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Camping guide · updated 16 Oct 2026
Camping near Tauranga
There are 58 DOC campsites within 150 km of Tauranga, and 19 of them are free. 39 can be reached by car. The closest is Dickey Flat Campsite, about 46 km away in a straight line.
Drive-in campsites (39)
| Campsite | Distance* | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dickey Flat Campsite Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park | 46 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, first come, first served |
| Lake Ōkareka Campsite Lake Ōkareka Scenic Reserve | 55 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Matatā Campsite Matatā area | 57 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| Arohena Campsite Lake Arapuni Conservation Area | 69 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Rd Campsite Lake Rerewhakaaitu Recreation Reserve | 72 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Rerewhakaaitu, Brett Road Campsite Lake Rerewhakaaitu Recreation Reserve | 72 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Broken Hills Campsite Broken Hills area | 75 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Kahikatea Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 79 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Shag Stream Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 79 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Hotoritori Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 80 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Whangaiterenga Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 81 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Booms Flat Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 82 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Catleys Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 82 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Totara Flat Campsite: Coromandel Coromandel Forest Park | 82 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Wainora Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 82 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Kakaho Campsite Pureora Forest Park | 105 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Ngaherenga Campsite Pureora Forest Park | 106 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Omahuru Campsite Te Urewera | 109 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Whakaipo Campsite Taupō area | 112 km | Basic Free | drive-in, dogs allowed, first come, first served |
| Te Pakau (Eight Acre) Campsite Te Urewera | 113 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Boulders Campsite Ōpōtiki area | 118 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Mid Okahu Road Campsite Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park | 118 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Sanctuary Campsite Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park | 119 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Piropiro Campsite Pureora Forest Park | 121 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Mimiha Campsite Te Urewera | 125 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Manganuku Campsite Ōpōtiki area | 126 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Waikawau Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel | 133 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Orangihikoia Campsite Te Urewera | 133 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Whitikau Campsite Ōpōtiki area | 134 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Te Taita A Makoro Campsite Te Urewera | 135 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Clements Clearing Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 140 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Kakapo Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 141 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Te Iringa Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 141 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Army Road Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 142 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Mokau Landing Campsite Te Urewera | 142 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Stony Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel | 146 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Waikaremoana Holiday Park Lake Waikaremoana area | 147 km | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| Rosie Bay Campsite Te Urewera | 148 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Fantail Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel | 149 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | drive-in, bookable |
Walk-in and boat-access campsites (19)
| Campsite | Distance* | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humphries Bay Campsite Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve | 58 km | Basic Free | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Wentworth Valley Campground Coromandel Forest Park | 58 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | bookable |
| Lake Tarawera Outlet Campsite Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve | 63 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Hot Water Beach Campsite Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve | 66 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Billygoat Basin Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 81 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Dancing Camp Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 82 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Trestle View Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 82 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Moss Creek Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 85 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Crosbies Hut Backcountry Campsite Coromandel Forest Park | 87 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Kaniwhaniwha Campsite Pirongia Forest Park | 100 km | Basic Free | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Pahautea Hut Campsite Pirongia Forest Park | 100 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Central Clearing Campsite Pirongia Forest Park | 104 km | Basic Free | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Verns Camp Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park | 123 km | Basic Free | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Maraunui Campsite Te Urewera | 140 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Waiharuru Campsite Te Urewera | 140 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Korokoro Campsite Te Urewera | 142 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Waiopaoa Campsite Te Urewera | 144 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Motuihe Island Campsite Motuihe Island / Te Motu-a-Ihenga | 147 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | boat access, bookable |
| Home Bay, Motutapu Island Campsite Motutapu Island | 150 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | boat access, 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 Tauranga 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 Tauranga?
From DOC's list, Dickey Flat Campsite is the closest, about 46 km away in a straight line.
Are there free campsites near Tauranga?
Yes, 19 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