Freedom camping is the act of camping in a public area that is not a designated camping ground or holiday park. It’s a popular choice for travelers who want to experience New Zealand’s natural beauty up close and personal, without having to pay for accommodation.
While freedom camping is legal in New Zealand, it’s important to note that not all areas are suitable for camping. Some places have restrictions or may be off-limits altogether.
- There are a few rules that must be followed when freedom camping. These include:
- Only camp in designated freedom camping areas.
- Use a self-contained vehicle (with a toilet and wastewater facilities) or use the facilities provided in the designated camping area. Vehicles must display a current self-containment certificate.
- Respect the environment by disposing of waste properly.
- Keep noise levels to a minimum.
- The maximum stay for Freedom Camping in the District is a total of seven (7) consecutive nights in any one (1) calendar month.
Prideaux Park
The grassed area behind the bowling club is available for use by campers in fully self-contained vehicles. This area is accessed from Plunket Street.
The carpark area in front of the Maurie Kjar Swimming Pool Complex is also available, but there are no power, water or dump station facilities in this location.
The Prideaux Park site has four power connections at the streamside area behind the Prideaux Park Pavilion.Users must pay a $25 bond at the Kawerau i-SITE for a powered site.
These powered sites are free of charge for the first three nights and $10 per night thereafter.The maximum stay on a powered site is seven consecutive nights. (The maximum stay at any site in Kawerau is seven consecutive nights in any one calendar month).
Prideaux Park is a geothermal area so sleeping in anything other than a self-contained motor vehicle with an aboveground floor is strictly prohibited.
Additional Services at Prideaux Park
Council provides a dump station behind the bowling club (signposted) for the safe disposal of wastewater. Council also provides potable drinking water (the tap is located on the Pavilion building).
Firmin Field
Freedom campers may also use the sealed car park at Firmin Field. Access to Firmin Field is from Waterhouse Street.
This site has six power connections at the streamside area behind the Firmin Lodge, and another six power connections on the Firmin Lodge building.Users must pay a $25 bond at the Kawerau i-SITE for a powered site.
Additional Services:
Council provides a dump station at the end of the carpark (signposted) for the safe disposal of wastewater. Council also provides potable drinking water (the tap is located on the Firmin Lodge Building).