Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Rd Campsite
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Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Rd Campsite
Camp on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu; take binoculars for watching water birds.
Camp on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu; take binoculars for watching water birds.
There is good swimming, fishing and walking nearby.
Getting there:
Turn off SH 5 into SH 38, then into Rerewhakaaitu Road for 2.7 km.
Turn left into Brett Rd, follow to end.
Turn right into Ash Pit Rd and follow the sealed road to camp.
Notices
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Hazardous trees at Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Road Campsite
Do not camp under the mature trees. An arboriculture assessment has identified some hazardous trees within areas 1 through to 5. Follow on site signage and stay away from these areas. Remedial work will be ongoing throughout October and November to reduce the risk.
First published on 27 September 2024. Last reviewed on 5 November 2024.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Rd Campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
DOC Standard Campsite
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $10.00 to $15.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $5.00 to $7.50 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Bay of PlentyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Tarawera |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Directions Rotorua Office |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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3.5/5
Large campground on a great location.
Right on the shore of the lake with lots of trees and birds.
Easy to reach on a sealed road.
Multiple drop toilets, they were OK but a clean up would have been nice. Unfortunately still no running water, despite multiple taps around the campground.
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2.5/5
There was no running water from any of the taps, even though the website said this place would have running water.
We reported it to DOC, so hopefully they will fix it soon. Just make sure you have enough water when you visit this campsite.
Even though the water wasn't working, overall this site was beautiful and had a shelter to cook under.
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3.0/5
Lake campground with nice views.
Toilets were not so clean (there was a dump next to the toilet) . A very loud dirt bike and quad were crossing the grounds in the morning. Locals arrived in trucks and were shouting. So much for peaceful camping...
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4.0/5
Loads of space and good views!
Drop toilets, but they were pretty clean. There were quite a lot of bity insects (not sandflies, something else) so just keep doors closed if you can.
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3.5/5
Lots of space.
Tall trees shaded most of the site in April. Longdrops toilets well built. Not water when we went. Dirt bikes went past a couple of times.
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4.0/5
Very happy to fine this beautiful spot!
Lovely spread out camp ground along the lake front. Lots of well maintained clean toilets. Ideal safe swimming, paddling etc for families to enjoy.
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3.5/5
Big campsite- plenty of space right down to the lake.
The management have shifted between different departments the last couple of years and hence the quality have been boubious.
This summer a DOC manager have been present and have corrected many missings.
There's no kitchen or wastedeposit. Water needs boiling. Only noise is from animal-life. But still 7 out of 10. Would stay there again because of view and tranquility.
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4.0/5
Lovely spot by the lake far from the traffic.
Can find shady spots or full sun. Camp manager Pierre is really helpful and has all the answers. Lots of weekenders arrived after 7 (including some guys with a sofa on their trailer) but everyone was very chilled and quiet. Water from a tapas one power outlet. Ladies not so keen on drop toilets. Nicer feel than Brett Rd next door.
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3.5/5
Beautiful spot, the lake is gorgeous and warm.
Unfortunately there is no water supply despite the info listed.
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4.0/5
My fav camping spot on this lake with a long name that's hard to pronounce.....Ash Pit comes into it's own over summer.
Swimming, boating, fishing. Let the good times roll.
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5.0/5
Absolutely loved this site, such a lovely spot and kept very beautifully.
Lovely manager who really looked out for us in our tent in some rather windy cold spring weather! Tap water needs boiling to drink.
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1.5/5
This campground was poorly maintained.
There was a lot of evidence of vandalism in the area...the ground was torn up by 4 wheelers and signs were knocked over or broken off. Rubbish was piled high in containers or spilling over on the ground. This campsite has loads of potential but needs help.
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3.5/5
Large campground on a great location.
Right on the shore of the lake with lots of trees and birds.
Easy to reach on a sealed road.
Multiple drop toilets, they were OK but a clean up would have been nice. Unfortunately still no running water, despite multiple taps around the campground.
-
2.5/5
There was no running water from any of the taps, even though the website said this place would have running water.
We reported it to DOC, so hopefully they will fix it soon. Just make sure you have enough water when you visit this campsite.
Even though the water wasn't working, overall this site was beautiful and had a shelter to cook under.
-
3.0/5
Lake campground with nice views.
Toilets were not so clean (there was a dump next to the toilet) . A very loud dirt bike and quad were crossing the grounds in the morning. Locals arrived in trucks and were shouting. So much for peaceful camping...
-
4.0/5
Loads of space and good views!
Drop toilets, but they were pretty clean. There were quite a lot of bity insects (not sandflies, something else) so just keep doors closed if you can.
-
3.5/5
Lots of space.
Tall trees shaded most of the site in April. Longdrops toilets well built. Not water when we went. Dirt bikes went past a couple of times.
-
4.0/5
Very happy to fine this beautiful spot!
Lovely spread out camp ground along the lake front. Lots of well maintained clean toilets. Ideal safe swimming, paddling etc for families to enjoy.
-
3.5/5
Big campsite- plenty of space right down to the lake.
The management have shifted between different departments the last couple of years and hence the quality have been boubious.
This summer a DOC manager have been present and have corrected many missings.
There's no kitchen or wastedeposit. Water needs boiling. Only noise is from animal-life. But still 7 out of 10. Would stay there again because of view and tranquility.
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4.0/5
Lovely spot by the lake far from the traffic.
Can find shady spots or full sun. Camp manager Pierre is really helpful and has all the answers. Lots of weekenders arrived after 7 (including some guys with a sofa on their trailer) but everyone was very chilled and quiet. Water from a tapas one power outlet. Ladies not so keen on drop toilets. Nicer feel than Brett Rd next door.
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3.5/5
Beautiful spot, the lake is gorgeous and warm.
Unfortunately there is no water supply despite the info listed.
-
4.0/5
My fav camping spot on this lake with a long name that's hard to pronounce.....Ash Pit comes into it's own over summer.
Swimming, boating, fishing. Let the good times roll.
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5.0/5
Absolutely loved this site, such a lovely spot and kept very beautifully.
Lovely manager who really looked out for us in our tent in some rather windy cold spring weather! Tap water needs boiling to drink.
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5.0/5
This is the biggest of the 3 campsites, the views over the lake are amazing, make sure you walk back to the previous campsite on the road through the track in the forest as it is teeming with birds.
As for facilities, the camp is massive and has water spigots, shelters and cabins to hang your solar shower in the summer.
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4.0/5
This is a nice little camp site by the river.
It's well off the main road so it is a bit of a drive but there is no road noise. There are drop toilets which were fine. There are no shelters for cooking, no sinks and no lights. We did manage to find some water however it's not suitable for drinking. $6 per adult per night. I recommend this site and would return again.
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4.5/5
Great DOC camp site on the edge of the lake.
We were there over a holiday weekend. There was plenty of space of all of the large groups in tents, caravans and motorhomes. Toilets are vaulted or composting so live with the smell when its busy. Fresh water tap is near the on site wardens caravan. Great value at $5 per night per person.
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4.5/5
Nice view, very quiet, clean toilet, water available (but quite hard to find).
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1.5/5
This campground was poorly maintained.
There was a lot of evidence of vandalism in the area...the ground was torn up by 4 wheelers and signs were knocked over or broken off. Rubbish was piled high in containers or spilling over on the ground. This campsite has loads of potential but needs help.
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4.0/5
NIce, quiet camping with a lake to take a shower.
Good spot to head to Wai-o-Tapu early in the morning. Do the round walk before 10.15 when the geyser starts. Take a bath at Kerosene Creek, lovely but with a lovely smell of kerosene.
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3.5/5
It was free.
Nice location but water level of the lake was very high, so campground small. Very in the middle of nowhere.
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3.5/5
December 28th and we almost had this whole campsite to ourselves.
Men's toilet was covered in excrement over, on, as well as in the toilet. One of women's toilets was blocked (and full of the same). So we guess they are not serviced regularly during high season. But a wonderful site right beside the lake. If you're asthmatic, the kapok trees may be a problem - the ground was covered with their seeds like snow.
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3.5/5
DOC camp very peaceful spot beside the lake.
Toilets were adequate, although a little smelly in the hot weather.
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