Camping guides
Best camping spots on the North Island
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The North Island of New Zealand is a stunning region for road trips, offering untouched landscapes, clear waters and plenty of adventure! After a huge day of exploring the island’s natural beauty, you’ll need to set up camp. One of the biggest benefits that come with travelling in a campervan? Your bed is sorted so you just need to find a great place to park!
But with so many incredible campgrounds and holiday parks to choose from, it can be tough to choose the perfect place for a night’s rest. To help you narrow down your options, here are seven of the best camping spots on the North Island for your next road trip!
Best camping spots on the North Island: 7 beautiful places to spend the night
1. Matauri Bay Holiday Park
Address: Matauri Bay Road, Kerikeri 0478 New Zealand | Price per night: from $28
Welcome to one of the most well-known holiday parks on the North Island...and for good reason too! Matauri Bay Holiday Park is one of the best camping spots on the North Island. Located 30km northeast of Kerikeri township in the Bay of Islands, you can enjoy the beach right on your doorstep, with the luxury of amazing facilities for you to utilise during your stay.
There’s plenty of walking tracks in the area for you to stretch your legs each day plus so many different water activities to fulfil your sense of adventure!
At the campsite, you’ll find a communal kitchen and barbecue area, washing machine and dryers, toilet and shower blocks, along with a general store within walking distance - and some tasty takeaway options too if you want a break from the camping stove.
2. Tauranga Bay Holiday Park
Address: 4 Te Kahikatoa Peninsula Road Kaeo Northland 0478 | Price per night: from $20
Tauranga Bay Holiday Park is a great place to stop on your North Island road trip. It’s beachfront camping at its finest. You can simply walk out of your campervan, onto the sand and straight into the Pacific Ocean. Wake up to beautiful views of the beach before hiking up nearby Mount Maunganui for even more amazing vistas of the surrounding area!
There are also plenty of amenities to enjoy, including camp kitchen, a barbecue area, laundry, bathrooms with showers and even a handy camp store located onsite with basic groceries.
There’s plenty to keep you busy during your stay, with the beach right on your doorstep and other swimming options nearby. You can also enjoy a spot of rock fishing at either end of the bay, or head off for some snorkelling around here as well. At night, you might be lucky enough to see penguins nesting in the rock, or even dolphins who occasionally come close to shore.
3. Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Address: 243 Colville Road, Coromandel 3584 | Price per night: from $40
Situated in Kikowhakarere Bay, Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park is just a short drive north from everything you need in Coromandel.
There’s lots for you to see and do during your stay. From zipline tours to splashing about at The Waterworks, which is a fun park everyone will enjoy. Take the Coromandel Coast Walkway Tour to the top of the peninsula for some amazing views.
In the park, kids will love the jumping pillow, or head off on a walk around the bay to enjoy the water. There’s plenty of other facilities as well, including toilets, showers, a camp kitchen and more.
Hot Water Beach Campground
Address: Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve, Waimangu 3076, New Zealand | Price per night: $26
If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, then Hot Water Beach Campground is one of the best camping spots on the North Island! You’ll have to leave the campervan behind for this one and get ready to pitch your tent. You can hike for 5 or 6 hours to get there, overhead by water taxi.
There’s no power or running water, but the view and seclusion are well worth it. Your very own spot of paradise to enjoy a night. Located on the shores of Te Rata Bay, you can relax in the natural hot springs, enjoy some water sports on offer, or head off on one of the many trails in the area.
Opoutere Coastal Camping
Address: 460 Ohui Road, Opoutere | Price per night: $16
Just 2 hours from Auckland, this central camping spot on the East Coast of North Island is located right on Opoutere Beach. Check out the calm harbour waters on a kayak and nearby walking tracks where you can stretch your legs. It’s also a popular spot for fishing cockles and pipis in the harbour.
Hike your way through Pohutukawas to the summit for sunrise, or enjoy some stargazing at nighttime. You can even make the trip to Auckland for the day and spend the day seeing the sites.
During your stay at Opoutere Coastal Camping, you can take advantage of their communal kitchen barbecues, toilets and showers, laundry and recreation areas.
Houhora Heads Motor Camp
Address: 214 Houhora Heads Road RD 4 Kaitaia | Price per night: from $15
If you’re looking for authentic kiwi harbourside camping, Houhora Heads Motor Camp is the perfect place. It’s pet-friendly for your furry friends, with biking, kayaking, swimming and more.
You’ll find this site on the harbour entrance, offering some unique views of the water. You can choose from powered and non-powered sites, along with motorhome and tent sites for your stay.
They are the perfect place to base yourself to explore Northland. Head off to Cape Reinga or tour 90-mile beach - both are around a 40-50 minute drive away. You can also enjoy some golf, a spot of fishing in the local area. Or stay at the park and take a walk through Wagener park grounds and memorial garden, splash about at the outdoor swimming pool and more!
7. Tōtaranui Campground
Address: 105 Totaranui Road, Golden Bay 7183 | Price per night: $15
Tōtaranui Beach is well-known for its crystal clear waters and golden sands, located right at the northern end of Abel Tasman National Park. You can spend your days relaxing on the beach, swimming, kayaking, fishing or heading off on a walk in the area. Alternatively, drive 30 minutes and hike a rainforest walking trail to dreamlike Wainui Falls.
The large DoC camping ground caters for up to 850 people. The nearest town, Takaka, is located 45 minutes away, so be sure to stock up before you arrive. You can also enjoy a 2.5-hour trek (or short boat ride) to Awaroa Lodge, where you can sit back and enjoy their cafe and restaurant.
Organise your North Island camping trip with Camplify
Equipped with our list of the best camping spots on the North Island, you can travel through ancient rainforests and along rugged coastline confident in knowing exactly where you’ll be parking your campervan for a good night’s rest.
But don’t forget to sort out campervan hire on the North Island first. With Camplify, you can find amazing options using filters for van type, price, berths and more. What are you waiting for? Start exploring the North Island today!
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