7 best Whangarei campgrounds

Plan the perfect stopover on your Northland road trip using our guide to the 7 best Whangarei campgrounds!

Whangarei is home to some of the best campgrounds in the Northland. So, regardless of whether you’re after a camping spot near the Town Centre, Whangarei Bay or the coastal beaches - we’ve got you covered!

Our travel experts have compiled this list based on the campsite’s scenery, facilities and nearby attractions and activities. Plus, we’ve thrown in maps, addresses and prices to help you choose from amongst the best Whangarei campgrounds.

Best campsites in Whangarei: 7 wonderful places to spend the night

1.Whangarei Falls Holiday Park

Address: 12 Ngunguru Road, Glenbervie 0173 | Powered site price: from approx $25 per night

Aptly named the Whangarei Falls Holiday Park, this camping ground is only a two-minute scenic bush walk from the stunning Whangarei Falls (26.3m tall and one of the most popular waterfalls on the North Island). It’s about 5km from the Whangarei City Centre, meaning that it’s a little quieter at nighttime.

Plus, there is a range of powered sites available, including grass and hard-surface sites for vans.

Campsite facilities:

• Powered campsites

• Bathroom block

• Large camp kitchen

• Free gas BBQ grill

• Covered outdoor sitting area

• Swimming pool

• Hot spa-pool

• WiFi

• TV room

• Reading room with an extensive library

2. Whangarei TOP 10 Holiday Park

Address: 24 Mair Street, Kensington, Whangārei 0112 | Powered site price: from approx $50 per night

Located halfway between the Whangarei Town Centre and Whangarei Falls (a 5-minute drive in either direction), the Whangārei Top 10 Holiday Park offers a quiet, convenient and scenic campground.

Sitting on the edge of the lush Mair Park bush reserve, it’s easy to follow one of the walking tracks from your camp down to the gentle Hatea River. The holiday park is also close to the Whangarei Quarry Gardens, a 60-acre subtropical oasis formed out of the remnants of an old stone quarry.

Campsite facilities:

• Powered and unpowered campsites

• Communal bathrooms

• Kitchen area

• BBQ area

• Free WiFi

• Laundry

• Kids playground

• Trampoline

• TV and recreation room

• Boat and car wash facility

• Pet friendly

3. Whangarei Central Holiday Park

Address: 34 Tarewa Road, Morningside, Whangārei 0110 | Powered site price: from approx $22 per night

If you want to camp as close as possible to the Whangarei City Centre, then the Whangarei Central Holiday Park is for you. Only a 2-minute drive or a 10-minute walk from the middle of town, you have easy access to all of Whangarei’s buzzing restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and waterfront.

This is one of the best Whangarei campgrounds for history buffs. You’re also very close to the Kiwi House, Museum and Heritage Park, a multifaceted visitor experience where you can view kiwi and tuatara, learn about the Maori history of the region and explore an 1886 heritage homestead set on the beautiful 25-hectare site.

Campsite facilities:

• Powered and unpowered campsites

• Bathroom blocks

• Kitchen area

• Lounge and dining area

• Laundries

• DVD hire

• Kids playground

• WiFi

• Dump station

• Small library

4. Blue Heron Holiday Park

Address: 85 Scott Road, Tamaterau 0174 | Powered site price: from approx $48 per night

The Blue Heron Holiday Park is a stunning waterfront campground about a 20-minute drive from Whangarei City Centre. Set up your camper overlooking the harbour and wake up to the gentle sound of lapping waves before a day of kayaking on the water.

The Mt Manaia Walking track is only another 15-minute drive away and rewards you with breathtaking views over the Whangarei Harbour. A little further is the Te Whara Track in Bream Head Scenic Reserve, one of the best day hikes in New Zealand.

Campsite facilities:

• Powered and unpowered campsites

• Bathroom blocks

• Kitchen area

• BBQ area

• Laundry

• Water station

• Dump station

• Free WiFi

• Kayak rentals

• Kids playground

• Shop

• Boat ramp

• Moorings

5. Treasure Island Camping and Caravan Park

Address: Pataua South Road, Whangarei 0175 | Powered site price: from approx $28 per night

A 30-minute drive from Whangarei toward the eastern coastline is Treasure Island Camping and Caravan Park, one of the most fun family campgrounds in the area. Drive your campervan across the land bridge to the island campsite, which has its very own swimming lagoon that is perfect for kids.

This is one of the best Whangarei campgrounds for surfers and water babies! You’ll find two golden sand beaches that have great surf, as well as a bunch of little coves and bays that you can explore by foot or boat. Take a day trip to Ocean Beach (a 30-minute drive south), which boasts a 5km stretch of golden sand and big dunes, making it one of the best beaches near Whangarei.

Campsite facilities:

• Powered and unpowered campsites

• Bathroom blocks

• Kitchen area

• TV room

• Alfresco dining area

• Shop and takeaway

• Volleyball and table tennis

• Playground

• Big slide

• Lagoon

• Surf beach

• Boat ramp

6. Uretiti Beach Campsite

Address: 3149, State Highway 1, Waipu 0582 | Powered site price: from approx $15 per night

The scenic Uretiti Beach Campsite is run by the Department of Conservation and is located about a 25-minute drive south of Whangarei. It’s one of our favourite Whangarei campgrounds! You can set up your camp behind the dunes of the sandy surf beach and fill your days with fishing, swimming and hiking.

The awesome Waipu Caves Track is only a 15-minute drive from this campsite, whilst the highly rated Mangawhai Cliff Walk is about a 30-minute drive.

Campsite facilities:

• Unpowered campsites

• Hot showers ($2 coin-operated)

• Non-flush toilets

• Cooking shelter

• Treated tap water

• Recycling facilities

• Surf beach

7. Otamure Bay (Whananaki) Campsite

Address: 208 Rockell Road, Whananaki 0181 | Powered site price: from approx $15 per night

The stunning Otamure Bay Campsite is another Department of Conservation campground, located about a 45-minute drive north-east of Whangarei. Set up your beach-front camp under the shade of a large pohutukawa tree and relax by the coast.

Adventurous campers may want to take a diving or snorkelling trip to the Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve from nearby Tutukaka. World-renowned diver Jacques Cousteau rated this reserve as one of the top ten places to dive in the world, thanks to its caves, arches, tunnels, cliffs and marine biodiversity.

Campsite facilities:

• Cold shower

• Non-flush toilets

• Cooking shelter

• Non-treated tap water

• Boat ramp

Hire a van for your Whangarei camping trip

Now that you know of all the best Whangarei campgrounds, it’s time to organise your wheels (and accommodation)!

Need to arrange campervan hire in the Northland? Camplify allows holidaymakers to search through privately-owned rentals and find the ideal van for their adventure.

Simply enter your pickup location, adjust the optional filters and within seconds, you will find the perfect motorhome, caravan or campervan for your Whangarei camping trip!

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