1 / 3Lakes Ranch Rotorua
📍 Ōwhata, Bay of Plenty
Best for kids aged seven and up who want a proper horse camp, or families booking a group stay. Lakes Ranch is a Christian trust-run working farm near Tikitere with an equestrian centre, thermal pools and camp activities.
A beautiful place to stay with friends and family and do activities like horse riding, archery, kayaking etc. There are a few walk around the house.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Worth knowing about if you have a horse-mad child aged seven or over, or a big family group wanting a self-contained weekend near Rotorua. For a one-off pony ride or a casual afternoon, other operators in the area are a better fit. Camps book out early in the school holidays, and the trust runs a values-based programme, so read the details first.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →132 Google reviews
Indrajit Nandy
“A beautiful place to stay with friends and family and do activities like horse riding, archery, kayaking etc. There are a few walk around the house.”
Rosi Turaga
“Everything at the Ranch is good . We loved our Easter Camp and would recommend this for big groups . Kitchen is wonderful and hot pool”
Alisha Jury
“Our girl had her school holiday camp here. She loved it”
Pete Belt
“Nice place for the Tough Guys n Gals mud run. You can see why it's a Rotorua favourite. Still a working farm but lots of additional amenities. Looking forward to coming back next year for the Fun, Fit, and Fabulous!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Lakes Ranch is a working farm and camp on Lake Rotokawau Road near Tikitere, run by a Christian trust. It is not a drop-in attraction: families come for school holiday horse camps (junior camps for seven to eleven year olds, senior camps for teens), an activity-based kids camp, riding lessons at the equestrian centre, or group and family stays that unlock the whole site, with horse riding, archery, kayaking and thermal pools. Reviews praise the staff, the kitchen and the hot pool.
