There are several excellent camping grounds in Whanganui. Holiday parks are a great way to relax and unwind without breaking the bank. Kids have plenty of grassy areas, beaches and playgrounds to expand their energy and there is even the option of standard motel style units with your own ensuite.
Pitch a tent in Department of Conservation scheduled campsites, remember to check DOC regulations and book online if the option is available to avoid disappointment.
Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park
Explore Castlecliff beach alongside Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park. Grab the opportunity to unwind and unpack in the standard motel units, cabins or a romantic driftwood cottage for couples. There are powered and non-powered sites nestled among 3 acres of landscaped grounds. Facilities include a large BBQ complex, large outdoor fireplace, swimming pool and sauna.
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Whanganui River TOP 10 Holiday Park
TOP 10 premium holiday park with motels, reasonably priced ensuite accommodation or powered and non-powered sites. Wheelchair accessible units for mobility challenged guests.
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Kai Iwi Beach Holiday Park
A classic campground with the iron sand Kai Iwi beach forming a boundary between the campground and the beach. Children’s playground, jumping pillow. Powered and non-powered sites, cabins, ensuite motel style units and get in quick to secure a powered site with expansive sea views.
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Lakelands Holiday Park
Lakelands holiday park is found at the back of Lake Wiritoa off State Highway 3. A standard traditional camping ground with Lake Wiritoa as part of the landscape. There are powered and non-powered sites, chalet units. There are no ensuite facilities.
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The Flying Fox
What a way to arrive. Whanganui River Road is a hidden treat for visitors. The Flying Fox, has a private aerial cable car and had the choice of staying in either the Gypsy Cart, the Blackberry Patch or the River Boat Cottage, complete with home cooked meals and a large dollop of Whanganui River magic.
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Whanganui River Adventures & Pipiriki Campinground
What to immerse yourself in the remote splendour of Whanganui National Park, the river and chat to the locals then this is the place to be. A classic campground with powered and non-powered sites.
learn more @WhanganuiRiverAdventures
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DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION CAMPING GROUNDS
DOC conservation campsites – Manawatu/Whanganui
The information below is from the Department of Conservation online resource. For up to date information, changes or availability check the online resource for the relevant information.
DOC camping grounds:
- Tieke Kainga Campsite and Hut
- Mangapapa Campsite
- John Coull Campsite
- Ohinepane Camping Area
- Maharanui Camp Whanganui Journey
- Mangawaiiti Campsite
- Ngaporo Campsite
- Whakahoro Camping Ground
- Piripiri Campsite
- Mangapurua Campsite
- Ohinepane Campsite
- Poukaria Campsite
Tīeke Marae/Kāinga
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Tīeke Marae/Kāinga offers a unique cultural experience since it’s a functioning marae as well as a hut. Tieke Marae/Kainga is nestled within the Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits. Check DOC resource for up to date information.
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
- Cooking
- Heating
- Mattresses
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
20 bunk beds
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required – first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Ngaporo Campsite
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Ngaporo Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
- Boat only access
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
- Shelter for cooking
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
32 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Mangapapa Campsite
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Mangapapa Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
- Boat only access
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
- Shelter for cooking
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
17 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
John Coull Campsite
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – John Coull Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits. Check DOC resource for up to date information.
- Boat only access
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
- Shelter for cooking
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
26 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Ohinepane Camping Area
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Ohinepane Camping Area located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
Access
- Boat
- Campervan
- Car
- Caravan
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
- Boat launching
- Shelter for cooking
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
- Wheelchair accessible with assistance
36 non-powered/tent sites
Activities
- Bird and wildlife watching
- Kayaking and canoeing
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required if staying as part of the Whanganui Journey
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Fires are not permitted at any time.
Maharanui Campsite
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Maharanui Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits. Check DOC resource for up to date information.
- Boat only access
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
- Shelter for cooking
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
12 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Mangawaiiti Campsite
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Mangawaiiti Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
- Boat only access
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
- Shelter for cooking
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
26 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Whakahoro Camping Ground
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Whakahoro Camping Ground located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits. Check DOC resource for up to date information.
Access
- Boat
- Campervan
- Car
- Caravan
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
- Shelter for cooking
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
36 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Fires are not permitted at any time.
Piripiri Campsite
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Piripiri Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
Access
- Campervan
- Car
- Caravan
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings not required – first come, first served
Facilities
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from stream
4 non-powered/tent sites
Activities
- Fishing
- Four wheel driving
- Walking and tramping
Seasonal restrictions: Fires are not permitted at any time.
Mangapurua Campsite
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Mangapurua Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
- Boat only access
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
- Shelter for cooking
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
10 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Poukaria Campsite
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Poukaria Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
- Boat only access
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Facilities
- Shelter for cooking
- Toilets – non-flush
- Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
12 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
- Bookings are required
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Bookings required
Travel pack information
Freedom Camping
Getting out and about in our district’s beautiful river and coastal areas is popular with visitors and Whanganui locals alike.
We are privileged to have several fantastic commercial campgrounds and family friendly holiday parks, all in great proximity to our scenic coastal areas and the Whanganui River.
We also welcome freedom campers and we’ve recently put some regulations in place around where people can freedom camp to help protect our public places and ensure access for everyone.
Freedom camping regulations in Whanganui
The Freedom Camping Act 2011 allows us to use a bylaw to regulate freedom camping across some of the district, and we have elected to control it in the most used and most prominent areas across the district.
The Freedom Camping Bylaw includes restrictions such as limiting how long people can freedom camp in certain areas, what vehicles they can use, and how many vehicles can be freedom camping at any one time. Most sites are limited to a stay of 4 nights per calendar month, and campers are required to stay in a vehicle that’s certified as self-contained if the site doesn’t have 24-hour access to a public toilet.
Several areas have also been prohibited entirely, and many areas have “buffer zones” – areas around them in which freedom camping is prohibited, to encourage campers to respect the restricted and prohibited areas.
All of the rules are contained in the Freedom Camping Bylaw and the map below shows the restricted (yellow) and prohibited (red) freedom camping areas.
View a larger version of this map
The majority of freedom campers to Whanganui are domestic travellers stopping by to enjoy our district on their way going up or down the North Island, and the Whanganui District Council wants to encourage responsible freedom campers to come and go and to make the most out of their visits to our city and its surrounds.
People who are freedom camping can also be difficult to distinguish from people who are experiencing homelessness. If you are concerned about somebody in the community experiencing homelessness, get in contact with us so we can connect them with services that can help.
RELATED INFORMATION
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