Ruatiti Domain
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Ruatiti Domain
This area has a number of toilet facilities, tap water and a number of BBQs. The water is taken from a spring located very high on the edge of a cliff of papa rock on the Mangonui O Te Ao River and piped to a concrete holding tank located on the Domain. Visitors to the Domain are advised to boil all drinking water.
There is a prohibition of bringing liquor to the Ruatiti Domain for the period from midnight on 30 December until midnight on 2 January annually.
No Dogs from 1st Dec - end of April every year
Details
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Organisation |
Ruapehu District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Ohakune |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
What a secret gem!
Definitely a good 20+ minutes from any main road, but as other reviewers say, worth it! Seems like a local spot, which we loved. Clean and spacious. Go to the END of the property (keep driving… more…) and you’ll find the river, which you can park or camp RIGHT next to. Insane stars at night bc of no lights/pollution.
Water spicket and bathrooms on site.
We used with our campervan and couldn’t be happier.
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5.0/5
I can only reiterate what most people said about this absolutely outstanding and huge site.
It is a total privilege that some somebody is willing (and paying) to mantain this place for public use.
The site may be a bit in the way to nowhere, down a winding road (but beautiful) but that's only part of the charm, in my view.
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5.0/5
Amazing free campsite for all People.
Close to River.
Many place for camp. Good grass.
Good facilities, clean toilet and no drinkable Water.
Enjoy your night in this campsite
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5.0/5
When leaving a very positive review for a free campsite, I also think in the back of my head I hope it doesn't become too flooded with other tourists.
In this case the campsite is so enormous, you could comfortably fit 500 campervans and still it would be allright for everyone. Seriously, the place is huge, I can't imagine it filling up in a random occasion.
There's about 6-8 (drop)toilets around, the newest ones are perfectly clean.
There are several fireplaces available, and some public bbq's.
The location is great, you can be right beside a river, or a little back on some separate fields with smaller more private areas.
The road leading up to the campsite is also very pretty, and perfectly fine to drive. The last 500 meters is gravel, but still nothing to worry about.
There is also running water available, with signs saying "please boil before drinking".
It is by far one of the best camping spots I have ever visited, and the best in NZ thus far! And also, it's completely free of charge!
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5.0/5
Great camp site by the river within a short walk to awesome, safe swimming hole.
Good fishing access. Caught a trout! Will be back.
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4.5/5
Lovely place.
Clean drinking water available as well as flushing toilets. River looked swimable but not too appealing. Great free place near the mountain however a bit far off the main road.
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5.0/5
Beautiful spot recommended to me by my son.
I was the only person in the place, not surprising being winter I guess, but enjoyed the beauty, peace and quiet, and solitude. Crackling campfire, gurgling river…does it get better?
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5.0/5
Absolutely fantastic - thank you so much to the local council for this idyllic spot that can be enjoyed by anyone at no cost.
Awesome don’t miss it
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5.0/5
Awesome freedom campsite!
Right by the river for swimming and huge big grassy sites. There are toilets but bring loo roll :)
One of the best freedom campsites we have stayed at in the North island 👌
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5.0/5
Big FREE campground with beautiful scenic surroundings.
You go through a fenced/gate property to get there. We stayed on the top camp area for one night, as the other two lower levels were quite busy. Long drops and tap available on top level (water needs to be boiled) and take your own toilet paper. The river looks like a perfect spot for a swim, if you stay long enough.
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5.0/5
What a secret gem!
Definitely a good 20+ minutes from any main road, but as other reviewers say, worth it! Seems like a local spot, which we loved. Clean and spacious. Go to the END of the property (keep driving… more…) and you’ll find the river, which you can park or camp RIGHT next to. Insane stars at night bc of no lights/pollution.
Water spicket and bathrooms on site.
We used with our campervan and couldn’t be happier.
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5.0/5
I can only reiterate what most people said about this absolutely outstanding and huge site.
It is a total privilege that some somebody is willing (and paying) to mantain this place for public use.
The site may be a bit in the way to nowhere, down a winding road (but beautiful) but that's only part of the charm, in my view.
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5.0/5
Amazing free campsite for all People.
Close to River.
Many place for camp. Good grass.
Good facilities, clean toilet and no drinkable Water.
Enjoy your night in this campsite
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5.0/5
When leaving a very positive review for a free campsite, I also think in the back of my head I hope it doesn't become too flooded with other tourists.
In this case the campsite is so enormous, you could comfortably fit 500 campervans and still it would be allright for everyone. Seriously, the place is huge, I can't imagine it filling up in a random occasion.
There's about 6-8 (drop)toilets around, the newest ones are perfectly clean.
There are several fireplaces available, and some public bbq's.
The location is great, you can be right beside a river, or a little back on some separate fields with smaller more private areas.
The road leading up to the campsite is also very pretty, and perfectly fine to drive. The last 500 meters is gravel, but still nothing to worry about.
There is also running water available, with signs saying "please boil before drinking".
It is by far one of the best camping spots I have ever visited, and the best in NZ thus far! And also, it's completely free of charge!
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5.0/5
Great camp site by the river within a short walk to awesome, safe swimming hole.
Good fishing access. Caught a trout! Will be back.
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4.5/5
Lovely place.
Clean drinking water available as well as flushing toilets. River looked swimable but not too appealing. Great free place near the mountain however a bit far off the main road.
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5.0/5
Beautiful spot recommended to me by my son.
I was the only person in the place, not surprising being winter I guess, but enjoyed the beauty, peace and quiet, and solitude. Crackling campfire, gurgling river…does it get better?
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5.0/5
Absolutely fantastic - thank you so much to the local council for this idyllic spot that can be enjoyed by anyone at no cost.
Awesome don’t miss it
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5.0/5
Awesome freedom campsite!
Right by the river for swimming and huge big grassy sites. There are toilets but bring loo roll :)
One of the best freedom campsites we have stayed at in the North island 👌
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5.0/5
Big FREE campground with beautiful scenic surroundings.
You go through a fenced/gate property to get there. We stayed on the top camp area for one night, as the other two lower levels were quite busy. Long drops and tap available on top level (water needs to be boiled) and take your own toilet paper. The river looks like a perfect spot for a swim, if you stay long enough.
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5.0/5
Perfectly perfect.
Big swimming holes, water warm after hot period, a walk downstream after crossing river by downstream campers, can bush whack up to ridge to west, fascinating swing ridge 30 min downstream
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4.5/5
Huge campsite, stayed only shortly and didn't see much.
Lots of rabbits and some rabbit poo. Road is good, with a few rocks lying about, watch out (and maybe throw them away when passing 🙂). Used as a base camp for Tongariro crossing, Kehetaki carpark is 1h 5mins drive away. Bring your own toilet paper.
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5.0/5
Simply STUNNING!
Fav campsite in NZ so far (actually the world). Drive all the way down and camp by the river. Numerous fire pits with plenty cut wood for all, tap water, clean drop and flush toilets. Trout fishing etc. Only negative I can think of is that there are no walking tracks easily accessible but if you have a car it's no problem, you're free to roam the surrounding area. Can't rate this any higher!
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4.5/5
Great Freedom camping, it is a 17km road in, and you have to back-track to come out, but the scenery is stunning and it is well worth the drive.
The last 500 metres is dirt but no problem even in the wet.
Go past the flush toilet and camp by the stream, loads of room and nice waking up next to the stream. Our favourite Freedom Camp in the North Island.
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5.0/5
The best campground we went to in nz.
Worth the drive there! You can pick from so many sites along the water. You have to go through a private property lane way buy get to see lots of sheep!
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5.0/5
All other reviews are spot on.
This place is so beautiful. Remote, spacious and tranquil. Waking up to the sound of the river right next to the van was a highlight. Drive right down to the end of the road to be near the water don't stay on the top paddock. It is a lot of fun to be swept down the river. Bring a body board if you can! Drop toilets are kept clean and despite no drinking water you can wash dishes with the taps available. Would give this place 11 if I could.
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5.0/5
I've spent almost a month in NZ, and this is BY FAR the most spacious (by that I mean, you're not limited to 5 or less and parked mirror to mirror with your neighbour) and QUIET of the free sites.
Like previous reviews, it is something of a drive in, but not difficult, and it most certainly adds to the charm of this place.
There are river-side sites that, if early enough, are available almost daily and a "picnic area" that seems unused during the week. If you want a place to BBQ and picnic away from people with a beautiful little river flowing past a sheer rock face laden with greenery flowing down to he water....this is thee place for you!
Easily my 1/13 ....that is, my #1 of the 13 free sites I've stayed at so far. In fact...it beats the 3 paid DOC sites I PAID for!
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5.0/5
If I could give more I would.
Only negative that there is no drinking water. But there are taps so you can do dishes. And toilets. And just a remarkable nature! So tranquil and wonderful. Go there!!
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5.0/5
Best campsite ever.
It's amazing that this campsite is for free. It's a huge area. One area is wide green field and an other area is close to the river. At the green field area is a flushed toilet and at the river a long drop toilet. There are a lot water stations and fire pits.
Minimum once a day a friendly guy makes his visit on his quad and with his two dogs.
At weekend a lot of locals came also to this camping ground.
This spot is just awesome and perfect if you need no hot shower. The area around the camping ground looks like Hobbiton and is beautiful. We really love this place.
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5.0/5
Really have to give this place a 10.
We arrived at 4pm with only two others campers there.Beautiful big peaceful campsite. So many camping spots to choose from along the river or up the top section. Maybe around 30 total sections for people to fit comfortably, it is big! Hunt around for your perfect spot. Toilets were very clean and water taps are located all over. The drive in is long (40 mins from Whakapapa) but so gorgeous and makes me fall in love with my little country even more, will definitely return!!
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5.0/5
Best place we have stayed!
So beautiful and remote. Great areas to camp and clean toilets. Would not want to try find it in the dark so make sure you give yourself enough daylight. Road there had lots of slips and pot holes, be carful!
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4.5/5
Great spot, flush toilet was ok (no toilet paper), great view near the river.
BBQ's and fire pits available (didn't use). There was plenty of space when we arrived.
Waking up with the sheep walking around. Even better because this site is for free! We arrived in the dark, due to the road take it easy, but the way out in sunlight: beautiful surroundings, take time to stop for breathtaking views.
Please respect the very few rules and many people can continue enjoying it. Highly recommended.
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5.0/5
The drive to this place is stunning.
There are 3 different camping areas, all beautiful. The creek is absolutely stunning. Spotless drop toilets. It is a credit to the caretaker who you will meet when you arrive!
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5.0/5
One of the most beautiful free campsites that we've visited.
Great drive to get there, prepare to be amazed by the nature. Simple flush toilets on the field we camped on and a water tap. No other facilities.
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4.5/5
Be careful : many animals on the road.
A lot of room. Flush toilets really clean! Quite isolated. But nice place and free.
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5.0/5
Amazing spot.
Quiet campsite at the end of a beautiful drive. Worth going for the drive there! Although the view at the campsite is pretty sweet too. There are three camping areas ( each with super clean toilets although the middle area has flushing toilets rather than drops). Keep going to the end of the track to find the river views. Nicest place we have stayed so far. Highly recommend!
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4.5/5
I just loved this place!!
So quiet and in the middle of the nature. Beautiful view all the way. But double attention on the way, because you can find animals on the road all the time and you can have a big accident. You need wood to use the barbecue and when it's raining can be a problem. Toilets very clean, taps with water (needs to be boiled). Beautiful river around, scenic views!! Highly recommended!!
