The 12 Most Awesome North Island Campgrounds
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Experience a fun-filled road trip in a JUCY camper We’ve picked our 12 favourite North Island campgrounds to suit every style of New Zealand roadie (road trip).
The Great Kiwi Camping Holiday is a staple of every childhood memory. In fact, are you even Kiwi if you didn’t grow up on a sun-drenched beach with the sound of a ball game being played in the background? Or bush-whacking your way through a riverside trail with Dad leading the charge?
What better way to reclaim your childhood than on a Great Kiwi Road Trip? Only this time, instead of scrapping for elbow-space in a sweaty tent with your siblings, you rent a campervan. This time you can enjoy space, sturdy shelter, and some home comforts.
We’ve selected the awesome-est North Island campgrounds to suit every kind of Kiwi holiday.
Spirits Bay, Far North
Ah, the great Kiwi summer starts the minute you see a beach, right? Even in spring, autumn, and winter! Obvs it’s a tough call to pick one best beach campground when the North Island has several hundred to choose from!
But we did it.
Our fave is Spirits Bay, at the northernmost tip of the Far North. This Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite is about as far from the rat race as you can get in a vehicle. Think of broad sandy beaches, sparkling blue waters, and (as it’s super-secluded) some ‘at one with nature’ vibes. It’s a beautiful spot. The grounds are on a first-come, first-served basis but if you arrive early, you should be sweet to snag one of the 45 non-powered spots. In the area there are plenty of places to swim, dive, or tramp, and the bay forms part of the Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway.
Dog-friendly: No
Fernland Spa, Tauranga
Camping can be a little bit grimy at times: sandy feet, sea-salty bodies, sweaty socks. Not so romantic, hmmm? Until you decide to camp at the lush Fernland Spa with its onsite thermal pools. Yup, you and your special someone can stroll from your JUCY camper to the hot pools and soak away the less lovey-dovey parts of any roadie.
Situated in a tranquil location only fifteen minutes from Tauranga, this is the best of both worlds. Or three worlds, as you have access to all of Tauranga and Mount Manganui’s goodies, the expanse of nature across the Fernland Spa grounds, and the mineral-rich, chlorine-free thermal waters. Plus, you and your plus one can also get a massage or book a private pool for a very affordable rate.
Dog-friendly: No
Kauri Coast Top 10 Holiday Park, Dargaville
If setting up your JUCY camper and nestling amid two picturesque hectares of native bush sounds like heaven to you, then don’t miss a stay at the Kauri Coast Top 10 Holiday Park. Imagine waking up in the morning to birds tweeting, then taking a short walk to the swimming hole for a morning dip. Afterwards, you can even stroll along the nature trail. If you're bringing the kids, the flying fox is a bonus.
Bring some spending money as the real star of a stay here happens after dark. Discover the secrets of the forest on a tour through Trounson Kauri Park forest.
While the campsite is an awesome experience in nature in itself, you also have access to some Northland treasures nearby. Including the famed giant kauri tree, Tane Mahuta, which is only 20km away.
Dog-friendly: Yes, on a leash
Waikawau Bay Campsite, Coromandel
When you’re travelling with your children, peace of mind is a big drawcard. That’s why we love the family-friendly DOC Waikawau Bay Campsite and its safe sea waters for swimming and fishing. The unspoiled white sandy beach isn’t so bad, either.
This is the chill life! Alongside being the gateway to the Northern Coromandel gems, Waikawau is surrounded by treasures, with two estuaries, broad wetlands, and native bush, its the perfect place to kayak, swim, fish and explore.
Waikawau has no cooking facilities, so it’s super handy that our 4-berth Condo or 3-berth Chaser have kitchens, so you can set up home with ease. BYO (bring your own) supplies as it’s a 15-minute drive to the nearest store.
Dog-friendly: No
Whakaipō Bay Recreational Reserve, Lake Taupo
If you’re road tripping in a self-contained JUCY Chaser,Condo, or Big Kahuna, then the free DOC Whakaipo campground gives you the best lakeside camping in Taupo.
It’s a short walk over the native shrubbery to reach the lakeside beach, and that natural boundary gives the campground a sense of privacy and serenity that inspires rest and relaxation. If you want to amp things up, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or explore the mountain bike track too.
The 50 non-powered campsites are on a first-come-first-served basis, with a maximum stay limit of four nights.
Dog-friendly: Dogs on a leash
Mangaokewa Scenic Reserve, Waikato
Is this possibly New Zealand’s sparkliest stay? The Mangaokewa Scenic Reserve is close to the Waitomo Caves (25-minute drive) for glow worms by day. By night, the solitude of the reserve makes for some spectacular stargazing (weather permitting).
This beautiful riverside location gives you a sense of freedom and time. It’s spacious, too, so you don’t need to park close to your neighbours unless you want to. The mobile connection can be a bit of a wild car here, so you’ll need to commit to some time to disconnect and connect with the stunning local scenery of the tramping tracks that cross the Mangaokewa stream. While you’re here, chill, cook up a storm in your JUCY kitchen.
Dog-friendly:No
Seabreeze Holiday Park, Coromandel
Did you know that JUCY has dog-friendly campers? This is a big win for the family and the fur-kids (max two) as you all get to stay together on your Kiwi roadie – hurrah! In our humble opinion, there’s no better alarm clock than the birds tweeting outside your campervan and a dog licking your face!
We’re fans of the Seabreeze Holiday Park for not only allowing your dog to stay (by prior arrangement) but also for allowing them into their onsite brewery and brasserie. The whole fam can enjoy the country outlook at Seabreeze, as well as the onsite gym, BBQ, volleyball, and bike and spade hire. The latter is important as Hot Water Beach is less than 10 minutes away, as is Hahei, Cooks Beach, and Cathedral Cove
Dog-friendly: Duh! Yes!
Whakapapa Holiday Park, Tongariro
Returning to the comfort of your JUCY camper after tramping the iconic Tongariro Crossing is a feeling of complete bliss. Cooking up a feast to refuel, before plopping down on our comfy mattress for a night’s sleep is heaven!
Even more heavenly at the Whakapapa Holiday Park are their free hot showers, and free unlimited Wi-Fi. The latter is crucial for those social brag pics you’ve earned for nailing the Tongariro Crossing.
Dog-friendly: No
Flaxmill, Coromandel
You're over sweating in a tent and you love the idea of all the comforts of a JUCY campervan. But juuuuust in case, you’d like to know that there is a fail-safe back-up available. If this is you, then a stay at the boutique Flaxmill Bay at Cooks Beach in the Coromandel offers powered and non-powered camping sites for your JUCY wheels, but also adorable Sleeper Cabins or cottages. Flaxmill is also a great option if you’re hiring a JUCY car.
Flaxmill Bay has one of those stunning Kiwi beaches that as a child made you believe that summer would never end and Jelly Tips were always free. While you’re here, you can enjoy some R&R at the beach, family time around the BBQ, or head off on a rejuvenating bushwalk.
Coromandel hotspots are also super accessible from Flaxmill, including Hot Water Beach, Cooks Beach, the Cathedral Cove Walkway, and ferry to Whitianga (perfect for a break cooking from yummy meals in your JUCY camper kitchen).
Dog-friendly: No
Tatapouri Bay
The relatively undiscovered surf breaks of the eastern cape make a roadie to the region a must if you’re into right-point breaks and beach breaks.
Arise from your non-powered site to see the sunrise before the rest of New Zealand at Tatapouri Bay, a gorgeous campground in Makorori Bay, only 16km from Gisborne. A stay here is soul-enriching as you listen to the waves break metres from your campsite. The expansive night sky doesn’t disappoint either.
Onsite there are free hot showers to wash that salty seawater off, along with a BBQ area, laundry facilities, and a very handy café (caffeine is our buzz). Oh, and free Wi-Fi.
Dog-friendly: Yes
We probs don’t need to say it, but here’s a quick reminder about the Tiaki Promise. Tread lightly, leave no trace, be respectful, and travel with an open heart and mind.
Tempted to take a roadie? We’ve got great rates for great mates (aka YOU) and some JUCY camper wheels to whisk you away.
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