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Hot Water Beach Campsite, Lake Tarawera

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

Tent camping at Te Rata Bay on Lake Tarawera, with thermal hazards and closed pitches.

Campground type
DOC campsite
Setting
Lakeside
Operator / brand
Department of Conservation
Stay options
Tent
Booking
Advance booking required

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 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 not verified.
Toilets
Available. DOC lists non-flush toilets.
Shared kitchen
Not confirmed. Cooking shelter listed, not an equipped kitchen.
Laundry
Not confirmed. Laundry not verified.
Pets
No pets. No dogs; other pets require checking DOC's separate rules. Confirm assistance-dog arrangements with DOC.
Campfires
Not allowed. The checked campsite rules prohibit fires. A stove or barbecue listing does not grant permission for a campfire.

Before you go

Bring drinking water

Bring drinking water. DOC prohibits beach/stream water for drinking or food preparation because of possible arsenic; boiling is not a remedy for that chemical risk.

No pets

No dogs; other pets require checking DOC's separate rules. Confirm assistance-dog arrangements with DOC.

Campfires: Not allowed

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

Policy checked 26 September 2026.

Check current fire restrictions (new tab)

Access & important conditions
  • Pitches 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 25, 28, 29 and 30 are closed for rockfall or unstable slopes; the rest is listed open.
  • Hot sand and scalding water occur on the foreshore. Follow signs and keep out of closed areas.
  • Boat or advanced walking access; bring drinking water and confirm transport. No fires.
Fees & booking

Area & getting there

Hot Water Beach Campsite, Lake Tarawera

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

Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)
Location source & precision
Reference coordinates
-38.24410, 176.43376 (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

  • Tent camping at Te Rata Bay on Lake Tarawera, with thermal hazards and closed pitches.
  • Pitches 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 25, 28, 29 and 30 are closed for rockfall or unstable slopes; the rest is listed open.
  • Hot sand and scalding water occur on the foreshore. Follow signs and keep out of closed areas.
  • Boat or advanced walking access; bring drinking water and confirm transport. No fires.
Camping styles
tent
Fees
Non-powered camping: NZ$18 per adult 18+ per night. DOC Campsite Pass not accepted.
Water
Bring drinking water. DOC prohibits beach/stream water for drinking or food preparation because of possible arsenic; boiling is not a remedy for that chemical risk.

Tent camping at Te Rata Bay on Lake Tarawera, with thermal hazards and closed pitches.

Plan for Te Rata Bay, not the Coromandel

This Hot Water Beach is on Lake Tarawera and is reached by boat or on foot, not through the Coromandel holiday park. Match the transport arrangement to the weight of the tent and drinking water. A walking approach involves a substantial advanced track, so check its current description before choosing it. Arrange the return leg as carefully as the arrival, especially for a one-night stay.

Select only an open pitch

Several numbered pitches are closed because of rockfall or unstable slopes, while DOC says the remaining campground can be booked. Follow the current boundary signs rather than using an empty-looking area behind the beach. Keep movements between camp and the thermal area within the indicated routes. A reservation does not remove the need to respect local closures or assess whether the setting fits your group.

Bring water and respect the thermal ground

Drinking-water weight is a real planning constraint here. DOC warns against using nearby beach or stream water for drinking and food preparation because of possible arsenic. Bring your supply rather than treating boiling as a universal solution. Hot sand and scalding foreshore water also require attention. Keep cooking and sleeping equipment organised within the open campground and do not let the hot-springs attraction eclipse those practical limitations.

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

Sources & official links

Keep planning