Camping in the Waipā District is regulated by reserve management plan policies for each park and reserve. Check with each campsite before visiting. Waipa Council has a 24/7 phone line you can call – 0800 924 723.
You can also visit the Campermate.co.nz website – it is packed full of helpful camping and RV-specific information, plus thousands of tips from other travelers, it’s the one app you don’t want to leave home without.
General Guidlines
Please enjoy your stay at one of the Waipa camping areas and respect the guidelines:
- A maximum stay of two consecutive nights is permitted
- Park only in the designated parking area.
- Please take all your litter with you.
- Fires are not permitted on any public conservation land including parks, reserves, campgrounds, or DOC Areas.
- Dogs must be always on a lead when on Council parks and reserves, unless the areas are designated otherwise.
- If you see there is more than the allocated number of campers at a site, please move on to another available campground.
Freedom camping
This covers two different types of camping; contained camping and conventional camping.
- Contained camping refers to self-contained motor homes and camper vans that require self-containment certification. Up to two consecutive nights stay are permitted at the same campsite for contrained camping in Waipa
- Conventional camping refers to any tent, caravan or other vehicle that does not need to be certified as a self-contained unit. No conventional camping on any lakeside reserve is permitted in Waipa.
Waipa Camping Sites
Arapuni Landing -142 Arapuni Lake Road, Wharepapa South 3880.
Beautiful quiet spot with amazing views. Self-contained vehicles only. Free camping and on a first come first served basis. Public toilets are available.
Bulmer’s Landing – access via Bulmer’s Road. Wharepapa South 3880 telephone 0800 924 723
Another beautiful campsite provided by the Waipa District Council, right on the edge of Lake Arapuni. This site is for self-contained vehicles only. Up to 2 consecutive nights stay permitted. You’re spoilt for choice for locations to park up here.
Peaceful paradise opposite Jones Landing, great walk to the river.
Moana Roa Recreational Reserve – access via SH1. 0800 924 723
Just off State Highway 1 you’ll find this little oasis called Moana Roa Reserve. Up to two nights is permitted for self-contained vehicles only. Head down to near the toilets and pull up under the trees, you’ll have a great view of the lake. There’s a fresh water tap just on the top level in between the two posts. Be respectful of others and take your rubbish with you.
Keeley Recreational Reserve – access via SH1. 1006 Tirau Road, Karapiro 3494
Another of these beautiful Lake Karapiro campsites. Park on the top park for the best position. This site is for self-contained vehicles only. Up to 2 consecutive nights stay permitted. No conventional overnight camping on any lakeside reserve is permitted.
Horahora Domain – access via Maungatautari Road. 2307 Maungatautari Rd, Horahora
Great campsite with plenty of space right on the lake edge, make sure you bring your togs! The site is for self-contained vehicles only. Up to 2 consecutive nights stay permitted.
Lake Ngaroto – Access via Bank Road; Phone (07) 823 3800
Contained camping: up to two consecutive nights stay permitted
Conventional camping: only permitted in association with and for the duration of an event on the site, to a maximum of five consecutive days.
Kihikihi Domain – Access via Dick, Grey, Oliver, or Atkinson Street; matafarm@gmail.com
Contained camping: only permitted in association with and for the duration of events on the site Conventional camping: no conventional overnight camping is permitted.
Turata Reserve – Lyon Street, Kihikihi
Contained camping: up to two consecutive nights stay permitted. No booking required – first come first served. No powered sites. No conventional overnight camping is permitted.
South Waikato Camp Sites
Little Waipa Reserve – 873/875 Horahora Road, Arapuni 3481Telephone 07 885 0340
Beautiful campsite right on the banks of Lake Karapiro. Plenty of space so pull up and park up. No cell phone reception here
Self-contained caravans and campervans can stay the first two nights free then a camping permit is required for a longer stay. Camping in tents and vehicles required a camping permit. This requires a camping permit which can be purchased from the South Waikato District Council offices or the district’s Information Centres.
Jones Landing – Jones Landing Road, Arapuni
A beautiful campsite located just across the lake from Bulmer’s Landing. It’s closed to vehicles between 8.30pm and 6am. There’s no cell phone reception here.
Arohena Campground – Wharepapa South 3877.
This campsite on the western shores of Waikato River is perfect for swimming, picnicking, fishing, and water sports.
Other Camping Options
Epworth Camp – 116 Finlay Road, Maungatautari – 0278272003
As well as the main accommodation complex there is plenty of room to camp on site. If you require powered sites, they have 11 caravan plug sockets located alongside the rugby field. You are welcome to access a small kitchen and men’s and women’s shower and toilet block as well as the swimming pool which are all included in the price.
Pre-booking is essential if not booking as part of a group on site. No dogs and no waste disposal facility on site.
Cambridge Raceway – 1 Taylor Street, Cambridge
Cambridge Raceway is available for New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Members
The Raceway has non-powered overnight stay parking for NZMCA members only. $10.00 per van, per night, with payment to be made at the Clubhouse – which is on site at the Raceway. Secure parking, fresh drinking water, pets on lead are allowed. . The park will generally be available all year, including on race days but there are some exceptions, please call 0274 888 454 to check and for more information. www.cambridgeraceway.co.nz
Lake Karapiro Mighty River Domain – 601 Maungatautari Road, Maungatautari, New Zealand; Phone: 07 827 4178; Email: info@lakekarapiro.co.nz; www. lakekarapiro.co.nz
Whether you’re here to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the idyllic location or seeking some world class sporting action, Mighty River Domain, Lake Karāpiro is the perfect place to stay. Everything from powered and non-powered sites for tents, caravans, camper vans and motorhomes to comfortable cabin style accommodation is catered for. Our well-maintained grounds have all the facilities you need to make your stay as relaxing as possible.
The Mighty River Domain has 60 powered and 80 non powered sites. We welcome tents, caravans, campervans, and motorhomes. These sites can be hired individually or in blocks during events and non-event times.
Cambridge Top 10 Holiday Park – 32 Scott Street Cambridge; Phone: 07 8275 649; Email: info@cambridgeholidaypark.co.nz; Website
Sit back, relax and enjoy a free hot shower. Spacious sites with all year-round option within a 5-minute walk to cafes and Leamington shopping centre.
Non powered camping sites and powered campervan and tent sites available.
Narrows Park – 442 Airport Road, Tamahere, Hamilton 3282; Telephone 07 843 6862; lovetostay@narrowspark.co.nz; Website
Powered sites (26) and camp sites are offered when they are not holding events or hosting groups. Facilities for campers include a shared kitchen, covered deck, washrooms and hot showers, pool, coin laundry, WIFI vouchers, wood fired BBQ’s.
Waste Dump Sites
Cambridge – Matos Segedin Drive, Cambridge
Tirau – Caltex Service Station, Depot Street, Tirau
Te Awamutu – Mobil Service Station, Arawata Street, Te Awamutu
Kiwicash
KiwiCash is a smart way of payment for access to services and campsites around NZ. Your KiwiCash key identifies you and connects to your online KiwiCash account. This allows you to make secure, easy payments for services with a tap of your key on one of their KC PODS.
You can purchase your Kiwicash key from the Cambridge isite and many other isites around New Zealand. Find out more HERE
Cambridge isite
The Cambridge i-SITE can help with:
- Accommodation & Activity bookings – for Cambridge and the rest of NZ
- Airport Shuttles, transfers, car hire and taxis
- Bike hire & Shuttles
- Cambridge Map, plus local walking and cycling maps
- Itinerary planning – local and domestic information.
- Free maps, weather and road/mountain safety information for NZ
- Internet kiosks & printing services
- Free WiFi
- Department of Conservation (DOC) Hut tickets and seasons passes
- Personal Locator Beacon hire
- Local information – events, attractions, restaurants & cafes
- Where to find other i-SITEs in NZ
- NZ Made and local Souvenirs – including possum merino clothing, NZ Wool products, travel items, skincare products, jewellery, manuka honey, outdoor equipment and so much more
Visit our website www.cambridge.co.nz for events, accommodation, activities, information and more for our area.
FIND ALL I-SITES here www.isite.nz
