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  • Government Gardens Camping Area

    Government Gardens Camping Area

    Free CampsitesRotorua, Bay of Plenty New Zealand 🇳🇿

    Top RatedHot Topic

    Government Gardens Camping Area

    Free CampsitesRotorua, Bay of Plenty New Zealand 🇳🇿

    Top RatedHot Topic
    Government Gardens Camping Area
    Government Gardens Camping Area - Image 2
    Government Gardens Camping Area - Image 3

    About🔥97views today

    Updated Today
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    Review Summary

    319Positive
    Negative35

    Explore Rotorua

    Reporoa11+ placesNgakuru4+ placesRerewhakaaitu3+ placesKawerau2+ placesHamurana2+ placesBay of Plenty2+ places
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    Amenities

    Sites & Accommodation

    Unpowered Sites
    Self-contained Vehicles Only

    Services

    Phone Signal

    Contact

    Address
    Hinemoa Street, Rotorua
    Map

    Contribute to this Place

    Bluebridge - Book your ferry crossing
    1. Home
    2. Locations
    3. New Zealand
    4. Bay of Plenty
    5. Rotorua
    6. Free Campsites
    7. Rotorua
    8. Government Gardens Camping Area

    Reviews

    10 Reviews

    Anonymous
    Sep 13, 2026
    Positive

    Stinky sulphur but that’s what this place is all about. Toilets were open all night. Worth splashing out in the spa across the road to enjoy the hot sulphur pools and have a shower (you probably smell from all the van life)

    Anonymous
    Sep 6, 2026
    Positive

    Good central spot, we slept great had no issues despite being central. Of course being in the centre of a geothermal area it is going to smell so if you don’t want that you will need to drive outside of the area!

    🇩🇪
    Anonymous
    Sep 5, 2026
    Positive

    17 parking spaces, very centrally located, opposite the Polynesian Spa. Less than a 10-minute walk to PaknSave, about a 10-minute walk to the CBD. The parking lot is video-monitored and secure. It's busy and fills up by mid-morning, even in the off-season. Public restrooms are a few minutes' walk away, and there are trash cans on site. It's close to the lake's geothermal area, so it will smell; not for the faint of heart.

    Anonymous
    Aug 23, 2026
    Positive

    Really great spot. No hassle, bathrooms around (closed at night as others have said), fun nature features, and super close to everything.

    Anonymous
    Aug 22, 2026
    Positive

    Stayed here in August… was busy, but we arrived at 1530 and spaces were available… and people kept leaving too. Yes, there was the Smell… but that s across Rotarura..! Great for access to things in town… bars, restaurants, laundry and the spa.

    Anonymous
    Jul 17, 2026
    Neutral

    Positives ( may be negatives for some travellers) to this spot make it a reasonable spot to stay. Proximity to Polynesian spa is enticing. Easy walk to shops and lake. Over head lights are very bright and a constant water feature bubbling.

    🇬🇧
    Anonymous
    Jul 7, 2026
    Positive

    Firstly, the smell is not nearly as bad as people are making out. there are no gates or barriers on the parking area so I dont really know what the comments about being locked in are about either. I stayed for two consecutive nights. I arrived fairly early one day one and there were plenty of spaces but it does fill up. Pak n save just around the corner, few minutes walk into town and good Spark mobile reception (I work remotely and had no issues)

    Anonymous
    Jun 17, 2026
    Positive

    We had to arrive early to have the last free seat (1pm). The toilets are clean, are 3 minutes from parking and close at night. We were checked at 8pm to check the self contained green.

    Anonymous
    Jun 13, 2026
    Positive

    Top spot, close to everything. Felt very safe even though there is a few homeless around in Rotoroa. Can walk anywhere from here. You have to come early to secure a spot though.

    Anonymous
    Jun 9, 2026
    Neutral

    Large Park Paltz right at Government Park, with many seats for campervans. Toilets were located in the park, a few minutes away. Light smell of sulfur, which unfortunately caused us to get a headache.

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