Ruatiti Domain
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Ruatiti Domain
This area has a number of toilet facilities, tap water and a number of BBQs. The water is taken from a spring located very high on the edge of a cliff of papa rock on the Mangonui O Te Ao River and piped to a concrete holding tank located on the Domain. Visitors to the Domain are advised to boil all drinking water.
There is a prohibition of bringing liquor to the Ruatiti Domain for the period from midnight on 30 December until midnight on 2 January annually.
No Dogs from 1st Dec - end of April every year
Details
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Organisation |
Ruapehu District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Ohakune |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
Potentially best campsite in New Zealand, unbelievable that it’s free!
HUGE space, plenty of wide open field for lots of campers, plus loads of secret nooks and crannies for a more private spot.
Fire places everywhere, can camp down by the stream but also good spots above.
Recommend definitely having a good look round before pitching up.
Unbelievable that not many people know about this, good spot for wildlife too and not to many bugs.
Hopefully we will be coming back to this one.
I![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(5,220,241)" /><path d="m 150 650 Q 57 243 -350 150 Q 57 57 150 -350 Q 243 57 650 150 Q 243 243 150 650 z" fill="rgb(69,242,191)" /><path d="m 150 369 Q 219 81 -69 150 Q 219 219 150 -69 Q 81 219 369 150 Q 81 81 150 369 z" fill="rgb(186,13,64)" /><path d="m 150 298 Q 196 104 2 150 Q 196 196 150 2 Q 104 196 298 150 Q 104 104 150 298 z" fill="rgb(250,35,14)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
What a secret gem!
Definitely a good 20+ minutes from any main road, but as other reviewers say, worth it! Seems like a local spot, which we loved. Clean and spacious. Go to the END of the property (keep driving… more…) and you’ll find the river, which you can park or camp RIGHT next to. Insane stars at night bc of no lights/pollution.
Water spicket and bathrooms on site.
We used with our campervan and couldn’t be happier.
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5.0/5
I can only reiterate what most people said about this absolutely outstanding and huge site.
It is a total privilege that some somebody is willing (and paying) to mantain this place for public use.
The site may be a bit in the way to nowhere, down a winding road (but beautiful) but that's only part of the charm, in my view.
R![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(138,90,237)" /><path d="m 150 634 Q 200 100 -334 150 Q 200 200 150 -334 Q 100 200 634 150 Q 100 100 150 634 z" fill="rgb(114,201,99)" /><path d="m 150 462 Q 162 138 -162 150 Q 162 162 150 -162 Q 138 162 462 150 Q 138 138 150 462 z" fill="rgb(141,54,156)" /><path d="m 150 297 Q 249 51 3 150 Q 249 249 150 3 Q 51 249 297 150 Q 51 51 150 297 z" fill="rgb(117,165,18)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Amazing free campsite for all People.
Close to River.
Many place for camp. Good grass.
Good facilities, clean toilet and no drinkable Water.
Enjoy your night in this campsite
A![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(188,212,131)" /><path d="m 150 518 Q 202 98 -218 150 Q 202 202 150 -218 Q 98 202 518 150 Q 98 98 150 518 z" fill="rgb(19,27,36)" /><path d="m 150 369 Q 78 222 -69 150 Q 78 78 150 -69 Q 222 78 369 150 Q 222 222 150 369 z" fill="rgb(236,228,219)" /><path d="m 150 295 Q 136 164 5 150 Q 136 136 150 5 Q 164 136 295 150 Q 164 164 150 295 z" fill="rgb(67,43,124)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
When leaving a very positive review for a free campsite, I also think in the back of my head I hope it doesn't become too flooded with other tourists.
In this case the campsite is so enormous, you could comfortably fit 500 campervans and still it would be allright for everyone. Seriously, the place is huge, I can't imagine it filling up in a random occasion.
There's about 6-8 (drop)toilets around, the newest ones are perfectly clean.
There are several fireplaces available, and some public bbq's.
The location is great, you can be right beside a river, or a little back on some separate fields with smaller more private areas.
The road leading up to the campsite is also very pretty, and perfectly fine to drive. The last 500 meters is gravel, but still nothing to worry about.
There is also running water available, with signs saying "please boil before drinking".
It is by far one of the best camping spots I have ever visited, and the best in NZ thus far! And also, it's completely free of charge!
J![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(236,57,10)" /><path d="m 150 720 Q 185 115 -420 150 Q 185 185 150 -420 Q 115 185 720 150 Q 115 115 150 720 z" fill="rgb(192,171,227)" /><path d="m 150 308 Q 64 236 -8 150 Q 64 64 150 -8 Q 236 64 308 150 Q 236 236 150 308 z" fill="rgb(63,84,28)" /><path d="m 150 251 Q 207 93 49 150 Q 207 207 150 49 Q 93 207 251 150 Q 93 93 150 251 z" fill="rgb(19,198,245)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Great camp site by the river within a short walk to awesome, safe swimming hole.
Good fishing access. Caught a trout! Will be back.
L![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(51,48,191)" /><path d="m 150 523 Q 48 252 -223 150 Q 48 48 150 -223 Q 252 48 523 150 Q 252 252 150 523 z" fill="rgb(51,136,133)" /><path d="m 150 450 Q 198 102 -150 150 Q 198 198 150 -150 Q 102 198 450 150 Q 102 102 150 450 z" fill="rgb(204,119,122)" /><path d="m 150 160 Q 189 111 140 150 Q 189 189 150 140 Q 111 189 160 150 Q 111 111 150 160 z" fill="rgb(204,207,64)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Lovely place.
Clean drinking water available as well as flushing toilets. River looked swimable but not too appealing. Great free place near the mountain however a bit far off the main road.
J![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(153,142,143)" /><path d="m 150 754 Q 229 71 -454 150 Q 229 229 150 -454 Q 71 229 754 150 Q 71 71 150 754 z" fill="rgb(167,20,135)" /><path d="m 150 310 Q 121 179 -10 150 Q 121 121 150 -10 Q 179 121 310 150 Q 179 179 150 310 z" fill="rgb(88,235,120)" /><path d="m 150 293 Q 245 55 7 150 Q 245 245 150 7 Q 55 245 293 150 Q 55 55 150 293 z" fill="rgb(102,113,112)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful spot recommended to me by my son.
I was the only person in the place, not surprising being winter I guess, but enjoyed the beauty, peace and quiet, and solitude. Crackling campfire, gurgling river…does it get better?
R![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(168,227,222)" /><path d="m 150 579 Q 243 57 -279 150 Q 243 243 150 -279 Q 57 243 579 150 Q 57 57 150 579 z" fill="rgb(142,44,115)" /><path d="m 150 478 Q 97 203 -178 150 Q 97 97 150 -178 Q 203 97 478 150 Q 203 203 150 478 z" fill="rgb(113,211,140)" /><path d="m 150 229 Q 197 103 71 150 Q 197 197 150 71 Q 103 197 229 150 Q 103 103 150 229 z" fill="rgb(87,28,33)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Absolutely fantastic - thank you so much to the local council for this idyllic spot that can be enjoyed by anyone at no cost.
Awesome don’t miss it
SB![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(250,100,35)" /><path d="m 150 511 Q 162 138 -211 150 Q 162 162 150 -211 Q 138 162 511 150 Q 138 138 150 511 z" fill="rgb(70,61,182)" /><path d="m 150 319 Q 290 10 -19 150 Q 290 290 150 -19 Q 10 290 319 150 Q 10 10 150 319 z" fill="rgb(185,194,73)" /><path d="m 150 328 Q 135 165 -28 150 Q 135 135 150 -28 Q 165 135 328 150 Q 165 165 150 328 z" fill="rgb(5,155,220)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Awesome freedom campsite!
Right by the river for swimming and huge big grassy sites. There are toilets but bring loo roll :)
One of the best freedom campsites we have stayed at in the North island 👌
L![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(6,106,134)" /><path d="m 150 730 Q 112 188 -430 150 Q 112 112 150 -430 Q 188 112 730 150 Q 188 188 150 730 z" fill="rgb(74,106,227)" /><path d="m 150 506 Q 202 98 -206 150 Q 202 202 150 -206 Q 98 202 506 150 Q 98 98 150 506 z" fill="rgb(181,149,28)" /><path d="m 150 306 Q 279 21 -6 150 Q 279 279 150 -6 Q 21 279 306 150 Q 21 21 150 306 z" fill="rgb(249,149,121)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Big FREE campground with beautiful scenic surroundings.
You go through a fenced/gate property to get there. We stayed on the top camp area for one night, as the other two lower levels were quite busy. Long drops and tap available on top level (water needs to be boiled) and take your own toilet paper. The river looks like a perfect spot for a swim, if you stay long enough.
BR![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(130,89,38)" /><path d="m 150 581 Q 120 180 -281 150 Q 120 120 150 -281 Q 180 120 581 150 Q 180 180 150 581 z" fill="rgb(81,195,176)" /><path d="m 150 349 Q 297 3 -49 150 Q 297 297 150 -49 Q 3 297 349 150 Q 3 3 150 349 z" fill="rgb(174,60,79)" /><path d="m 150 217 Q 115 185 83 150 Q 115 115 150 83 Q 185 115 217 150 Q 185 185 150 217 z" fill="rgb(125,166,217)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful campsite, toilets and fire pits on site.
No one else there ! Highly recommend.
F![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(70,76,215)" /><path d="m 150 582 Q 118 182 -282 150 Q 118 118 150 -282 Q 182 118 582 150 Q 182 182 150 582 z" fill="rgb(182,244,234)" /><path d="m 150 378 Q 180 120 -78 150 Q 180 180 150 -78 Q 120 180 378 150 Q 120 120 150 378 z" fill="rgb(73,11,21)" /><path d="m 150 124 Q 59 241 176 150 Q 59 59 150 176 Q 241 59 124 150 Q 241 241 150 124 z" fill="rgb(185,179,40)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Perfectly perfect.
Big swimming holes, water warm after hot period, a walk downstream after crossing river by downstream campers, can bush whack up to ridge to west, fascinating swing ridge 30 min downstream
B![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(177,48,54)" /><path d="m 150 593 Q 82 218 -293 150 Q 82 82 150 -293 Q 218 82 593 150 Q 218 218 150 593 z" fill="rgb(159,236,169)" /><path d="m 150 440 Q 64 236 -140 150 Q 64 64 150 -140 Q 236 64 440 150 Q 236 236 150 440 z" fill="rgb(96,19,86)" /><path d="m 150 181 Q 274 26 119 150 Q 274 274 150 119 Q 26 274 181 150 Q 26 26 150 181 z" fill="rgb(78,207,201)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Huge campsite, stayed only shortly and didn't see much.
Lots of rabbits and some rabbit poo. Road is good, with a few rocks lying about, watch out (and maybe throw them away when passing 🙂). Used as a base camp for Tongariro crossing, Kehetaki carpark is 1h 5mins drive away. Bring your own toilet paper.
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5.0/5
Potentially best campsite in New Zealand, unbelievable that it’s free!
HUGE space, plenty of wide open field for lots of campers, plus loads of secret nooks and crannies for a more private spot.
Fire places everywhere, can camp down by the stream but also good spots above.
Recommend definitely having a good look round before pitching up.
Unbelievable that not many people know about this, good spot for wildlife too and not to many bugs.
Hopefully we will be coming back to this one.
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5.0/5
What a secret gem!
Definitely a good 20+ minutes from any main road, but as other reviewers say, worth it! Seems like a local spot, which we loved. Clean and spacious. Go to the END of the property (keep driving… more…) and you’ll find the river, which you can park or camp RIGHT next to. Insane stars at night bc of no lights/pollution.
Water spicket and bathrooms on site.
We used with our campervan and couldn’t be happier.
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5.0/5
I can only reiterate what most people said about this absolutely outstanding and huge site.
It is a total privilege that some somebody is willing (and paying) to mantain this place for public use.
The site may be a bit in the way to nowhere, down a winding road (but beautiful) but that's only part of the charm, in my view.
R -
5.0/5
Amazing free campsite for all People.
Close to River.
Many place for camp. Good grass.
Good facilities, clean toilet and no drinkable Water.
Enjoy your night in this campsite
A -
5.0/5
When leaving a very positive review for a free campsite, I also think in the back of my head I hope it doesn't become too flooded with other tourists.
In this case the campsite is so enormous, you could comfortably fit 500 campervans and still it would be allright for everyone. Seriously, the place is huge, I can't imagine it filling up in a random occasion.
There's about 6-8 (drop)toilets around, the newest ones are perfectly clean.
There are several fireplaces available, and some public bbq's.
The location is great, you can be right beside a river, or a little back on some separate fields with smaller more private areas.
The road leading up to the campsite is also very pretty, and perfectly fine to drive. The last 500 meters is gravel, but still nothing to worry about.
There is also running water available, with signs saying "please boil before drinking".
It is by far one of the best camping spots I have ever visited, and the best in NZ thus far! And also, it's completely free of charge!
J -
5.0/5
Great camp site by the river within a short walk to awesome, safe swimming hole.
Good fishing access. Caught a trout! Will be back.
L -
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4.5/5
Lovely place.
Clean drinking water available as well as flushing toilets. River looked swimable but not too appealing. Great free place near the mountain however a bit far off the main road.
J -
5.0/5
Beautiful spot recommended to me by my son.
I was the only person in the place, not surprising being winter I guess, but enjoyed the beauty, peace and quiet, and solitude. Crackling campfire, gurgling river…does it get better?
R -
5.0/5
Absolutely fantastic - thank you so much to the local council for this idyllic spot that can be enjoyed by anyone at no cost.
Awesome don’t miss it
SB -
5.0/5
Awesome freedom campsite!
Right by the river for swimming and huge big grassy sites. There are toilets but bring loo roll :)
One of the best freedom campsites we have stayed at in the North island 👌
L -
5.0/5
Big FREE campground with beautiful scenic surroundings.
You go through a fenced/gate property to get there. We stayed on the top camp area for one night, as the other two lower levels were quite busy. Long drops and tap available on top level (water needs to be boiled) and take your own toilet paper. The river looks like a perfect spot for a swim, if you stay long enough.
BR -
5.0/5
Beautiful campsite, toilets and fire pits on site.
No one else there ! Highly recommend.
F -
5.0/5
Perfectly perfect.
Big swimming holes, water warm after hot period, a walk downstream after crossing river by downstream campers, can bush whack up to ridge to west, fascinating swing ridge 30 min downstream
B -
4.5/5
Huge campsite, stayed only shortly and didn't see much.
Lots of rabbits and some rabbit poo. Road is good, with a few rocks lying about, watch out (and maybe throw them away when passing 🙂). Used as a base camp for Tongariro crossing, Kehetaki carpark is 1h 5mins drive away. Bring your own toilet paper.
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5.0/5
Simply STUNNING!
Fav campsite in NZ so far (actually the world). Drive all the way down and camp by the river. Numerous fire pits with plenty cut wood for all, tap water, clean drop and flush toilets. Trout fishing etc. Only negative I can think of is that there are no walking tracks easily accessible but if you have a car it's no problem, you're free to roam the surrounding area. Can't rate this any higher!
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4.5/5
Great Freedom camping, it is a 17km road in, and you have to back-track to come out, but the scenery is stunning and it is well worth the drive.
The last 500 metres is dirt but no problem even in the wet.
Go past the flush toilet and camp by the stream, loads of room and nice waking up next to the stream. Our favourite Freedom Camp in the North Island.
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