North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Patea ▷

Patea Dam / Lake Rotorangi

Freedom Camping Ground

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Lake Rotorangi Hydro Camping Ground

Lake Rotorangi Hydro Camping Ground

Peter Wood

Camping at Patea Dam in South Taranaki

Campers of all breeds and creeds are welcome at the Patea Dam campground.
The camp is run and funded by the South Taranaki District Council, in partnership with a Trust who manage the camp on a day to day basis. Donations are encouraged, these cover the costs of running and maintaining the camp facilities.
Campers can stay for up to 50 days, after which they need to make themselves scarce for an equivalent period of time.
Good camping etiquette is expected - leave your patch clean and tidy, respect other camp users and obey all signage and requests from council officers.
Cheers to the council and local community for providing this resource!

Feature Value Info

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10)

What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight?

Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10) Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10)

You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged.

Donations dropped off at the Eltham Library or posted to STDC, PO Box 902, Hawera.

Overnight Stay Rules

Camping and any vehicle

What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite?

Camping and any vehicle Camping and any vehicle

You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.

Take all your rubbish out with you.

Contact Details

Patea Address:
 Maben Road (off Ball Road)

Feature Value Info

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10)

What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight?

Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10) Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10)

You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged.

Donations dropped off at the Eltham Library or posted to STDC, PO Box 902, Hawera.

Overnight Stay Rules

Camping and any vehicle

What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite?

Camping and any vehicle Camping and any vehicle

You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.

Take all your rubbish out with you.

Maximum Stay Duration

2 nights

How many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment?

2 nights

You may stay up to two nights in a row.

Water Supply

Yes

Is there fresh water available?

Yes Yes

Conserve water where you can as supplies are limited

Shower

No shower

Is there a shower at this location?

No shower

No shower is available.

Dump Station

No

Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station?

No No

Bring it in - take it out!

Booking Required

First Come, First Served

Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight?

First Come, First Served First Come, First Served

Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.

Powered Sites

No

Does this establishment have powered sites?

No No

Large Vehicle Access

Yes

Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access?

Yes Yes

Some sloping ground so limited space for large vehicles

Non-powered Sites

Yes

Does this holiday park offer non-powered sites?

Yes Yes

Pets

No

Does this establishment allow pets?

No No

Vehicle Access

Yes

Can vehicles drive in?

Yes Yes

Toilet

Public toilet

Is there a toilet available?

Public toilet

There are toilet facilities available to the general public.
map

2 reviews with the most recent first

trishasmith's avatar

trishasmith

New Zealand

Ranking: 8/10

We went to this campsite, partly on the basis of previous reviews. It is quite remote, part of the appeal, it's great if you are into boating and watersports, however, we would like more walking and apart from the 30mins bush walk (marked as 2hrs!) there wasn't a lot else. Showers were good and hot every time. Toilet paper ran out after 2 days so take your own! And thank goodness for Bushmans!!

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Peter W.'s avatar

Peter W.

New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

In the middle of nowhere, being some 32km of "dodgy" metaled and/or narrow road, much across private farm land, one arrives at the tar sealed road at the Patea dam on the Patea river. Camping is available beside the lake or back a distance in a paddock. The facilities Include a single building that is serviced regularly (daily?) containing gas heated hot water showers, flush toilets and solar powered lighting. These facilities have to be among the CLEANEST I've ever found ANYWHERE. We last visited mid-winter, and there was even toilet paper and soft soap from dispensers! Only problem was the paddock was very wet, limiting the available camping spaces. Half drums are available for open bonfires, and there's plenty of manuka firewood available for the taking. In summer the camp is cramped with families that stay long-term over the holidays. The hydro lake is great for boating, water skiing, fishing & swimming. There is a 40min bush loop walk over the other side of the dam to introduce kids to hiking.

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