Come up for camping

35°44'59.064''S 173°40'27.201''E

Kauri Coast Top 10 Holiday Park

sleep under the stars

Camping in Kaipara is the perfect way to unwind and connect with nature. Stay in Taharoa Domain by the crystal-clear waters of Kai Iwi Lakes for fabulous swimming and boating, or head a little further north and enjoy well-equipped campgrounds like the Kauri Coast TOP 10. There are waterfront camping options in most townships on the shores of the Kaipara Harbour, or head over to Mangawhai to enjoy two stunning campsites on the picturesque banks of the estuary. Across the region, camping offers affordability, adventure, and the chance to truly slow down and soak in the coastal and bushland scenery.

Mangawhai

The Mangawhai estuary is safe, calm and ever-changing - so what better place to park up a caravan or pitch a tent and get back to nature.

A scenic view of a camping site near the water with tents, boats, trees, and distant islands.

Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park

Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park offers beachfront camping and stunning estuary views with powered sites, cabins and great facilities. Enjoy safe swimming, fishing, and walking trails, all within easy reach of shops, cafés, and markets.

Aerial view of a residential area near a large body of water, with green fields and trees surrounding the houses under a clear blue sky.

Riverside Holiday Park

Riverside Holiday Park in Mangawhai offers estuary-front camping with powered and non-powered sites, self-contained cabins and pet-friendly policies. Facilities include free wifi, a playground, laundry, and a games room.

Aerial view of a green park with winding river, trees, lawn areas, and several buildings with green rooftops, connected by pathways and roads.
A large lake with turquoise water, surrounded by sandy beaches and green hills, with numerous tents and cars parked on the grassy areas near the shoreline.
Scenic view of a hillside campground near a large body of water with boats, surrounded by green hills and mountains in the background.
Aerial view of a campground with numerous white tents and structures on green grassy land near a large body of water, with trees and distant mountains in the background.

central and kaipara harbour

Camping in central Kaipara and on the shores of the harbour is wonderful. Lose yourself in the clear skies and starry nights. Then wake to birdsong, rolling hills, surging tides and peaceful rural charm.

Three small white cottages with light green roofs in a landscaped outdoor area with colorful flowers and bushes, under a partly cloudy sky.

Paparoa Motor Camp

Paparoa Motor Camp offers a quiet, friendly camping spot with powered sites, cabins and basic facilities. Set among trees near the village, it’s ideal for a restful stop in the heart of Kaipara.

A parking lot with several recreational vehicles and trailers, surrounded by green trees and grassy areas, with hills and houses in the background under a clear blue sky.

Pahi Beach Holiday Park

Pahi Beach Holiday Park offers waterfront camping on the Kaipara Harbour. Enjoy stunning views, safe swimming, fishing off the jetty and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere beneath pohutukawa trees.

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Tinopai Campground

Tinopai Campground offers peaceful, harbourside camping with stunning views of the Kaipara Harbour. Enjoy fishing, kayaking, and relaxing by the water in a quiet, laid-back setting with basic facilities.

A backyard garden with a small white fence, a greenhouse, a tent, and a house, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

Matakohe Holiday Park

Matakohe Holiday Park offers well-maintained campsites with powered and non-powered sites, cabins and clean facilities. Located near the Kauri Museum, it’s perfect for families exploring Kaipara’s rich heritage.

A campground with a grassy area, parked vehicles including a camper van, a white car, and an RV, and a small dark building in the background surrounded by trees.

HIGHLIGHT

trounson kauri park

Camping at Trounson Kauri Park offers a magical experience beneath towering kauri trees. The DoC campsite provides basic facilities, night walks to spot kiwi, and serene bush surroundings—perfect for nature lovers and families seeking adventure.

WEST AND NORTH KAIPARA

Out west there are some camping gems, close to the water and blessed with stunning sunsets with the Kauri Coast TOP 10 in the north offering kiwi camping at its very best.

A coastal residential area with scattered houses and mobile homes, a grassy yard with trees, and a view of a river or bay in the background under a cloudy sky.

Kellys Bay Campground

Kellys Bay Campground sits right on the Kaipara Harbour with waterfront sites, basic toilets, and a boat ramp. It’s perfect for swimming at high tide, fishing, kayaking and peaceful off-grid family holidays.

A coastal landscape with a village, a winding road, and large white tank structures in a grassy area, overlooking the ocean under a partly cloudy sky.

Glinks Gully Campground

Glinks Gully Campground offers beachfront camping with powered sites, toilets, and stunning views of Ripiro Beach. Ideal for fishing, lonely beach walks and fiery sunsets, it’s a quiet, coastal spot popular with locals.

Residential street with parked RVs and caravans under trees at sunset.

Dargaville Holiday Park

Dargaville Holiday Park is close to town and features powered and non-powered sites, self-contained units and cabins set among mature trees. Facilities include a communal kitchen, laundry and playground.

People enjoying a sunny day by a river with lush green trees and hills in the background. Some are floating on the water, while others are on the grassy bank near a canopy tent.

Kauri Coast TOP 10 Holiday Park

Kauri Coast TOP 10 Holiday Park offers spacious sites, cabins and motel units beside a meandering river and native bush. Enjoy glow worm walks, a playground, BBQ area, and nearby Trounson Kauri Park

Aerial view of a crescent-shaped beach with white sand, blue water, surrounded by green hills and a parking lot filled with cars and tents.

HIGHLIGHT

Taharoa Domain Camping

Camping at Kai Iwi Lakes in Taharoa Domain is a stunning lakeside experience with crystal-clear freshwater perfect for swimming, boating kayaking and paddleboarding. The Pine Beach and Promenade Point campgrounds offer powered sites, toilets, BBQs and family-friendly spaces amidst natural beauty.