Nau mai haere mai for a whānau holiday. Rest in tranquillity before and after conquering the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk.
The Waikaremoana Holiday Park is situated right on the shore of Lake Waikaremoana. This is a great place to base yourself at to explore the Te Urewera National Park. Check out the Aniwaniwa and Papakorito Falls, the 1,000 year old rata tree and the visitors centre.
There are heaps of amenities at this camping ground including a kitchen, laundry and camp store. Bookings are required year round.
- Well stocked General Store
- Petrol and Diesel
- Waikaremoana Great Walk - untouched native bush
- Trout Fishing
- Hunting/adventure
Please note that jet skis, house boats and float planes are not permitted on the lake.
Check Ngāi Tūhoe website for alerts before your trip. Alerts will be not be posted on this website.
Visitors can also phone Ngāi Tūhoe on +64 6 837 3803 or email teureweravc@ngaituhoe.iwi.nz for information.
First published on 17 October 2022. Last reviewed on 25 September 2024.Waikaremoana Holiday Park is categorised as a DOC Serviced Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.
Serviced campsites have a wide range of facilities and services. Flush toilets, tap water that could be treated or untreated, kitchen/cooking bench, hot showers, rubbish collection and road access for all types of vehicles. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Serviced campsites may have laundry facilities, barbecues, fireplaces, cookers and picnic tables.
Feature | Value | Value |
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Unpowered Site | Adult | $20.00 per night |
Unpowered Site | Child | $10.00 per night |
Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Powered Site | Adult | $23.00 per night |
Powered Site | Child | $11.50 per night |
Powered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC East CoastCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Lake Waikaremoana |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Premium Camping Top quality facilities, powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat 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 |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. |
Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? Shower At least one shower is available (it's unknown if it's hot or cold). |
Dump Station |
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Dump StationDump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? Dump station available There is a dump station available at this location for the safe emptying and disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles. |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance. |
Powered Sites |
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Powered SitesDoes this establishment have powered sites? Powered sites available This campsite offers powered sites to hook into an electricity supply. 26 |
Cabins |
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CabinsDoes this holiday park have a cabin (no kitchen or en suite)? Cabins available This location offers cabins for rental accommodation. 12 |
Self Contained Units |
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Self Contained UnitsDoes this holiday park have self contained units? Self-contained units available This location offers self-contained units for rental accommodation. 12 |
On Site Caravans |
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On Site CaravansDoes this holiday park offer on-site caravans as accommodation? On-site caravans available This location offers on-site caravans for rental accommodation. |
Non-powered Sites |
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Non-powered SitesDoes this holiday park offer non-powered sites? Non-powered sites available This site offers non-powered camp sites. 40 |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes 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 |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Serviced Campsite Department of Conservation Serviced Campsites have a wide range of facilities and services. Flush toilets, tap water, kitchen/cooking bench, hot showers, rubbish collection and road access for all types of vehicles. Laundry facilities, barbecues, fireplaces, cookers and picnic tables may be available. Book Serviced Campsites at the nearest DOC visitor centre. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
✓ Stunning lake views
✓ Friendly and helpful staff
✓ Peaceful and quiet atmosphere
✓ Good shared facilities
✓ Convenient shop and petrol onsite
𐄂 Remote and challenging access road
𐄂 No cell phone coverage
We enjoyed staying here.
Very clean and tidy.
We were disappointed with this holiday park.
It was a nice campsite.
Just a stunning location.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 8 |
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36% |
9/10 | 5 |
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23% |
8/10 | 4 |
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18% |
7/10 | 4 |
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18% |
6/10 | 1 |
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5% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
We enjoyed staying here.
Clean facilities, hot showers, clean kitchen. Cute ducks!
Reviewed 13 days ago
4.5/5
Very big campground for all sorts of tents and campervans.
You can also rent a small room. It’s well maintained and the amenities are nice and clean. Kitchen is small for such a big place but you have room to sit indoors when the weather is bad. There are no pots or pans available but they have ovens, a microwave and four different spots with 2 induction heating hubs. Oh and bonus they have a fish cleaning station and a smoker.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
5.0/5
We were the only ones in our area (Zone 6 power site) as the weather wasn’t great even though it the last week of the Oct school holidays.
Fabulous view as we were right on the lake front. Basic washing up facilities, toilets and showers were right beside us. The showers were decent and hot and very thing was clean! Just just a short walk and there is a great block with fab toilets, showers, cooking area and common room including a fish filleting area! Staff were lovely and the shop has a range of food just like a dairy. Petrol was only 10c a litre more expensive then in Rotorua or Wairoa, so not devastating if you need to top up a bit. Be warned the road is mainly metal/shingle either way and from Rotorua a large camper would struggle- can’t be longer then 10m. Also there is absolutely no cell phone coverage which we loved and the kids dealt with remarkably well!
Reviewed about 2 years ago
5.0/5
Stayed at Waikaremoana Holiday Camp prior to starting walk.
Very comfortable stay. Picturesque setting. Cabins clean, more spacious than expected and lovely outlook over part of lake. Shared Kitchen and bathroom facilities more than adequate. Thankyou
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
3.5/5
This felt like a great find for us.
The road through Te Urewera was tortuous, but we reckon it was worth it! So quiet and peaceful, big shared spaces and the lake was awe inspiring. The place could do with a bit of sprucing up- just to neaten the edges, but all in all a great place to unwind. Shame the walking trails were closed but you can't always have everything! The owners were very friendly and had a convenient shop and petrol pump for those that underestimated the drive
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
5.0/5
Very clean and tidy.
Big improvements have been made over the past 12 months since our last visit to the camp. Great staff. The camp is worth staying at
Reviewed over 5 years ago
3.5/5
Camp kitchen scrupulously clean but absolutely barren, nothing at all, not very good as you are not able to pop down to the shops easily.
We had a cabin, again no crockery or cutlery supplied, luckily we had brought food that we didn't need to cook, or we would have had to eat raw food, managed to find some take away cups in the car to drink out of.
Sad that the DOC site doesn't mention to bring EVERYTHING including the kitchen sink!! We were not impressed.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
3.0/5
We were disappointed with this holiday park.
We thought from the map that you would have beautiful views of the lake from most sites, but hedges block all the views, which I guess does make it more sheltered. We also thought it would be a good place for our little kiddies to swim in the lake but seems to be more catered for boaties. The facilities are nice and I could see some of the cabins did have great views, but the kitchen seating was definitely inadequate.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
4.0/5
Prices have gone way up.
$38 for 1 person, 1 night on unpowered tent site. No Wifi. Nice walks close by. Shop is in the same price region.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
4.5/5
A torturous journey across mountains on gravel road from Rotorua but brilliant scenery and well worth it when you get there!
Power sites and very good facilities. Journey to Waipoa in the other direction much easier and quicker. Good walk 2hrs return to the falls.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
5.0/5
Toilets, everything very clean!
Reception very nice. $15 for 1 person.
Reviewed about 8 years ago
4.0/5
Very friendly, kitchen with a lot of gear.
Washer very cheap 2€ and only 1€ fro shower. But the night is around 20€/pers
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
We enjoyed staying here.
Clean facilities, hot showers, clean kitchen. Cute ducks!
Reviewed 13 days ago
4.5/5
Very big campground for all sorts of tents and campervans.
You can also rent a small room. It’s well maintained and the amenities are nice and clean. Kitchen is small for such a big place but you have room to sit indoors when the weather is bad. There are no pots or pans available but they have ovens, a microwave and four different spots with 2 induction heating hubs. Oh and bonus they have a fish cleaning station and a smoker.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
5.0/5
We were the only ones in our area (Zone 6 power site) as the weather wasn’t great even though it the last week of the Oct school holidays.
Fabulous view as we were right on the lake front. Basic washing up facilities, toilets and showers were right beside us. The showers were decent and hot and very thing was clean! Just just a short walk and there is a great block with fab toilets, showers, cooking area and common room including a fish filleting area! Staff were lovely and the shop has a range of food just like a dairy. Petrol was only 10c a litre more expensive then in Rotorua or Wairoa, so not devastating if you need to top up a bit. Be warned the road is mainly metal/shingle either way and from Rotorua a large camper would struggle- can’t be longer then 10m. Also there is absolutely no cell phone coverage which we loved and the kids dealt with remarkably well!
Reviewed about 2 years ago
5.0/5
Stayed at Waikaremoana Holiday Camp prior to starting walk.
Very comfortable stay. Picturesque setting. Cabins clean, more spacious than expected and lovely outlook over part of lake. Shared Kitchen and bathroom facilities more than adequate. Thankyou
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
3.5/5
This felt like a great find for us.
The road through Te Urewera was tortuous, but we reckon it was worth it! So quiet and peaceful, big shared spaces and the lake was awe inspiring. The place could do with a bit of sprucing up- just to neaten the edges, but all in all a great place to unwind. Shame the walking trails were closed but you can't always have everything! The owners were very friendly and had a convenient shop and petrol pump for those that underestimated the drive
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
5.0/5
Very clean and tidy.
Big improvements have been made over the past 12 months since our last visit to the camp. Great staff. The camp is worth staying at
Reviewed over 5 years ago
3.5/5
Camp kitchen scrupulously clean but absolutely barren, nothing at all, not very good as you are not able to pop down to the shops easily.
We had a cabin, again no crockery or cutlery supplied, luckily we had brought food that we didn't need to cook, or we would have had to eat raw food, managed to find some take away cups in the car to drink out of.
Sad that the DOC site doesn't mention to bring EVERYTHING including the kitchen sink!! We were not impressed.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
3.0/5
We were disappointed with this holiday park.
We thought from the map that you would have beautiful views of the lake from most sites, but hedges block all the views, which I guess does make it more sheltered. We also thought it would be a good place for our little kiddies to swim in the lake but seems to be more catered for boaties. The facilities are nice and I could see some of the cabins did have great views, but the kitchen seating was definitely inadequate.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
4.0/5
Prices have gone way up.
$38 for 1 person, 1 night on unpowered tent site. No Wifi. Nice walks close by. Shop is in the same price region.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
4.5/5
A torturous journey across mountains on gravel road from Rotorua but brilliant scenery and well worth it when you get there!
Power sites and very good facilities. Journey to Waipoa in the other direction much easier and quicker. Good walk 2hrs return to the falls.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
5.0/5
Toilets, everything very clean!
Reception very nice. $15 for 1 person.
Reviewed about 8 years ago
4.0/5
Very friendly, kitchen with a lot of gear.
Washer very cheap 2€ and only 1€ fro shower. But the night is around 20€/pers
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
awsome view, very clean place, new and very well maintained facilities, very good value~ only need to be aware the drive to holiday park, quite long gravel road before reaching
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.0/5
Long, winding, gravel road but worth the trek once you reach the site.
Beautiful lake, popular with fisherman and boats. Very clean and well maintained kitchen, washroom, bathrooms and hot showers. Great walk up to Lake Waikareiti if you get the chance (3hr return from camp).
Reviewed over 9 years ago
4.0/5
Just a stunning location.
Campsite is quite large and has very good facilities. When we were there it was quite cold and drizzling, some sheltered sites for small vans and sheltered walkways would be a good investment.
Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in October 2014
3.5/5
It was a nice campsite.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
3.5/5
Ein schöner Campingplatz mit zahlreichen powered sites.
Leider haben einige Stellplätze spürbares Gefälle, wodurch nur einer von zwei Stellplätzen neben einem Toiletten- und Duschhäuschen in Frage kamen (von Vorteil, da die Toiletten und Duschen sehr sauber waren!). Der Shop bietet ein bisschen Infomaterial und notwendige Lebensmittel.
Eine Wanderung (Beech Walk) führt in ca. 35 Minuten zum DOC Visitor Center, von wo aus viele weitere Wanderungen starten. Die Hunerai Wasserfälle sind auf jeden Fall sehenswert, ebenso der Papakorito Wasserfall.
Um zum Campingplatz zu kommen, müssen ca. 50-70 km Schotterstraße gefahren werden - wobei die Bodenwellen es in sich haben! Nehmt Euch genügend Zeit für die Strecke (egal ob von Gisborne/Wairoa aus oder von Rotorua aus!).
Unserer Meinung nach lohnt sich die Strecke und der Aufwand, diese zu fahren, nicht im Vergleich zu dem, was man dort sehen kann :-)
Reviewed almost 11 years ago
4.5/5
We stayed here for 1 night whilst we did the lake walk (short one) $18pp power.
+ Reasonably priced,
+ Fantastic view and location (Right on the lake)
+ Very close to plenty of waterfalls and walks,
+ Very clean and tidy facilities,
+ Lovely are,
+ Petrol available.
Lovely campground, we were there in autumn so weather wasnt great but was still great there.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in June 2013
5.0/5
We were out of season but it was fabulous - great location overlooking the lake, all the facilities of a Top10 in a lovely setting and cheap.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
5.0/5
Nice place at the lake, walkways starting at the campground.
Reviewed almost 13 years ago