Camping near Thames and the Coromandel

There are 39 DOC campsites within 150 km of Thames and the Coromandel, and 3 of them are free. 23 can be reached by car. The closest is Kahikatea Campsite, about 8 km away in a straight line.

Drive-in campsites (23)

Campsite	Distance*	Type and fee	Good to know
Kahikatea Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	8 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Shag Stream Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	8 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Hotoritori Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	9 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable
Whangaiterenga Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	11 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Booms Flat Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	12 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable
Catleys Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	12 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Totara Flat Campsite: Coromandel Coromandel Forest Park	13 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Wainora Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	13 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Broken Hills Campsite Broken Hills area	18 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Dickey Flat Campsite Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park	38 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, dogs on a leash, first come, first served
Waikawau Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel	59 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Stony Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel	70 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Fantail Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel	71 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	drive-in, bookable
Fletcher Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel	75 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	drive-in, bookable
Port Jackson Campsite Northern Coromandel	75 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	drive-in, bookable
Medlands Beach Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	97 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Awana Beach Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	104 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Harataonga Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	108 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Akapoua Bay Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	109 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Whangapoua Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	111 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Arohena Campsite Lake Arapuni Conservation Area	115 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Lake Ōkareka Campsite Lake Ōkareka Scenic Reserve	135 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, first come, first served
Matatā Campsite Matatā area	136 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, hot showers, bookable

Walk-in and boat-access campsites (16)

Campsite	Distance*	Type and fee	Good to know
Crosbies Hut Backcountry Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	12 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	walk-in, bookable
Trestle View Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	14 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	walk-in, bookable
Billygoat Basin Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	15 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	walk-in, bookable
Moss Creek Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	17 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	walk-in, first come, first served
Dancing Camp Campsite Coromandel Forest Park	19 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	walk-in, bookable
Wentworth Valley Campground Coromandel Forest Park	27 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	bookable
Motuihe Island Campsite Motuihe Island / Te Motu-a-Ihenga	65 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	boat access, bookable
Home Bay, Motutapu Island Campsite Motutapu Island	68 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	boat access, bookable
Motuora Island Campsite Motuora Island	97 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	boat access, bookable
Kaniwhaniwha Campsite Pirongia Forest Park	98 km	Basic Free	walk-in, first come, first served
The Green Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	101 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	walk-in, bookable
Central Clearing Campsite Pirongia Forest Park	102 km	Basic Free	walk-in, first come, first served
Pahautea Hut Campsite Pirongia Forest Park	103 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	walk-in, bookable
Humphries Bay Campsite Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve	139 km	Basic Free	walk-in, first come, first served
Lake Tarawera Outlet Campsite Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve	144 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	walk-in, bookable
Hot Water Beach Campsite Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve	146 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	walk-in, bookable

*Straight-line distance from the city centre; the drive is longer.

Want a roof instead? Compare holiday parks on Holiday Parks NZ or stays near Thames on our Stays page.

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

What is the closest campsite to Thames and the Coromandel?

From DOC's list, Kahikatea Campsite is the closest, about 8 km away in a straight line.

Are there free campsites near Thames and the Coromandel?

Yes, 3 of the DOC campsites within 150 km are free basic campsites.

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