Camping near Whangārei

There are 25 DOC campsites within 150 km of Whangārei, and 1 of them are free. 17 can be reached by car. The closest is Uretiti Beach Campsite, about 26 km away in a straight line.

Drive-in campsites (17)

Campsite	Distance*	Type and fee	Good to know
Uretiti Beach Campsite Waipū area	26 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, hot showers, bookable
Otamure Bay (Whananaki) Campsite Whananaki area	29 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Puriri Bay (Whangaruru North Head) Camps Whangaruru North Head Scenic Reserve	40 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Trounson Kauri Park Campground Trounson Kauri Park	61 km	Serviced $25 per adult (tent site)	drive-in, hot showers, bookable
Puketī Recreation Area Campsite Puketī and Omahuta Forests	75 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Raetea North Side Campsite Raetea Forest and Mangamuka Gorge Scenic Reserve	101 km	Basic Free	drive-in, first come, first served
Akapoua Bay Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	106 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Whangapoua Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	109 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Harataonga Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	115 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Awana Beach Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	117 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Medlands Beach Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	122 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Port Jackson Campsite Northern Coromandel	124 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	drive-in, bookable
Fantail Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel	127 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	drive-in, bookable
Fletcher Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel	127 km	Backcountry Varies, see DOC page	drive-in, bookable
Maitai Bay Campsite Karikari Peninsula	130 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, first come, first served
Stony Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel	132 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable
Waikawau Bay Campsite Northern Coromandel	146 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	drive-in, bookable

Walk-in and boat-access campsites (8)

Campsite	Distance*	Type and fee	Good to know
Waikahoa Bay Campsite Mimiwhangata Coastal Park	32 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	walk-in, bookable
Cable Bay Campsite Urupukapuka Island Recreation Reserve	56 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	boat access, bookable
Sunset Bay Campsite Urupukapuka Island Recreation Reserve	56 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	boat access, bookable
Urupukapuka Bay Campsite Urupukapuka Island Recreation Reserve	57 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	boat access, bookable
Motuora Island Campsite Motuora Island	96 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	boat access, bookable
The Green Campsite Great Barrier Island/Aotea	112 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	walk-in, bookable
Home Bay, Motutapu Island Campsite Motutapu Island	128 km	Standard $10–20 per adult	boat access, bookable
Motuihe Island Campsite Motuihe Island / Te Motu-a-Ihenga	132 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 Whangārei 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 Whangārei?

From DOC's list, Uretiti Beach Campsite is the closest, about 26 km away in a straight line.

Are there free campsites near Whangārei?

Yes, 1 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