Camping is an inexpensive way to spend the night somewhere, a form of more independent travel, and a way to connect with nature. The Auckland region has a great selection of places to pitch your tent or park your campervan for the night. In this Auckland camping guide, we’ll go over all of them. So, look through the directory below to find the best places to campsites in Auckland, NZ, like Holiday Parks or DOC Campsites.
Types Of Campsites In Auckland, NZ
In Auckland, there are four types of campsites: holiday parks, council campsites, Department of Conservation (DoC) campsites, and free campsites/freedom camping. Here are the main distinctions:
Holiday Parks
Holiday parks in Auckland provide a higher standard of facilities than DoC or council-run campsites. Unsurprisingly, this comes at a higher cost: NZ$18-$55 per night for two people. They also provide a variety of lodging options, but campers can always rely on holiday parks for powered sites to charge their campervan and tent sites (providing there is availability).
Council Campgrounds
Auckland has 44 campgrounds spread out across the city. Most campgrounds are very basic, beginning with a toilet and water supply (though you will most likely need to treat the water), though some campgrounds have additional amenities such as gas barbecues and cooking shelters. Keep in mind that many of the campgrounds are only accessible on foot and are only suitable for tents. SCC Parking Areas and SCC Campgrounds are only available to certify self-contained vehicles.
DOC Campsites
The campsites on the Hauraki Gulf islands are maintained by the Department of Conservation. Expect toilets, water (which may need to be treated), cold showers, and picnic tables.
Freedom Camping
In Auckland, you can camp for free. In Auckland, freedom camping usually refers to a car park with no facilities where you can sleep in your campervan for free. As a result, only certified self-contained vehicles are permitted to go freedom camping.
Best Campsites In Auckland
Commercial Holiday Parks in Auckland
Matakana Coast
- Martins Bay Holiday Park, Warkworth
- Whangateau Holiday Park, Warkworth
- Goat Island Camping, Leigh
- Sheep World Caravan Park and Camping, Warkworth
- Sandspit Holiday Park, Warkworth
Hibiscus Coast
- Pinewoods Motor Park, Orewa
- Orewa Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, Orewa
North Shore
- Auckland North Shore Motels and Holiday Park, Northcote
Kaipara Harbour
- Parakai Springs, Helensville
Waitakere
- Muriwai Beach Motor Camp, Muriwai powered site
- Piha Beach Motor Camp, Piha
Auckland City Central
- Avondale Motor Park, Avondale
- Remuera Motor Lodge, Meadowbank
Manukau
- Orere Point Top 10 Holiday Park, Manukau Heads
- Port Waikato Holiday Park, Te Kohanga
- Bruce Pluman Park, Takanini
- Orua Bay Motor Camp, Orua Bay
Hauraki Gulf
- Stray Possum Lodge, Great Barrier Island
- Awana Mickey’s Campground, Great Barrier Island
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Auckland Council Campgrounds
Kaipara Harbour
- Atiu Creek Campground, Atiu Creek Regional Park
- Atiu SCC Parking Area, Atiu Creek Regional Park
Matakana Coast
- Mita Bay Campground, Sullivan’s Bay
- Sullivan’s Bay Campground, Sullivan’s Bay
- Schischka Campground, Wenderholm
- Wenderholm SCC Parking Area, Wenderholm
- Mahurangi SCC Campground, Sullivan’s Bay
- Scandrett SCC Parking Area, Scandrett Park
Hibiscus Coast
- Te Haruhi Bay Campground, Shakespear Park
- Shakespear SCC Campground, Shakespear Park
- Tawharanui All Modes Campground, Tawharanui Park
North Shore
- Long Bay SCC Parking Area, Long Bay
Auckland City Central
- Ambury Campground, Mangere
Waitakere
- Craw Campground, Anawhata
- Craw SCC Parking Area, Anawhata
- Opanuku Pipeline Campground, Cascade Kauri
- Pae o te Rangi Campground, Cascade Kauri
- Cascade Kauri SCC Parking Area, Cascade Kauri
- Glen Eske Road SCC Parking, Piha
- Log Race Road SCC Parking, Piha
Manukau
- Brook Homestead Campground, Awhitu Park
- Peninsula Campground, Awhitu Park
- Awhitu SCC Parking Area, Awhitu Park
- Lower Mangatawhiri Campground, Hunua Ranges
Department of Conservation Campsites in Auckland
Motutapu Island
- Home Bay Motutapu Island Campsite
Motuihe Island
- Motuihe Island Campsite
Moturoa Island
- Moturoa Island Campsite
Great Barrier Island
- Akapoua Bay, Port FitzRoy
- Awana Beach Campsite
- Harataonga Beach
- Medlands Beach Campsite
- The Green Campsite, Whangaparapara Harbour
- Whangapoua Campsite, Whangapoua Estuary
Freedom Camping in Auckland
The Auckland region has very little choice for freedom camping. However, there are a few spots to stay the night for free if you are traveling in a certified self-contained campervan:
- Gulf Harbour Car Park, Hibiscus Coast
- Ray’s Rest Camping Reserve, between Kaiaua and Miranda, South Auckland
- Te Toro Scenic Reserve, Awhiti
- Hamiltons Gap, Manukau
- Rosa Birch Park, Pukekohe
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