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- Auckland, New Zealand
Stay @WhanganuiSeasideHolidayPark
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.
@WhanganuiSeasideHolidayParkExplore 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.
A mere 8 km from Whanganui
@WhanganuiHolidayParkTOP 10 premium holiday park with motels, reasonably priced ensuite accommodation or powered and non-powered sites. Wheelchair accessible units for mobility challenged guests.
The picturesque setting with the Whanganui River and park like grounds including children’s playground. Watch the Paddle Steamer Waimarie go by.
@kaiiwibeachA 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.
@Lakelands Holiday ParkLakelands 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.
NOTE: CLOSED FOR WINTER. REOPENS ON 1 OCTOBER 2024
Top Adventures & Activities in Manawatū-Whanganui – BOOK NOW, PAY LATER
@The Flying Fox WhanganuiWhat 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.
The River is a person: “I am the river, and the river is me” The Whanganui River has gained its own legal identity with all the corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a legal person. Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) established the river as an indivisible and living whole from the mountains to the sea.
FLYING FOX is part of the Weird, quirky and 16 fascinating places to stay in New Zealand
@WhanganuiRiverAdventuresWhat 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.
Whanganui River Adventures owns and operates Pipiriki Camping Grounds. Nau Mai, Haere mai (Welcome, welcome).
Your local Tangata Whenua (home people) Hosts – Ken and Josephine Haworth descend from local Hapu (sub-tribe) – Nqati Kurawhatia & Iwi – Te Atihaunui a-papa-rangi (local tribe).
As part of the Whanganui River Adventures this is a perfect opportunity kayak the river, walk to the Bridge to Nowhere and explore the Whanganui River Rd. A bonus is relatively good access to Mt Ruapehu (Turoa ski field) in the winter ski season (approximately 1 hour drive).
Facilities are shared kitchen, lounge. Cooking equipment available for hire. Hot showers included in tariff.
Pipiriki Camping Grounds is also only a 5 minute walk to the Whanganui River, great for the summer time swimming. Ask at our Booking Office about our Canoe / Kayaking tours, stunning scenic jetboat tours, Mountain Bike and walking tracks in the area, this is ONLY a few of the many options or just come and relax here at our secluded campground.
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.
Day Trips & Adventures in Whanganui National Park – BOOK HERE
Tīeke Marae, Kāinga Campsite @Doc / Daniel DeansDEPARTMENT 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. Check DOC resource for up to date information.
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
20 bunk beds
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required – first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Ngaporo camp siteDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Ngaporo Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see.
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
32 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Mangapapa Campsite @stillwalkingnzDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Mangapapa Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
17 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
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 @Doc / Daniel DeansDEPARTMENT 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.
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
26 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Ohinepane Campsite @Rankers NZDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Ohinepane Camping Area located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see.
Access
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
36 non-powered/tent sites
Activities
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
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 @DOC / Daniel DeansDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Maharanui Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see. Check DOC resource for up to date information.
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
12 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Mangawaiiti Campsite @Matt's Te AraroaDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Mangawaiiti Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
26 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
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, Whanganui, New Zealand @DOC / Daniel DeansDEPARTMENT 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
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
36 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
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.
Mangapurua Campsite @adventures_of_cheleighDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Mangapurua Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see: Best Bits.
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Bookings required
Facilities
10 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Whanganui Canoe Poukaria site, New Zealand @Freeds in New ZealandDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Poukaria Campsite located in Whanganui National Park guide, activities, things to see.
Great Walk Whanganui River Journey
Facilities
12 non-powered/tent sites
Seasonal restrictions: In the Great Walks season (1 October 2022 – 30 April 2023)
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2022 – 30 September 2022). Bookings are not required, first come, first served. Facilities are reduced.
Bookings required
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.
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.
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