CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

Last issue we looked at some safe places to go for a first camp away from the city (ckw.nz/first-camp), this time we suggest more adventurous places, where you will be cast on your own resources more, but still less than 3hrs from home. You will need to pick a safe site (ground firm? branches that might fall? if there is a flood in the night? (more: ckw.nz/choosing-a-spot) remember to bring everything you need (all the pegs and all the poles, the water) etc.)

Not all of these allow dogs/pets. Here is a selection of dog friendly places: ckw.nz/dog-stop-stay or check out all our listings here: stopaandstay.org.

More on camping with pets.

Auckland campers

Tuppence Parkover

• DRIVE: 1:46hr Pirongia, Waikato

• FEE: yes.

• Must be self-contained.

• Dogs on leads.

Private POP, near the village. Base for walks in the forest park: extinct volcanoes, caves, dramatic gorges.

Horahora 

• DRIVE: 1:49hr Waikato

• Free, max 2 nights.

• Dog friendly.

• Toilets.

On the banks of the Waikato River. Swim, boat, fish, paddle board, row. ckw.nz/horahora

Uretiti Beach (DOC)

• DRIVE: 1:52hr Northland

• FEE: yes. Must book.

• Toilets. Safe water. Hot showers.

• No dogs, no fires. 

Walks. On the Te Araroa Trail. Swim at the patrolled beach. ckw.nz/doc-uretiti | More

Parua Bay 

• DRIVE: 2:19hr Northland

• Free, max 3 nights.

• Toilets. SC not required.

• Dogs OK.

Beachside reserve with a boat ramp.  Swim, fish, kayak etc. ckw.nz/parua-bay

Hamilton campers

Ray’s Rest 

• DRIVE: 1:14hr Firth of Thames

• Free, max 2 nights.

• Must be self-contained.

• No dogs.

• More

Beside the sea, beside a bird sanctuary.

Ocean Haven Farm, Otaua, North Waikato

• DRIVE: 1:21hr

• FEE: yes. ckw.nz/ocean-haven

• Pets ok on leads.

North of the river mouth on the coast. byo water and, optionally, horse. 

Lake Whakamaru Reserve, Waikato

• DRIVE: 1:26hr

• Free. >2 nights you need a (free) permit.

• Toilets, BBQ, boat ramp.

• Dogs allowed. ckw.nz/whakamaru

On the banks of the Waikato River, on the River Trails. more p5

Whakaipo Bay (DOC), Taupo

• DRIVE: 2:03hr

• Free. ckw.nz/doc-whakaipo

• Must be self-contained. No tents.

• No fires. 

• Dogs allowed, under control.

On the shores of Lake Taupo. Bike tracks, walks.  more: p5

Wellington campers

Kaitoke, Hutt Valley, Hutt Valley

• DRIVE: 0:44hr

• FEE: yes. ckw.nz/kaitoke

• Fires allowed in some places.

• Dogs ok, under control.

Camp, swim, tramp, bike, kayak, raft, picnic.

Morisons, Greytown, Wairarapa

• DRIVE: 1:16hr

• FEE: yes. ckw.nz/morisons-50yrs

• No fires. Dogs on leads.

• No-flush toilet.

Under trees by the Ruamahanga River. Swim, fish, paddle board, kayak. Read.

Totara Reserve, Pohangina, Manawatu

• DRIVE: 2:16hr

• FEE: yes. totarareserveregionalpark.co.nz

• Un/powered sites.

• No dogs.

Native forest, walking tracks, swimming holes, adventure playground.

Kai Iwi Campground, Whanganui

• DRIVE: 2:36hr

• FEE: yes; discount: APC & NZMCA.

• No fires. Dogs on leads mostly.

By the sea. Fish, walk, swim (summer patrol), playground. Family-friendly. 

Nearby: Bason Botanical Gardens & Westmere Lake wildlife reserve. kaiiwibeach.co.nz

Christchurch campers

Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury

• DRIVE: 1:02hr Inland scenic route

• FEE: yes. rakaiagorgecamp.net

• Water, toilets, kitchen-shelter; hot showers in summer. 

• Dogs on leads.

Winter: open with honesty box. Beside the gorge bridge, looks out over the valley. DOC walk, jet boat, fish. ckw.nz/doc-rakaia

Lake Pearson (DOC), Arthurs Pass

• DRIVE: 1:34hr

• FEE: yes. Must book.

• No-flush toilets. SC not required. 

• No dogs, fires, or power boats.

In the Craigieburn Forest Park. Tents OK. Swimming, walks, wildlife. ckw.nz/doc-lake-pearson

Peel Forest (DOC), Sth Canterbury

• DRIVE: 1:47hr

• FEE: yes. Must book. 

• No pets of any kind. No fires.

• Showers, flush toilets, kitchen. 

Accessible facilities. Un/power sites. No internet or mobiles. ckw.nz/doc-peel-forest

Lake Camp, HIgh Country, Mid Canterbury 

• DRIVE: 1:50hr

• Free. Donation box.

• No dogs. ckw.nz/lake-camp

• No-flush toilet. 

Lord of the Rings country behind Mt Somers. Beautiful.

More in issue 1 and issue 8.

Dunedin campers

Trotters Gorge Camp (DOC), North Otago

• DRIVE: 1hr

• FEE: yes. Must book.

• No-flush toilet.

• No fires. Dogs on leads.

Camp in the bush. Geosite. River-sculpted caves, sea views, birds. Too wet for vehicles in winter.

ckw.nz/doc-trotters ckw.nz/doc-trotters-tracks ckw.nz/geosite-trotters

Image: © Whitestone Geopark.

Slope Point, Catlins, Southland

• DRIVE: 2:43hr

• Free.

• No-flush toilet.

Roomy. An easy flat walk across private farmland to the point (no access during lambing, Sep–Nov).

Bendigo, Cromwell, Central Otago

• DRIVE: 2:5hr

• Free, max 3 nights. 

• Tents ok. Large vehicles.

• Toilets, rubbish bins, boat ramp.

• A LINZ campsite. ckw.nz/linz 

Swim, fish, kayak, paddle-board.

Lake Poaka (DOC), McKenzie Country

• DRIVE: 3hr

• Free, max 4 nights.

• No-flush toilet.

• Tents are ok; no need to be SC. 

• No dogs. No open fires.   more   ckw.nz/doc-poaka

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