Image: Nicole Portner | ©
Ash Pit Rd campsite at Rerewhakaaitu.
Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Road Campsite

Located in Lake Rerewhakaaitu Recreation Reserve in the Bay of Plenty region

Camp on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu; take binoculars for watching water birds.

Campsite rules

  • No recreational motorbiking or dirtbiking allowed.
  • Noise must be kept to a minimum after 10 pm. All music should be turned off by this time.
  • No access from the campground up Crater Road and Mount Tarawera. These are privately owned property.

Fees

  • Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
  • Child (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
  • Infant (0 - 4 years): free

Pay online at the time of booking.

Passes

The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite. 

Campsite Pass bookings must be booked online before occupying a site. If you do not book, bookings may be made by campground staff (if present) and will incur a $10 service charge. Sites may not be available if you do not book. 

Bookings

Bookings for the 2026/27 season open at 12 noon on Thursday 14 May 2026.  

  • 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.

Book Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Rd Campsite online.

Your booking will be for a site, which will be allocated or selected on arrival.

The maximum length of stay is 7 nights. Vehicles are limited to 2 per booking including boats.

There is a maximum of 6 people for overnight group reservations. Make additional reservations for larger groups.

Maximum campsite size 72m squared.

Turn off SH 5 into SH 38, then into Rerewhakaaitu Road for 2.7 km. Turn left into Brett Rd, follow to end. Turn right into Ash Pit Rd and follow the sealed road to camp.

Location

NZTM2000: E1906898, N5757487
Latitude: -38.27738594, Longitude: 176.50742536

Dogs are not allowed in areas administered by DOC in the Rotorua area.

  • Take your own water supply as the lake water may not be drinkable.
  • Cell phone reception is intermittent in this area.
  • Risk of falling tree branches - at risk trees are clearly signposted. It is advised not to camp under these trees.

Water safety

If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.