18 Best Campgrounds in Northland, New Zealand

Above Auckland lies New Zealand’s Northland region, a subtropical paradise filled with stunning beaches, ancient kauri forests, and some of the country’s best campgrounds.

If you’re dreaming of a Northland camping trip but aren’t sure where to go, I’m here to help.

Northland is home to some of my favourite campgrounds in New Zealand and in this guide, I’m sharing all of my top spots with you. 

To be honest, it’s almost not fair that one region can have so many incredible campgrounds—especially campgrounds right by some of the most gorgeous beaches on the planet. You’re about to be spoilt forever when it comes to beachfront camping, let me warn you.

Read on to discover the best campgrounds in Northland, plus lots of ideas for fun things to do near each spot.

Northland Camping Map

Map legend: 

💚 Green = Northland DOC Campsite

💙 Blue = Northland Holiday Park or Private Campground

Northland DOC Campsites

If you want a back-to-basics camping experience in the midst of beautiful nature, head to one of these Northland DOC campsites.

At a DOC campsite, you’ll usually find unpowered campsites and bare-bones facilities. Come prepared with everything you’ll need for your camping trip (including drinking water).

Also be prepared to pack out what you pack in, as most of these campsites do not have rubbish or recycling facilities. 

Expect to pay around $18 – $20 per adult per night at these spots, with lower rates for children.

I’ve roughly listed these from North to South.

1. Tapotupotu (Taputaputa) Campsite

Tapotupotu Bay is the northernmost DOC campsite in New Zealand.

Located just a 5-minute drive from Cape Reinga, this picturesque campsite is tucked between lush green hills, a golden-sand beach, and a swimmable lagoon.

This is an awesome spot to stay if you want to wake up to the sound of the ocean and explore the very top of the country. Visit Cape Reinga, explore the Te Paki sand dunes, or just relax and enjoy the beach.

I do recommend arriving here earlier in the day if possible, as it can fill up in the evenings once Cape Reinga visitors spill into the campground. 

This is a lovely campsite, but I usually continue a bit further to one of my all-time favourite places—Spirits Bay (more on that below!).

2. Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) Campsite

Spirits Bay is a mystical, windswept place full of natural beauty and cultural significance. 

Located down a long gravel road close to the top of the North Island, this place has a special “edge of the world” feeling. This atmosphere is bolstered by knowing that Spirits Bay is considered the place where spirits depart the earth.

The campsite is set near a pink-shell beach backed by a lush headland, and it’s one of Northland’s most spectacular and remote DOC campgrounds. 

Wild horses often roam nearby, and the turquoise water is glorious for fishing and swimming.

3. Rarawa Beach Campsite

Rarawa Beach is about as close to a tropical island as you’ll find in New Zealand. The beach’s sugar-white silica sand and crystal-clear water makes it feel like paradise.

The Rarawa Beach campsite isn’t beachfront, but it’s just a short walk from the campsite to the beach, where you can swim, go for long beach walks, or try your luck at fishing.

This campsite is quiet, remote, and ideal for anyone who’s craving a simple camping experience near one of Northland’s best beaches.

4. Maitai Bay Campsite

On a warm summer day, waking up at the Maitai Bay Campsite is hard to beat. 

You’ll camp just steps away from two crescent-shaped coves—Maitai Bay and Merita Beach—with sparkling white sand to walk on, turquoise water to swim in, and the sound of the ocean lulling you to sleep every night.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best beach campsites in Northland, and it’s perfect for spending a few salty, sun-soaked days in paradise.

5. Puriri Bay (Whangaruru North Head) Campsite

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more scenic DOC campsite than Puriri Bay. 

Set just above the sand in a sheltered harbour, this is the kind of spot where you can swim, snorkel, or take a morning beach walk straight from your tent or van. 

If you’re up for a gorgeous walk, set out on the Whangaruru North Head walking tracks, which start right from the campground and take you to panoramic coastal views.

Head to this campground if you want a remote and peaceful camping experience where you can switch off for a couple of days in seaside bliss.

6. Otamure Bay Campsite

Otamure Bay is a beautiful Northland DOC campsite in Whananaki, located right next to a soft sandy surf beach.

Pōhutukawa trees fringe the campground, and the grassy sites are great for tent camping or campervanning.

When you’re not relaxing at the beach, you can venture into the village of Whananaki to walk across the southern hemisphere’s longest footbridge, or take off on the Motutara Recreation Reserve Walk.

7. Uretiti Beach Campsite

Uretiti is one of Northland’s most popular DOC campsites, and for good reason.

Set right behind the dunes, this large beachfront campsite offers easy access to the long stretch of sand and clear waters of Uretiti Beach.

I should mention that the beach here is clothing-optional in parts. It’s all very relaxed, but worth knowing before you go so you don’t have any surprises!

The facilities here are basic but well-maintained, and it’s just a short drive to Waipu for cafes and supplies. This is a great option if you want to feel like you’re camping in nature without actually being too remote.

While you could easily spend all of your time at the beach here, there are also some fun adventures just a short drive away—the Waipu Caves and Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway are both worthy destinations close by.

Northland Holiday Parks & Private Campgrounds

If you want to camp without really “roughing it,” then you’ll want to stay at one of these Northland holiday parks.

Expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $75+ per night for 2 adults for a campsite, with pricing varying depending on the season (i.e. summer rates are higher than winter rates).

Many of these holiday parks also offer camping cabins, which can be a wonderful option if you want to go camping but don’t want to deal with packing lots of gear.

8. Ahipara Top 10 Holiday Park

Located at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach, the Ahipara Top 10 Holiday Park is a favourite with surfers and beach-lovers alike. 

This tidy, welcoming holiday park has lush gardens and grassy sites. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day in the waves.

Stay here as a base for your surf trip, or use it as a convenient jumping-off point for exploring Cape Reinga and the Far North. 

9. Taupo Bay Holiday Park

The Taupo Bay Holiday Park is a laid-back gem of campground near a stunning white sand surf beach.

From camp, it’s under a 5-minute walk to the beach, where you can swim, surf, or go for beach walks to your heart’s content.

For excursions nearby, you could drive 15 minutes to Mangonui to enjoy fish & chips at the famous Mangonui Fish Shop, or head to the Duke’s Nose Track (about 30 minutes away) for an epic day hike.

10. Tauranga Bay Holiday Park

At the Tauranga Bay Holiday Park, you can practically roll out of your tent or campervan onto the sand.

This campground couldn’t be more beachfront—and what a gorgeous beach it is, too! Covered in peachy-golden sand and backed by green hills, Tauranga Bay is a stunner of a spot for a camping trip up north.

Fall asleep to the sound of the waves and listen for kiwi calls at night; in the daytime, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, as they frequent this bay.

In addition to campsites, this campground has some lovely cabins available, including cosy log cabins that make for a dreamy getaway.

If you’re keen to venture further afield, there are some epic day walks nearby, including the Mahinepua Peninsula Track, St. Paul’s Rock, and the Duke’s Nose Track.

11. Matauri Bay Holiday Park

The Matauri Bay Holiday Park is a classic Northland campground in a gorgeous beachfront location.

With a golden crescent of sand, turquoise water, and lots of old-school charm, this place has summery camp vibes in spades.

You can go swimming, snorkelling, or fishing at the beach, or relax all day under your beach umbrella with a good book.

For a leg stretch, walk up to the Rainbow Warrior Memorial, which sits atop the cliffs above the campground and offers panoramic coastal views.

12. Russell Top 10 Holiday Park

Camp in the charming Bay of Islands town of Russell at the Russell Top 10 Holiday Park.

This large holiday park is in a convenient location just a short walk from town and the beach. 

Get a dose of history as you wander around Russell, which was the first European seaport and settlement in New Zealand. Grab a drink at the iconic Duke of Marlborough Hotel, or pizza and craft beer at Hone’s Garden.

For great views, hike up Flagstaff Hill or Tapeka Point. 

And for an easy stroll to a lovely beach, walk along the Long Beach Walkway to reach Long Beach (Oneroa), a sheltered sandy bay.

If you’d like to further explore the Bay of Islands, you can hop on a ferry to Paihia or Urupukapuka Island, or take a relaxed cruise to see the famous Hole in the Rock (and possibly dolphins, too!).

13. Paihia Top 10 Holiday Park

The Paihia Top 10 Holiday Park is tucked away in a peaceful spot just a short drive from the bustling seaside town of Paihia.

This holiday park sits right next to the water, and it’s surrounded by native bush. 

Use this campground as a base for exploring the Bay of Islands, or enjoy slow camp days filled with relaxing, kayaking, and walks. 

Kayaks are available to hire from the campground for a small fee (probably the best-value kayak hire in the Bay of Islands!) and it’s so fun to go for a paddle on a calm day. 

You can also step straight onto the Paihia to Opua Coastal Walkway from camp. This gentle walk hugs the coastline and is beautiful whether you walk the whole track or just a short section. 

14. Motutara Farm

Motutara Farm is my favourite campground in all of New Zealand (bold claim, I know!).

This laid-back, off-grid paradise sits above two stunning beach coves—King’s Beach and Barron Beach. 

Set on a family-run farm, grassy sites dot the hills above the sea, with pōhutukawa trees offering shade for those hot summer days. Many of the sites have incredible ocean views.

Facilities here are basic, but when you’re camping somewhere this beautiful, you won’t miss a thing. 

15. Kauri Coast Top 10 Holiday Park

The Kauri Coast Top 10 Holiday Park makes the perfect base for exploring Northland’s ancient kauri forests.

Set alongside a river and surrounded by native bush, this park-like campground is peaceful and filled with birdsong. You can go for a dip in the swimming hole or walk on the nature trail right at camp.

From the campground, it’s a short drive to see kauri forests at the Trounson Kauri Park and Waipoua Forest, the latter of which is home to the mighty Tane Mahuta. 

And if you’ve ever wanted to see a kiwi in the wild, well—this might be your best chance!

You can look for North Island Brown Kiwi after dark at the nearby Trounson Kauri Park, and the campground even has self-guided kiwi-spotting packs to help you out. My partner Ty and I were lucky enough to see a kiwi here one night; let me just say that it was a magic experience, and I hope you get to see one, too!

16. Kai Iwi Lakes

Kai Iwi Lakes is such a unique spot for camping in Northland.

Located on the West Coast, the Kai Iwi Lakes are dune lakes with golden sandy shores and crystal blue water—honestly, it looks like the tropics here, and it’s unreal!

At Lake Taharoa, you’ll find two campgrounds: Pine Beach and Promenade Point. Both campsites have somewhat basic facilities, but the beautiful location makes it worth camping here!

Pine Beach is the larger of the two, and has both powered and unpowered campsites, while Promenade Point has unpowered sites only.

From both campgrounds, you can access a lovely loop track that circles Lake Taharoa. 

17. Camp Waipu Cove

Escape to the beach at Camp Waipu Cove, a spacious oceanfront holiday park with great facilities and a relaxed atmosphere.

From camp, you’re just steps away from the soft white sand at Waipu Cove, a beautiful surf beach in Bream Bay.

When you’re not soaking up the sun at the beach, you can tackle the Waipu Coastal Walkway, or drive to the Waipu Caves to see thousands of glittering glowworms for free.

If you’re not keen on packing the tent, I can recommend booking one of the cabins here—I think they’re great value (and make for a lovely weekend trip from Auckland).

18. Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park

Magical Mangawhai is one of the best beach towns in New Zealand, and the Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park puts you right on the estuary with easy access to the sand, surf, and sunshine.

This campground is a convenient base for exploring Mangawhai Heads and the cute town of Mangawhai.

Surf or go for long beach walks at Mangawhai Heads Beach, or tackle the amazing Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway, one of my favourite day hikes in the North Island.

When you need a break from camp cooking, head into Mangawhai for cafes and restaurants. I can highly recommend Gringa’s for Mexican food and margaritas to really get into that beach holiday mode!

Tips for camping in Northland

• Northland’s campgrounds are often located in remote places. Make sure to stock up on food, fuel and drinks (including water) if you’re heading to some of these campsites, particularly the DOC campsites in the Far North.
  

• Don’t forget your insect repellent and plenty of sunblock! Mosquitoes can be prolific up north, and there’s nothing like a sunburn to put a damper on a camping trip.
  
  
• You can go camping in Northland year-round, but some campsites close for the winter months. Before you head out to one of these Northland campgrounds, check up on the campground’s website to make sure it’s open and also check if you need to book in advance.
  

• If you plan to camp in the summer—particularly the two weeks around Christmas and New Years—make sure you book your campsite in advance, if it’s bookable. All of these campgrounds are packed during peak summer camping season.
  
  If you don’t like camping with crowds, then you might want to avoid Northland campgrounds in summer and go camping during the off-season instead (which is my preference!).

Freedom camping in Northland

If you’re travelling in a self-contained van and want to go freedom camping in Northland, you’re in luck—there are heaps of great spots in the region.

You can find free campsites in the Far North here, and Whangarei District here.

Also see my guide to the best freedom camping spots in the North Island, which includes several sites in Northland.

Thanks for reading my Northland camping guide!

I truly hope this has helped you plan your Northland camping trip.

As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!

More New Zealand camping guides for you

If you’ve enjoyed this Northland camping guide, check out more of my camping guides below!

• North Island camping guide
• Camping near Auckland
• Coromandel camping guide 
• South Island camping guide
• Everything you need to know about camping in New Zealand