Country
New Zealand
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Season
Late October to Easter (visitor season)
About Rotota Sun Club
Rotota Sun Club is a volunteer-run naturist club, affiliated with the New Zealand Naturist Federation, on about 8 hectares of land on the shore of Lake Ohakuri, a Waikato River hydro lake in the geothermal country between Rotorua and Taupō. It describes itself as a club run by naturists for naturists, and the setting is its main draw: members and visitors swim, fish and kayak in the lake, walk tracks through regenerating native bush, and soak in geothermal water, with a hot stream where glowworms can be seen and a hot waterfall to stand under, as well as a hot tub for evening stargazing. The ground is off the grid, with solar power for lighting and LPG for cooking and hot showers, so expect a rustic, back-to-nature stay rather than resort comforts. There is a large club room with a book exchange, table tennis, darts and a pool table, shared kitchens and showers, campsites, club caravans, cabins and a bach for hire. The nearest café and store are at Reporoa, about 25 km away, and Rotorua and Taupō are around 50 km each. Orakei Korako, Waikite Valley hot springs and Huka Falls are within easy reach.
Legal context & local rules
Nudity is lawful on the club's private lakeside grounds; New Zealand has no general ban on non-offensive nudity.
New Zealand has no specific law prohibiting public nudity on beaches; however, individuals can be prosecuted under the Summary Offences Act 1981, Section 4, which criminalises "indecent exposure" when nudity is deemed obscene or indecent. The law specifies: "Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $2,000 who, in or within view of any public place, intentionally and obscenely exposes any part of his person." Court decisions have generally distinguished between non-sexual social nudity and indecent exposure, with naturism increasingly recognized as legitimate.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
The club is near Waikite Valley; directions are on its website and given when you book, as no street address is published. Non-members must book online at least three days ahead (no phone bookings; day visits by e-mail to bookings@rotota.co.nz), and anyone arriving unbooked is turned away. It is a private club and may decline visitors. Visitor season runs from Labour Weekend to Easter; it is closed to non-members over winter (12 April to 18 October in 2026). Visitor fees listed in October 2026 (no year given): day visit NZ$10 per adult, NZ$2 per child; campsite NZ$25 per adult per night; caravan NZ$75; cabin NZ$100; bach NZ$125 for two.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
-38.4103, 176.1270
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Rotota Sun Club for the day?
Yes, in the visitor season. Arrange it by e-mail to bookings@rotota.co.nz; the day fee was NZ$10 per adult when checked in October 2026.
Is it open in winter?
Not to visitors. The club closes to non-members from about a week after Easter until a week before Labour Weekend.
Do I have to book?
Yes. Bookings must be made online at least three days in advance; unbooked arrivals are turned away.
Is there natural hot water?
Yes. The grounds have a geothermal hot stream and hot waterfall, plus a hot tub.
Is there electricity?
Only solar power for lighting; cooking and hot showers use LPG, as the club is off the grid.
Sources
- NZ Naturist Federation - Rotota Sun Club Official
- Rotota Sun Club (official site)
- Rotota Sun Club - Fees & Accommodation Costs
- Rotota Sun Club - Visitor Bookings
Researched 25 October 2026 ; confirmed against an official source 25 October 2026.
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