Destinations
Best dog-friendly campsites on North Island guide
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Dreaming of travelling New Zealand's North Island, but don’t want to leave your beloved pet behind? Bring them along for the ride and stay at one of the best dog-friendly campsites on the North Island!
We’ve rounded up our favourite campgrounds to stay at with dogs, including the address, price per night and pet-friendly features for each. Read on to embark on the ultimate camping trip with your pup!
6 best dog-friendly campsites on the North Island
1. Bay Of Islands Campervan Park
52 Puketona Road, Paihia 0204, New Zealand | From $16 per person for a powered site (varies dependent on seasonality.
This sprawling pet-friendly camping ground will see you setting up camp amongst olive trees just a two-minute walk from the beach and ten minutes from Paihia township. Go for walkies through the gorgeous surroundings or head to Paihia Beach for a dip with your dog.
Pets are very welcome with no prior arrangements needed. You can also enjoy hot showers, laundry, well-equipped BBQ stations, a supermarket nearby and more. There’s no better spot to stop on a Bay of Islands road trip with your dog!
Dog-friendly features:
Large park with plenty of space to exercise.
No prior booking needed when travelling with pets.
Dogs allowed on nearby Paihia Beach.
Venturing further north? Check out some of the best places for dog-friendly camping in the Northland!
2. Muriwai Beach Campground
50 Jack Butt Lane, Waitākere, Muriwai 0881, New Zealand | Adult $23 per night, Child $12 per night.
Just a 40-minute drive from Auckland, Muriwai Beach Campground offers the perfect city escape for you and your furry friend. This dog-friendly campsite on the North Island offers a number of facilities, including bathrooms, a playground, tennis courts, a skate ramp and a pump track. Meanwhile, the beach allows for off-leash playtime!
For the golfing enthusiast, there is also an 18-hole championship golf course located just behind the campground (although you may need to check if your dog can come along).
Dog-friendly features:
Off-leash dog beach close by.
Plenty of fresh water available.
Dog permitted without prior arrangement.
3. Waiinu Beach Domain
Nukumaru Parade, Waiinu Beach, Taranaki, North Island | Unpowered sites $16 per night
This council-operated campsite is awesome and super affordable! Located right on Waiinu Beach in South Taranaki, pets are welcome both at the campsite and on the beach itself. For the humans in your group, there is also access to flushing toilets and a children's playground.
Note that Waiinu Beach is a little more isolated than some sites (which we consider a plus!). If you enjoy fishing, beach strolls, swimming and spectacular sunsets and sunrises with your pooch by your side, then this is the spot for you.
Dog-friendly features:
Situated on a dog friendly beach.
Plenty of fresh water available.
Isolated site ideal for those hoping to avoid crowded campsites with their dogs.
Book now
4. Motutere Bay Top 10 Holiday Park
2819 State Highway 1, Motutere 3382, New Zealand | Powered lakefront sites from $67 per night
If a lakeside stay is more your style, then this dog-friendly campsite near Lake Taupo is just the ticket. Motutere Bay Top 10 Holiday Park is one of our favourite dog-friendly campsites on the North Island!
An ideal spot for travelling with your dog, the Taupo area has approximately 18 off-leash areas and over 200km of dog-friendly biking and hiking trails to enjoy. Together, you can go for a hike, kayak, swim, sail or simply cuddle up and enjoy a good book on the shores.
Advance bookings are highly recommended due to the popularity of this site.
Dog-friendly features:
Huge number of off-leash areas nearby.
Plenty of on-leash hiking trails close to the campground.
Unique dog-friendly swimming spots available nearby, too.
5. Tatapouri Bay Oceanside Accommodation And Campground
516 Whangara Road, Makorori 4073, New Zealand | Powered sites from $60 per night
This stunning location on the North East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island is not to be missed. Operating as both luxury accommodation and a camping ground, this site offers some unique opportunities for travellers and their pets!
Enjoy sunrise yoga, stingray tours on the shoreline and direct access to Tatapouri Bay. With a focus on sustainability, this is one of the most eco-friendly and dog-friendly campsites on the North Island. Minimise your environmental footprint (and paw print) while travelling.
There is also a lovely little dog-friendly cafe onsite, where you can both fuel up for a day of outdoor adventures together!
Dog-friendly features:
Dog friendly cafe on-site.
Plenty of on-leash walking tracks close to the campground.
Bayside location is perfect for dogs that love to swim.
6. Otautu Bay Farm Camp
257 Port Jackson Road, Colville 3584, New Zealand | Adult $17 per night, Child (5-14) $9 per night Infants free. Additional $8 per night for power
No journey exploring the North Island would be complete without a visit to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Otautu Bay Farm Camp is located on the Hauraki Gulf coastline, adjacent to a working farm.
The ideal base from which to explore the rest of the peninsula with your pup, this dog-friendly campsite offers coin-operated hot showers, toilets, laundry and accessible facilities. Bait is also available to purchase on-site with many prime fishing spots within walking distance from the campsite itself.
Dogs are permitted here with prior arrangement. That said, note there is a blanket no pets rule between 15th December and 6th February when several major holidays fall.
Dog-friendly features:
Dogs are welcome on-lead at Otautu Bay waterfront.
Plenty of on-leash walking tracks within the Coromandel Peninsula.
As a working farm, animals are very welcome across the site.
Check out some more of the best places for dog-friendly camping in the Coromandel!
Hire a dog-friendly van for your North Island camping trip
As well as taking the guesswork out of finding the best dog-friendly campsites on the North Island, we offer pet-friendly campervan hire on the North Island! Experience the wild coastlines, crystal clear lakes, mountain vistas and more from the comfort of your campervan - all with your pooch by your side.
Keen to take in even more of New Zealand’s breathtaking wilderness together? Check out some of the best dog-friendly camping grounds on the South Island and our favourite pet-friendly campgrounds in New Zealand. We’ve also got these tips on a road trip with a dog so you can explore without the stress!
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