia Gorge, a short detour from Windwhistle.
• Guided fishing trips with local guides who know the high-country lakes and rivers.
• High-country station experiences, including horse trekking and four-wheel-drive tours.
• Skiing in winter at the small club ski area in the ranges above the lake.

Is the high country near Lake Coleridge too remote for an RV?

Not on the sealed road to the village, which is straightforward and quiet. Beyond the village, roads such as the route up the Harper and Wilberforce valleys are unsealed, rough in places and often excluded by rental agreements, so check your terms before going further. There’s no supermarket and few services, so arrive self-sufficient.

Where can you stay overnight?

• Simple camping areas near the lake, with minimal or no facilities. A certified self-contained vehicle is ideal here, as you will need your own toilet, water and waste storage.
• Campsites near the Rakaia Gorge, by the river, for those who want a few more facilities.
• Holiday parks in the foothill towns, such as Methven and Darfield, around an hour away.
• Self-contained freedom camping is possible in a few high-country areas, but only for certified self-contained vehicles and only where Selwyn District Council or the Department of Conservation permits it. See our Canterbury freedom camping guide.

What is the weather like?

The high country is a land of extremes. Summer days can be hot and dry, with strong nor’westers, while nights are cool. Winter brings frost, ice and occasional snow, which can make the road to the village slippery. Weather can change quickly, so pack warm layers in any season. See our Canterbury campervan weather guide.

How should you plan the trip?

• One night: Drive out via Darfield and the Rakaia Gorge, spend the afternoon by the lake, and enjoy the stars before returning the next day.
• Two nights: Add a day of fishing or walking around the smaller lakes.
• A high-country loop: Combine Lake Coleridge with Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill, returning via State Highway 73, or with the Inland Scenic Route 72 south to Methven.

Where are fuel and supplies?

Darfield is the last town with supermarkets and fuel on the way. There are no shops at the lake, so bring all food, water and supplies with you, and fill the fuel tank. See our stocking up guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions