Orakei Korako Geyserland Resort
Overnight Campervan Parking
Rankers 90° Take
Cymen Crick
Rankers Crew
Save 10% anytime - Promo code RANKERS
Save 10% anytime - Promo code RANKERS
This is our go-to campervan / geo-thermal experience, hands down. Here’s why.
• Amazing geo-thermal features and off the beaten track (very few tour buses).
• Geysers go off in their own time (not induced at a certain time like others nearby).
• One of NZ’s best Freedom Camping locations on private Maori owned land. Free if you visit the thermal area. Lakefront sites. The water in front of your Campervan is bubbly warm (but too hot to swim). Look out for geysers going off while you have dinner! Make the most of staying onsite to be the first to enter the area each day with few people around.
• Ranked 4.8 stars in Google reviews for a reason
• Best thermal area, awesome freedom camping spot, discounted rate, feels good.
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Orakei Korako Geyserland Resort
Awesome view of the lake.
Camping here is free when you pay for the thermal experience.
At the 'Book Now' link, use RANKERS in the Promo Code space to save 10%
As a Freedom Camping + Thermal Experience, this rates at the top.
Here’s our take as to why.
Amazing geo-thermal features and off the beaten track (very few tour buses).
Geysers go off in their own time (not induced at a certain time like others nearby).
One of NZ’s best Freedom Camping locations on private Maori owned land. Free if you visit the thermal area. Lakefront sites. The water in front of your Campervan is bubbly warm (but too hot to swim). Look out for geysers going off while you have dinner!
Make the most of staying onsite to be the first to enter the area each day with few people around.
Ranked 4.8 stars in Google reviews for a reason
Best thermal area, awesome freedom camping spot, discounted rate, feels good.
Details
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Orakei Korako Geyserland ResortCommercial organisation |
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Reporoa |
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Freedom Camping
Reviews
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5.0/5
This was the second time we have stayed in the parking lot at Orakei Korako Geothermal Park.
There are no facilities but then again it is for fully self-contained vehicles only. It is quiet and peaceful. We arrived while there was still some light to see across the lake. The morning was rainy and cold but it did not stop us from going across to the geothermal wonderland which is spectacular. Well worth being there early so you can get an early start and take you time exploring the park.
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4.5/5
We stayed here for one night and it was a delightful stay with gorgeous views of the lake.
You can park anywhere in the car park but one thing to note is in order to stay here you must either have bought a ticket or buy one the next day for the geysers which are around £25 (50$) each so it’s not technically free to stay here. I really recommend this excursion and it’s one of our favourite ones so far on this trip. Despite a sign saying the toilets are shut at night, they were fortunately left open all night for us to use and they’re really well cleaned (judging from other reviews, they do seem to leave them open if they know people are staying the night). There were only two others in the car park with us but as two women, we felt safe. It does get a little noisy in the morning when visitors arrive for the geysers but we were awake already so it didn’t bother us. It is quite in the middle of nowhere so if you need to do shop or fill up on fuel, the closest town is about 25 minutes away so it’s worth stocking up beforehand.
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5.0/5
We stayed here after visiting the beautiful Park.
We were alone and the place was really quiet und phantastic. This is a Place for really selfcontained vehicles.. You can do Freedom Camping, when you bought a ticket for the park. Quiet nice i think. We loved it.
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5.0/5
We stayed here for one night after exploring the geothermal park.
We had the park to ourselves as it was raining, and enjoyed a great stay in our van. Free wifi and clean toilets.
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5.0/5
This is shown in the app as a $$$ site.
It’s not, it’s free!! You pay (much let than Rotorua prices) to go to the geothermal attractions (which are terrific) and then you can stay in the parking lot overnight. It’s a beautiful, quiet spot with great facilities.
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5.0/5
What a fantastic experience and great setup!
Definitely worth it! We visited just the other day and did the self-guided walk around the stunning geothermal park area and cave. En-route we realised as we have doing the experience, we can also stay onsite in there carpark for a night in our self-contained motorhome, how awesome and helpful! We decided to stay the night before our experience, and honestly, had one of the most peaceful nights sleep we’ve had on the road ha! Nice level surface, no noisy through road and the stars are view over to the geothermal area was spectacular! In the morning you took a walk into the visitor centre/café, showed a lovely lady our tickets, and hoped on the boat, really quick, easy ride over to the other side. We spent a good hour or so wondering around, taking in the amazing scenery then simply hoped on the boat back over. Couldn’t have been more easy. Big thanks to Nikolos and the team for making us feel so welcome and giving us a great time! We highly recommend taking a trip to Orakei Korako!
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5.0/5
Very cool overnight spot in the parking lot of the resort.
The view of the geothermal area across the lake is great. Signs say camping is free with payment of admission, but we were going to do it anyway so it made no difference to us. We were the only ones in the lot for the night, so it was nice and quiet. The sparkling clean toilets were left open overnight, but we didn't see any staff as other reviews mentioned. You can also get a bit of free WiFi if you're parked closer to the visitor center.
Would highly recommend staying here and checking out the geothermal park!
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5.0/5
NO COST when visiting site, which is definitely worth seeing and worth every penny!!
Super clean, green and silent space directly at the water. Sweet owner will leave flushing toilets open for you. Lake access with themal water outflow for warmer water.
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5.0/5
Fantastic freedom camping spot with amazing views.
Easy access with our 4 berth motorhome. We arrived after dark and the owner Nick who lives on site walked up to us and welcomed us. He showed us where to park and told us we are welcome to use the public toilets during the night. Toilets were spotless. We spent 3 hours the next day on the walking tracks. A fantastic experience and well worth the money. Friendly service at the café. We stayed a 2nd night to enjoy another sunset, the full moon rising above the thermal park and an amazing sunrise the next morning
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4.5/5
We stayed here for one night and it was a delightful stay with gorgeous views of the lake.
You can park anywhere in the car park but one thing to note is in order to stay here you must either have bought a ticket or buy one the next day for the geysers which are around £25 (50$) each so it’s not technically free to stay here. I really recommend this excursion and it’s one of our favourite ones so far on this trip. Despite a sign saying the toilets are shut at night, they were fortunately left open all night for us to use and they’re really well cleaned (judging from other reviews, they do seem to leave them open if they know people are staying the night). There were only two others in the car park with us but as two women, we felt safe. It does get a little noisy in the morning when visitors arrive for the geysers but we were awake already so it didn’t bother us. It is quite in the middle of nowhere so if you need to do shop or fill up on fuel, the closest town is about 25 minutes away so it’s worth stocking up beforehand.
-
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5.0/5
This was the second time we have stayed in the parking lot at Orakei Korako Geothermal Park.
There are no facilities but then again it is for fully self-contained vehicles only. It is quiet and peaceful. We arrived while there was still some light to see across the lake. The morning was rainy and cold but it did not stop us from going across to the geothermal wonderland which is spectacular. Well worth being there early so you can get an early start and take you time exploring the park.
-
5.0/5
We stayed here after visiting the beautiful Park.
We were alone and the place was really quiet und phantastic. This is a Place for really selfcontained vehicles.. You can do Freedom Camping, when you bought a ticket for the park. Quiet nice i think. We loved it.
-
5.0/5
We stayed here for one night after exploring the geothermal park.
We had the park to ourselves as it was raining, and enjoyed a great stay in our van. Free wifi and clean toilets.
-
5.0/5
What a fantastic experience and great setup!
Definitely worth it! We visited just the other day and did the self-guided walk around the stunning geothermal park area and cave. En-route we realised as we have doing the experience, we can also stay onsite in there carpark for a night in our self-contained motorhome, how awesome and helpful! We decided to stay the night before our experience, and honestly, had one of the most peaceful nights sleep we’ve had on the road ha! Nice level surface, no noisy through road and the stars are view over to the geothermal area was spectacular! In the morning you took a walk into the visitor centre/café, showed a lovely lady our tickets, and hoped on the boat, really quick, easy ride over to the other side. We spent a good hour or so wondering around, taking in the amazing scenery then simply hoped on the boat back over. Couldn’t have been more easy. Big thanks to Nikolos and the team for making us feel so welcome and giving us a great time! We highly recommend taking a trip to Orakei Korako!
-
5.0/5
This is shown in the app as a $$$ site.
It’s not, it’s free!! You pay (much let than Rotorua prices) to go to the geothermal attractions (which are terrific) and then you can stay in the parking lot overnight. It’s a beautiful, quiet spot with great facilities.
-
5.0/5
Very cool overnight spot in the parking lot of the resort.
The view of the geothermal area across the lake is great. Signs say camping is free with payment of admission, but we were going to do it anyway so it made no difference to us. We were the only ones in the lot for the night, so it was nice and quiet. The sparkling clean toilets were left open overnight, but we didn't see any staff as other reviews mentioned. You can also get a bit of free WiFi if you're parked closer to the visitor center.
Would highly recommend staying here and checking out the geothermal park!
-
5.0/5
NO COST when visiting site, which is definitely worth seeing and worth every penny!!
Super clean, green and silent space directly at the water. Sweet owner will leave flushing toilets open for you. Lake access with themal water outflow for warmer water.
-
5.0/5
Fantastic freedom camping spot with amazing views.
Easy access with our 4 berth motorhome. We arrived after dark and the owner Nick who lives on site walked up to us and welcomed us. He showed us where to park and told us we are welcome to use the public toilets during the night. Toilets were spotless. We spent 3 hours the next day on the walking tracks. A fantastic experience and well worth the money. Friendly service at the café. We stayed a 2nd night to enjoy another sunset, the full moon rising above the thermal park and an amazing sunrise the next morning
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5.0/5
Amazing freedom camping spot.
No facilities, so you need to be self-contained, but beautiful spot where you can watch geysers across a lake, while the sun sets, and then wake up in the morning and go to Orakei Korako. Only 2 of us camping there in October.
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5.0/5
Just a car park, but arguably the car park with the best view in New Zealand.
The view over the lake to the terraces is stunning, and we sat back and watched a geyser erupt every half an hour. And we were the only people there.
Directly next to the car park, hot water flows from the ground into the lake: we swam there, though in places the bottom is so hot it's uncomfortable. I would recommend you arrive before closing time and ask them where you should swim.
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5.0/5
Amazing place to stay on the lakeside with views of the geothermal area.
Friendly owners who allow free use of WiFi. Lots of space and toilets open 8 - 5:30.
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5.0/5
Great and beautiful place to stay for free if you have been (or going to enter) to Orakei Korako.
Located by a lake with great views of the geothermal activity. You must be self contained. We decided to stay after the visit as it was getting dark.
2 adults & 2 children (7 & 3 years old). Stayed in July.
