Whitikau Campsite

Raukumara Forest Park

4 3 reviews

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Department of Conservation

Whitikau Camping Ground

Department of Conservation

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Information

Whitikau Campsite

A remote campsite at Whitikau entrance to Raukumara Conservation Park.

Located alongside the mighty, long and winding Motu Coach road, this remote campsite is at the Whitikau entrace to Raukumara Forest Park.

Notices

Motu road closed due to big slip

There has been a significant slip on Motu Road, resulting in the loss of a section of the roadway. The road is closed, preventing access to the Whitikau Campsite from the northern end of Motu Road (SH35).

Access to the Whitikau Campsite will be available via the southern end of Motu Road (SH2) only, until further notice.
First published on 19 December 2025.

Accommodation

Standard

Whitikau Campsite

Unpowered Campsite
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DOC Campsite Pricing

Whitikau Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	$0.00 per night
Unpowered Site	Child	$0.00 per night
Unpowered Site	Infant	$0.00 per night

Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC East Coast

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Opotiki

Categories

Basic Camping

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-38.1176410128773

177.589904135895

Latitude
-38.1176410128773
Longitude
177.589904135895

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Free Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping and any vehicle Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.
Campsite Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Boil water from stream before drinking	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Boil water from stream before drinking
Booking Required	First Come, First Served Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. The Motu Coach Road less suited to caravans and large campervans	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. The Motu Coach Road less suited to caravans and large campervans
Dogs	No dogs allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.
Vehicle Access	Vehicle accessible Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. Unsealed road access	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. Unsealed road access
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Basic Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.
Toilet	Public toilet Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.	Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.

Reviews

4 3 Reviews Analysis
Nice remote camp.
Great if you want to get away from it all and just immerse yourself in nature. We arrived on adventure motorcycles and the road in was scenic. Probably only really suitable for four wheel drive vehicles and motorcycles as the road in is tight, windy and muddy.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2022

Jayson
Beautiful setting surrounded by Bush covered hills and very isolated but very quiet at night with just the gentle sound of the nearby river and the occasional morepork at night.
Just a longdrop toilet and two campfire sites, but costs nothing. Access down a long gravel road off the infamous Motu Coach Road which is recommended for 4WDs from the Motu/Matawai end although standard cars are OK.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2018

Kevin Sims
There is a gravel and dangerous road, around 30 km and 1hour to reach it.
The campsite itself is nice, but the entrance to Motu Road starting close to Opotiki is absolutely not for campervans and just for 4wd cars.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in October 2015

Davide Dalfovo

Whitikau Campsite

Whitikau Campsite

Raukumara Forest Park

Photos

Information

Whitikau Campsite

Notices

Motu road closed due to big slip

Accommodation

Whitikau Campsite

Unpowered Campsite

DOC Campsite Pricing

DOC Basic Campsite

Details

DOC East Coast

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Stay Rules

Overnight Stay Rules

Campsite Managing Organisation

Campsite Managing Organisation

Water Supply

Water Supply

Booking Required

Booking Required

Large Vehicle Access

Large Vehicle Access

Dogs

Dogs

Vehicle Access

Vehicle Access

DOC Campsite Category

DOC Campsite Category

Toilet

Toilet

Reviews