TECT Park – Freedom Camping Site
Maps
Camping NZ NEW
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
Photos
Information
TECT Park – Freedom Camping Site
CLOSED - 20 May 2024 for two weeks to undertake urgent maintenance.
Tect Park is made up of 1650 hectares forest land administered by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council. This huge forest area situated between Tauranga and Rotorua boasts a host of activities as well as a new KiwiCamp Camping facility in its center.
Established public facilities include tracks for walking, mountain biking, equestrian and family focused motorcycle tracks. There is a specific off-leash dog exercise area and even a couple of public electric BBQs.
There is a Adrenalin Forest high-wire adventure course sits along side other User group facilities include a variety of club shooting ranges, including Pistol, Clay Target, Deerstalkers, Paintball and Airsoft.
There are also motor-sports including a club motocross track, and model aircraft flying fields and the Lions Tree Grove with walking tracks, for future generations to enjoy.
++++ Important Information +++
- space for at least 10 motorhomes on a surfaced carpark and about 15-20 more spaces on the grassed area under the trees.
- first come, first serve (no bookings required)
- 3 night maximum stay in any 4 week consecutive period at this site.
Facilities:
- Showers $2.00 = 5min
- Washing Machine $4.00 per load
- Dish-washing Sinks $0.50
- Device charging power points $1.00 = 1 hour
- Cook tops $2.00 = 1 hour
- Fresh water filling $0.50
The new kiwicamp toilet, shower, laundry and kitchen block require a kiwicash electronic key to use. Outlets that sell them can be found here https://www.kiwicamp.nz/find-a-key/
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Organisation |
Western Bay of Plenty District CouncilCouncil organisation |
|
|
Location |
North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga |
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
|
Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
-
5.0/5
Amazing spot, lot of space, hidden in the woods.
The toilets are super clean, and you have access to shower, laundry, sink for your dishes, charging station with the Kiwi Key (you have to purchase beforehand and it's 5 dollars).
Great system and super efficient.
-
5.0/5
Such a beautiful camping spot!
Very glad we decided to stay here. It is free to park and there are plenty of spaces which means you can spread out even when many other campers are there. The amenities are good - KiwiCash works well here. It gets extremely dark so take a torch!
-
4.0/5
Arrived in the dark, a little tricky to find but lovely peaceful spot in the woods.
There are a few picnic tables and lots of spaces (only 6 others when we were there and lots of room still). Toilets are clean but unfortunately closed for repair in the morning. Highly recommend as a quiet stopover
-
5.0/5
Fantastic spot.
They no longer allow tents in this area so campervans can park in those spots some of which have picnic tables. We had a great spot for two nights with trees so we put our hammocks up. Good toilets and drinking water. People keep arriving late as there is so much space but otherwise really quiet and peaceful. We will be staying here again on our way back up the North Island for sure!
-
4.5/5
Well located in a nice little forest between Rotorua and Tauranga.
Clean flush toilets, drinking water and a BBQ Area (but didnt use them since they were dirty). Lots of space for ~20 campervans, pretty quiet. Would stay here again!
-
-
5.0/5
A really lovely place relatively close to Rotorua.
Great toilets and has a BBQ.
If you do not turn left in time you make it to the gravel road. You do not need to go there!
It has a great walk which starts from the information board. It takes about 1,5 hours to walk.
-
5.0/5
Make sure to take the entry into amenities block the track in to the camping area is just passed this, we did the tunnel loop walk, there were glow worms in the tunnel which was a great bonus.
Fantastic Location
Clean Flushable toilets
Great sheltered area with shade
Picnic tables
No shops close by
Walks available close by
-
4.5/5
Totally worth it.
We were the only ones there until morning when we saw one other had arrived in the night. Great toilets and fresh water. Felt completely safe as ranger lived right next door.
-
4.0/5
Good clean flush toilets and fresh water.
Tranquil setting.
Loved bush walk. Great stop over between Rotorua and Tauranga.
-
5.0/5
Lovely overnight spot to stay between Tauranga and Rotorua.
Bathrooms 5min walk away from the campsite which was moved from the original location. We would stay there again in a heartbeat. The other spots filled up from 18h00 onwards when we stayed over in April 2019. I would also recommend the walking tracks starting close to the bathroom locations.
-
4.5/5
Really beautiful and quiet area.
Toilets are open all night and were clean. BBQ behind the building with toilets. Visiting in late February there were only 3 other vans parked overnight.
-
5.0/5
Amazing spot, lot of space, hidden in the woods.
The toilets are super clean, and you have access to shower, laundry, sink for your dishes, charging station with the Kiwi Key (you have to purchase beforehand and it's 5 dollars).
Great system and super efficient.
-
5.0/5
Such a beautiful camping spot!
Very glad we decided to stay here. It is free to park and there are plenty of spaces which means you can spread out even when many other campers are there. The amenities are good - KiwiCash works well here. It gets extremely dark so take a torch!
-
4.0/5
Arrived in the dark, a little tricky to find but lovely peaceful spot in the woods.
There are a few picnic tables and lots of spaces (only 6 others when we were there and lots of room still). Toilets are clean but unfortunately closed for repair in the morning. Highly recommend as a quiet stopover
-
5.0/5
Fantastic spot.
They no longer allow tents in this area so campervans can park in those spots some of which have picnic tables. We had a great spot for two nights with trees so we put our hammocks up. Good toilets and drinking water. People keep arriving late as there is so much space but otherwise really quiet and peaceful. We will be staying here again on our way back up the North Island for sure!
-
4.5/5
Well located in a nice little forest between Rotorua and Tauranga.
Clean flush toilets, drinking water and a BBQ Area (but didnt use them since they were dirty). Lots of space for ~20 campervans, pretty quiet. Would stay here again!
-
-
5.0/5
Lovely overnight spot to stay between Tauranga and Rotorua.
Bathrooms 5min walk away from the campsite which was moved from the original location. We would stay there again in a heartbeat. The other spots filled up from 18h00 onwards when we stayed over in April 2019. I would also recommend the walking tracks starting close to the bathroom locations.
-
5.0/5
A really lovely place relatively close to Rotorua.
Great toilets and has a BBQ.
If you do not turn left in time you make it to the gravel road. You do not need to go there!
It has a great walk which starts from the information board. It takes about 1,5 hours to walk.
-
5.0/5
Make sure to take the entry into amenities block the track in to the camping area is just passed this, we did the tunnel loop walk, there were glow worms in the tunnel which was a great bonus.
Fantastic Location
Clean Flushable toilets
Great sheltered area with shade
Picnic tables
No shops close by
Walks available close by
-
4.5/5
Totally worth it.
We were the only ones there until morning when we saw one other had arrived in the night. Great toilets and fresh water. Felt completely safe as ranger lived right next door.
-
4.0/5
Good clean flush toilets and fresh water.
Tranquil setting.
Loved bush walk. Great stop over between Rotorua and Tauranga.
-
4.5/5
Really beautiful and quiet area.
Toilets are open all night and were clean. BBQ behind the building with toilets. Visiting in late February there were only 3 other vans parked overnight.
-
4.5/5
Just as described, very peaceful place, public toilets a bit of the campingground.
Thanks you!
-
4.5/5
Only stayed the night, so I didn't explore the area.
The freedom camping area is a big area in the forest. Toilets are close by.
-
4.0/5
Nice place.
Enjoyed a morning walk in the nice forest. Lots of birds.
-
5.0/5
This was our first freedom camp and it was superb.
Clean toilets and ruining water. Peace and quiet woodland setting. Lovely walks in the woods (take a torch for the tunnel on the walk it's 50 metres long and pitch dark)
Space for a lot of SC campers. Wildlife galore.
-
5.0/5
Only for self-contained!!
The ranger on-site told us that it used to be for self-contained/non-self-contained and tents. But they have a regular water problem, so they can't let people in that are NOT self-contained.
-
2.5/5
Okay for a free camping site but the main purpose is not the campers and you feel like you are staying there on grace rather than feeling welcome.
No place or way to do dishes, really dirty toilets where the paper was out before the day was over. Not charming camping site. But free. Although 30 min drive from Rotorua so not suitable if you want to do things in town. The gas is going to cost you more than the experience gives you.
-
5.0/5
Great place to stay.
We felt cosy covered by the silence of the trees. Fresh water, clean toilets, a bench and a BBQ! Take the walk to the tunnel - it's absolutely worth it! We came back a second time. :)
-
5.0/5
Top camping spot just away from the highway.
Forest scenery. Clean Toilets, water, BBQ station and has roaming security during the night. Make sure you don’t go past the amenities building which will be on your left as you go in - if you do, you’ve gone too far and will need to turn back.
-
4.0/5
Real easy to find and we came in the dark so that was good, absolutely no reception at all though so getting out was a bit of a struggle, had great toilet facility's so pretty good for a free spot.
-
4.5/5
Awesome place, though well used....so if you're seeking seclusion then you are probably out of luck.
Toilets are well kept so it was disappointing to see that some travellers hadn't taken their rubbish with them, instead opting to leave it at the toilet block for someone else to clean up.
A little bit better signage at night was the only thing that could be improved upon, just so you know where you are supposed to park up when you arrive/stay there.
-
4.5/5
Nice quiet spot with level ground.
Lots of space for vehicles. Toilet facilities are really good, look quite new. Flushing toilets and clean sinks. Auto lighting as well. It was difficult for us to find in the night. Once you go in to the park do not take the first left where the gate is, go straight on but take a slight left when you see the amenities block, drive past it and you will see a NO FIRE and Freedom camping signs this will mean you are on the right track go straight ahead 10-15metres and you're at the spot.
-
5.0/5
Does what it says on the tin.
A clean, quiet spot just off the main road to stay for the night as you tour the island. Impressed with cleanliness of two toilets and sinks. Surrounded by woodland and we had an incredible view of the stars at night with the light pollution being very low. Spot on.
-
4.5/5
Nice location sooo beautiful!
Only downside: sooo many cigarette butts everywhere. So disrespectful to nature as it contaminates the soil, also looks so horrible.
If your going to smoke then put your ciggy butts in a plastic bag and throw it in the bin.
The camp site is free so treat it with respect.
Amazing location and grateful non self contained can stay there.
-
4.5/5
Well signed, but it's not easy to find the exact place when it's dark!
Go on the left after the sign... toilets and sink were good. Enough space for many vehicles. 25 minutes from Rotorua.
-
4.5/5
Plenty of hiking tracks, mountain biking and equestrian trails.
Free to use with excellent facilities.
-
4.5/5
We arrived in this wonderful place at night during a storm and it was easy to find it.
They accept any cars and if you are a nature lover you will find your home (for 3 nights).
We enjoyed to stay here and we ll come back for sure.
It can be the perfect place if they have showers but anyway it's lovely for backpackers.
-
5.0/5
Really nice and clean freedom campground.
Lots of space - can imagine it being crowded during peak season. Facilities are nice and clean. We arrived late at night and accidentally parked on self contained area. Watch out for the non self contained area on the right hand side when you enter the campground.
-
4.0/5
Really good free campsite!
Great toilet facilities! However it is in the middle of no where so it was a bit scary arriving and we were the only ones there, but not long after we arrived the campsite started to fill. Cool place I would rate it!
