Lake Rotomanu, New Plymouth
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Lake Rotomanu, New Plymouth
Tents and other temporary structures are banned from freedom camping in New Plymouth District.
People freedom camping in non-self-contained vehicles can stay for a maximum of one night in a 30-day period, and must freedom camp in the marked spaces.
Four sites available only. Freedom camping at this location is restricted to the marked spaces only, anyone camping outside of the marked spaces are in the prohibited area.
Details
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Organisation |
New Plymouth District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ New Plymouth |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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2.5/5
Best get down here quick if not self contained, only 4 none self contained spots which doesn’t make much sense because all self contained campers use the toilet anyways.
Toilet flooded when we were there and spilt sewage all over the floor. People driving through really late honking horns and speeding.
Shame coz we turned up the day before and saw some really cool looking campers but couldn’t get a spot because it was full.
Worth it for a one night stop probably but not a huge fan.. i suppose it’s free though
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4.5/5
Great spot by a lake just outside New Plymouth.
Just to clarify rules: there are 4 spots for non self contained vehicles (marked with yellow bays). These vehicles can only stay for one night. Spoke to someone here who had been fined 400 dollars for staying 2 nights. Self contained vehicles can stay anywhere for upto 3 nights. There are loads of spaces.
Clean toilets with soap and water.
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5.0/5
Arrived at 4.30pm on last Sunday in September.
Loads of motorhomes and campers on the lower grassed area. Parked near to the toilets on the upper section in self contained in a parking space. Really lovely lake and great spot. Unsure how many ‘official’ spaces there are but no one seemed to care.
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5.0/5
Lots of spots.
Good toilets, and there was even fast wifi at the top parking lot! Someone was doing a trial. Easy walk to the bridge which is worth checking out.
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4.5/5
Was a very busy spot during July.
We arrived when it was already dark and we squeezed in next to some motor homes, noise wasn't a problem. There are flushing toilets up the hill near the NSC (non self contained) parks.
The view lake side is amazing, and a little drive around the lake brought us to the Rewa Rewa Bridge.
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4.5/5
My partner and I stayed here in our NSC and it was very clearly marked.
Toilets very clean and right beside the parking spaces. Cars came and went a little during the night but that’s to be expected in a parking lot type freedom camp. Max 1 night stay per month but we would’ve stayed there a second night if we could.
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3.5/5
Busy little spot on a Thursday night!
Great facilities and friendly people to share them with. Relatively quiet, but woke up to someone slowly driving through and honking at around 3am.
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5.0/5
Fantastic place to camp.
Signs a bit confusing, but basically you can camp anywhere round the lake in a self-contained vehicle and in one of four marked spaces if not self-contained (if self-contained, be considerate of our non-self-contained friends and don't park in one of their spaces). Fantastic fish and chip shop (Lobster Pot) about 1k away. Beautiful lake and clean toilet and washing up facilities too. A few local boy racers making a bit of noise at times, but not an issue. Recommend walking some of the coastal path via the Te Rewa Rewa bridge at the end of the lake. All in all, great place!!
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5.0/5
Un lieu très sympa et calme.
Les WC sont propres avec des robinets et éviers. La vue sur le lac est chouette et apaisante. Je recommande !
Attention au nombre de nuits plusieurs voitures de patrouilleurs sont passés durant la soirée.
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5.0/5
magnifique spot!
Nous sommes restés le max de nuit qu’on pouvait! le lac est beau, le pont pas très loin aussi. Les toilettes sont correct. Vous pouvez vous garer sur l'herbe en dessous du parking pour les NSC, mais également sur le goudron
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5.0/5
Perfect location in New Plymouth.
If you’re self contained you can park anywhere (except in the red zone) and if you’re not self contained your are restricted to the spaces outlined in the carpark. It is a lovely tranquil environment with good plumbed in toilet facilities. The council came around in the evening to answer any questions and prevent people getting fined in the morning- super friendly.
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4.5/5
Two clean enough flush toilets, spots in the gravel are full quickly (especially with people not parking in a way to safe space ..
.) But even at 10 pm there's still spaces in the grass left.
Yes, there are some youngster's driving their cars up and down, but for two nights in a row they stopped at a decent hour (10:30pm). There's someone from the council coming around and checking on everyone at around 8pm.
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2.5/5
Best get down here quick if not self contained, only 4 none self contained spots which doesn’t make much sense because all self contained campers use the toilet anyways.
Toilet flooded when we were there and spilt sewage all over the floor. People driving through really late honking horns and speeding.
Shame coz we turned up the day before and saw some really cool looking campers but couldn’t get a spot because it was full.
Worth it for a one night stop probably but not a huge fan.. i suppose it’s free though
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4.5/5
Great spot by a lake just outside New Plymouth.
Just to clarify rules: there are 4 spots for non self contained vehicles (marked with yellow bays). These vehicles can only stay for one night. Spoke to someone here who had been fined 400 dollars for staying 2 nights. Self contained vehicles can stay anywhere for upto 3 nights. There are loads of spaces.
Clean toilets with soap and water.
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5.0/5
Arrived at 4.30pm on last Sunday in September.
Loads of motorhomes and campers on the lower grassed area. Parked near to the toilets on the upper section in self contained in a parking space. Really lovely lake and great spot. Unsure how many ‘official’ spaces there are but no one seemed to care.
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2.5/5
Stayed one night.
Toilets ok. Gets very busy we came in spring and by night the place was full. Only decent place near New Plymouth I guess! Never saw any wardens but had heard some bad experiences so make sure you are parked correctly. Can be a little noisy in the morning with people leaving. We decided to go somewhere else the next night :) - follow @milly0nthem0ve on IG/YT for all things travel!
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5.0/5
Lots of spots.
Good toilets, and there was even fast wifi at the top parking lot! Someone was doing a trial. Easy walk to the bridge which is worth checking out.
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4.5/5
Was a very busy spot during July.
We arrived when it was already dark and we squeezed in next to some motor homes, noise wasn't a problem. There are flushing toilets up the hill near the NSC (non self contained) parks.
The view lake side is amazing, and a little drive around the lake brought us to the Rewa Rewa Bridge.
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4.5/5
My partner and I stayed here in our NSC and it was very clearly marked.
Toilets very clean and right beside the parking spaces. Cars came and went a little during the night but that’s to be expected in a parking lot type freedom camp. Max 1 night stay per month but we would’ve stayed there a second night if we could.
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3.5/5
Busy little spot on a Thursday night!
Great facilities and friendly people to share them with. Relatively quiet, but woke up to someone slowly driving through and honking at around 3am.
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5.0/5
Fantastic place to camp.
Signs a bit confusing, but basically you can camp anywhere round the lake in a self-contained vehicle and in one of four marked spaces if not self-contained (if self-contained, be considerate of our non-self-contained friends and don't park in one of their spaces). Fantastic fish and chip shop (Lobster Pot) about 1k away. Beautiful lake and clean toilet and washing up facilities too. A few local boy racers making a bit of noise at times, but not an issue. Recommend walking some of the coastal path via the Te Rewa Rewa bridge at the end of the lake. All in all, great place!!
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5.0/5
Un lieu très sympa et calme.
Les WC sont propres avec des robinets et éviers. La vue sur le lac est chouette et apaisante. Je recommande !
Attention au nombre de nuits plusieurs voitures de patrouilleurs sont passés durant la soirée.
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5.0/5
magnifique spot!
Nous sommes restés le max de nuit qu’on pouvait! le lac est beau, le pont pas très loin aussi. Les toilettes sont correct. Vous pouvez vous garer sur l'herbe en dessous du parking pour les NSC, mais également sur le goudron
-
5.0/5
Perfect location in New Plymouth.
If you’re self contained you can park anywhere (except in the red zone) and if you’re not self contained your are restricted to the spaces outlined in the carpark. It is a lovely tranquil environment with good plumbed in toilet facilities. The council came around in the evening to answer any questions and prevent people getting fined in the morning- super friendly.
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4.5/5
Two clean enough flush toilets, spots in the gravel are full quickly (especially with people not parking in a way to safe space ..
.) But even at 10 pm there's still spaces in the grass left.
Yes, there are some youngster's driving their cars up and down, but for two nights in a row they stopped at a decent hour (10:30pm). There's someone from the council coming around and checking on everyone at around 8pm.
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4.5/5
Nous avons été un peu dérangés le soir par le bruit des gens qui faisaient du drift sur la rue plus loin.
Super freecamp
Beaucoup de places
Au bord d'un lac
Un seul toilette
Néanmoins ils étaient assez loin et nous ne nous sommes pas sentis en danger
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4.5/5
Good spot for a free campsite.
Toilets are NON LONG DROP, just normal regular toilets in just good enough cleaning conditions.
Many spaces to park but it gets crowded quiet easy.
Nice view, quiet place.
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5.0/5
Lake Rotomanu had 4 non certified spaces available.
With heaps of other car parks for certified campers. I enjoyed car camping here for the night!
The lake was beautiful with the coastal walk close by. There were also toilets available.
Do be aware that locals come and go as there is a road that that goes up to the coastal walk and bridge
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5.0/5
We spent a couple of nights here whilst exploring New Plymouth.
Really nice, very popular spot, very busy, but plenty of space. Apparently there is an area for non-self-contained vehicles here, but us and everyone else was self-contained. Bins, benches and great place for a jog to the bridge in the morning. Quite a few bogans driving around late in their cereal box cars, but apart from that! Lovely! Thanks New Plymouth! Be a tidy kiwi team! Find us Facebook if you’re touring, Tasman Travels
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4.0/5
Easy to find and see the designated spots for non self contained.
Reasonably quiet. Has a toilet.
Got there late (7pm) and was surprised that there are still some spots left.
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4.5/5
More than 4 sites, there were 20+ campervans there when we arrived.
Very quiet with good sunrise views. Public toilets with water.
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4.0/5
Very busy on a Friday night, but heaps of space for CSC.
Lots of vans arriving after dark and filling in the gaps, but still seemed to be ample amount of space between people which was appreciated. Toilets were surprisingly clean but no light for after hours use. Lovely sunset and sunrise!
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5.0/5
Could not fault this beautiful spot.
There we some young lads meeting in their cars early evening but no trouble at all. You can walk to Te Rewa Rewa bridge and only an hours drive to the three sisters and elephant rock at Tongaporutu.
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5.0/5
Perfect for self contained and you can stay one night in the designated not self contained parks but make sure you're in the right spot as in the wee hours someone is buzzing around on an electric scooter
probably checking that out
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4.0/5
Very tidy, pleasant and safe environment for our family of four including two little children (18 months and 3 year old).
We enjoyed staying here 3 nights in winter. Not so cold compared to near the mountain area. Very peaceful in the morning. Every night there were at least 5 other campervans around. The only con we experienced was some night ride boy racers made noisy cruising around the park at late night but it didn't last long. Great accesss convenience due to being close to New Plymouth city centre.
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4.0/5
Picturesque setting, well located in relation to surf spots, coastal walkway, golf courses and CBD.
On downside: boy racers and their loud duf duf music and squealing tyres. Topping that tonight the Naki’s primal drumming demographic have congregated by lake at sunset.
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3.0/5
The lake is lovely and if it wasn’t for some loud hoons dangerously racing their cars and blowing their horns as they passed by from 10pm-2am, it would have been a lovely experience.
