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The South Taranaki District is a beautiful part of the country and a great place to explore. South Taranaki District Council hopes you take time to enjoy the spectacular scenery, get to know the friendly locals and experience all it has to offer.
While we’re a camping-friendly district, we support responsible camping and encourage the use of commercial camping grounds, Department of Conservation camping areas and our own designated areas.
Our Freedom Camping Bylaw (2016) was designed to protect our natural environment and ensure sustainability. We allow self-contained and non-self-contained camping in different areas around the district.
In August 2017, the townships of Hāwera and Ōpunakē became the 46th and 47th Motorhome Friendly towns in the country and were officially welcomed into the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association’s nationwide Motorhome Friendly scheme.
Brochure
Download this easy-to-follow brochure (best printed) that goes over all freedom camping sites in the district, explains what type of camping is allowed where, as well as some helpful information about nearby facilities.
Freedom Camping Ambassadors
We actively enforce our bylaw over the summer months with Freedom Camping Ambassadors who check in on the sites regularly to ensure the rules are being upheld. If there are any serious offences taking place, you could be fined $200.
Ōpunakē Recreation Ground Carpark, Heaphy Rd (western carpark area only).
Halse Place, between Heaphy and Longfellow Roads, opposite the Ōpunakē Recreation Grounds. Maximum of 12 vehicles.
Middleton Bay Carpark via Heaphy Rd at the corner of Halse Pl. Three designated parks at northern end of the Carpark.
Hurst Park (Railway Reserve) Gisborne Tce, between Havelock and Napier Sts. On the old railway entrance only
Northern Headland Carpark, Wharf Rd
Ōpunakē Lake Carpark and play area, Layard St. Maximum of 6 vehicles
Manaia
Manaia Domain Carpark, corner of Hassard St and Bennett Dr
Kaponga
Thoumine Park Carpark, corner of Victoria St and Riverside Dr
Victoria Park Carpark, Park Lane
Eltham
Bridger Park Carpark, High St
Eltham LibraryPlus Carpark, corner of Bath and King Edward Sts
Taylor Park Carpark, Tayler St
Lake Rotokare Scenic Reserve, Sangster Rd. There are three designated spots for all types of freedom campers, but only 6 vehicles/tents allowed on site at any one time. No animals allowed at the reserve self-contained vehicles infront of the estuary only. Non-self-contained vehicles outside the public toilets and information centre only. Tenting on lake front only.
Rukumoana Reserve, Rawhitiroa Rd. Caution should be taken in the winter months as the ground can be soft.
Normanby
Normanby Domain Carpark, Ketemarae Rd
Tuke Street Reserve, Fitzroy St or Tuke St
Tangahoe Valley
Glen Nui Reserve, Lake Rotorangi
Pukekino Landing, Lake Rotorangi
Hāwera
Turuturu Road Soccer Grounds Carpark
TSB Hub, Waihi or Camberwell Carpark. Three self contained vehicles per side.
Albion Street Carpark
Waihi Beach Reserve, Denby Rd
Pātea
Stafford Street Pool Reserve, Bedford Street/Egmont Street Reserve, Egmont St
York Street Picnic Area
Bourke’s Lookout, Pātea Beach, Egmont St
Mana Bay, Pātea Beach, Beach Rd. 2 designated carparks at beachfront, 6 designated carparks and tenting options allowed at riverside carpark.
Waverley
Wairoa Reserve - Long Beach/Cave Beach Access, Waipipi Rd
Dallison Park Carpark, Chester St
Aotea Rotary Community Park, Corner of Chester St and Weraroa Rd. Tent within 100m of a public toilet only
Make the most of our facilities during your stay. You can help by:
Ensuring your sewage and grey water holding tanks are discharged at designated wastewater dump stations (see list of dump stations below)
Using public toilets available at all our designated non-self-contained camping areas
We like to be clean and green in South Taranaki. Please use nearby rubbish bins or transfer stations to dispose of your waste.
We have free recycling facilities (open 24 hours a day) at Ōpunakē, Eltham, Manaia, Waitotara and Waverley Transfer Stations. Pātea and Hāwera Transfer Stations also have free recycling during their opening hours.
Not all public places in the district are managed by the Council and our freedom camping rules don’t apply to these areas, such as conservation land and state highways. The Department of Conservation has a freedom camping policy – you can find out about their rules here.
