Moanaroa Reserve

Moanaroa Reserve

Lake Karapiro - Overnight Campervan Parking

29 Rankers Reviews

1 Face-to-Face

3 Cambridge

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Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Waipa District Council

Council organisation

Location

North IslandWaikatoCambridge

Categories

  • Activity__freedom_campingFreedom Camping
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-37.95230001

175.6304333

Latitude
-37.95230001
Longitude
175.6304333

Nearby

Reviews

    ✓ Stunning views of the river

    ✓ Convenient location for attractions

    ✓ Plenty of parking space

    ✓ Clean and big toilets

    ✓ Allowed dogs on leash

    𐄂 Traffic noise from SH1

    𐄂 Bugs at night

    • Absolutely free.
    • Great place.
    • Great free spot with lots of room.
    • Beautiful view of the river.
    • Lovely place to stay.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 6
    21%
    9/10 8
    28%
    8/10 6
    21%
    7/10 4
    14%
    6/10 2
    7%
    5/10 2
    7%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 1
    3%
  • 2.5/5

    Hey! Did somebody find one of my hiking shoes I probably lost there (Lowa)?

    Thank you for contacting me if it‘s the case (anihensi@gmail.com) :)

    Reviewed 8 days ago

  • 4.0/5

    Toilets were kept very clean and stocked with toilet paper.

    The area can be muddy as it was when we were there due to heavy rain but there are still a few spots that you can park out of the mud. Nice to wake up next to the water.

    Reviewed 22 days ago

  • 4.5/5

    Lovely location overlooking hydro dam.

    Has decent toilets that were open all night to my knowledge. Easy to find, just off the high way but it was very peaceful.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.0/5

    If Kiwi motorhome owners are going to not follow freedom camping rules and not show themselves as good examples of how it's done right, how do we expect tourists to behave any different.

    This tonight here is a good example. No parking at Lakes edge/boat trailer parking.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

    Rae's avatar

    Rae

  • 4.5/5

    Very convenient for traveling in between Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton!

    Good flat ground, plenty of spaces on a Sunday evening, simple but clean bathrooms. Nice view besides the lake! A little bit of noise from the road but nothing major. Had lots of bugs though, and had to be very quick with opening the doors when it was dark out as many bugs would get into the car.

    Reviewed 12 months ago

  • 3.5/5

    Used this as in between place between Auckland and Rotorua (Hobbiton, mitai village).

    No complaints, felt safe.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 2.5/5

    Noisy!

    Right next SH1. The traffic continued all night even though Saturday into Sunday. Toilets ok. Very convenient for Hobbiton attraction.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Plenty of flat space with close, clean toilets.

    Can watch boaties & jetskis. Highway noise a bit loud but a great spot! Dogs on leash only.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    PRB's avatar

    PRB

  • 4.0/5

    We stayed 3 nights.

    Gorgeous view of the river. Very popular with boats and jetskis and waters King which make for a bit of noise but entertaining viewing. Traffic right next door is quite loud. Toilets big and clean.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    Plenty of grass or concrete space under the trees, clean toilets, beautiful view on the river.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    Lovely place to stay.

    Stunning views. Note: dogs are allowed. Must be on a lead

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful spot, nice and quiet, heaps of space, reasonably tidy toilets.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 2.5/5

    Hey! Did somebody find one of my hiking shoes I probably lost there (Lowa)?

    Thank you for contacting me if it‘s the case (anihensi@gmail.com) :)

    Reviewed 8 days ago

  • 4.0/5

    Toilets were kept very clean and stocked with toilet paper.

    The area can be muddy as it was when we were there due to heavy rain but there are still a few spots that you can park out of the mud. Nice to wake up next to the water.

    Reviewed 22 days ago

  • 4.5/5

    Lovely location overlooking hydro dam.

    Has decent toilets that were open all night to my knowledge. Easy to find, just off the high way but it was very peaceful.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.0/5

    If Kiwi motorhome owners are going to not follow freedom camping rules and not show themselves as good examples of how it's done right, how do we expect tourists to behave any different.

    This tonight here is a good example. No parking at Lakes edge/boat trailer parking.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

    Rae's avatar

    Rae

  • 4.5/5

    Very convenient for traveling in between Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton!

    Good flat ground, plenty of spaces on a Sunday evening, simple but clean bathrooms. Nice view besides the lake! A little bit of noise from the road but nothing major. Had lots of bugs though, and had to be very quick with opening the doors when it was dark out as many bugs would get into the car.

    Reviewed 12 months ago

  • 3.5/5

    Used this as in between place between Auckland and Rotorua (Hobbiton, mitai village).

    No complaints, felt safe.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 2.5/5

    Noisy!

    Right next SH1. The traffic continued all night even though Saturday into Sunday. Toilets ok. Very convenient for Hobbiton attraction.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Plenty of flat space with close, clean toilets.

    Can watch boaties & jetskis. Highway noise a bit loud but a great spot! Dogs on leash only.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    PRB's avatar

    PRB

  • 4.0/5

    We stayed 3 nights.

    Gorgeous view of the river. Very popular with boats and jetskis and waters King which make for a bit of noise but entertaining viewing. Traffic right next door is quite loud. Toilets big and clean.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    Plenty of grass or concrete space under the trees, clean toilets, beautiful view on the river.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    Lovely place to stay.

    Stunning views. Note: dogs are allowed. Must be on a lead

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 3.0/5

    It's a lovely spot by the river, however the dealbreaker for us was that there is place to swim.

    The whole setup was for boats and water skiing, snd there were plenty of those. As other reviews have mentioned, there is also road noise. We didn't stay - moved on to Horahora reserve where there is allocated swimming area

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful spot, nice and quiet, heaps of space, reasonably tidy toilets.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot for freedom camping.

    Public toilets were open. No drinking water or dump station.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Great spot is a little close to the motorway but as most newer motor homes are so well insulated isn't a major issues and fairley quiet at night, a great short stop over location Toilets Clean and Flushable

    Heaps of Space available

    No shops close by

    No walks close by

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great place, highly recommend for a night or two.

    Some hwy noise but this is more than compensated by tranquility of the river. Plenty of room for a dozen or more vans and motorhomes. Toilets open all night. We would definitely go back. Weekends could have waterskiers as there is a boat ramp on the rivers edge.

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great place.

    As described. Beautiful outlook and toilets dated but neat and functional. Still can't believe you can camp for free here. Can hear road noise but not a problem.

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful, well kept camping spot with clean toilets.

    Very basic.

    The views are great. However it is right next to the motorway. Worth it though.

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Absolutely free.

    Excelent spot with a great view of the lake. Park under the trees and enjoy the view. Toilet clean and very close, no light. Noise from the near road not so bad. No problems with insects for us. Super recommended

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    + nice scenery + toilets right next to it, pretty clean + lots of space - right next to the road, but the noise didn’t disturb our sleep Good place to stay for a night.

    Reviewed almost 6 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    We spent a night here to be close to Hobbiton the next morning.

    Very muddy as it had been raining, toilets were clean, couldn’t find fresh water. If it raining don’t park under the trees, the drip of them on the camper is unbearable! Haha

    Reviewed about 6 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful view of the river.

    Great spaces for our motorhome.

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Great free spot with lots of room.

    Beautiful vista, but very noisy. Thought it would be quieter later into the evening, but noise levels remained steady.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Just lovely.

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 0.5/5

    Nice location but obviously a hot spot for hooligans to taunt campers!

    Car full of teens beeped continuously to wake us up then proceeded to shout things and go round the camper with a chainsaw running! Didn't feel safe at all.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Great free spot overlooking the lake.

    Fairly hidden from the SH1, can still softly hear the highway but park up under the trees and overlook the lake and boat ramp which isn't utilised often.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Lovely spot next to a lake.

    Very easy to access (it's right next to the highway). Good place to spend the night when travelling towards Hamilton or Rotorua. No facilities except toilets.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Pleasant stay for one night.

    Lots of space next to the water, quiet and decent toilets.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago

  • 3.0/5

    Park on grass under trees facing the lake.

    Toilets and rubbish bin available.

    This spot is next to the main road so unfortunately very noisy all day and night.

    Was ok to spend one night before heading to Hamilton.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013