Lake Tarawera Outlet Campsite
Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve • Bay of Plenty
Alerts
Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.
- About
- Camp alongside the lake in a large and attractive campsite where trout fishing and water sports are popular. There is no road access to the campsite.
- Facilities
- Boat launching
- Jetty
- Non-powered/tent sites
- Shelter for cooking
- Wheelchair accessible with assistance
- Toilets - non-flush
- Toilets
- Activities
- Boating, Fishing, Kayaking and canoeing, Swimming, Walking and tramping
- Dogs
- No dogs.
- Landscape
- Rivers and lakes
- Access
- Boat, Foot
- Unpowered sites
- 50
Fees and bookings
Fees
- Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
- Child (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
- Infant (0–4 years): free
Passes
The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite.
Bookings
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027.
- If no availability shows online for your dates, the campsite is fully booked.
- No spaces are kept for campers arriving without a booking.
- Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
- Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.
Getting there
Access to this campground is available to those that have walked in from the DOC tracks that link to this area, or via boat. You're not allowed to use the privately owned road that provides access from Kawerau.
Overnight parking at the Tarawera Falls Carpark is not permitted.
There are a number of commercial operators that run either boat or helicopter transport around the Rotorua Lakes area, with options for connecting trails or getting to/from campsites.
Find commercial operators for Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve.
Tracks to this campsite
Location
NZTM2000 coordinates: E1906584, N5767896
Latitude: -38.18501393, Longitude: 176.50314606
Know before you go
Water supply is not reliable due to intermittent toxic algal blooms in Lake Tarawera (more prevalent over the summer period) - take your own water supply as the lake water may not be drinkable.
Dogs are not allowed in areas administered by DOC in the Rotorua area.
Water safety
If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.
Activities
Fishing
Trout fishing is popular.
Walking and tramping
A bridge links the campsite with the Tarawera Outlet to Falls Track and the Northern Tarawera Track.
Nearby
Weather
Forecast at the campsite