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Casual Camping site along the Waikato river
One permit is required for each vehicle at a camp site (maximum of six people can be covered by a permit). Campers are encourage to bring sufficient rubbish bags to suit their length of stay. From mid-December to mid-February rubbish bags will be collected from the authorised dumping point at each of the reserves on the following days:
Dunham Point - Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Permits can be obtained from the Council offices in Putāruru and Tokoroa*. Or the i-SITEs in Tokoroa and Tīrau or Pride in Putāruru office in Putāruru, or by applying online https://my.southwaikato.govt.nz/do-it-online/events-bookings/CampingPermit?ed-step=1
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
South Waikato District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Tokoroa |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Directions Putaruru Office |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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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? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must display the "Responsible Camper" sticker. |
Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 5 nights You may not stay more than five nights in a row at this campsite. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? No water supply There is no supply of fresh water. |
Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available. |
Dump Station |
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Dump StationDump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles. |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance. https://my.southwaikato.govt.nz/do-it-online/events-bookings/CampingPermit?ed-step=1 |
Powered Sites |
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Powered SitesDoes this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? Dogs allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
Campfire Rules |
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Campfire RulesWhat are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
✓ Beautiful riverside location
✓ Quiet and peaceful
✓ Free campsite
✓ Good toilets and showers
✓ Scenic views with birdlife
𐄂 Mosquito issues
𐄂 Safety concerns, especially for solo travellers
Fantastic spot!
A nice place to stay if it’s windy.
Beautiful campsite along the Waikato river.
Très bel endroit avec oh surprise !
Oops, the logo is at the wrong site!
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 2 |
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14% |
9/10 | 1 |
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7% |
8/10 | 8 |
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57% |
7/10 | 1 |
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7% |
6/10 | 1 |
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7% |
5/10 | 1 |
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7% |
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% |
4.0/5
A few other campers when we went but we still found a whole spot to ourselves.
Has bins for rubbish and plastic and glass recycling, a flat-top bbq thats free to use. Ground was a bit boggy in places, and there was some rubbish around.
Really peaceful and gorgeous view.
Reviewed 15 days ago
4.0/5
Liegt am See und am Wald, gibt also bei heißen Temperaturen schöne schattige Plätze.
Besonders gut sind die kostenlosen sauberen warmen Duschen!
Leider hat, wahrscheinlich durch die hohen Temperaturen, der See etwas gestunken und es gab soo viele Mücken, dass wir die ganze Zeit über komplett zerstochen wurden. Das hat den Besuch am schönen Campingplatz leider sehr heruntergezogen.
Reviewed 10 months ago
3.0/5
A little field in the woods, rubbish bins, drop toilets, showers are closed at the moment.
No service at this location. I was the only person there too. Very dark and quit. Beware that this is very far outside and if something happens in the middle of the night, it will take time until someone passes by to help (and yes I do speak from experience) therefore I do not recommend for solo travelers. As a woman I was extremely lucky that the person stopping by had good intentions! Stay safe y’all!!
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.0/5
Fantastic spot!
Can find you own piece of grass. Great facilities.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
5.0/5
This is a lovely peaceful little camp,I parked at the end by the river.
Its great u can camp here as well in tents and campers dont have to be self contained. The high cliffs and the river and birdlife are so beautiful. Toilets clean.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.0/5
Easy to get a permit, quiet campsite in the forest on the riverside.
Didn‘t feel too safe. Rainwater showers were decent, long drops were not. Not clean, no toilet paper. Maybe I just stayed there on the wrong day, besides that the campsite itself is beautiful and it is free!
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Très bel endroit avec oh surprise !
2 douches chaudes 👍👍👍.
Une plancha à disposition mais pas de tables et bancs pour pique niquer.
Attention prévoir une réserve d'eau potable.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful campsite along the Waikato river.
Clean toilets and showers. Very quiet.
We are grateful to enjoy this place for free!
Attention: the pin on the map is not at the right place! You have to go West for 2.5km on the same road (direction Whakamaru).
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.0/5
A nice place to stay if it’s windy.
Lots of sheltered spots, some right by the river. Location is right next door to the Christian childrens camp.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.5/5
Oops, the logo is at the wrong site!
We ended up midfield in the middle of nowhere :-). The Dunham Reserve is actually plm 1,5 km west on the same road towards Whakamaru, same entry as Micamp. The good news is that Waikato South Council recently installed two hot showers. Thank you so much! (The bad news is they were not functioning, but i guess you can't have it all, and i assume they will be repaired at some time soon in the near future.)
The camp is big, beautiful, and has some spots near the river. The flipside for lacking a boat ramp and not too good swimming water, is that there is also no water skiing, water scooters and speed boat racing. For those who like quiet!
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.0/5
Very nice tucked away place next to the awa, me n hubby found a little secluded area next to water, amusing entertainment with the trout and then eels at night, good toilets and showers 👍🏽
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
2.5/5
A secluded camp site beside Lake Whakamaru, set amoungst trees, lots of areas to set up camp, some small nooks and crannies for smaller tents that would give some privacy.
Mens and Ladies long drop toilet, of the modern type. Gets very popular over the December / January holiday period.
Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in June 2013
4.0/5
A few other campers when we went but we still found a whole spot to ourselves.
Has bins for rubbish and plastic and glass recycling, a flat-top bbq thats free to use. Ground was a bit boggy in places, and there was some rubbish around.
Really peaceful and gorgeous view.
Reviewed 15 days ago
4.0/5
Liegt am See und am Wald, gibt also bei heißen Temperaturen schöne schattige Plätze.
Besonders gut sind die kostenlosen sauberen warmen Duschen!
Leider hat, wahrscheinlich durch die hohen Temperaturen, der See etwas gestunken und es gab soo viele Mücken, dass wir die ganze Zeit über komplett zerstochen wurden. Das hat den Besuch am schönen Campingplatz leider sehr heruntergezogen.
Reviewed 10 months ago
3.0/5
A little field in the woods, rubbish bins, drop toilets, showers are closed at the moment.
No service at this location. I was the only person there too. Very dark and quit. Beware that this is very far outside and if something happens in the middle of the night, it will take time until someone passes by to help (and yes I do speak from experience) therefore I do not recommend for solo travelers. As a woman I was extremely lucky that the person stopping by had good intentions! Stay safe y’all!!
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.0/5
Fantastic spot!
Can find you own piece of grass. Great facilities.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
5.0/5
This is a lovely peaceful little camp,I parked at the end by the river.
Its great u can camp here as well in tents and campers dont have to be self contained. The high cliffs and the river and birdlife are so beautiful. Toilets clean.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.0/5
Easy to get a permit, quiet campsite in the forest on the riverside.
Didn‘t feel too safe. Rainwater showers were decent, long drops were not. Not clean, no toilet paper. Maybe I just stayed there on the wrong day, besides that the campsite itself is beautiful and it is free!
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Très bel endroit avec oh surprise !
2 douches chaudes 👍👍👍.
Une plancha à disposition mais pas de tables et bancs pour pique niquer.
Attention prévoir une réserve d'eau potable.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful campsite along the Waikato river.
Clean toilets and showers. Very quiet.
We are grateful to enjoy this place for free!
Attention: the pin on the map is not at the right place! You have to go West for 2.5km on the same road (direction Whakamaru).
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.0/5
A nice place to stay if it’s windy.
Lots of sheltered spots, some right by the river. Location is right next door to the Christian childrens camp.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.5/5
Oops, the logo is at the wrong site!
We ended up midfield in the middle of nowhere :-). The Dunham Reserve is actually plm 1,5 km west on the same road towards Whakamaru, same entry as Micamp. The good news is that Waikato South Council recently installed two hot showers. Thank you so much! (The bad news is they were not functioning, but i guess you can't have it all, and i assume they will be repaired at some time soon in the near future.)
The camp is big, beautiful, and has some spots near the river. The flipside for lacking a boat ramp and not too good swimming water, is that there is also no water skiing, water scooters and speed boat racing. For those who like quiet!
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.0/5
Very nice tucked away place next to the awa, me n hubby found a little secluded area next to water, amusing entertainment with the trout and then eels at night, good toilets and showers 👍🏽
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
3.5/5
Great location, a tad boggy in places as we are here in July.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Difficult to find but a good place along the river.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
2.5/5
A secluded camp site beside Lake Whakamaru, set amoungst trees, lots of areas to set up camp, some small nooks and crannies for smaller tents that would give some privacy.
Mens and Ladies long drop toilet, of the modern type. Gets very popular over the December / January holiday period.
Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in June 2013