Camping
The Ruapehu District has Council-vested, small and friendly camping grounds in Taumarunui, Ohakune and Raetihi. All known as Holiday Parks, these camping grounds are set in the spectacular Central Plateau and offer an ideal base for the many activities the area offers.
Holiday Parks
Taumarunui Holiday Park
SH4
South Of Taumarunui
Ph: 07 895 9345
Web
Ohakune Top 10 Holiday Park
5 Moore Street
Ohakune
Ph: 06 385 8561
Web
Raetihi Holiday Park
10 Parapara Road
Raetihi
Ph: 06 385 4016
Web
National Park Park'n'Ride on Findlay Street offers secure parking and powered sites for RV's, campervans, etc. Further information on the facilities offered can be found here.
For further camping opportunities in the Ruapehu District and on the Central Plateau, see the Department of Conservation website.
There are a number of mobile home and caravan wastewater dumping stations situated around the Ruapehu District. Locations of these services are provided on the Mobile Home and Caravan Wastewater Dumping Station page of Council website.
Freedom Camping
Ruatiti Domain is one of only two areas in the District where Freedom Camping in tents and or non-self-contained vehicles is permitted by Council. It is well used by fishermen and campers, particularly over the summer months and many families return year after year. A Ruatiti Domain Committee, comprising local residents, a Waimarino-Waiouru Community Board member and Council staff, manage the operational issues relating to this property.
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.
Dogs are prohibited from the Ruatiti Domain from 1 November to 30 April. When they are permitted to visit in the non-prohibited months (1 May – 31 October), dogs must be leashed at all times. This is to protect nesting birds.
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.
The other area where freedom camping in non-contained vehicles is permitted is Ohura (the area adjacent to Tui Street between the Memorial Hall and the Mangaroa Stream).
Document Links
- Freedom Camping in the Ruapehu District (PDF, 553.5KB)
- Ruatiti Domain (PDF, 803.5KB)