Government Gardens Thermal Area
Overnight Campervan Parking
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Government Gardens Thermal Area
Limited free parking spaces for large campervans available in the Government Gardens opposite the Polynesian Spa, Hinemoa Street. The aim is to provide an easily accessible parking facility within a few minutes' walk of the inner city, museum, pools, supermarkets and the shared paths which offer a designated route walking, cycling, scootering and mobility scooters through our city to Kuirau Park and the wider suburban area.
Only self-contained campervans/motorhomes permitted to stay overnight
Space for a maximum of 17 campervans/motorhomes
Maximum stay is 2 consecutive nights per calendar month
No tents permitted
No toilets, showers or water provided
No dogs
No fires or fireworks
Self-Containment Warrant and Responsible Camper stickers must be displayed at all times on your vehicle.
Please take your rubbish with you.
Alcohol may not be consumed in any public places.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Rotorua Lakes CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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2.0/5
On the positive side, there are quite a lot of parking spaces.
But since there are only two free camping places in roturoa, even these are constantly occupied. In addition, there are no private toilets. You have to walk two to five minutes to the nearest public toilet where there are strange people in the evening. The parking lot is also right next to a kind of pond which smells extremely like rotten eggs. We were here for over 24 hours and couldn't get used to it!
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4.5/5
Very conveniently located, the area is basically a parking lot for campervans but so close to the centre of Rotorua and right next to the Polynesian Spa.
It fills up quickly. There are toilets nearby.the other travellers were all friendly, mostly international travellers,
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4.0/5
Full when we arrived at 630.
Other camper vans were parked illegally along a curb next to some dumpsters. If you drive into the parking lot and take the little road to the left it puts you out into another little parking area. It could probably fit 10-15 cars. There was another van parked in this area but there was no signage saying yes it is ok or no it’s not for overnight/camper vans. We didn’t want to take the risk so we went to Waiapa forest park instead.
Gave a 8 bc I can’t review it properly, but the trash was overflowing.
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3.0/5
It’s fine.
I arrived 6.30pm and got a spot. Good location for exploring town and lakes but not picturesque. Clean public toilet shuts at 9pm. The Polynesian spa has nicer bathroom and shuts at 11pm.
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4.5/5
Great free basic camping spot - perfect location for everything you could want in Rotoura.
It is a car park but great for exploring the town.
Public toilets are clean but literally across the road is the Polynesian spa which is open until 11pm if you want a coffee and the loo in warmth.
It does fill up (even in July!) so would recommend going early!
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3.5/5
, bars & restaurants.
Handy spot to park, close walk to Rotarua shops
Across the road from the popular Polynesian Spas that were unfortunately very overcrowded when we visited them but I guess that's expected in the school holidays. Felt safe parking here nice walkways around parking spot.
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3.5/5
Smell dropped rating.
Free, lots of spots and easy walk to city center. Bathrooms nearby are locked at night, so if needed a 1/2 mile walk into town is closest.
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5.0/5
Can't be a better place to park campervan and go for a visit in town.
The lake is close, 10min walk. We arrived very early (about 12pm) and was full quickly. No toilets but if need there is the Polynesian spa at 20m. Next to the parking a little plan of water so sulphur odor really present.
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4.0/5
So convenient to town!
It's worth a drive by to check for spots, bc vans came and went all day.
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3.5/5
A fantastic spot right next to town.
It fills up quickly, so a bit of luck is needed. A security guard arrives at 6 p.m., and you can ask him anything. The toilets are a 3-minute walk away. Note that the smell of sulfur in this area can be very strong at times.
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4.5/5
Really practical place to stay in Rotorua.
We were here for 3 nights and always found a space to park mid afternoon. Quite a strong smell of sulphur but compensated by the east walk into the city centre and the fact it’s free! Toilets are 3 mins walk away and the Polynesian Spa is over the road if you really need a shower.
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2.0/5
On the positive side, there are quite a lot of parking spaces.
But since there are only two free camping places in roturoa, even these are constantly occupied. In addition, there are no private toilets. You have to walk two to five minutes to the nearest public toilet where there are strange people in the evening. The parking lot is also right next to a kind of pond which smells extremely like rotten eggs. We were here for over 24 hours and couldn't get used to it!
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4.5/5
Very conveniently located, the area is basically a parking lot for campervans but so close to the centre of Rotorua and right next to the Polynesian Spa.
It fills up quickly. There are toilets nearby.the other travellers were all friendly, mostly international travellers,
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4.0/5
Full when we arrived at 630.
Other camper vans were parked illegally along a curb next to some dumpsters. If you drive into the parking lot and take the little road to the left it puts you out into another little parking area. It could probably fit 10-15 cars. There was another van parked in this area but there was no signage saying yes it is ok or no it’s not for overnight/camper vans. We didn’t want to take the risk so we went to Waiapa forest park instead.
Gave a 8 bc I can’t review it properly, but the trash was overflowing.
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3.0/5
It’s fine.
I arrived 6.30pm and got a spot. Good location for exploring town and lakes but not picturesque. Clean public toilet shuts at 9pm. The Polynesian spa has nicer bathroom and shuts at 11pm.
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1.0/5
Freecamp constantly full, time for more self contained sites in Rotorua In addition, there are often non-self-contained cars
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3.0/5
To be able to sleep at this car park you will need to arrive before 14:00 pm.
Gets fills very quickly.
It’s very close to the center, and all its ammendaties. Toilets a bit far and closed after 23:00.
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2.5/5
Full early two night we checked.
We couldn’t get in so left. Lots of non self contained ars
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4.5/5
Great free basic camping spot - perfect location for everything you could want in Rotoura.
It is a car park but great for exploring the town.
Public toilets are clean but literally across the road is the Polynesian spa which is open until 11pm if you want a coffee and the loo in warmth.
It does fill up (even in July!) so would recommend going early!
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3.5/5
, bars & restaurants.
Handy spot to park, close walk to Rotarua shops
Across the road from the popular Polynesian Spas that were unfortunately very overcrowded when we visited them but I guess that's expected in the school holidays. Felt safe parking here nice walkways around parking spot.
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2.5/5
Im not sure why this is rated to high.
It is literally a car park with no space to put chairs out. The only good thing is that it is in the center of town but it doesn’t even have overnight toilets. The toilets close at 8:30pm!!
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3.5/5
Smell dropped rating.
Free, lots of spots and easy walk to city center. Bathrooms nearby are locked at night, so if needed a 1/2 mile walk into town is closest.
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5.0/5
Can't be a better place to park campervan and go for a visit in town.
The lake is close, 10min walk. We arrived very early (about 12pm) and was full quickly. No toilets but if need there is the Polynesian spa at 20m. Next to the parking a little plan of water so sulphur odor really present.
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4.0/5
So convenient to town!
It's worth a drive by to check for spots, bc vans came and went all day.
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3.5/5
A fantastic spot right next to town.
It fills up quickly, so a bit of luck is needed. A security guard arrives at 6 p.m., and you can ask him anything. The toilets are a 3-minute walk away. Note that the smell of sulfur in this area can be very strong at times.
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2.5/5
Freedom camping is shit in Rotorua!
Be early for this one, yesterday at 3 there was no space left. Today I got the last one at 12.30, even tho camping is only allowed from 2pm… there is another freedom camping ground at the opposite of the lake with heaps of spaces and toilets, but it‘s only on campermate!
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4.5/5
Really practical place to stay in Rotorua.
We were here for 3 nights and always found a space to park mid afternoon. Quite a strong smell of sulphur but compensated by the east walk into the city centre and the fact it’s free! Toilets are 3 mins walk away and the Polynesian Spa is over the road if you really need a shower.
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4.5/5
Was pretty busy, we arrived at around 1900 and we had the last available spot.
It was a Saturday so that is probably why. Public toilets, which were open till late, were a 2 minute walk and clean. The smell is just something you will have to put up with in Rotorua so we didn't mind!
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3.5/5
Couldn’t find toilets.
Quiet and safe. Busy all parks used. Strong Sulfur smell. Walking distance to town
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2.5/5
Location amazing and it’s free.
The only thing is the sulphur smell can be incredibly strong and hard to adjust to. Keep silver jewelry away! Your van will be very smelly as well when you leave. Other than that great site with toilets somewhere nearby that were not open when we checked.
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3.5/5
The better of the two central Rotorua parks, feels more secluded.
Just a shame about high competition. I was tired & slept in until 11am without any interruptions here!
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3.0/5
This is a convenient place to visit Roturua, but no special charm or appeal remember to arrive early
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4.5/5
Will do for one night.
Narrow spaces so not much space to sit outside and wouldn’t want to anyway due to the strong eggy smell outside. Toilets are a 5 minute walk and I think they are locked overnight.
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4.0/5
It’s a car park and it smells of sulphur but that’s ok cos you get to see the wonderful thermal ponds and eat great food in Eat Streat.
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3.0/5
Nice location.
Smell you get used to but was only 2 spots left when we got here at 215pm so best to get in as early as possible
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4.5/5
Good place to say over night - super close to Polinesia Spa, to the supermarket, town center, and lake walk.
The disadvantage is that it gets filled very fast - we got the last spot at 3 pm.
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4.0/5
Stayed here Saturday and Sunday night.
It was FULL. We got here at 4pm and we parked beside the last camper on the right which was not a proper space. The warden did come round that evening and took our reg and told us it was fine for the night but to move into a space for the next night - which we did. Toilets near by and handy location to the city centre.
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3.0/5
Good place to stay the night !
A lot or people (we got the last spot around 4pm...)
Toilets are ok, but close at night. Plenty of lights out. However there's a big constant noise, caused by the spa close by (I believe), it can be hard to sleep with this.
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4.0/5
A great place to stop over.
We parked facing the spa only 100metres away. Fantastic place to visit.
Get there early as places fill up rather quickly. Avoid the little road on the end of the parking space as it goes nowhere.
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2.5/5
Good spot but only go there if you are very early in the day.
Very small for a big city as Rotorua. We traveled in October outside school holidays and had no spot.
