Fiordland Adventure Awaits as Deep Cove Camp Reopens for Overnight Visits

Deep Cove Camp, a well-loved camping spot in Fiordland’s Doubtful Sound, has reopened for overnight visitors. The camp had been closed since August following concerns about landslide risks.

In June, a landslide raised fears that heavy rain might cause more landslides, potentially affecting the camp and nearby accommodations. The Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Deep Cove Trust have since consulted with engineering experts to assess these risks. Their work has enabled the reopening of the hostel building for guests.

John Lucas, DOC Operations Manager for Te Anau, explained the situation: “Safety is the top priority for both DOC and the Trust. Now we have a more complete picture of the risks, we can look at what mitigations might be possible. In this instance, the highest risk is during periods of heavy or extreme rainfall.

What that means is the Trust will have safety plans in place to restrict activities in and around the hostel when there’s a MetService red rainfall warning in place.”

Mike MacManus, chairman of the Deep Cove Trust, shared his excitement about the reopening: “For many Otago and Southland people Deep Cove Camp has rated as their most memorable camp and has been a rite of passage for over 50 years, and it was with great sadness that we announced the temporary closure of the facilities back in August.

However, with the information on hand, we couldn’t offer with certainty that the facilities weren’t going to be significantly affected by another event. Now with new in-depth information to hand we can plan ways to safely host people here once more.”

The reopening is only for the hostel at this stage. The findings indicate that other facilities, such as the manager’s accommodation, Wilmot Lodge, and the Tree House, need more work and remain closed. The Trust is focused on informing schools and other groups about the new safety plans and ensuring clear communication for future bookings.