Puketi Recreation Area Campsite
Puketi and Omahuta Forests
3.8 22 reviews
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Puketi Recreation Area Campsite
Camp at the eastern edge of the forest, close to kauri trees. Look out for kiwi and short-tailed bats. This is an ideal base for day or overnight tramps.
A real nature extravaganza! Camp at the edge of the Puketi Forest and have the chance to look out for kiwi and short-tailed bats, this is a great place to base yourself for day or overnight tramps. You can also mountain bike along the Pirau and Mokau Ridge Roads.
There are several places that you can access the recreational area from. The recommended entry point is from SH10 approximately 600 m north of the Waipapa Township.
Turn left along Pungaere Road past the sign directing you to the Puketi Forest Park. Follow Pungaere Road for approximately 15 kms. Take care as part of the road is gravelled.
At a T-intersection, turn left, follow the road for about 2 km. The entrance of the recreational area will be on your right.
If using alternative routes, refer to local maps as there is no DOC signage at other possible entry points to the Puketi Forest.
The campground is located in the vicinity of the Puketi Forest Hut and Puketi cabins. This campground is accessible to vehicles and you can park next to your campsite.
Notices
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Bay of Islands campsite closures from 10 April
The following campsites are closed due to effects of Cyclone Vaianu:
- Puketī Recreation Area Campsite
- Sunset Bay Campsite
- Urupukapuka Bay Campsite
These closures will be reassessed Friday 17 April.
First published on 10 April 2026.
Accommodation
DOC Campsite Pricing
Puketī Recreation Area Campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
DOC Standard Campsite
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $15.00 to $20.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $7.50 to $10.00 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 |
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Organisation |
DOC NorthlandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kerikeri |
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Operating Season And Hours |
The campsite is currently closed from April 10, 2026, due to severe weather from Cyclone Vaianu, with reassessment scheduled for April 17, 2026. Bookings for the 2026/27 season open at 12 noon on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Same-day online bookings are available until 8 pm if spaces remain. |
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Coordinates |
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Basic Camping
Google Maps
Reviews
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Nice place.
DT -
What a gem!
Theresa -
$7 in the forest, a nice basecamp.
Isabel Winkow -
Great Campsite.
Shanon -
Camping for adults and nature lovers.
Amelia Whitford
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The worst experience on a campsite we have so far for the first time we pay for one night (we usually go to free camps).
Toilets were disgusting with several dozens of flies on each of them. We could not use them. No signal at all and very lost place with ungraveled road to access but still okay to drive. Lovely forest but did not worth the bad experience for us.
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A reasonable campsite, but you may need to choose wisely where park or pitch a tent if your night is to be very wet.
Toilets were OK, and there is water. Extremely good kauri forest trails immediately adjacent. Well worth visiting the kauri trees.
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Forest campground at beginning of trail.
Long drop toilets and shower were disgusting (dirt and very strong ammonia smell). There were more people than spots available, even though we reserved our spot online. Not DOC-worthy.
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Camping for adults and nature lovers.
Quiet, facilities are clean. Showers were cold but it was summer so not a big issue. Each area is sort of segregated by trees so you have that little bit of extra privacy. There’s different sites to choose from so first in first served is mainly to get a good spot as well. My partner and I loved it and it was his first time camping ever.
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What a gem!
Beautiful spot surrounded by the bush. No road noise, just the sound of trees and birds. There are long drop toilets which aren’t too bad and a cold shower. Nice little kauri tree walk as well.
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Nice location.
The little forest walk was nice. Went back at night to find some kiwis. Didn't spot any but heard a few. Toilets were nasty though. Hold your breath!
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Great Campsite.
$8per adult, cold shower available, water supply (must be boiled), long drop. Areas within the trees sectioned off. Walking trails to the forest right next door.
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Good spot in amongst the forest with plenty of bush walks.
About 2 min drive from the kauri forest walk. Space for at least 20 sites. Shower..very cold shower. Clean drop toilets, dishes washing facility, bush hut for hikers. MIDGIES (sand flies). Went for a night walk to look for kiwis! Heard them calling very close, but couldn’t see them. Found a kauri snail though!
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Nice place.
The toilets are ok, but they are compostable toilets, thats why it was kind of a windy experience. The kauri forest next too the camping is accessible for free and very pretty. The Shower is cold. The price was very good 8 $ each person for one night.
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Nice area.
Very peaceful. Quite annoying that it is such a good deal for $8 but there is no way to make change if you have $10, $20 notes etc. HAVE CASH ON YOU.
Clean toilets. Nice shower. Good place to wash your dishes. Well maintained camping ground.
No one came to check our ticket or anything - would have preferred to have just waited until someone came around to deposit the money as when you put it in the envelope to be put into the Dropbox, the envelope doesn’t go all the way in.
Not a very good system in that sense.
Otherwise nice place to stay for a couple nights.
Avoid the rooster that wanders at all cost.....
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Good basic camping with clean vault toilets and a friendly ranger.
Difficult if arriving at night to find a parking spot. We didn't do the walk and there is a lot of development happening in the region.
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The campsite is easy to find.
The cold shower and the toilets were clean. There is enough space for approximately 20 vehicles. 45minutes to reach the Bay of Islands.
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A drive that requires commitment, best you come from SH10 and turn at Pungaere Road.
A gravel road is unavoidable but worth the drive out. New amenities with two pit toilets and cold shower. $6 to stay overnight. Access to forest walks right next to campsite.
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We stayed here for 1 night.
+ Right in the forest so lovely and quiet,
+ There is some fantastic views not the drive form the south,
+ We're pretty sure we saw some kiwis whilst we were here,
- Toilets a bit smelly,
- Very difficult to find,
- When we were there, there seemed to be an abandoned car with doors and windows open stuck half in a bush.
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The worst experience on a campsite we have so far for the first time we pay for one night (we usually go to free camps).
Toilets were disgusting with several dozens of flies on each of them. We could not use them. No signal at all and very lost place with ungraveled road to access but still okay to drive. Lovely forest but did not worth the bad experience for us.
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A reasonable campsite, but you may need to choose wisely where park or pitch a tent if your night is to be very wet.
Toilets were OK, and there is water. Extremely good kauri forest trails immediately adjacent. Well worth visiting the kauri trees.
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Forest campground at beginning of trail.
Long drop toilets and shower were disgusting (dirt and very strong ammonia smell). There were more people than spots available, even though we reserved our spot online. Not DOC-worthy.
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Camping for adults and nature lovers.
Quiet, facilities are clean. Showers were cold but it was summer so not a big issue. Each area is sort of segregated by trees so you have that little bit of extra privacy. There’s different sites to choose from so first in first served is mainly to get a good spot as well. My partner and I loved it and it was his first time camping ever.
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What a gem!
Beautiful spot surrounded by the bush. No road noise, just the sound of trees and birds. There are long drop toilets which aren’t too bad and a cold shower. Nice little kauri tree walk as well.
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Nice location.
The little forest walk was nice. Went back at night to find some kiwis. Didn't spot any but heard a few. Toilets were nasty though. Hold your breath!
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Great Campsite.
$8per adult, cold shower available, water supply (must be boiled), long drop. Areas within the trees sectioned off. Walking trails to the forest right next door.
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Good spot in amongst the forest with plenty of bush walks.
About 2 min drive from the kauri forest walk. Space for at least 20 sites. Shower..very cold shower. Clean drop toilets, dishes washing facility, bush hut for hikers. MIDGIES (sand flies). Went for a night walk to look for kiwis! Heard them calling very close, but couldn’t see them. Found a kauri snail though!
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Nice place.
The toilets are ok, but they are compostable toilets, thats why it was kind of a windy experience. The kauri forest next too the camping is accessible for free and very pretty. The Shower is cold. The price was very good 8 $ each person for one night.
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Nice area.
Very peaceful. Quite annoying that it is such a good deal for $8 but there is no way to make change if you have $10, $20 notes etc. HAVE CASH ON YOU.
Clean toilets. Nice shower. Good place to wash your dishes. Well maintained camping ground.
No one came to check our ticket or anything - would have preferred to have just waited until someone came around to deposit the money as when you put it in the envelope to be put into the Dropbox, the envelope doesn’t go all the way in.
Not a very good system in that sense.
Otherwise nice place to stay for a couple nights.
Avoid the rooster that wanders at all cost.....
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Good basic camping with clean vault toilets and a friendly ranger.
Difficult if arriving at night to find a parking spot. We didn't do the walk and there is a lot of development happening in the region.
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The campsite is easy to find.
The cold shower and the toilets were clean. There is enough space for approximately 20 vehicles. 45minutes to reach the Bay of Islands.
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A drive that requires commitment, best you come from SH10 and turn at Pungaere Road.
A gravel road is unavoidable but worth the drive out. New amenities with two pit toilets and cold shower. $6 to stay overnight. Access to forest walks right next to campsite.
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Great DOC campsite, in the beautiful puketi forest.
Nice tracks to see Kauri trees. Good facilities (cold showers and basic toilets)
Very good spots to park your campervan or yout tent. Not so far from Pahia
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We stayed here for 1 night.
+ Right in the forest so lovely and quiet,
+ There is some fantastic views not the drive form the south,
+ We're pretty sure we saw some kiwis whilst we were here,
- Toilets a bit smelly,
- Very difficult to find,
- When we were there, there seemed to be an abandoned car with doors and windows open stuck half in a bush.