Patea Dam / Lake Rotorangi

Freedom Camping Ground

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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Patea ▷

Basic Facility Camping

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!

Lake Rotorangi Hydro Camping Ground

Peter Wood

Featured Details

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? 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.	What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? 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	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. Take all your rubbish out with you.	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. Take all your rubbish out with you.

Contact Details

Patea Address:
Maben Road (off Ball Road)

Full Details

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? 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.	What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? 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	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. Take all your rubbish out with you.	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. 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.	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	Is there fresh water available? Yes Conserve water where you can as supplies are limited	Is there fresh water available? 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.	Is there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available.
Dump Station	Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No Bring it in - take it out!	Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No Bring it in - take it out!
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.	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.
Powered Sites	Does this establishment have powered sites? No	Does this establishment have powered sites? No
Large Vehicle Access	Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Yes Some sloping ground so limited space for large vehicles	Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Yes Some sloping ground so limited space for large vehicles
Non-powered Sites	Does this holiday park offer non-powered sites? Yes	Does this holiday park offer non-powered sites? Yes
Pets	Does this establishment allow pets? No	Does this establishment allow pets? No
Vehicle Access	Can vehicles drive in? Yes	Can vehicles drive in? Yes
Toilet	Public toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.	Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.

Unpowered Campsite

Base Rate (4 persons)	$5/day

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Taranaki ▷ Patea

Details NEW

2 reviews with the most recent first

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.

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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