Tarawera Outlet Campsite

[swbarnett]

I'm thinking of parking myself at the Tarawera Outlet camsite for a few nights. Just me, a tent, a good book or two and some walking.

Having not been there before I was just wondering if anyone can fill me in on the state of the access road. Is it something that you'll need a trail bike to get down or is it just like any other gravel road - fine on a road bike if you take it easy? Also, how long is the gravel stretch?

[CookMySock]

The outlet is one of the most pristine camping spots there is.

It's about 25 min drive over some fairly nasty gravel roads. If it isn't coarse and rutted, it's deep and soft, so you wanna be really careful.

I wouldn't take my fully-faired road bike up there, but I live local to the area, and I'd just take the hilux, but no it's not 4wd territory, and yes quite likely you would be fine if you had some experience on gravel. Don't think for a minute that timid lady riders on largish road bikes will still be your friend by the time they got there though.

Steve

[Rosie]

Check with the Kawerau information centre re: permits. Last year we tried to get permits to go to Tarawera Falls, and were told that they don't allow motorbikes into the area at all.

[BiK3RChiK]

Freakin awesome place to camp! Especially if you have a boat But tramping over to the other lakes and down to the Falls is awesome. Plenty of history in the area and a lovely place for sure...

I definitely wouldn't take my bike up there, but then, you might be much more experienced on gravel than me.

As Rosie said, you'll need a permit, which is available at the Kawerau Information Centre. From memory they charge something like $2 or $4 or something...

[CookMySock]

Screw getting a permit, and screw them if they don't like motorbikes. Just go. Unlikely they'll even see you, and if they do, tell them you are going camping at the outlet and they can shove it.

Steve

[888mike]

Just keep in mind with no permit you can get fined or your bike confiscated if they wanna be harsh but permits are easy to get and if you are on a road bike they would be easier on you as they don't like dirt bikes up there carving up the roads but as the others say well worth the effort to get there.

[Rosie]

Just keep in mind with no permit you can get fined or your bike confiscated if they wanna be harsh but permits are easy to get and if you are on a road bike they would be easier on you as they don't like dirt bikes up there carving up the roads but as the others say well worth the effort to get there.

Have you got a permit to go there on a bike recently? I'd be keen to go up and have a look some time, but was told that no motorbikes of any description were allowed in - we said we were on road bikes, and they weren't interested. Maybe we just turned up on the wrong day.

[888mike]

Alrighty heres the official word. All motorbikes are baned from the forest as the roads are used by off highway logging and standard logging trucks and the drivers can not see motorbikes the other issue they have is the chance of fire caused by bikes. I just spoke to the information centre and thats their reasons so sorry for the bad news but there are other nice lakes here to stay at. Cheers Mike

[swbarnett]

Thanks for the info guys. Best to know now rather than turn up and be denied access. I guess I can understand the problem with large logging trucks and motorbikes.

Right, now to find somewhere else just as nice in the same general area that I can ride in to ...

[BiK3RChiK]

Thanks for the info guys. Best to know now rather than turn up and be denied access. I guess I can understand the problem with large logging trucks and motorbikes.

Right, now to find somewhere else just as nice in the same general area that I can ride in to ...

Lake Okataina is nice and there's a good tramp over to Lake Tarawera outlet from there. Also, there's a lodge there. Don't think there's any camping though. Or there's a Scout Camp at Lake Rotoma or the camp ground behind the shops at Lake Rotoma. All nice spots. Tramping might be a bit limited at Rotoma, but Okataina has nice tramps

[CookMySock]

there's a Scout Camp at Lake Rotoma

You might be able to squeeze a bike around or under the gate here. It's private property but no one would know you were even there. Find the lake front reserve and ride to the end. Look for a gate on your right.

It's stupid we can't ride up to the outlet. Their excuses are bullshit - they don't want dirtbikes up there because they won't be able to control them. A tourer fully-loaded with camping gear is hardly a risk to them.

Steve

[Hinny]

http://www.lacticturkey.co.nz/BigOTrailRunInfo.htm
This might be worth considering.
Camping available.