BAY OF PLENTY: OPOTIKI

30-Nov-13

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Waiotahi Beach Inlet Reserve

star rating of 3.5

by Chris Gaelic

opposite 1272B Waiotahi Beach Rd, Opotiki, Gisborne

rvexplorer id: 18788

Lat-Long: -37.99349, 177.20277

Riverside parking

 

The Waiotahi River

 

Public toilets

Public toilets

 

 

Waiotahi Beach Inlet Reserve is a large reserve with parking alongside the river, and is located just north of Opotiki.

 

It's a really nice location, far enough away from the road, with great views down the river.

 

We arrived late in the afternoon looking for somewhere to park overnight, but the sign at the entrance stated No Camping or Stopping Overnight. We were about to leave, but noticed another motorhome parked alongside the river, and stopped to have a chat. 

 

In one of the absurdities of the various interpretations of camping, parking, and now, 'stopping overnight', the sign had a tent symbol beside it, leaving it open to interpretation as applying only to people staying in tents. It was starting to get dark, so we decided to stay.

 

This proved to be an excellent location to park overnight. No-one bothered us, and we left the next morning, leaving no rubbish behind.

 

We really hope that the various councils around New Zealand can ultimately adopt a more welcoming policy for self-contained motor caravanners. Maybe, by the time you read this, the sign will aready have been changed, as have the signs at the public reserves in Ohope Beach.

 

Just be aware that, if you do choose to park overnight in such a location, you must be self-contained, and you must also be prepared to move on if the council compliance officer, or security guard, should knock on your door.

 

The Waiotahi River

 

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