Hitting the Northland beaches — Stop and Stay
Gary Stoneley
Check out our Stop and Stay listings for recommended places to stop and stay on your travels around the top of NZ.
Only the best. www.stopandstay.org
Heading up to the top of the North Island to see Cape Reinga is on most people’s bucket lists. For those who enjoy a bit of camping, finding that perfect spot to stay is an added bonus. Finding two such places is something special.
Tapotupotu DOC campsite
Situated only a couple of km’s south of Cape Reinga the Department of Conservation, Tapotupotu camping area is well worth the drive down into the secluded bay.
Very popular over the Christmas and January period it is recommended that you book through DOC if you are wanting to stay during that period. For the bulk of the year you can just roll up to the camp and choose your spot.
The camp is located on the foreshore of a small bay and lagoon suitable for swimming. For hikers there is the coastal walkway to explore.
To get to the camp it is an easy drive down a short winding metalled road, suitable for all vehicles. Camping sites are flat with several different areas. There are multiple, vault toilets on site but you need to take your own drinking water.
Instead of driving up to the Cape and back in one day why not stay overnight at this special place and see the cape at first light or sunset. Standard DOC charges apply.
Erratum: In our printed magazine we incorrectly showed this camp asTaputaputa, another Northland campground. taputaputa.nz
Matauri Bay Holiday Park
Thirty kms north of Keri Keri is Matauri Bay. It’s a steep, tarsealed road down to the campground and reserve but a relatively easy climb back out, even with large vehicles.
A large, flat, campground with all amenities plus store and gas station is situated in a wide sandy bay. Which is a shell collector’s paradise.
A very picturesque bay, the water is warm, safe and popular for swimming and with a moderate surf. The location, view and peacefulness is such that it is hard to pack up and leave when it’s time to go.
Prices are very good, including full facilities, and non-powered sites are just slightly more than DOC camp fees. For a bit more you can have a powered site.
This camp comes highly recommended as fantastic value for money, beautiful surroundings and terrific hosts.
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