Just two and a half hours drive from Tāmaki Makaurau, Rotorua is an easy roadie and for the quintessentially Kiwi experience, you’ve got to camp. Whether you’re in a tent, a campervan, motorhome, or a motel unit in a holiday park; with your mates, your dog, or all of the above, nothing beats a camping holiday so we’ve looked at everything on offer and come up with the a shortlist of spots that’ll make for the perfect campsite.
Here are the best spots for camping in Rotorua.
Holdens Bay Holiday Park
Stonebridge Park Drive
Image credit: Holdens Bay Holiday Park | Facebook
If ‘camping’ conjured up images of a tiny tent in the middle of a geothermal wasteland, think again—Holdens Bay Holiday Park is kitted out. Choose to tent, hook your camper up to a powered site, or shimmy into a cabin or motel-style unit. It even has a playground, outdoor pool and indoor hot pools. Steamy.
Tasman Holiday Parks - Rotorua
Pukuatua Street
Located just 1km from the centre of the town, Tasman Holiday Parks - Rotorua is one of the most central camping grounds and it’s packed with everything you’d expect from a good campsite with plenty of chill space for making new friends or hanging out with your crew, as well as loads of privacy. Score.
Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park
Tarawera Road
TOP 10 Holiday Parks are a bit of an institution in Aotearoa, and they make a great foundation for beautiful camping memories. The Blue Lake TOP 10 iteration is—you guessed it—right next to the blue waters of Lake Tikitapu as well as being near Whakarewarewa Forest, a drawcard for mountain bikers from all over the world.
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Campground
Waikite Valley Road
Image credit: Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Campground | Facebook
Adventurers will relish staying at Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Campground. Part-way between Rotorua and Taupō, you’ve access to a short eco-trail walk to Te Manaroa Spring and the end of Te Ara Ahi cycle trail. Conveniently, there’s also an on-site hot pool complex to aid muscle (and mind) recovery and a cafe to refuel at between sessions.
Te Rātā Bay (Hot Water Beach) Campsite
Lake Tarawera
One of the best campgrounds in Rotorua, particularly for adventurous spirits, is Te Rāta Bay Campsite, which is accessible via either the 15 kilometre Tarawera Trail (about 4-5 hours one way) or by water taxi. Once there, pitch your tent, then rest your legs in the natural hot springs nearby. Bookings are essential.
Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
Old Taupō Road
Image credit: Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park | Facebook
With tent sites, campervans and motorhomes, cabins, dorms and units, you’re pretty spoiled for choice at Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park. Especially given the sheer amount of amenities from communal kitchen, dining and lounge, to mineral pools and a heated swimming pool, a TV and BBQs, all of which are free to use.
Rotorua Family Holiday Park
Beaumont Road
As the name suggests, Rotorua Family Holiday Park is one of the best camping grounds in Rotorua for families, thanks to its next level playground, carousel, trampoline and games room. It also acts as a great base for people who’re into fishing (just be sure to snag yourself a license) or relish a round of ten of golf.
All Seasons Holiday Park
Lee Road
Situated in Hannahs Bay Reserve, on the edge of Lake Rotorua, and an eight minute drive from central Rotorua, All Seasons Holiday Park is close to everything you need while still honouring that relaxed, holiday atmosphere with the added bonus of a pool, spa, tennis court and playground. And if the whole whānau is holidaying together, they’ve got you, with a 50-bed lodge.
Now your accom’s sorted, get ready to wrap your mouth around the epic Rotorua foodie scene. Take a sneak peak here.
Main image credit: Pixabay.