Kaiate Falls Scenic Reserve
Overnight Campervan Parking
12 Rankers Reviews
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Kaiate Falls Scenic Reserve
Self-contained freedom campers can stay at Kaiate Falls Scenic Reserve for up to three nights
Campervans, motorhomes and RVs with self-containment certification can freedom camp here for up to three nights.
The Kaiate Falls Scenic Reserve is home to Te Rerekawau (Kaiate) Falls, a series of pretty cascades and waterfalls through a bush filled ravine. Good picnic areas, swimming holes and short walks feature at the reserve also.
Please respect the environment around you, leave your campsite tidy and pack your rubbish away when you leave.
There is a 3 night maximum stay in any 4 week consecutive period at this site. The 4 consecutive weeks begin from the first overnight stay.
According to reviews this place is an undiscovered gem - happy exploring!
Details
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Organisation |
Western Bay of Plenty District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga |
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Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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3.5/5
Good alternative if all other freedom camping spots in the local area are taken.
We arrived late to Tauranga and struggled to find a spot.
Headed here and had a good nights sleep. Little tight getting up to the car park but fine for a normal sized van or station wagon.
Bigger vehicles may have the reverse up the last road to make it easier.
Would give the public toilets a miss at this spot!
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(15,144,51)" /><path d="m 150 701 Q 243 57 -401 150 Q 243 243 150 -401 Q 57 243 701 150 Q 57 57 150 701 z" fill="rgb(235,194,24)" /><path d="m 150 353 Q 169 131 -53 150 Q 169 169 150 -53 Q 131 169 353 150 Q 131 131 150 353 z" fill="rgb(20,61,231)" /><path d="m 150 258 Q 261 39 42 150 Q 261 261 150 42 Q 39 261 258 150 Q 39 39 150 258 z" fill="rgb(240,111,204)" /></svg>)
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2.5/5
Beware no access for larger campers.
Based on the description we headed up to the overnight camping. It was dark, a steep winding road. We were desperate to find a camp spot after spending 2 hours looking for one in Tauranga area but they were all full. We have a Sprinter so not huge. Location given on Rankers was not accurate. We had to cross a one lane bridge over the top if the waterfall and then couldn't make the sharp turn left into the narrow dirt road leading to the car park. We never got to see it. I had to revetse 100 metres in the dark next to a ravine and then do a 12 Point turn to head back down the mountain. So small vsns access only but I'm sure it woukd have been beautiful!
CJ![](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(81,180,251)" /><path d="m 150 643 Q 143 157 -343 150 Q 143 143 150 -343 Q 157 143 643 150 Q 157 157 150 643 z" fill="rgb(160,35,139)" /><path d="m 150 539 Q 120 180 -239 150 Q 120 120 150 -239 Q 180 120 539 150 Q 180 180 150 539 z" fill="rgb(95,220,116)" /><path d="m 150 328 Q 128 172 -28 150 Q 128 128 150 -28 Q 172 128 328 150 Q 172 172 150 328 z" fill="rgb(174,75,4)" /></svg>)
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3.5/5
A nice spot.
Essentially a car park at the top of the Kaiate falls walk. Busy when we arrived, but only 3 vans stayed the night. One drop toilet, which is not very clean, but does the job. Bins available. The walk around the falls itself is lovely!
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3.5/5
We sleep there last night.
The toilet it is a small toilet no sink. Has 12 spaces for parking, and last night we were in around 6 cars. Really quiet spot. The falls are around 15 min walking from the car park. 30 min return. We did not make to the pools because was too late.
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4.0/5
Campsite itself just a car park with one toilet.
A few visitors coming and going but overnight we were the only people staying so very quiet and private. Falls are beautiful and a lovely walk. Great site slightly off the beaten track. Bit of a steep drive uphill and nothing nearby in terms of shops or amenities so prepare!
DH![](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(248,77,34)" /><path d="m 150 533 Q 152 148 -233 150 Q 152 152 150 -233 Q 148 152 533 150 Q 148 148 150 533 z" fill="rgb(225,173,226)" /><path d="m 150 322 Q 300 0 -22 150 Q 300 300 150 -22 Q 0 300 322 150 Q 0 0 150 322 z" fill="rgb(30,82,29)" /><path d="m 150 278 Q 189 111 22 150 Q 189 189 150 22 Q 111 189 278 150 Q 111 111 150 278 z" fill="rgb(7,178,221)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
The falls are amazing and the bush walk around is really nice.
Very quite place great to escape the bustle and busyness of the city. One long drop which is a plus. Were only 3 other tourists camping in their vans when we were there and plenty of parks. Only about 30 mins drive from Tauranga would definitely recommend going there. Can go for swims if you don't read the signs.
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4.0/5
Nice and quiet place with basic toilet but no showers.
This isn't a problem though since it's a 3 minute walk to the first water fall. Some locals came up to take a swim and played some music at the camp site but they were harmless and soon left.
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5.0/5
We were there in September and the only van parked there.
A fantastic place to park although there were a few animal noises in the night. There is a very small drop dunny that wasn't very clean but that is why you have a self contained van.
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4.5/5
We loved this spot.
It was a beautiful walk and the waterfalls were gorgeous. There's an outhouse toilet and just a parking lot. Worth the wander up the hill!
BH![](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(236,173,36)" /><path d="m 150 543 Q 155 145 -243 150 Q 155 155 150 -243 Q 145 155 543 150 Q 145 145 150 543 z" fill="rgb(79,202,133)" /><path d="m 150 375 Q 175 125 -75 150 Q 175 175 150 -75 Q 125 175 375 150 Q 125 125 150 375 z" fill="rgb(176,53,122)" /><path d="m 150 214 Q 230 70 86 150 Q 230 230 150 86 Q 70 230 214 150 Q 70 70 150 214 z" fill="rgb(19,82,219)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Free.
Quite a drive off the highway around winding gravel roads, though not too bad. Incredibly worth it. Extremely secluded (only van there in April) with beautiful walk down to waterfall basin for swimming and cliff jumping. Several smaller falls on the way down. Well-used longdrop toilet and nothing else, it's just a small parking lot. One of our favourite spots in a month of camping due to beautiful falls, swimming opportunity, and seclusion. Stayed without any SC cert.
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4.5/5
We had a great family time here.
Freedom camping with only facilities being long drop toilet and a rubbish bin.
Had the site to ourselves overnight with hard standing car park with about 12 car sized spaces.
Highlight was the walk down to the falls and swimming pools at the bottom for the brave and rope swing high jump into the water for the really brave.
Be warned many steps back up to the parking gained the path the name heart attack hill on the way back but not a problem for the youngsters.
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