Puraroto Camp Ground

PURAROTO CAMPING GROUND
A new alternative camping ground beside the
Whanganui River.

“Nau mai haere mai” = “Welcome, welcome”
“You arrive as guests and leave as whanau ”




Beautiful large camping area catering for groups large and small. Secluded private camping also available.

Plenty of shaded areas to get out of the sun.
Fresh, cold spring water to quench your thirst.


Relax by a warm mesmerizing fire
OR
Have fun, and enjoy some of the natural outdoor recreational pursuits Puraroto has to offer

PURAROTO CAMPING GROUND


We love where and how we live and realize in order to continue living where we do we have to come up with some form of employment initiative to financially support our selves.


My son and I live all year around beside the beautiful Whanganui River, 5km up river from Pipiriki which is the last village beside the river from Whanganui, at the end of the Whanganui River road.
To get to our small humble residence beside the river, you either have to travel up river from Pipiriki by motorised boat or walk. We are the only all year around residence between Pipiriki and Whakahoro approximately 89km.
We have watched tourists canoe down river past our piece of paradise for years and have decided to take advantage of this passing tourist trade by setting up our own private camp ground.

On the Whanganui River map our residence and intended camp ground, is on the same side as and approximately 200 metres down river, from the Puraroto Caves.
Only half an hours paddling down river from DOC’s Ngaporo camp site.

It is our intention to enhance our Puraroto Camp Ground Clientele’s River Journey with a subtle but dramatically superior camping experience, beginning at the water’s edge where they beach their canoe and disembark.

At the water’s edge, after a friendly word of welcome, we will help load all of our clients required gear onto our ATV bike and trailer and transport it all to our Camp Grounds and unload, and after a short respite for people to reunite with their own belongings, THEN.

Being Māori it is only right that we welcome our manuhiri (guests) in the appropriate manner with a short welcoming: whaikōrero (speech) and waiata (song) in Maori, upon completion, translating into English and giving an informal introduction to Puraroto, myself, my son and to whomever whanau (family) members are also on site at the time.

The onus is now on whom ever is Camp Manager at the time - be it myself, my son or one of my tamariki (children) - to enhance our manuhiri (guests) camping experience, our entire energy will be spent in accomplishing this goal - from their arrival until their departure.

Our Camp Ground motto is,

‘You arrive as guests and leave as Whānau’ (family).










Throughout the summer daylight saving hours at the DOC camp-sites, once tents are set up and people eventually unwind and settle in, they usually have 4 – 5 hours of daylight to extinguish … but … there is very little to do. Yes - you could have a swim, but then what!


Puraroto is fortunately blessed with various natural outdoor pursuits to entertain those of our guest whom are so inclined to:

• Explore and play in the Puraroto mud cave - one of two caves within close proximity; the other photogenic Puraroto Cave has the Puraroto stream exiting its rear wall.

• Wash away that mud in safe swimming and diving/bombing spots below the camp-site in the river.

• For those adventurous enough, with their gear unloaded and safely dry in camp, they could attempt to practice their canoe navigational skills canoeing down through the notorious ‘Ōtapu Rapid’ aptly nick named the 50/50.

• Tyre tubes are also available for those whom just want to have some fun on Ōtapu.

• If you just want to encompass the natural beauty of the great outdoors we have relaxing bush walks, with the flighty, inquisitive Fantail (Pīwakawaka) to keep you company along the way and there may be an opportunity to catch a glimpse of a wild deer, pig, goat or our Native Wood Pigeon the Kereru.

• Or for those whom are not so physically inclined and just want to chill out they could just relax in camp in the shade during the afternoon and by a mesmerizing warm fire in the evening.

No camp fires are allowed along the entire river journey; we are a private Camp Ground and have permitted exemption from DOC.

Puraroto is also blessed all year around with fresh clean spring water, supplied to us out of a small cleft in a Pāpa rock bank close to the Camp Grounds.

All DOC camp-sites have potable, tank water, which is advised to be boiled before drinking.

These are some of the key elements that we believe will help enhance our clientele’s Whanganui River Journey, and Puraroto Camp Ground visit.

Internet; also available.



DOC campsites are $14 per adult per night; 17 and under free.

Because we offer services not included at DOC camp or hut sites, our camp fee is slightly higher than DOC, under 17’s will also be charged the same rate because this age group is just as labour intensive as adults and carry the same amount of gear as adults if not more sometimes.

Puraroto Camping fee: $20 per person per night.
If staying for 2 or more nights’ $20 for first night per person, camp fee ½ price per person for the following consecutive nights of stay.







Jet boat in – camp – jet boat/canoe out.

For those people who just want to get away camping, chill out and enjoy the tranquillity and majestic ora of the beautiful Whanganui River, without the hard work of canoeing the river for three days, we have; Jet boat in – camping - and jet boat or canoe out package deals available.

1. Supply your own camping equipment and food.

$50 return Jet boat trip from Pipiriki per person. (non-refundable if canoeing out)
$20 camp per person per night.
$40 canoe hire. (1 double person canoe)

2. Hire a tent, air mattress and cooking utensils. (supply own blankets and food)

$50 return Jet boat trip from Pipiriki per person. (non-refundable if canoeing out)
$20 camp fee per person per night.
$50 tent/2 air mattresses and cooking utensils hire, one of payment for duration of intended stay
$40 canoe hire. (1 double person canoe)



Pre-ordered;
Hangi, barbeque, burgers and lunches also available.

Hangi: $20 per person.
Portion of; chicken, pork, mutton, and stuffing, with vegetables; potato, kumara, carrot, cabbage or watercress if available.

Encompass the whole traditional Maori Hangi experience, from setting and lighting the fire, preparation of your meal, removing the hot rocks from the fire, placing your food basket on the rocks and covering with sacks then soil and waiting for your meal to cook. (The total amount of time from burning of the fire to heat the rocks,
to eating your beautifully cooked hangi is 5-6 hours)


Barbeque: $20 per person.
Selection of three meats, potato fried or boiled,
Fried onion, salad or cooked mixed vegetables.

Burgers/Toasted sandwich: $10

Lunch: $10
Sandwiches with tea, coffee or cold drink.


Fresh spring water: Free.


Internet: $2 per minute.

(Use of internet banking to pay for any of the above available)

For any further information contact; Jay at, purarotocampsite@gmail.com or phone 0211448098 (Because we live off the grid don’t be disheartened if we don’t reply to your phone call straight away, leave a tx and I’ll get back to you when I come into phone coverage.) Group package