The Guide to Camping in Auckland
We don’t blame you. Camping is an affordable way to spend the night somewhere, a form of more independent travel, and a way to feel more one with nature. The Auckland region has a great selection of places to pitch your tent for the night or park up your campervan. We’ll go through them all in this guide on where to camp in Auckland.
There are four forms of campsites in the Auckland region: holiday parks, council campsites, Department of Conservation (DoC) campsites and freedom camping spots. Auckland is more open “tent-friendly” camping with around 44 low-cost campsites from the wilderness of the Hunua Ranges to beachfront campsites along its stunning coast. People travelling in a campervan that is not fully self-contained may find fewer options for low-cost camping but can still find all the essentials in holiday parks. Your options are certainly a lot more open if you are travelling in a certified self-contained vehicle in the Auckland region.
So take a look at the directory below to find your ideal places to camp in the Auckland region.
Holiday Parks and Campsites in Auckland
There are four different types of campsites in Auckland: holiday parks, council campsites, Department of Conservation (DoC) campsites, and free campsites/freedom camping. Here are the main differences:
Holiday Parks
Holiday parks in Auckland have a range of facilities of a higher standard than what’s found in DoC or council-run campsites. Unsurprisingly, this comes at a higher price: usually NZ$18-$55 for two people per night. They also offer a number of accommodation types, but campers can always rely on holiday parks to have powered sites to plug up your campervan and tent sites (providing there is availability). For more on what to expect from a holiday park, check out Accommodation Guide to Holiday Parks in New Zealand
Council Campsites
Auckland is blessed with 44 campgrounds across the region. Most campgrounds are very basic, starting off with some sort of toilet and water supply (although you are likely to need to treat the water) while some campgrounds have extra facilities like gas barbecues and cooking shelters. Be aware that many of the campgrounds are accessed on foot and are only suitable for tents. SCC Parking Areas or SCC Campgrounds are for certified self-contained vehicles only. Book your campsite spot at the Auckland Council website.
DOC Campsites
The Department of Conservation maintains the campsites on the Hauraki Gulf islands. Expect toilets, water (may need treating) and possibly cold showers and picnic tables. Book your camping spot on the DoC website.
Freedom Camping
Camp for free in Auckland. Freedom camping in Auckland usually refers to a car park with no facilities where you can sleep in your campervan for free. For this reason, freedom camping is restricted to only certified self-contained vehicles.
© NZPocketGuide.comCommercial Holiday Parks in Auckland
Matakana Coast
- Martins Bay Holiday Park, Warkworth – NZ$42-48 per powered site/tent site
- Whangateau Holiday Park, Warkworth – NZ$40-50 per powered site/tent site
- Pakiri Beach Holiday Park, Tomorata – NZ$40-$80 per powered site/tent site
- Goat Island Camping, Leigh – NZ$18-$30per person for powered site/tent site
- Sheep World Caravan Park and Camping, Warkworth – NZ$20+ per person for powered site/tent site
- Sandspit Holiday Park, Warkworth – NZ$20-$23per person for powered site/tent site
Hibiscus Coast
- Pinewoods Motor Park, Orewa- NZ$40per powered site/tent site
- Orewa Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, Orewa – NZ$40-50 per powered site/tent site
North Shore
- Auckland North Shore Motels and Holiday Park, Northcote – NZ$40 for two people in a powered site/tent site
Kaipara Harbour
- Parakai Springs, Helensville – NZ$14-$16 per person for powered site/tent site
Waitakere
- Muriwai Beach Motor Camp, Muriwai – NZ$15 per person for tent site/NZ$30 for two people in a powered site
- Piha Beach Motor Camp, Piha – NZ$15-$18per person for powered site/tent site
Auckland City Central
- Avondale Motor Park, Avondale -NZ$20 per person for tent site/NZ$50 for two people in a powered site
- Remuera Motor Lodge, Meadowbank – NZ$20-$30 per person for powered site/tent site
Manukau
- Orere Point Top 10 Holiday Park, Manukau Heads-NZ$21-$23 per person for powered site/tent site
- Port Waikato Holiday Park, Te Kohanga- NZ$40-42 per powered site/tent site
- Bruce Pluman Park, Takanini – NZ$25 per powered site
- Orua Bay Motor Camp, Orua Bay – NZ$22 per person for a powered site/tent site
- Big Bay Holiday Park, Manukau Heads – NZ$42-$44 for two people in a powered site/tent site
- Clarks Beach Holiday Park, Manukau Heads- NZ$44 per powered site/tent site
Hauraki Gulf
- Stray Possum Lodge, Great Barrier Island – NZ$15 per person for a tent site
- Awana Mickey’s Campground, Great Barrier Island – NZ$7 per person for anon-powered/tent site.
Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.
© Krishna on FlickrAuckland Council Campgrounds
Kaipara Harbour
- Atiu Creek Campground, Atiu Creek Regional Park – NZ$15 per person
- Atiu SCC Parking Area, Atiu Creek Regional Park – NZ$8 per person
Matakana Coast
- Mita Bay Campground, Sullivan’s Bay – NZ$8 per person
- Sullivan’s Bay Campground, Sullivan’s Bay – NZ$15 per person
- Schischka Campground, Wenderholm – NZ$15 per person (suitable for campervans)
- Wenderholm SCC Parking Area, Wenderholm – NZ$8 per person
- Mahurangi SCC Campground, Sullivan’s Bay – NZ$8 per person
- Scandrett SCC Parking Area, Scandrett Park – NZ$8 per person
Hibiscus Coast
- Te Haruhi Bay Campground, Shakespear Park – NZ$15 per person
- Shakespear SCC Campground, Shakespear Park – NZ$8 per person
- Tawharanui All Modes Campground, Tawharanui Park – NZ$15 per person (suitable for campervans less than 8m in length)
- Tawharanui Tents OnlyCampground, Tawharanui Park – NZ$15 per person
North Shore
- Long Bay SCC Parking Area, Long Bay – NZ$8 per person
Auckland City Central
- Ambury Campground, Mangere – NZ$15 per person (suitable for campervans)
Waitakere
- Craw Campground, Anawhata – NZ$8 per person
- Craw SCC Parking Area, Anawhata – NZ$8 per person
- Opanuku Pipeline Campground, Cascade Kauri – NZ$8 per person
- Pae o te Rangi Campground, Cascade Kauri – NZ$8 per person
- Cascade Kauri SCC Parking Area, Cascade Kauri – NZ$8 per person
- Glen Eske Road SCC Parking, Piha – NZ$8 per person
- Log Race Road SCC Parking, Piha – NZ$8 per person
- Barn Paddock Campground and SCC Parking Area, Huia- NZ$8 per person
- Karamatura Valley Campground, Huia – NZ$8 per person
- Cornwallis SCC Parking Area, Huia – NZ$8 per person
- Pararaha Valley Campground, Whatipu – NZ$8 per person
- Tunnel Point Campground, Whatipu – NZ$8 per person
- Whatipu Caves Campground, Whatipu – NZ$8 per person
- Arataki SCC Parking Area, Arataki Visitor Centre – NZ$8 per person
Manukau
- Brook Homestead Campground, Awhitu Park- NZ$15 per person
- Peninsula Campground, Awhitu Park- NZ$15 per person
- Awhitu SCC Parking Area, Awhitu Park – NZ$8 per person
- Lower Mangatawhiri Campground, Hunua Ranges – NZ$8 per person
- Hunua Falls SCC Parking Area, Hunua Ranges – NZ$8 per person
- Mangatangi Trig Campground, Hunua Ranges – NZ$8 per person
- Piggotts Campground, Hunua Ranges – NZ$8 per person
- Repeater Campground, Hunua Ranges – NZ$8 per person
- Thousand Acres Campground, Hunua Ranges – NZ$8 per person
- Upper Mangataphiri Campground and SCC Parking Area, Hunua Ranges – NZ$8 per person (campervans permitted)
- Workman Campground, Hunua Ranges – NZ$8 per person
- McCreadies Paddock Campground, Karekare- NZ$8 per person
- Odlins 2 Campground, Karekare – NZ$8 per person
- Cliff Top Campground, Omana – NZ$15 per person
- Omana SCC Parking Area, Omana – NZ$8 per person
- Beach Front Campground, Tapapakanga – NZ$15 per person
- Sea View Campgrounds, Tapapakanga – NZ$15 per person (campervans permitted)
- Kaparanui Stream SCC Campground, Tapapakanga – NZ$8 per person
- Tapapakanga Stream SCC Campground, Tapapakanga – NZ$8 per person
- Tawhitokino Campground, Tawhitokino – NZ$8 per person (access at low tide)
- Blackberry Flats Campground, Waharau – NZ$8 per person (usually closed in winter)
- Waharau SCC Parking Area, Waharau – NZ$8 per person
- Tainui Campground, Waharau – NZ$15 per person
- Duder Designated SCC Parking Area – NZ$8 per person
Hauraki Gulf
- Poukaraka Flats Campground, Waiheke Island – NZ$15 per person (suitable for campervans)
- Whakanewha SCC Parking Area, Waiheke Island – NZ$8 per person.
Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.
© NZPocketGuide.comDepartment of Conservation Campsites in Auckland
Motutapu Island
- Home Bay Motutapu Island Campsite – NZ$8 per person
Motuihe Island
- Motuihe Island Campsite – NZ$8 per person
Moturoa Island
- Moturoa Island Campsite – NZ$8 per person
Great Barrier Island
- Akapoua Bay, Port FitzRoy- NZ$13 per person (suitable for campervans)
- Awana Beach Campsite – NZ$13 per person (suitable for campervans)
- Harataonga Beach – NZ$13 per person (suitable for campervans)
- Medlands Beach Campsite – NZ$13 per person (suitable for campervans)
- The Green Campsite, Whangaparapara Harbour – NZ$13 per person
- Whangapoua Campsite, Whangapoua Estuary – NZ$13 per person.
Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.
© ImgurFreedom Camping in Auckland
The Auckland region has very little choice for freedom camping. However, there are a few spots to stay the night for free if you are travelling in a certified self-contained campervan:
- Gulf Harbour Car Park, Hibiscus Coast
- Ray’s Rest Camping Reserve, between Kaiaua and Miranda, South Auckland
- Car Park opposite Western Springs Reserve, Grey Lynn
- Hamiltons Gap, Manukau
- Rosa Birch Park, Pukekohe
For more information on these freedom camping spots in Auckland, check out 10 Free Camping Spots in Auckland.
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