New free parking area for campervans

Jose Pereira from Portugal sailed to New Zealand and hired a motorhome. Photo/Supplied

A second free daytime parking area for campervans and motorhomes has been set up at the Rotorua lakefront by Rotorua Lakes Council.

The parking space, just behind the Soundshell between the building and Lake Road, builds on the success of designated areas at Government Gardens and the lakefront.

The easily accessible parking facilities are only minutes' walk from the inner city and other downtown visitor locations and are another Inner City Revitalisation strategy.

The new designated parking has free all-day parking spaces marked out for the larger vehicles as well as parking spaces for cars.

Street signage is expected to be in place by this week directing motorhome drivers to the park, and it will be promoted through the Motorhome Association, visitor information services, brochures and websites.

Inner City Revitalisation portfolio lead, Councillor Karen Hunt, said after the council added the parking site at Government Gardens, Rotorua was accredited as being Motorhome Friendly by the NZ Motor Caravan Association.

"Association records show its members spend an average of 75 nights away from home each year. And with on-the-road motorhome expenditure exceeding $650 million annually, this is a market that we're certainly keen to support," she said.

"The great thing is that the site already existed, it just meant a bit of paint and a sign and it was good to go."

NZ Motor Caravan Association Rotorua area chairperson, Brian Stanley, described the lakefront parking site as a win-win situation.

"We have included the site on our website that goes to all our members and it gives our huge network of members a lot of confidence in the destination, and it's likely to mean more visits and longer stays in Rotorua."

Visitor Jose Pereira from Portugal sailed to New Zealand and hired a motorhome in Auckland and intends on staying in the country for two months.

"My wife and I were planning to stopover in Rotorua for one night only, but this motorhome parking site is so close to the city, we have ended up staying three nights and I think we've spent over $3000," said Mr Pereira.

"We will certainly be recommending this site to others we meet along the way."

The site is one of the objectives of the action plan of the Inner City Revitalisation Strategy to designate parking areas for motorhomes close to the inner city and to encourage visitors to walk or cycle the city.

Other sites are being investigated for potential future development.