Rosie Bay Campsite – Free Camping at Lake Waikaremoana, Te Urewera

Rosie Bay

Te Urewera

3.8 8 reviews

Photos

Department of Conservation

Rosie Bay Camping Ground

Department of Conservation

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Information

Rosie Bay

A small (only 6 sites), yet popular campsite on the foreshore of Lake Waikaremoana.

Accommodation

Standard

Rosie Bay

Unpowered Campsite

Number of tent sites - 6
- Learn More

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua

Commercial organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Lake Waikaremoana

Categories

Basic Camping

Operating Season And Hours

Bookings are not required; sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. State Highway 38 between Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park and Tuai will be closed overnight (8 pm to 6 am, Sunday to Friday, open Saturday nights) for road repairs from 1-17 December 2025 and 5 January-28 February 2026.

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-38.78640001

177.128

Latitude
-38.78640001
Longitude
177.128

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Free Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping and any vehicle Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.
Campsite Managing Organisation	Iwi Managed Maori governing body Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? Iwi Managed Maori governing body This campsite is managed by a Maori governing body or organisation such as an iwi or hapū.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? Iwi Managed Maori governing body This campsite is managed by a Maori governing body or organisation such as an iwi or hapū.
Maximum Sites Available	6 to 10 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Boil water from stream before drinking	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Boil water from stream before drinking
Booking Required	First Come, First Served Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.
Dogs	No dogs allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Basic Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.
Toilet	Public toilet Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.	Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.

Nearby

Reviews

Beautiful place near the lake.
Caroline

Fantastic views around, nice and tidy.
Clemens

Currently closed with barriers up.
CjSikz

Gorgeous views!
Danica Lawson

Unpaid but a lot of wind and sandflies.
Florian Littmann

3.8 8 Reviews Analysis
Currently closed with barriers up.
As were all campsites we visited in the area. They are hoping to re open end of January

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2021

CjSikz
Beautiful place near the lake.
We spent 3 nights there. Toilets are a bit far but that’s totally fine.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2018

Caroline
You have to watch out or this place as its right on the bend.
There's a toilet further up the track and a really lovely view - you can swim if you want. Incredible views and a short walk up the hill to get to lou's lookout.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2018

Luke Poulson
Fantastic views around, nice and tidy.
The toilet is a little walk away, there's just one and you can't close the door properly and don't forget your own toiletpaper, but it wasn't any problem at all to us. We stayed just one night, which is sad, there a lots of goodlocking walks around. We can highly recommend the two hours cavewalk starting just a few 100 meters further down the road towards Wairoa. So much to explore.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2015

Clemens
Gorgeous views!
The entrance is poorly signed- I drove by it twice. The campsite was full when I arrived but a few extra people squeezed in near the boat ramp. Very basic toilet 100m back up the road. Worth it to wake up to an amazing sunrise over Lake Waikeramoana.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2015

Danica Lawson
Unpaid but a lot of wind and sandflies.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2014

Florian Littmann
Lovely little campsite where we stayed for 2 nights.
+ Free,

+ Fantastic views and location,

+ Long drop toilets clean and not smelly.

- The toilet is a bit of a trek back up the road away from some camping spots.

Not a negative but the 2 nights we were there it was very windy in the inlet. Almost rocked to sleep in the van.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2013

David Restell
Beautiful!
Free! No people! Small, lovely campsite all to myself.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2013

Courtney Quintrell

Rosie Bay

Rosie Bay

Te Urewera

Photos

Information

Rosie Bay

Accommodation

Rosie Bay

Unpowered Campsite

Details

Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Stay Rules

Overnight Stay Rules

Campsite Managing Organisation

Campsite Managing Organisation

Maximum Sites Available

Maximum Sites Available

Water Supply

Water Supply

Booking Required

Booking Required

Dogs

Dogs

DOC Campsite Category

DOC Campsite Category

Toilet

Toilet

Nearby

Reviews