Rotorua Travel Forum

Hi can anyone suggest a good place to camp (with camper van)in or near Rotorua in August? I have checked several out on the internet and while they all seem fine, I have learned that things often are very different in person.

Also, I am picking the camper up at Auckland airport and heading to Rotorua as my first stop/night. Where is the best place to stop and stock up with supplies and food stuffs between pick up and stopping at camp for night?

Thank you

Steve

I have not stayed at a Campground in Rotorua but I can tell you that you can stock up at the supermarket there. They have a big Countdown and Woolworths supermarket in the city (which is rather small), so you can get everything you need down there.

Kia ora
Auckland Airport has a shopping centre with supermarket.
Should be easy enough to find when you pick up your camper.

Hi,
we did the same trip last november. We stopped at a New World Supermarket before leaving the Auckland Area. You can google-map the address you are picking up the van and then search the area for New World.
In Rotorua we stayed at the campervan park near the Redwoods forest. it's at the south shore of Lake Rotorua. Nice small park with hot tub and clean bathroom facilities. Right of the main road around the Lake. Just a short 10 min. walk to the Redwoods forest nature walks. Hopefully the wind will favor you and you won't smell the sulfur odor. The main Rotorua park was gorgeous, but unfortunately the smell is sometimes overwhelming. Have a great time! New Zealand is the best place on Earth!!

There is a Foodtown right beside the airport and if you are heading to Rotorua the first day I would not venture into Auckland city especailly with a campervan. I drove one through the centre city and tried to find a park... not a good option in a 7 metre vehicle. When I traveled around New Zealand I always used the Top 10 chain of campsites as they have excellant facilities and always up to a minimum standard. They are not too much more price wise to the lower budget camp sites either. There is a Rotorua Top 10.

Kelly

Hi Steve,

You don't mention what time of day you fly in. Most camping grounds in NZ are good and at this time of year probably cheaper because it is off peak in most places except perhaps when you get nearer the mountains.Listen for snow reports on the radio in the mornings in case of a heavy snowfall and some roads being closed. Should be plenty of space in them. Make sure you have warm clothing and a sleeping bag and dimp (insect repellant) for sandflies from the chemist or supermarket.
As it is a little cooler sleeping in a camper in the winter. On the way out of Auckland you will come to Manakau city where there is a supermarket. Easy to find them as they are usually on the main roads in the cities. Woolworths, countdown,
If you are not too pushed for time I would suggest you drive to Tauranga ( 21/2 hors from Auckland) and stay at Mt Maunganui motorcamp and then drive to Rotorua early next morning. Or stay in a Motor camp near the bridge on 15th Ave. in Tauranga (I think it is called Silver Birch Motorcamp, Drive to Mount Maunganui for breakfast 20 mins) and be in Rotorua (3/4 hour) for morning tea. Mount maungani is a very nice surf beach.
Happy travelling, New Zealand is my country of origin and it is a beautiful place with a lot of very friendly and helpful people.
I would suggest however that you always park with other campers and buses for security reasons and don't leave valuables in it when away walking any distance.
Also you get to mix with locals and other travellers and they will tell you the good places to go. The buses with wings on them are locals who belong to NZ motorcampers assoc. They like a wave.

Cheers Bev