Rotokare Scenic Reserve
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Rotokare Scenic Reserve
We are a pest free sanctuary. We have spent millions of dollars and hours eradicating mice, rats, stoats, weasels and possums from inside the sanctuary.
No pests have been in the reserve since it was enclosed with a 8.2km predator proof fence in 2006. As a consequence our bird life has flourished. We have over 150 Kiwi in the reserve, and four years ago we translocated Tieke (which had previously been extinct in Taranaki for over 150 years). In 2017 we translocated 40 hihi (stitchbirds).They are very rare and exist at only 7 sites on the planet!! You can see we take conservation very seriously.
In order to maintain a pest free sanctuary for the rare birds it is essential that all visitors check their vehicles and belongings for mice or rats and other pests.
We maintain a pristine reserve with clean toilets and an outside shower. We do not receive any government funding for the reserve. We do expect a donation from visitors camping the night. $5 per person, per night is a realistic donation and this can be put in the donation box by the visitor information centre.
The information centre has weekly updates on happenings within the sanctuary, including opportunities to be involved with events and volunteer days.
Self-contained vehicles in front of the estuary only. Non-self-contained vehicles outside the public toilets and information centre only. Tenting on lake front only. Local Council By-laws allow only 3 self contained and three non-self contained camps per night.
NO DOGS PERMITTED IN THE SANCTUARY.
Details
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Organisation |
Rotokare Scenic ReserveCommercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Hawera |
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Categories |
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Operating Season And Hours |
The reserve is open 24 hours every day of the year. Enter through a set of double gates. Local Council By-laws allow only 3 self contained and three non-self contained camps per night.. Maximum three night stay. Boating is permitted on the lake between 1 December and 31 March, unless closed by local council for water quality reasons. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Walking
Bird Watching
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
Didn’t actually get to stay - already at capacity when we arrived (late at 5pm summer time).
However, what a special place. Toilets fine. Great info Centre, new one being built. Price now suggested $10pp/night. Cash in honesty box or via QR code in info booth.
Great spot near lake and setting is perfect. Three night stay allowed so would be difficult to get and spot no matter what time you turned up. Bit of a drive for no guarantee. Recommend going early and spending day there in hope of a night spot!!
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5.0/5
Perfect spot.
Free Camping for everyone, self-evident, non self-evident, tent. Very clean toilets. Outdoor cold shower. Changing Room. Very nice walk around the lake. And in the night you can see some Kiwi's. Best place i have been.
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5.0/5
Stunning reserve with lake views, forest walk and birdsong!
Loved this place so much I stayed a second night. Felt safe as a solo traveller. Toilets are clean and there is wifi at the little visitor centre next to the toilets. You can even go walking at night to try see kiwi birds! Bring plenty of drinking water as the tap water is not drinkable.
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5.0/5
After an afternoon of driving through a lot of rain, it was so satisfying to come upon this gorgeous lush location.
Another reviewer said entering it seemed like entering Jurassic Park and it's true! You go through two separate gates to ensure you have no pests attached to your vehicle and then you're free to explore. Fantastic parking for self-contained vehicles along the lake and another small lot up near the restrooms for non self-contained vehicles. The paths around the lake are scenic and the bird life is extraordinary. We could spend a week here and would happily volunteer for their many projects.
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5.0/5
Lovely peaceful location inside the predator proof fence with camping for $10 donation.
No drinking water but toilet & outdoor shower & WiFi. Nice easy track around the lake or harder bush walk on the ridge. Wonderful dawn chorus of native birds
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5.0/5
What a stunning, serene location!
Went out of my way to stay here per the recommendation of a council member at another freedom camping spot and was very glad that I did. Wish I could’ve stayed another night or two! Highly recommend doing both the ridge track and the lake walk; beautiful views and so much wildlife to see and hear. Cold outdoor shower available and toilets open all night (clean and well lit!). Suggested $10pp donation which I happily left for such a gorgeous place to stay. Hopefully people continue to follow the guidelines to keep places like this open!
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5.0/5
Beautiful, isolated, peaceful location.
Pram friendly bushwalk to pontoon. Toilets are tidy and cold outdoor shower for cooling off.
Lake is great for kayaking but no swimming due to bacteria levels.
Bird life is great to wake up to and kiwi spotting is possible at night if you have a red light. We met so many new friends on our one night stay.
Feels like you are in Jurassic Park when going through the big gates!! Can't complain at all.
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5.0/5
Must visit!
Such a beautiful bush walk, I saw birds that I had never seen before, even the chance to see kiwi if you stay the night. Also they had Wi-Fi, facilities were okay but no potable water
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4.5/5
Perfect for peace and birdsong!
Loved hearing the morpork and other wildlife. Facilities are clean, just toilet no shower, but all good for one night. Did the lake loop walk in an hour, very muddy but well maintained. Volunteers do an amazing job here. Meant to be just 3 self contained and 3 non, but few people turned up late in the evening and snuck in. Would definitely stay again.
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5.0/5
Absolute gem of a spot.
Lots of room, there is a limit to how many campers that can stay per night. The walks were great and the facilities clean and tidy. Huge thanks to the volunteers. Will definitely be back
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5.0/5
Beautiful place to stay and enjoy the reserve.
All facilities and grounds in immaculate condition! Lots of space to enjoy. Could bring a kayak or paddle board to enjoy the lake. Beautiful sunset too.
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4.0/5
Great place, clean facilities and the walk around the lake is highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights during a normal working week so it was very quiet and peaceful during the day. Unfortunately, between 5 and 8 each evening 2-3 jetskis would hoon around the lake before packing up and returning the site to a calm oasis.
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5.0/5
Didn’t actually get to stay - already at capacity when we arrived (late at 5pm summer time).
However, what a special place. Toilets fine. Great info Centre, new one being built. Price now suggested $10pp/night. Cash in honesty box or via QR code in info booth.
Great spot near lake and setting is perfect. Three night stay allowed so would be difficult to get and spot no matter what time you turned up. Bit of a drive for no guarantee. Recommend going early and spending day there in hope of a night spot!!
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5.0/5
Perfect spot.
Free Camping for everyone, self-evident, non self-evident, tent. Very clean toilets. Outdoor cold shower. Changing Room. Very nice walk around the lake. And in the night you can see some Kiwi's. Best place i have been.
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5.0/5
Stunning reserve with lake views, forest walk and birdsong!
Loved this place so much I stayed a second night. Felt safe as a solo traveller. Toilets are clean and there is wifi at the little visitor centre next to the toilets. You can even go walking at night to try see kiwi birds! Bring plenty of drinking water as the tap water is not drinkable.
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5.0/5
After an afternoon of driving through a lot of rain, it was so satisfying to come upon this gorgeous lush location.
Another reviewer said entering it seemed like entering Jurassic Park and it's true! You go through two separate gates to ensure you have no pests attached to your vehicle and then you're free to explore. Fantastic parking for self-contained vehicles along the lake and another small lot up near the restrooms for non self-contained vehicles. The paths around the lake are scenic and the bird life is extraordinary. We could spend a week here and would happily volunteer for their many projects.
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5.0/5
Lovely peaceful location inside the predator proof fence with camping for $10 donation.
No drinking water but toilet & outdoor shower & WiFi. Nice easy track around the lake or harder bush walk on the ridge. Wonderful dawn chorus of native birds
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5.0/5
What a stunning, serene location!
Went out of my way to stay here per the recommendation of a council member at another freedom camping spot and was very glad that I did. Wish I could’ve stayed another night or two! Highly recommend doing both the ridge track and the lake walk; beautiful views and so much wildlife to see and hear. Cold outdoor shower available and toilets open all night (clean and well lit!). Suggested $10pp donation which I happily left for such a gorgeous place to stay. Hopefully people continue to follow the guidelines to keep places like this open!
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5.0/5
Beautiful, isolated, peaceful location.
Pram friendly bushwalk to pontoon. Toilets are tidy and cold outdoor shower for cooling off.
Lake is great for kayaking but no swimming due to bacteria levels.
Bird life is great to wake up to and kiwi spotting is possible at night if you have a red light. We met so many new friends on our one night stay.
Feels like you are in Jurassic Park when going through the big gates!! Can't complain at all.
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5.0/5
Must visit!
Such a beautiful bush walk, I saw birds that I had never seen before, even the chance to see kiwi if you stay the night. Also they had Wi-Fi, facilities were okay but no potable water
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4.5/5
Perfect for peace and birdsong!
Loved hearing the morpork and other wildlife. Facilities are clean, just toilet no shower, but all good for one night. Did the lake loop walk in an hour, very muddy but well maintained. Volunteers do an amazing job here. Meant to be just 3 self contained and 3 non, but few people turned up late in the evening and snuck in. Would definitely stay again.
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5.0/5
Absolute gem of a spot.
Lots of room, there is a limit to how many campers that can stay per night. The walks were great and the facilities clean and tidy. Huge thanks to the volunteers. Will definitely be back
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5.0/5
Beautiful place to stay and enjoy the reserve.
All facilities and grounds in immaculate condition! Lots of space to enjoy. Could bring a kayak or paddle board to enjoy the lake. Beautiful sunset too.
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4.0/5
Great place, clean facilities and the walk around the lake is highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights during a normal working week so it was very quiet and peaceful during the day. Unfortunately, between 5 and 8 each evening 2-3 jetskis would hoon around the lake before packing up and returning the site to a calm oasis.
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4.5/5
Love this place.
Great to see the bird population increasing with the protection for them. But I can’t understand how jet skis and motor boats are allowed here ripping around disturbing the water fowl and the tranquillity.
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4.5/5
Great stop.
Beautiful area, amazing lake and walkway. Carpark was empty when we stayed. There is a donation request which we felt was much deserved.
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5.0/5
Wonderful overnight spot for up to 6 SC campers in a fenced predator free preserve.
Well worth a visit with the possibility of seeing kiwis at night (tho we were not lucky enough!) 1.5hr walk around the lake with lots of native birds to see and hear. Clean public toilets and information on wildlife available 24/7. Quiet when we were there in winter mid week tho it may not be during the summer months as boating on the lake is allowed. Suggested donation of $10pp to help support local volunteers and the Taranaki Regional Council in improving and maintaining the preserve.
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4.0/5
Definitely more campers than posted, but all quiet and respectful.
Teamed up with the neighbours to go look for kiwi with much success!
I don't mind sites with no potable water, but the toilet block could do with an outdoor sink or proper drain for NSC campers to properly dispose of dishwashing greywater - it was either muck up the small sink inside, or toss in the bushes.
Happy to provide a donation to this wonderful space and support their volunteer efforts!
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5.0/5
12/10.
Beautiful paradise, birds and birdsounds everywhere. Small donation is peanuts for what you experience here. Stayed 2 nights due two van-plumbingproblem-fix in Stratford. Did both walks (lakewalk and ridgewalk (more a follow the fence-walk)) instead of Mt.Taranaki. Both great. Loved the birds-experience and jungleforest even more than the views. Saw so many sometimes very curious birds and on our nightwalk a kiwi! Very happy. All other campers were respectful and quiet. Clean toilet. Sweet little info-nook. Cold shower out of order, but who cares. Drinkwater. Love what the volunteers created here. Beautiful experience. Thank you!
Thank you for you kind words and respect for this wonderful place.
We love our volunteers too! They are the life blood of what we do every day.
Our vision is ecological restoration of this wonderful site. Equally important is sharing the site with our community and visitors.
Regarding the shower - our water is spring fed and very difficult to maintain capacity over the summer.
rotokare
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4.5/5
Beautiful, scenic and peaceful camping spot.
The space is reserved for 6 tents only so the area is quiet and relaxing. There's 2 walks around the lake, where you may even spot a kiwi (make sure you walk at night and take a red torch to see them!) The camping spot is quite exposed so take some warm clothes! Toilet facilities are clean and well maintained and the area is generally very well looked after.
Thanks Emily. Glad that you had a relaxing stay here.
rotokare
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5.0/5
Rotokare Reserve is a gem of the southern Taranaki Region.
We stayed for 3 nights over Christmas. It was peaceful and outlook of the bush and lake were beautiful. This Reserve is run by volunteers which is awesome. It was super clean and well cared for. The two walks were excellent and teeming with native bird life. 10 Stars!
Thanks Cherie! Glad that you enjoyed your stay and our fabulous wild life.
rotokare
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Heureux que vous avez apprécié votre séjour
rotokare
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Hi Dave,
Glad you enjoyed your walk.Did you see our hihi?
rotokare
