Ruataniwha Dam

Ruataniwha Dam: crowds and conditions

Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.

Status options for this lake: Full / gates open · Low water level · Entry closed.

Best time to visit Ruataniwha Dam

Season: August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

Busiest days: Weekends and long holidays.

Crowd: Moderate; weekends busier.

Typical week: Mon light · Tue light · Wed light · Thu light · Fri light · Sat busy · Sun busy.

How to reach Ruataniwha Dam — distance from nearby cities

Coordinates: -44.28618, 170.08731. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.

Places to visit near Ruataniwha Dam

• Ben Ohau Range · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~16 km · Must-see
• Benmore Peak · viewpoint · Central Otago · ~18 km · Must-see
• Clay Cliffs · attraction · Waitaki · ~36 km · Must-see
• Ahuriri Conservation Park · sanctuary · Waitaki · ~38 km · Must-see
• Te Manahuna · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~38 km · Must-see
• Ruataniwha Conservation Park · sanctuary · Mackenzie · ~39 km · Must-see
• Glentanner Peak · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~53 km · Must-see
• Church of the Good Shepherd · church · Central Otago · ~56 km · Must-see
• Church of the Good Shepherd · church · Mackenzie · ~56 km · Must-see
• Mount John Observatory · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~56 km · Must-see
• Mauka Atua · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~57 km · Must-see
• Burkes Pass · viewpoint · Central Otago · ~58 km · Must-see
• Lindis Pass Scenic Reserve · viewpoint · Central Otago · ~61 km · Must-see
• Hāwea Conservation Park · sanctuary · Queenstown-Lakes · ~64 km · Must-see
• Ward Glacier · viewpoint · Waitaki · ~65 km · Must-see
• Mount Cran · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~67 km · Must-see
• Mount Hopkins · viewpoint · Westland · ~70 km · Must-see
• Mount Hopkins · viewpoint · Waitaki · ~70 km · Must-see

See everything within a day’s drive of Ruataniwha Dam

Other lakes, dams & reservoirs near Ruataniwha Dam

• Lake Ruataniwha · lake · Queenstown-Lakes · ~2 km
• Wairepo Arm · lake · Queenstown-Lakes · ~2 km
• Wairepo Arm · lake · Waitaki · ~2 km
• Kellands Pond · lake · Waitaki · ~3 km
• Kellands Pond · lake · Queenstown-Lakes · ~3 km
• Lake Ruataniwha · lake · Mackenzie · ~3 km
• Loch Cameron · lake · Mackenzie · ~10 km
• Lake Merino · lake · Mackenzie · ~10 km
• Lake Poaka · lake · Queenstown-Lakes · ~11 km
• Lake Poaka · lake · Mackenzie · ~11 km

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Canterbury

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