Basic toilet and shower facilities and a cooking shelter are provided.
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This is a freedom camping area on the Lake Aniwaniwa Reserve. Basic toilet and shower facilities and a cooking shelter are provided. The lake is a popular trout fishery and water ski area. When the lake behind the hydro dam was first filled it was famous for huge rainbow trout. Those days have passed but trout are still plentiful. There are some nice sized rainbow trout present and the chance for larger cruising brown trout for the careful fisherman.
Camping available to tents and non-self contained vehciles.
A maximum stay of seven nights in any four-week period
Depositing of litter is prohibited (refuse transfer station available in Murupara - open Monday to Friday, 7 am - 9 am and 3 pm - 5:30 pm; Saturday 10 am - 5:30 pm)
Camping sites must be left in a clean and tidy condition - please take all rubbish with you
Campers must follow any direction(s) issued by an authorised officer
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Whakatane District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Galatea |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Directions Murupara Office |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle. |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. |
Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? Shower At least one shower is available (it's unknown if it's hot or cold). |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
✓ Free to camp
✓ Clean toilets and showers
✓ Plenty of space and privacy
✓ Beautiful lake scenery
✓ Dog-friendly
𐄂 No drinking water
𐄂 Many sandflies
One of the best free sites around.
Love love LOVE.
The warm shower was absolutely amazing.
Beautiful campsite.
Great freedom campsite including for tents.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 9 |
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56% |
9/10 | 4 |
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25% |
8/10 | 2 |
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13% |
7/10 | 0 |
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0% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 1 |
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6% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
Love love LOVE.
Been here a few times and will never get sick of coming here. There’s plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the peaceful environment and beautiful scenery
Reviewed about 1 month ago and experienced in April 2024
5.0/5
Absolutely perfect!
Toilets, solar showers and a place to do the dishes. No drinking water so bring plenty. The lake was beautiful and you can pick your own spot. There were not many people so don’t worry too much about getting a place. Very peaceful (and free). We encountered some sand flies but they weren’t too bad
Reviewed 9 months ago
4.0/5
We really enjoyed this campground with the added bonus of being able to take the fur baby.
Solar showers & flushing toilets are another bonus & we will deifinetly be back.
Reviewed 11 months ago
4.5/5
The warm shower was absolutely amazing.
We loved it. However, there were many sandflies so don't park close to the water. Furthermore, we did not always feel safe due to youth hanging around at the campsite. They left around 22:00, so that was fine.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
5.0/5
Omg what an amazing place to camp and for FREE my family and I stayed for 5 nights during New Years.
My daughter loved it because of the park I loved the scenery it’s just far enough away without sacrificing anything. And in my opinion better than some pay to stay campsites. Hot showers, toilets, playground and even though it was packed the first few nights we were there there’s more than enough space to have your own privacy as well.
Just an FYI for people wanting to go but wondering where shops are, there’s a general store that sells EVERYTHING including liquor just 5 minutes away…best place to be able to have quiet drinks while letting the littles roam. The lake is good for swimming as well I had a swim and it’s pretty clean, there’s a steady stream in and out of the lake as well. It’s quite shallow too so safe to let the kids swim without any dangers. LOVED this place
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Great freedom campsite including for tents.
Clean toilets and free warm showers. Plenty of grassy space and even had a nice swim in the lake.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.5/5
Pretty decent for a free spot.
Toilets with soap and toilet paper, warm showers and plenty of rubbish bins. Not alot to do in the area, but ideal for a paddle, jet ski or a boat, nice walk to the waterfall nearby.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.5/5
One of the best free sites around.
So much so we donated to the local group who have built a spectacular playground for the kids here. Very well maintained and looked after. Some groups can be noisy but we picked a great spot next to lake
Reviewed over 3 years ago
5.0/5
Very beautiful place.
Lovely sunset and sunrise. We parked just by the lake. Plenty of room. When we went the toilets were under maintenance or something so they just had port-a-loos available. There is a playground for kids. Will definitely be coming back here again.
Reviewed about 4 years ago
2.5/5
Absolutely beautiful spot, toilets well maintained twice daily, rubbish removal regularly, great shower.
Plenty of space, well equipped playground for children, dog friendly..lots of dogs all kept under control and area free of poo.
Place was busy... had 2 peaceful nights...the low rating is because our stay was tainted by a couple of large groups of youth and adult campers who for two days and nights sped around reserve, driving dangerously close to campers,tents and caravans revving their vehicles , drinking to excess and making a racket till the early hours of the morning...a visit from police on New Year’s Eve slowed them down for a couple of hours...after very little sleep decided to move on.
Spoke to other campers who also decided to leave, quite a few had stayed before and had not experienced this previously. A real shame that a few louts can ruin what would otherwise have been a great holiday.
This may only be a Xmas occurrence.. will try again later in the season.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
5.0/5
Free camp, hot showers, toilet public beautiful lake, table pick nick.
Best free camp for the moment
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Lots of space to park, we didn’t know where to go!
We parked by the water, which was nice. The bathrooms are nice but don’t have a light so make sure you bring one. We chose to brave the cold shower rather than wait for another place that might have a shower. There was water but you need to boil it.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
Love love LOVE.
Been here a few times and will never get sick of coming here. There’s plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the peaceful environment and beautiful scenery
Reviewed about 1 month ago and experienced in April 2024
5.0/5
Absolutely perfect!
Toilets, solar showers and a place to do the dishes. No drinking water so bring plenty. The lake was beautiful and you can pick your own spot. There were not many people so don’t worry too much about getting a place. Very peaceful (and free). We encountered some sand flies but they weren’t too bad
Reviewed 9 months ago
4.0/5
We really enjoyed this campground with the added bonus of being able to take the fur baby.
Solar showers & flushing toilets are another bonus & we will deifinetly be back.
Reviewed 11 months ago
4.5/5
The warm shower was absolutely amazing.
We loved it. However, there were many sandflies so don't park close to the water. Furthermore, we did not always feel safe due to youth hanging around at the campsite. They left around 22:00, so that was fine.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
5.0/5
Great freedom campsite including for tents.
Clean toilets and free warm showers. Plenty of grassy space and even had a nice swim in the lake.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Omg what an amazing place to camp and for FREE my family and I stayed for 5 nights during New Years.
My daughter loved it because of the park I loved the scenery it’s just far enough away without sacrificing anything. And in my opinion better than some pay to stay campsites. Hot showers, toilets, playground and even though it was packed the first few nights we were there there’s more than enough space to have your own privacy as well.
Just an FYI for people wanting to go but wondering where shops are, there’s a general store that sells EVERYTHING including liquor just 5 minutes away…best place to be able to have quiet drinks while letting the littles roam. The lake is good for swimming as well I had a swim and it’s pretty clean, there’s a steady stream in and out of the lake as well. It’s quite shallow too so safe to let the kids swim without any dangers. LOVED this place
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.5/5
Pretty decent for a free spot.
Toilets with soap and toilet paper, warm showers and plenty of rubbish bins. Not alot to do in the area, but ideal for a paddle, jet ski or a boat, nice walk to the waterfall nearby.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.5/5
One of the best free sites around.
So much so we donated to the local group who have built a spectacular playground for the kids here. Very well maintained and looked after. Some groups can be noisy but we picked a great spot next to lake
Reviewed over 3 years ago
5.0/5
Very beautiful place.
Lovely sunset and sunrise. We parked just by the lake. Plenty of room. When we went the toilets were under maintenance or something so they just had port-a-loos available. There is a playground for kids. Will definitely be coming back here again.
Reviewed about 4 years ago
2.5/5
Absolutely beautiful spot, toilets well maintained twice daily, rubbish removal regularly, great shower.
Plenty of space, well equipped playground for children, dog friendly..lots of dogs all kept under control and area free of poo.
Place was busy... had 2 peaceful nights...the low rating is because our stay was tainted by a couple of large groups of youth and adult campers who for two days and nights sped around reserve, driving dangerously close to campers,tents and caravans revving their vehicles , drinking to excess and making a racket till the early hours of the morning...a visit from police on New Year’s Eve slowed them down for a couple of hours...after very little sleep decided to move on.
Spoke to other campers who also decided to leave, quite a few had stayed before and had not experienced this previously. A real shame that a few louts can ruin what would otherwise have been a great holiday.
This may only be a Xmas occurrence.. will try again later in the season.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
5.0/5
Free camp, hot showers, toilet public beautiful lake, table pick nick.
Best free camp for the moment
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Lots of space to park, we didn’t know where to go!
We parked by the water, which was nice. The bathrooms are nice but don’t have a light so make sure you bring one. We chose to brave the cold shower rather than wait for another place that might have a shower. There was water but you need to boil it.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
This would have to be the best camp we have ever come across.
It is clean and tidy. Has toilets, solar shower and more.
We have a bus but so many campers there in motorhomes, Tents, pop tops etc.
It is good to see a camp that caters for all campers and no little blue sticker needed either.
There is a donation box and everyone needs to donate to it just to keep this camp going.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
Nice people working on the site explaining everything.
Freedom camping so you can set up your tent or vehicle anywhere. Free shower and a cooking shelter that was nice for us cause it was raining. Water was drinkable if you boiled it first. Thumbs up!
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
- Free for all kind of camping (NSC as well!) - Shower and toilets (which were cleaned when we arrived so they were pretty good) - Lots of boats and children (for those who don’t like a little bit of
a noise it’s maybe not the perfect place to be)
- Drinking water has to be boiled (but it’s available)
- Playground for kids
- Tables for a picnic (be aware of the hungry little birds ;))
- A little bit hard to find if you arrive in the darkness like we did
Enjoy this beautiful place!
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
4.5/5
Beautiful campsite.
Great setting near a lake, quiet, hot shower and best of all it was free!
Reviewed over 9 years ago