Patea Dam / Lake Rotorangi
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Patea Dam / Lake Rotorangi
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!
Details
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Organisation |
South Taranaki District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Patea |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
This was such a good find in the backcountry.
Yes the gravel road feels a bit dodgy with wandering stock and goats , especially after a recent cyclone but easily done in our self contained van when taken easy. There were couple people there with a large trailer camper, boats and jetskis. We took our kayak and dog down and went up a couple Kms up the lake. The ferns and Nikau palms are stunning. The toilet block is well maintained with hot water showers, plenty of soap and paper. We stayed one night but will definitely be back. It’s pretty cool you can walk on the earth dam. More than happy to pay $11 to the council, I’ve paid double that per person in some camping grounds with worse amenities. It’s a great place for people whose family member is a dog.
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5.0/5
Loved it!
We were the only ones there except for when someone came to mow the paddock. Hot showers, clean water, clean toilets and a sink.
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3.5/5
Stayed there nearly a year ago Love the spot Isolated but good Heading back this month jan21
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4.0/5
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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4.5/5
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.
