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Boulders Campsite

Bay of Plenty, North IslandDOC campsite

AI-generated cartoon of a green and coral tent with trees and distant hills; not a photograph of this campsite.

AI illustration. Generic AI-generated camping artwork, not a photograph of this campsite. It does not represent the site's actual landscape, pitches or facilities.

Artwork: Outdoor Next / AI-generated artwork / AI-generated illustration / Details

Campsite essentials

Your stay at a glance

Basic forest tent camping beside Te Waiti Stream near Opotiki, with damaged 4WD-only access.

Campground type
DOC campsite
Setting
Forest / Riverside
Operator / brand
Department of Conservation
Stay options
Tent
Booking
First come, first served

Facilities

  • Powered sitesNot available
  • ToiletsAvailable
All facilities & policies

Confirm with the operator: hot showers, showers, shared kitchen, laundry. Missing information does not mean a facility is unavailable.

Powered sites
Not available. DOC lists non-powered tent camping.
Hot showers
Not confirmed. Hot water for showers has not been confirmed. A general shower listing does not establish hot-water availability.
Showers
Not confirmed. Showers have not been verified.
Toilets
Available. DOC lists non-flush toilets.
Shared kitchen
Not confirmed. An equipped shared kitchen has not been verified; bring cooking equipment.
Laundry
Not confirmed. Laundry facilities have not been verified.
Pets
No pets. No dogs; check DOC's separate other-pet and assistance-dog rules.
Campfires
Not allowed. The checked campsite rules prohibit fires. A stove or barbecue listing does not grant permission for a campfire.

Before you go

Untreated water

Stream-water supply listed; bring drinking water or treatment equipment.

No pets

No dogs; check DOC's separate other-pet and assistance-dog rules.

Campfires: Not allowed

The checked campsite rules prohibit fires. A stove or barbecue listing does not grant permission for a campfire.

Policy checked 1 October 2026.

Check current fire restrictions (new tab)

Access & important conditions
  • Storm-damaged access road requires 4WD; the approach includes a low ford and a steep, rough descent.
  • No fires; a listed barbecue does not override the fire restriction.
Fees & booking

Area & getting there

Boulders Campsite

DOC campsite reference point, not a verified entrance or individual pitch.

Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)
Location source & precision
Reference coordinates
-38.12293, 177.39057 (latitude, longitude)
Precision
WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
Location source checked
Explore Central North Island
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice

By Outdoor Next / Editorial standards / Last checked

  • Basic forest tent camping beside Te Waiti Stream near Opotiki, with damaged 4WD-only access.
  • Storm-damaged access road requires 4WD; the approach includes a low ford and a steep, rough descent.
  • No fires; a listed barbecue does not override the fire restriction.
Camping styles
tent
Fees
Non-powered camping: free; this is not a powered-site offer or a reservation.
Water
Stream-water supply listed; bring drinking water or treatment equipment.

Basic forest tent camping beside Te Waiti Stream near Opotiki, with damaged 4WD-only access.

Decide on access before packing the tent

Boulders is beside Te Waiti Stream in the forest near Opotiki, but the approach is the key decision. DOC's active notice requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle because the road remains storm-damaged. The low ford and rough descent add separate judgement calls. A vehicle with the right drivetrain is not permission to cross water or negotiate ground that looks unsafe on the day.

Keep this a basic forest camp

Non-powered tent sites, a basic toilet and stream water are the verified facilities. Bring your own cooking equipment and drinking-water plan rather than expecting a serviced park. The campsite's barbecue listing does not cancel its no-fire rule. Pack food securely, keep the working area compact, and allow time to carry equipment safely if parking and the chosen tent spot are not immediately together.

Recheck the road for the return

Free, first-come camping leaves flexibility, but it does not reserve space or guarantee access. Review the current DOC notice before departure and think about how the return journey could be affected by changing conditions. Leave dogs at home under the published rule. Have another overnight option before entering the access road, so turning around is a practical choice rather than a last-minute problem.

Check the official campsite information for current restrictions, facilities and booking arrangements.

Sources & official links

Keep planning