7 best camping grounds in Tauranga

29th March 2022•Camplify Team

Dreaming of misty coastal mornings and glittering seascapes for your next camping adventure? If so, then set up camp in the North Island’s Bay Of Plenty region. More specifically, Tauranga township is known for being incredibly welcoming to campers, with numerous free camping spots for self-contained vehicles and paid camping grounds for those after more facilities. And with our guide to the best camping grounds in Tauranga, you’ll be perfectly positioned to experience the very best that this incredible area has to offer!

Best camping grounds in Tauranga: 7 spots you can’t miss

1. Kulim Park

Coastal trails surrounding Tauranga, a short drive from Kulim Park.

101 Kulim Avenue, Otūmoetai, Tauranga, New Zealand | Free

This bayside park offers expansive views of The Mount (Mauao) and across to Rangiwaea Island. There are two free camping bays available, which visitors are permitted to use for no more than two nights per calendar month and only in a self-contained vehicle. The bathrooms and BBQ facilities on site are free for use during your stay!

Kulim Park’s central location, just six minutes from Tauranga's town centre, combined with its waterfront location make this a highly sought after spot. Operating on a first in first serve basis, we recommend getting there super early to secure a site!

2. Wairoa River Reserve

Wairea Riverside camping, Tauranga.

[340 State Highway 2, Bethlehem, Tauranga 3172, New Zealand](https://www.google.com/search?q=wairoa+river+reserve+&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU962AU962&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBvzmaq3FPonTfKp0MjZHB-tsmckrA%3A1648165630292&ei=_gI9YsLDEeGZseMPqpmbmAg&oq=wairoa+river+reserve+&gs_l=psy-ab.3..35i39k1l2j0i22i30k1.1944.1944.0.2722.1.1.0.0.0.0.166.166.0j1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.1.166....0.VqIpG1F9sUI# rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:[[-37.69950122268097,176.0944320661174],[-37.699861177319036,176.09397713388256]]) | Free

Yet another great free camping site, Wairoa River Reserve is the ideal spot for those wanting to engage in recreational activities such as kayaking or fishing. Available for up to three nights for certified self-contained campervans, it is within 10 minutes of Tauranga’s city centre with easy access to all the main sights.

Located just below the SH2 bridge on the northern banks of the Wairoa River, it can be a little noisier than some other sites. That said, its picturesque riverside location more than makes up for this. There is also fresh water and flushing toilets available (but no cooking facilities).

3. Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park

[1 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand](https://www.google.com/search?q=Mount+Maunganui+Beachside+Holiday+Park&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU962AU962&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBu4Xt2H4HhibwfgZBRydfHpMPfYiw%3A1648166290552&ei=kgU9YrirIdWPseMPtOSbsAg&hotel_occupancy=2&oq=Mount+Maunganui+Beachside+Holiday+Park&gs_l=psy-ab.3...159977.159977.0.160151.1.1.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.2.64.psy-ab..1.0.0....0.ehtSfipd-1Q# rlfi=hd:;si:2630627446173824591,l,CiZNb3VudCBNYXVuZ2FudWkgQmVhY2hzaWRlIEhvbGlkYXkgUGFya0iA28rI5YCAgAhaShAAEAEQAhADEAQYABgBGAIYAxgEIiZtb3VudCBtYXVuZ2FudWkgYmVhY2hzaWRlIGhvbGlkYXkgcGFyayoMCAIQABABEAIQAxAEkgEMaG9saWRheV9wYXJr,y,reN_42TwcKo;mv:[[-37.63129512268097,176.1770761571902],[-37.63165507731903,176.17662164280978]]) | Adult: $50-70 per night, Child : $10 -15 per night

If you’re looking to stay at one of the most scenic camping grounds near Tauranga, you can’t look past water views from virtually every powered site and even direct beachfront spots available! It’s easy to see why this holiday park, just 18 minutes from Tauranga, is so popular. There are three main areas, all with their own fully equipped modern shared kitchen, BBQ areas, toilets, showers and laundry facilities.

Wake up to the sound of the ocean and climb the summit for a spectacular sunrise, before heading in for an early morning surf or relaxing coastal walk. Quiet brunch more your style? Visit one of the many cafes that are mere steps away from your campsite.

Be sure to book this site ahead of your adventure, particularly during the peak summer season.

4. Mclaren Falls

McLaren Falls, Tauranga. Attribution: http://www.freenzphotos.com. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/nz/legalcode.

190 McLaren Falls Road, Omanawa 3171, New Zealand | Adult: $20, Children (5-16) $10, Infant (0-5 years) Free

If you want to experience the crystal clear waters of one of New Zealand's most accessible waterfalls, then set up camp by McLaren Falls!

With campsites available at nearby McLaren Falls Park, it is easy to explore the falls at your own pace. Take advantage of the easy trail walk to the falls or bike riding tracks, try your hand at kayaking, rafting, trout fishing and more - opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors abound in this location. This is hands down one of our favourite camping grounds near Tauranga!

Enjoy a refreshing dip at the end of the day and hot meal care of the electric barbeques available at the campsites before gearing up to do it all again the next day. Bookings are not required for this site but are encouraged due to its popularity.

5. Tauranga Tourist Park

[9 Mayfair Street, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand](https://www.google.com/search?q=tauranga%20camping&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU962AU962&oq=taunranga+camping&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i13i457j0i13l4j0i22i30l4.3245j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:1&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBsJhx65PtwNgViu0evle2PR1j_M2g:1648168709195&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=11394259714938263338&lqi=ChB0YXVyYW5nYSBjYW1waW5nSL-_0KXmgICACFocEAEYABgBIhB0YXVyYW5nYSBjYW1waW5nKgIIA5IBCmNhbXBncm91bmSaASRDaGREU1VoTk1HOW5TMFZKUTBGblNVTnhjSEV0UTI5UlJSQUKqAQ8QASoLIgdjYW1waW5nKAA&phdesc=VC6plHnY0Xc&ved=2ahUKEwjs1MPzguD2AhUXUGwGHXeRCoUQvS56BAgFEAE&rlst=f# cobssid=s&rlfi=hd:;si:11394259714938263338,l,ChB0YXVyYW5nYSBjYW1waW5nSL-_0KXmgICACFocEAEYABgBIhB0YXVyYW5nYSBjYW1waW5nKgIIA5IBCmNhbXBncm91bmSaASRDaGREU1VoTk1HOW5TMFZKUTBGblNVTnhjSEV0UTI5UlJSQUKqAQ8QASoLIgdjYW1waW5nKAA,y,VC6plHnY0Xc;mv:[[-37.621975899999995,176.3515718],[-37.7992948,176.0006422]];tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1) | Adult: $25-50, Children (1-13) $12, Infant (0-1 year) Free

Seeking a spot right in the heart of Tauranga? Then you cannot go past the perfectly located Tauranga Tourist Park. Just four kilometres from the CBD, this park offers exceptional amenities including a well-equipped kitchen, laundry, pristine bathrooms and even a library and lounge to relax in.

Despite its proximity to the town, its tranquil waterside location makes it easy to relax after a day spent exploring. From this spot, you can experience the best that Tauranga has to offer, including hiking, lazy beach days, trendy street art, great cafes and more!

This park is on the smaller side, so booking ahead is a must if you don’t want to miss out.

6. Welcome Bay Hot Pools And Campground

409R Welcome Bay Road RD5, Welcome Bay, Tauranga 3175, New Zealand | From $50 per night for 2 adults, Child: $15 per night

Perfect for couples, Welcome Bay Hot Pools And Campground is easily one of the most romantic camping grounds in Tauranga. It offers many facilities you’d expect to see at high-end holiday parks with the added bonus of natural thermal pools. Clean and well thought out, this campsite offers kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, a games room and thermal pools all in one peaceful location.

Unwind onsite or head to one of two beautiful beaches just a 15 minute drive away. Prefer to bike and hike? Some of the area's best tracks are accessible from this campground!

7. Motiti Reserve

Go for a refreshing surf at Papamoa Beach from Motiti Reserve campground.

Papamoa Beach, Papamoa 3118, New Zealand | Free

Last but not least, the lovely, and also free, Motiti Reserve is located right on the Papamoa beachfront. There is a large grassy area and playground next to the two designated free camping bays with public toilets and barbeques also available - there’s even a cold shower available if you’re brave enough!

Stays are limited to 2 nights and are only permitted for self-contained campervans. Please note there is no power available at this location, but there is an array of local shops and cafes nearby to enjoy during your stay.

Hire a van for your Tauranga camping trip

With so many picturesque campsites on offer, Tauranga is a winning destination. From hidden waterfalls to mountain summits and vast sandy beaches, the surrounding areas have it all while being conveniently close to town.

Ready to hit the road? Organise campervan hire in the Bay of Plenty and set off for one of the best camping grounds in Tauranga with Camplify.

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Comprehensive hire insurance
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By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across New Zealand in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.