Pakiri Beach Holiday Park is just to the north of Leigh, this rural camp is right
on a superb east coast beach. The approach takes you along about 3km of
gravel road. Alongside the entrance is an office/store. Security gates protect
the camp from unwanted visitors. The camp is well laid out and the camping
area is spacious, flat and grassed with shelter from the predominant winds.
There are 15 power sites and 90 unpowered sites and a children’s playground
is set up in a tree-shaded corner near the entrance to the park. The basic
TV room adjoins a games room. The lined ablutions are in two blocks, with
roomy 50 cent metered showers plus a separate disability suite. The laundry
has good commercial wash and drying machines, with an annexe for tubs,
babies’ bath and ironing. The kitchen has gas hobs and all other facilities with
a servery to the smart dining room. A picnic marquee is great for summer
dining. No dogs here please. You hosts are Andre and Martie van Schalkwyk
who offer Eftpos. Ask about the kayaks. Unpowered camping sites start at $45. A day visitors fee may apply. Seasonal rates apply.

New Zealand's most famous west coast surf beach, Piha, is tucked on the coastal fringes of the Waitakere Ranges and reached by a spectacular (but windy!) scenic drive. The domain camp is situated on a level grassy area, with some dividing hedges and trees. The camp is bounded by the imposing Lion Rock on its seaward side, with the remainder encircled by playing fields, a tennis court and a lagoon for the children (who also have a safe adventure playground). The ablution block has swipe-card access for hot showers. with an outdoor cold-water shower and toilets (including disabled access) open to the public. There is a camp kitchen and BBQ cook-up area and the local store, post office and pay phone are opposite the camp. This relaxed, family camping environment offers prime surfing and fishing. The rugged beach is safe for swimming if the rules are strictly adhered to _ swim between the flags! Fiona Anderson is your host. All sites are from $15 per person.

7km from Warkworth, Sandspit Holiday Park is designed around family
camping with lots to keep the kids occupied for hours. The camp has its
own little beach and jetty, with a floating pontoon. free kayaks are available.
The games hall has table tennis, soccer and pool tables. Take a walk down
memory lane through the pioneer village of yesteryear. A brand new kitchen
and ablutions block has just been completed. In the kitchen is a huge table
and large doors leading to a covered deck, The ultra-modern showers and
toilet are new. Enjoy your evenings in the BBQ/dining area. Play a game of maxi chess while the meal cooks, meanwhile the children can get friendly
with the donkeys and sheep. An ‘olde’ picture theatre houses the TV room;
maybe spend some quiet time in the camp library. Safe swimming here for
the children plus many other outdoor activities in the area. Wireless Internet
available. Your hosts are Jared and Zena Morrison.

This holiday park has 7 beachfront camp sites at $24 per night ($48 Peak rate) and standard camp sites at $23 per night ($46 Peak rate). There are also hardstand sites for Motorhomes and caravans at $23 per night ($46 Peak rate).

You can view a map of the camp here

A pleasant 30 minute drive to the tip of the Awhitu Peninsula brings you to Big
Bay. (approx 90 minutes from Auckland) This relaxed kiwibatch/holiday park
is across the road from the white sandy beach and a sheltering bluff. The only
shop in Big Bay is found at the entrance to the camp. This new building houses
the camp office and 7-day general store and behind it can be found the new
camper’s pizza oven and outdoor dining area. Take-aways are available in the
summer. The older-style homely kitchen has hot plates and microwave and
plenty of fridge space. The modernised ablutions have metered showers, a
disabled access suite and an automatic laundry. Pets by prior arrangement and
wifi available. Ian and Helen are your hosts. Sites are from $38 per person
(unpowered), or $40 with power. Seasonal rates apply

Bethshan is situated right on the beachfront at Algies Bay, approx 1 hour north
of Auckland. To get there take State Highway 1 to Warkworth through to
Snells Beach and continue on the main road to Algies Bay. Look for the
camping sign. Turn left into Alexander Road then right at the bottom of the
hill into Willjames Ave. Bethshan is the end of the Willjames on the lefthand
side. Wrapped in beautiful native bush, it encourages a variety of native birds.
Cooking for tenters is by way of modern barbecues. The ablution block is
modern and clean and showers are free, as is use of the internet, laundry,
kayaks dingies and sailboats. Get away from it all and experience fishing and
boating. There are 16 sites with power $20 per adult per night and children
under 14 years are $10 per night. Your friendly hosts are Evan and Shirley
Algie

Following Huia Road from Titirangi, Barn Paddock campsite, on the Western
side of Huia Bay, is part of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. Combining
remote camping with an operating farm. Barn Paddock, is an undulating grassy
area surrounded by high, thickly wooded hills, with many walking tracks of
varying levels of difficulty nearby. There is cold water, long-drop toilets and an
all-purpose building with sinks, storage capacity or shelter from the elements.
Tent sites are $6 per adult and $4 per child. Annual camping passes are
available. Barn Paddock campsite, has a no animal and fire restriction.

Avondale Motor Park is a quiet urban camping, just 10 km from the city and within handy driving distance of Auckland_s main attractions. Head down a long sealed driveway, to well-kept grounds that open out behind the surrounding houses. Mature trees and a stream enhance the garden setting with grassy banks along one boundary. The stand-alone kitchen is airy, with a metered wall oven and microwave and gas-ring cooking. There are separate TV and internet rooms. An outdoor pergola has a picnic table and chairs on a flagstone terrace. A smart and immaculately kept ablution block has roomy free showers, a hair dryer and shaving points. There is a laundry with plenty of automatic equipment and an iron. Children have a great play area with a flying fox and trampoline. A dump station is available and the supermarket and city bus stops are handy. Your hosts are Anne and Krijn and Adrian and Jenny. Powered sites are from $ 25 for one person and $50 for two people extra adult $20 with extra child (under 14 years) $10. $18 per person for a tent site. In the peak summer season, bookings are essential.

Overlooking Home Bay, the campsite is near the Reid Homestead built in 1901. A stroll up through regenerating bush to the Northern Junction (via the Rotary Centennial Loop Track) and you can explore various WWII military remains including the battery which defended Auckland's harbour.

Total campsite capacity: 262 people.

Campsite pods

The Home Bay campsite is divided into different areas called pods.

The following pods are on the seaward side of the road:

• Salty Sea Dogs (23 tent sites) at the northern end of the campground.
• Nest & Fledglings (13 tent sites) in the middle of the campground.
• Shore Birds (21 tent sites)
• Heritage Heights (8 tent sites)

The remaining pods are on the stream side of the road:

• The Colony (34 tent sites) at the southern end.
• Night Owls (21 tent sites) near the large pohutukawa tree.
• Sleepy Hollow (11 tent sites) adjacent to the northern Norski toilet.
• Early Birds (11 tent sites) at the northern end of the campground.

If you are looking for the tranquillity of a remote camp bounded by a variety
of beaches and endless open spaces in harmony with pockets of native bush,
you will enjoy this park. From Warkworth, carry on to Matakana, from here
the park is well sign-posted. Towed caravans are not permitted. This is a lovely
drive and the roading within the park is good. There are delightful picnic spots
and room for 260 campers within the two designated areas. The east campground
is for tents only, and the west campground is for all forms of camping.
No power is available, but there are good clean toilets and taps are found
at intervals. The grounds are well-groomed and level-to-undulating. Access
to the nearest beaches and sand dunes is over stiles. The camp grounds are
within a marine reserve but there are other parts of the park where you can
fish. No dogs or fires are permitted. Sites are $13 per adult and $6 per child.

The Motuihe campsite is divided into five different areas, or 'pods': Confidence Site (3 tent sites), on the western side of the sealed road, 25m uphill from the toilet block. Parade Ground (28 tent sites), on the headland above wharf road. Follow the timber box steps 100m west of the toilet block. Captain Camping (8 tent sites), located at the end of the sealed road, uphill and to the left (325m). Puriri Ridge (5 tent sites), south of the sealed road amongst the puriri trees. Go uphill and around to the left (250m). Range Site (5 tent sites), south of the water tank tower. Go left off the sealed road (375m).