(Lake Aniwhenua)
Lake Aniwaniwa
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Lake Aniwaniwa
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
Details
| 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 |
Basic Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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5.0/5
Free camp, hot showers, toilet public beautiful lake, table pick nick.
Best free camp for the moment
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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.
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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.
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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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
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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.
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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
-
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.
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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.
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5.0/5
Free camp, hot showers, toilet public beautiful lake, table pick nick.
Best free camp for the moment
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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4.5/5
Beautiful campsite.
Great setting near a lake, quiet, hot shower and best of all it was free!