Freedom Camping in Rotorua

Nau mai ki Rotorua, welcome to Rotorua!

From an abundance of tranquil lakes to lush green forests, boiling mud and natural hot pools, there is nowhere quite like this corner of New Zealand. Rotorua is a motorhome friendly district, and we encourage responsible camping.

Council-owned camping locations

Overnight parking is only allowed at the sites listed below. Camping in a tent is only allowed at Ōkaro and Guy Roe Reserves. These sites cannot be reserved and operate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Limited spaces are available, freedom camping is not permitted on any other parks or neighbourhood recreation reserves.

Freedom camping is only permitted at the spaces indicated on the map. Treasure these spaces, please take your rubbish with you and dispose of it correctly.

Freedom Camping - Government Gardens map

Free site: Government Gardens Motorhome and Campervan Parking Area

Hinemoa Street, opposite Polynesian Spa

Only self-contained campervans/motorhomes permitted to stay overnight
Space for a maximum of 17 campervans/motorhomes
Maximum stay is 2 consecutive nights per calendar month
No tents permitted
No toilets, showers or water provided
No dogs
No fires or fireworks.

Free site: Hamurana Reserve, Lake Rotorua

Only self-contained campervans/motorhomes permitted to stay overnight
Space for a maximum of 10 campervans/motorhomes
Maximum stay is 2 consecutive nights per calendar month
Public toilets available
Water tap with drinkable water
Food preparation area (no hot water)
Barbecue and children's playground nearby on reserve
No tents permitted
No dogs
No fires or fireworks.

Free site: Trout Pool Reserve, Okere Falls

Only self-contained campervans/motorhomes permitted to stay overnight
Space for 5 campervans/motorhomes maximum
Maximum stay is 2 consecutive nights per calendar month
Composting public toilet available
No wastewater to be emptied into toilets
No drinking water
No tents permitted
No dogs
No fires or fireworks.

Lake Okareka permitted overnight parking map

Paid site: Boyes Beach, Lake Ōkāreka

Nightly fees: $20 adult, $10 child, under 5 free.

Self-contained and non-self-contained campervans/motorhomes can stay overnight in designated area
Maximum stay: 2 consecutive nights per calendar month
Pay by internet banking (details at site), Penny (was KiwiCash) or pay Eftpos to the manager
Public toilets and paid showers ($2)
Cell phone charging unit ($1/hour)
Dishwashing facilities, barbecue and picnic tables
Children’s playground
Dogs allowed, but from 15 December to 1 March inclusive dogs are not allowed on the reserve between 9am to 7pm. Outside this time dogs must be controlled at all times whether leashed or unleashed
No tents, fires or fireworks allowed.

Paid site: Lake Ōkaro Reserve

Nightly fees: $10 adult, $5 child, under 5 free

Self-contained and non-self-contained campervans/motorhomes can stay overnight
Tents are permitted
Maximum stay: 2 consecutive nights per calendar month
Pay by secure pay link (you'll need vehicle registration and site name - Lake Ōkaro) or Penny (formerly KiwiCash)
Composting public toilet available. Don't empty wastewater into toilets
Barbecue and picnic tables
Boat ramp and ski lane
Water from tap (boil water for 3 minutes before drinking)
Dogs permitted (except on walkway and BBQ area), must be under control at all times
No fires or fireworks.

Paid site: Guy Roe Reserve, Lake Rerewhakaaitu

Nightly fees: $8 adult, $4 child, under 5 free

Self-contained and non-self-contained campervans/motorhomes can stay overnight
Tents permitted
Maximum stay: 2 consecutive nights per calendar month
Pay by secure pay link (you'll need vehicle registration and site name - Guy Roe Reserve) or Penny (formerly KiwiCash)
Composting toilets available
Nearest toilet waste dumping station: wastewater treatment plant on Te Ngae Road
Picnic tables and boat ramp
Water from tap (boil water for 3 minutes before drinking)
Dogs allowed (except in BBQ area), must be under control at all times
No fires or fireworks

Getting rid of your waste

Wastewater (grey or black water)

Motorhome and campervan wastewater tanks and cassettes can be emptied for free 24 hours a day at these locations.

Wastewater Treatment Plant on Google Maps

Gull Ngongotaha on Google Maps

Rubbish and recycling facilities

You can dispose of rubbish or recycling at several facilities around the region. Check their pages below to find location and opening hours and what's accepted at each facility.

Rotorua Landfill

Rotorua Recycling Centre

Rural Transfer Stations

Freedom camping legislation changes (2024)

There have been some recent changes to the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act.

What are the key changes?

You can only freedom camp on local authority (council) land if your vehicle is certified self-contained.
Vehicles with a portable toilet are no longer able to be certified self-contained.
From 7 December 2024, all rental vehicles will need a green warrant to be certified self-contained under the new requirements.
From 7 June 2025, all vehicles will need a green warrant to be certified self-contained under the new requirements.
Find out how these changes will impact you and how to obtain a green warrant.
Freedom Camping Infringement Offences and Penalties

Is my vehicle self-contained?

A self-contained vehicle must meet the New Zealand Standard for Self-Containment of Motor Caravans and Caravans. You need to be able to live in your vehicle for three days without getting more water or dumping waste.

To be certified self-contained, your vehicle must have:

Water Loading System: the campervan must have a secure way to load water without contaminating it.
Water Supply System: There should be a system that stores and conveys water securely, keeping it clean.
Fixed Toilet: A permanent toilet that can be emptied without removing its base.
Wastewater System: A system to store and collect both grey-water and black-water safely and hygienically.
Ventilation System: A system to remove odours from the campervan and prevent bad air and gases from entering.
Sink: A safely installed sink that drains to the wastewater tank.
Rubbish Storage: Secure and appropriate storage for rubbish.
Wastewater Disposal: A hygienic way to dispose of wastewater to an appropriate outfall.

All certified vehicles must display the Certified Self-Contained warrant card on the front windscreen and keep the certificate inside the vehicle. It's not enough to display a blue or green self-contained or responsible camper sticker.

Other camping locations and useful camping apps

Please call Council on 07 348 4199 (24/7) to report illegal camping. Please call 111 for the Police to report illegal or antisocial behaviour.