11 Places to Camp in the Far North (Northland) in 2024

Hokianga is an underdeveloped tourist destination without the flush of motels lining the small settlements. The Hokianga has a number of airBNB options however camping grounds are few and far between. Ahipara is a gateway to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga. Northland is renowned for its warm dry summers making it a very popular summer camping destination. There is plenty of choice from rivers to beaches, from holiday parks to rustic classic campsites where there is not much except Northland’s spectacular charms.

1. NGAPAE HOLIDAY PARK (90 Mile Beach)

@Ngapae Holiday Park

@Ngapae Holiday Park @Ngapae Holiday Park

Family owned campgrounds non-powered, powered, cabins, chalets and motel style units available. Part of the local community, located Waipapakauri Ramp is identified as a site of significance and key access point for the iwi of Ngai Takoto onto Te Oneroa a Tohe / 90 Mile Beach.

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What to Do Near Ngapae Holiday Park:

• Cast surf fishing

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2. TOKERAU BEACH MOTOR CAMP

@Tokerau Beach Motor Camp

Classic camp grounds powered and non-powered sites with a dump site for campervans. The camp grounds are located on the beach. To book or further information check out CampSite Directory for Tokerau.

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What to Do Nearby Tokerau Motor Camp:

• Kite Surf School, fun for everyone
• Shellfish gathering
• Swimming

3. WHATUWHIWHI TOP 10 HOLIDAY PARK

@Whatuwhiwhi Top 10 Holiday Park

@Whatuwhiwhi Top 10 Holiday Park @Whatuwhiwhi Top 10 Holiday Park

Whatuwhiwhi TOP 10 Holiday Park meets the standards of a TOP 10 holiday park with park-like grounds for non-powered, powered tent sites, cabins, chalets, motels and villas. The facilities are fish filleting, dive fill, BBQ, playgrounds, on-site shop, car and boat wash down. The site is a summer temporary village with the atmosphere of a school playground. To book or further inquiries check out Whatuwhiwhi Top 10 Holiday Park.

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What to do nearby Whatuwhiwhi TOP 10 Holiday Park:

• Visit Karikari Estate Winery
• Carrington Estate World Class Golf Course
• Deep Sea fishing charters

4. PUKENUI HOLIDAY PARK

@Pukenui Holiday Park

Pukenu Holiday Park is known for its spacious campgrounds where you can enjoy the extra designated space for each site. There are powered, non-powered tent sites, cabins and chalets with ensuite. Forward bookings are recommended in peak season.

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What to Do Nearby Pukenu Holiday Park:

• Visit in Awanui 30 mins from the holiday park, Kauri Kingdom is a multi-award winning business that has pioneered the commercial extraction, milling and manufacture of Ancient Kauri wood
• 4WD Ninety Mile Beach
• Relax on Rarawa beach. Walk on the crystal white silica sands shell hunting, or enjoy the clear blue waters. A great surf beach, or if you enter from the southern end the calm waters of Rarawa Creek offer sheltered quiet swimming, ideal for young families.

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5. MATAURI BAY HOLIDAY PARK (Bay of Islands)

Matauri Bay Holiday Park

@matauribayholidaypark @matauribayholidaypark

Matauri Bay Holiday Park is extensive with powered, non-powered tent sites, cabins, chalets, motels and villas. There is a village atmosphere in the peak season. The motor camp has a wide range of facilities. The Local Northland Area at from a  general store, petrol station, LPG swap a bottle, dive bottle filling station, communal toilet & shower block, large communal kitchen, washers, dryers, washing lines, recycling centre and filleting bench.

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What to Do Nearby Matauri Bay Holiday Park:

• Dive famous Rainbow Warrior Memorial (built by Chris Booth) with a large stone compass indicating where beneath the ocean the Rainbow Warrior Boat wreck is submerged
• Short walk on a sealed footpath to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse
• Go shopping for Mangonui Fish N Chips

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6. HOUHORA HEADS (WAGENER) HOLIDAY PARK, Northland Cabins & Camp Sites

@wagenerholidaypark

@wagenerholidaypark @wagenerholidaypark

The camp grounds are described as back to basics camping. Situated on the harbour entrance we have powered and non-powered, caravan, motorhome and tent sites, secluded or harbour view sites, a pet friendly area set aside for campers with pets, and cabins with fabulous views of the Houhora harbour entrance. Powered, non-powered tent sites, cabins and chalets. There are extensive grounds with mature trees and a kitchen garden available for guests.

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What to Do Nearby Houhora Camping Grounds:

• Climb Mt Camel
• Swimming options are; close to the camp, surf/open sea, harbour, the Motutangi River or our pool
• Cockles, pipi and kokotua are readily available at low-tide in front of the camp but the most popular are the tuatua. To get these you have to cross the estuary and walk to the beginning of the east beach (about 10 minute walk) which is where the tuatua beds are.

7. TAURANGA BAY HOLIDAY PARK

@taurangabay

@taurangabay Lighthouses Cape Reinga, tip of North Island

You can’t get any closer to the beach with some sites actually metres away from the safe swimming beach. Log Cabins, Ensuite Cabins, Kitchen Cabins and plenty of Powered and Unpowered tent sites (140 sites). Facilities include Dump station, camp general store, kitchens, BBQ area and laundry facilities. The beach is at the end of a wide, flat valley, surrounded by steep, bush-covered slopes. A significant stand of ancient ti kouka (Cabbage trees) lies beside the lower end of the valley road. The estuary is an important breeding ground for Pateke (brown teal).

Remnant terraces and kumara pits on the western slopes of the valley are evidence of a long history of occupation and cultivation by Maori. An estuarine river at the far eastern end of the beach provides ideal safe swimming conditions for smaller children. With a public reserve at one end of the beach, and a camping ground at the other, Tauranga Bay is a classic summer holiday at the beach. For bookings or further information check out Tauraunga Bay Holiday Park.

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What to Do Nearby Tauranga Bay Holiday Park:

• Relax on the adjoining beach reading a book
• Visit Cape Reinga
• Tauranga Bay is one of the best beaches in the Far North. It lies immediately south of the entrance to Whangaroa Harbour

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DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION CAMPSITES

8. RARAWA BEACH COSERVATION CAMPSITE (Te Paki, Northland region)

Rarawa beach campsite @DOC

Rarawa Beach is located in the Paxton Point Conservation Area at Te Paki. Camp along a river bank nestled amongst trees a stone’s throw away from Rarawa’s beautiful white sandy beach. For beach conditions remember to check as there are strong currents, Rarawa Beach is Unpatrolled beach, Never swim or surf alone.

Category: Scenic

Bookings: Not required – first come, first served

Facilities:

• Shower – cold
• Toilets – flush
• Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
• Wheelchair accessible with assistance
• 65 non-powered sites

Check DOC resource for up to date information.

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What to Do Nearby Rarawa Beach Conservation Campsite:

• Classic beach holiday
• Chill out
• Relax on the river bank

9. TAPOTUPOTU CONSERVATION CAMPSITE (Te Paki, Northland region)

Tapotupotu Bay

Category

Scenic

Bookings not required – first come, first served

Facilities

• Boat launching
• Shower – cold
• Toilets – non-flush
• Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
• Wheelchair accessible with assistance
• 45 non powered tent sites

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What to do nearby Tapotupotu conservation campsite:

Stay at New Zealand’s most northern campsite and experience the scenic wonders of Tapotupotu, from lush forest to breaking surf and breath-taking views. Camp with the beach at your doorstep, and awaken to the sweet sound of white water breaking on the sand. Tapotupotu is the perfect place to relax, enjoy and explore the great Far North.

Tapotupotu is part of the four-day Te Paki Coastal Track. Tapotupotu campsite is a wilderness camping area accessible by road with minimal facilities. This is a scenic campsite with a nearby lagoon suitable for swimming and kayaking. Visit Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua only 5 minutes drive away or 3 hours via the walking track.

10. MAITAI BAY CONSERVATION CAMPSITE (Karikari Peninsula, Northland region)

Maitai Bay conservation campsite

Walk around the coast or relax on the picturesque white sandy beach.

Tracks and Walks:

The campsite is a handy starting point for some family friendly walks. Get stunning views from the Fig Tree Track or walk along the Maitai Bay Headland Track. Take a longer walk from Karikari beach to Rangiputa along the coastal marginal strip via the Karikari Bay Track.

Other Activities:

A day use area and boat launching facilities are available.

Enjoy diving, snorkelling and swimming at the beach, a short walk away from the campsite. Note: A rahui is in place so fishing is not permitted.

Explore historic sites.

Keep an eye out for endangered bird species like the New Zealand dotterel and oystercatcher. If you find a nesting area, do not disturb and take special care.

Category: Scenic

Bookings: Not required – first come, first served

Facilities:

• Boat launching
• Shower – cold
• Toilets – flush
• Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
• Wheelchair accessible with assistance
• 100 non-powered/tent sites

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11. KAPOWAIRUA (SPIRITS BAY) CONSERVATION CAMPSITE (Te Paki, Northland region)

Waitahora lagoon is just behind the sand dunes at the beach of Spirits Bay

One of the Far North’s renowned surf breaks, Kapowairua can turn it on when the swell is right. Indulge yourself with a stroll along the beach, listen to the waves and local wildlife while enjoying the scenery. A perfect place for fishing, swimming and walking. Take a day trip to historical Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga).

Category: Scenic

Bookings: Not required – first come, first served

Facilities:

• Shower – cold
• Toilets – flush
• Water from tap – not treated, boil before use
• 45 non-powered/tent site

Utea Park Campground is PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Pandora Conservation Campsite (Te Paki, Northland region) is TEMPORARILY CLOSED

• Mosquitoes prolific – take insect repellent.
• At all other times remove your rubbish. ‘Take in, take out’ policy. Food scraps attract vermin.

Read the camp rules.

Freedom Camping IN NORTHLAND.

Top Tips for All Campers:

Keep your campsite clean and tidy – leave no sign of your stay when you leave.

Dispose of waste correctly – use a transfer station or dump station.

Care for the environment, wildlife and public facilities such as toilets, signs and fences.

Confirm that you are allowed to camp in your spot – from the maps below, a sign at the site, a freedom camping ambassador, or an iSite.

• Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) forms part of the Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway. This stunning 3-4 day tramp follows the dramatic coastline of the east and west, and traverses a variety of beautiful and unique landforms including giant sand dunes. It offers spectacular views and also accesses areas of historic and archaeological interest. Self- sufficient camping is available
• Far North camping ground travel guide does NOT include KeriKeri or Waitangi

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