Oparau Roadhouse and Bills Backpackers

39 Rankers Reviews

3 Backpackers

1 Holiday Rentals

2 Kawhia

Accommodations

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Information

Oparau Roadhouse and Bills Backpackers

No Frills Freedom Camping

FREE camper (RV) van park ($5.00 fee for power) FREE backpacker tenting

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Oparau Roadhouse and Bills Backpackers

Commercial organisation

Location

North IslandWaikatoKawhia

Categories

  • Activity__freedom_campingFreedom Camping
  • Activity__dump_stationDump Station
  • Backpackers
  • Activity__holiday_rentalsHoliday Rentals

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-38.0547827841051

174.919066333771

Take a peak
Latitude
-38.0547827841051
Longitude
174.919066333771

Reviews

    ✓ Free camping spot

    ✓ Friendly staff

    ✓ Clean toilets

    ✓ Great views

    ✓ Hot food available

    𐄂 Limited payment options

    𐄂 Some road noise

    • Nice spot close to the road.
    • Feels very safe well kept for a free site.
    • Lovely owners.
    • This is the free campsite.
    • Midwinter campervanning (late June 2020).
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 25
    64%
    9/10 6
    15%
    8/10 5
    13%
    7/10 2
    5%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 1
    3%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 4.0/5

    Nice spot close to the road.

    Lot of space and very clean toilets. Friendly staff and you can even buy food. Would recommand if you want to take a nice gravel road to Raglan.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    P
    Pauline's avatar

    Pauline

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Free for campervan.

    Clean Toilet. Dump station. Tables. Views. Shop. Fuel station. Safe. No noise.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    F
    Fabbzh's avatar

    Fabbzh

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    As all the other reviews say, this is an awesome stop-over.

    Registered inside the shop to freedom camp at the roadhouse. Serve hot food until 5.30/6, shop open until 7, incredibly friendly staff and loos open all night. Highly recommend staying here.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    Josie's avatar

    Josie

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great little free spot with beautiful views and super kind and generous staff.

    No AU payWave or AU credit card facility so have some cash.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    H
    Helen's avatar

    Helen

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot, next to the road but was considerably quiet for our stay in the middle of jan.

    Toilets our clean, staff are very friendly and you get a great view! Highly recommend and was free for non- powered or $5 for powers.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    E
    Ellie's avatar

    Ellie

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Feels very safe well kept for a free site.

    Lovely staff in the shop

    Staying for 3 days fly-fishing in the area

    So cool they let people stay for free but will make a donation anyway

    Cheers Dave

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    D
    Dave's avatar

    Dave

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Great location, we were on our own the night we stayed, felt safe as we were made very welcome by the shop owners, hot food available to 6pm, great selection of groceries in store also.

    Flush toilet facilities and great breakfast menu available the next morning with a very friendly greeting in shop.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    CJ
    Cara Johnston's avatar

    Cara Johnston

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Plenty of grass (with gravel areas for the bogging averse), elevated with a view across some of the classic NZ rolling green farmlands this, we couldn’t believe the unpowered space was free.

    Winter review:

    A welcoming space outside of Kawhia, we arrived here at dusk mid July after visiting the Te Puia/ Kawhia hot water beach

    The owner was so friendly and the toilets (around the back) was clean.

    Great to have shop next door to buy basics as well as get hot food & coffee. Petrol also!

    It’s by the SH31 so some car noise is normal.. but there wasn’t much traffic in the heart of winter so it was a most peaceful place to stop

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    L
    Leet's avatar

    Leet

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Awesome free camping spot with lovely views and nice grassy area with table's Its free so how can you not love it , great spot to stay after the hot beach

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2020

    G
    Graham's avatar

    Graham

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Midwinter campervanning (late June 2020).

    We were the only ones at this flat grassy spot next to the Roadhouse. Paid $5 for the one power hookup. Toilet basic but clean; dump station; no potable water but friendly staff pointed us in the direction where locals get their spring water. Good spot to stock up on basic foods if you’re spending time in this rural area.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2020

    UNITED STATES
    BB
    Boardwalk Blss's avatar

    Boardwalk Blss

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Fantastic little place.

    They have 1 powered site that is $5, otherwise non powered is free. Dine in/takeaway dinner, fuel, toilets, shop - no complaints here. The people are lovely! Very helpful.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020

    M
    Michaela's avatar

    Michaela

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Not a lot to add - this is an excellent and free site.

    Amazing shop for such an isolated place. Good breakfast in the morning.

    Very helpful and friendly owners and staff.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020

    UNITED KINGDOM
    DK
    Dave Kitson's avatar

    Dave Kitson

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Free campsite, clean toilet.

    Place is pretty nice but owners.. The most friendly and helpful people in the world! Also, you can be suprised because is possible to buy everything in their shop! 10/10. Thank You Bill.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2019

    J
    Justyna's avatar

    Justyna

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    0nly a 9 because they're basically out of water and that's not their fault.

    Great spot, and FREE! Friendly, helpful owners. Little road noise from time to time but otherwise super. Great views. Get in early (before 5) to get the best spots.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2019

    DS
    Don Strachan 's avatar

    Don Strachan

    Customer

  • 2.0/5

    Nice outlook, cafe stops cooking at 630 and not much else around for food.

    We had an unhealthy meal of pies and fried chicken (not free or discounted despite being the last remaining from the day- we wouldn't normally expect otherwise except quite a few people have mentioned free food.) They have quite a lot of grocery items and petrol. Good free spot tho not much around apart from the hot water beach.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2016

    AUSTRALIA
    SB
    S Black's avatar

    S Black

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Nice spot close to the road.

    Lot of space and very clean toilets. Friendly staff and you can even buy food. Would recommand if you want to take a nice gravel road to Raglan.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    P
    Pauline's avatar

    Pauline

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Free for campervan.

    Clean Toilet. Dump station. Tables. Views. Shop. Fuel station. Safe. No noise.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    F
    Fabbzh's avatar

    Fabbzh

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    As all the other reviews say, this is an awesome stop-over.

    Registered inside the shop to freedom camp at the roadhouse. Serve hot food until 5.30/6, shop open until 7, incredibly friendly staff and loos open all night. Highly recommend staying here.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    Josie's avatar

    Josie

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great little free spot with beautiful views and super kind and generous staff.

    No AU payWave or AU credit card facility so have some cash.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    H
    Helen's avatar

    Helen

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot, next to the road but was considerably quiet for our stay in the middle of jan.

    Toilets our clean, staff are very friendly and you get a great view! Highly recommend and was free for non- powered or $5 for powers.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    E
    Ellie's avatar

    Ellie

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Feels very safe well kept for a free site.

    Lovely staff in the shop

    Staying for 3 days fly-fishing in the area

    So cool they let people stay for free but will make a donation anyway

    Cheers Dave

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    D
    Dave's avatar

    Dave

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Great location, we were on our own the night we stayed, felt safe as we were made very welcome by the shop owners, hot food available to 6pm, great selection of groceries in store also.

    Flush toilet facilities and great breakfast menu available the next morning with a very friendly greeting in shop.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    CJ
    Cara Johnston's avatar

    Cara Johnston

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Plenty of grass (with gravel areas for the bogging averse), elevated with a view across some of the classic NZ rolling green farmlands this, we couldn’t believe the unpowered space was free.

    Winter review:

    A welcoming space outside of Kawhia, we arrived here at dusk mid July after visiting the Te Puia/ Kawhia hot water beach

    The owner was so friendly and the toilets (around the back) was clean.

    Great to have shop next door to buy basics as well as get hot food & coffee. Petrol also!

    It’s by the SH31 so some car noise is normal.. but there wasn’t much traffic in the heart of winter so it was a most peaceful place to stop

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    L
    Leet's avatar

    Leet

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Midwinter campervanning (late June 2020).

    We were the only ones at this flat grassy spot next to the Roadhouse. Paid $5 for the one power hookup. Toilet basic but clean; dump station; no potable water but friendly staff pointed us in the direction where locals get their spring water. Good spot to stock up on basic foods if you’re spending time in this rural area.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2020

    UNITED STATES
    BB
    Boardwalk Blss's avatar

    Boardwalk Blss

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Awesome free camping spot with lovely views and nice grassy area with table's Its free so how can you not love it , great spot to stay after the hot beach

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2020

    G
    Graham's avatar

    Graham

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Fantastic little place.

    They have 1 powered site that is $5, otherwise non powered is free. Dine in/takeaway dinner, fuel, toilets, shop - no complaints here. The people are lovely! Very helpful.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2020

    M
    Michaela's avatar

    Michaela

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Not a lot to add - this is an excellent and free site.

    Amazing shop for such an isolated place. Good breakfast in the morning.

    Very helpful and friendly owners and staff.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020

    UNITED KINGDOM
    DK
    Dave Kitson's avatar

    Dave Kitson

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    0nly a 9 because they're basically out of water and that's not their fault.

    Great spot, and FREE! Friendly, helpful owners. Little road noise from time to time but otherwise super. Great views. Get in early (before 5) to get the best spots.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2019

    DS
    Don Strachan 's avatar

    Don Strachan

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Free campsite, clean toilet.

    Place is pretty nice but owners.. The most friendly and helpful people in the world! Also, you can be suprised because is possible to buy everything in their shop! 10/10. Thank You Bill.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2019

    J
    Justyna's avatar

    Justyna

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Free camping, super friendly owner who let me stay in a caravan for the night (I was cycling).

    Pleasant surrounds, with a big shop with hot meals and lots of food! There were also some cute cats wandering around the property. The lawns at this place were amazing! No showers but toilet facilities are available.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2018

    L
    Lizzievarley's avatar

    Lizzievarley

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    This is the free campsite.

    Owner is very friendly. Very friendly personal in the store too.

    There is with wi-fi and toilets. No shower though.

    Cafe has power sockets, so you can charge your devices. Great place!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2018

    L
    Luckyoleg's avatar

    Luckyoleg

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Really friendly Personal at the petrol Station.

    Camping for free. And a free dump Station also free WiFi.

    Only grey water.

    The Public toilets are clean

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2018

    S
    Steffi's avatar

    Steffi

    Customer

  • 3.5/5

    Great spot for free.

    Owners have a little general store/petrol station and parking is on the side lawn. Dump station available & toilets. We had a good interaction with owners but some others near us did not (unsure of situation). Be sure to check in upon arrival!!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2018

    TF
    The Farrs 's avatar

    The Farrs

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    We were cautious about this accommodation after having been burned by the Turangi freedom campsite the night before, but at 5pm we pulled into the Oparau Roadhouse and found quite a few campers already

    there on the grassy area next to the Roadhouse. The toilets, shop and food available were welcome after a long day and the site is lovely and grassy and landscaped with lots of space to park. If you get a spot closer to the road you get some lovely views down the valley and the road wasn't too noisy. Can definitely recommend!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2017

    AUSTRALIA
    M
    Melanie's avatar

    Melanie

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Lovely campsite, with big petrol garage which you can get everything you need.

    The owners are great and couldn't be more helpful or friendly. Perfect location for exploring Waitomo and Kawhia! Would definitely recommend staying here.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2016

    RC
    Robbie Cotter's avatar

    Robbie Cotter

    Customer