Want to camp next to a sapphire blue alpine lake with drive-up access and have almost guaranteed solitude? Lake Tennyson delivers! This lake lies far far far off the beaten track, hidden on the sunny side of the Southern Alps and glimmering under a ridge of snow-capped peaks. Lake Tennyson is a rough hour-long 2WD-drive from Hanmer if you’re willing to drive fast on washboardy gravel road. If you’re not willing to “haul-ass” on bad gravel washboard, then skip Lake Tennyson as the road would be torturously slow and wearying for a less-aggressive driver.
Arriving finally at Lake Tennyson, chances are good you’ll be the only ones there. Just you, the lake, the mountains, a free camp area and a long-drop toilet. No homes, no tracks, no dock, no nothing…just unspoiled NZ wilderness. The lake is the headwaters of the Clarence River—the river you drive beside for 32km…which flows all the way to north of Kaikoura. Lake Tennyson is the super-rare NZ lake which has drive-up access, yet no development whatsoever. Come prepared because Lake Tennyson is the proverbial “far-from-it-all”—there’s virtually no sign of civilization between Hanmer and the lake. Be SURE you have a spare tire! Be sure you have enough beer!
(Personally, I’ve only gone to Tennyson once, for a day trip. Once there I kicked myself for not having got supplies to spend the night (beer!). I had NO IDEA how beautiful and unspoiled the lake would be. I suggest going for the night if you’re going to go at all!!)
