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Camping guide · updated 16 Oct 2026
Camping in Manawatu and Whanganui
DOC lists 20 campsites in Manawatu and Whanganui. 2 are free and 3 can be reached by car. Cheapest first.
Free campsites (2)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Piripiri Campsite Pohangina Valley area | Basic Free | first come, first served |
| Simpsons Domain Campsite Hunterville area | Basic Free | first come, first served |
Standard campsites (1)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pohangina Base Campsite Pohangina Valley area | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, hot showers, dogs on a leash, bookable |
Backcountry and Great Walk campsites (17)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ohinepane Campsite Ohinepane Recreation Reserve | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Whakahoro Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | drive-in, bookable |
| Atene Skyline Campsite Whanganui National Park | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Bettjemann Campsite Whanganui National Park | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Hellawell's Campsite Whanganui National Park | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, first come, first served |
| John Coull Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Johnsons Campsite Whanganui National Park | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Maharanui Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Mangapapa Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Mangapurua Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Mangapurua Trig Campsite Whanganui National Park | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Mangawaiiti Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Mosley's Campsite Whanganui National Park | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Ngaporo Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Ohauora Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Poukaria Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Tīeke Marae/kāinga Campsite Whanganui National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
Campsite list: Department of Conservation open data (CC BY 4.0), refreshed weekly. Fees are DOC’s published category fees; some campsites differ and prices can change. Always check the DOC page for alerts and closures before you go.
Plan the rest of the trip
Find a campsite by region → Packing checklist Cheap car hire
Questions
Are there free campsites in Manawatu and Whanganui?
Yes, 2 DOC basic campsites in Manawatu and Whanganui are free.
How many DOC campsites are in Manawatu and Whanganui?
20, from DOC's campsite data (updated weekly).
Do I need to book?
Many standard and serviced DOC campsites need booking, especially in summer. Basic campsites are usually first come, first served.
More camping guides: all camping guides