Rays Rest Camping Reserve
Kaiaua
-
Info
-
Reviews 85%
-
Similar 6
North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Miranda ▷
Rays Rest Reserve in Miranda is located beachside, next to the Taramaire Wildlife Refuge Reserve. The Franklin District Council allows free-camping for self contained motorhomes and campervans, for up to two nights.
You need a self-containment certificate, and to get in early to secure a good spot! Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The wetland environment is a stopover for thousands of migratory birds - drive in, park up, sit back and enjoy the surrounds.
Standard free-camping rules apply: take your rubbish with you, dispose of greywater only in designated dumpstations, and please obey all signage around this environmental gem. Love it!
Photos
Maps
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Overnight Camping Site Cost |
|
|
|
Overnight Stay Rules |
|
|
|
Maximum Stay Duration |
|
|
|
Pets |
|
|
|
Booking Required |
|
|
Contact
Miranda Address:
562 East Coast Road
31 reviews with the most recent first, showing page 1 of 3.
Trent
Ranking: 7/10
Awesome spot. As other have mentioned could have easily gotten bogged.
Sharon
Ranking: 9/10
LOVE this spot!!! Large flat area. Quiet. No amenities so make sure you are self-contained. Cloudy night but the stars would be amazing as little light pollution. Looking forward to a walk on the seashell covered beach in the morning for pictures of the sunrise and spotting shorebirds; maybe visit the Pukorokora Miranda Shorebird Centre www.miranda-shorebird.org.nz/about-us
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 74 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
ascotandanaussie
Ranking: 8/10
Great campsite close to Auckland. It is a big area so even when we arrived at 7pm there was still a few spots by the edge of the beach with an uninterrupted view. Only downside is the lack of toilet but worth it for the view!
Eversons
Ranking: 10/10
Made the last night in our van really special. Park right alongside the water. Great for bird watching. No facilities and no camping but that didn’t stop 2 tent fulls of teenagers!! Sunset pretty special here! Just down the road from the Miranda Bird place.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
Sinkbli
Ranking: 8/10
Great place. We stopped for our first night after picking up our rental campervan in Auckland. The views are beautiful, and there is a lot of space. There were probably 10 vans there with us, but it was easy to find a space and didn’t feel crowded at all.
Jim Harding
Ranking: 9/10
Perfect spot for self-contained campers and well located for access to the shore bird reserve. Best time to see the bird life is within 2 hours of high tide.
No facilities whatsoever, but that is part of the charm. Just be careful of a few soft sand areas.
Debbie Harding
Ranking: 8/10
Great spot but beware of soft surface. We saw people get stuck. Only downside was barking dogs. Not sure where they were but they woke me up several times during the night.
Avoid Camping Fines!
The only camping map where each location is approved by every regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
orit almog
Ranking: 9/10
Great spot to stop on the way to Aucland. amazing view, just near the water, peaceful location. no toilet. lots of space for everyone.
Jan Hiltermann
Ranking: 7/10
Although this site was quite busy (weekend in mid-November), the view was breathtaking though. Great for a first night in a self-contained vehicle. No facilities on site.
Vander Plancke Julien
Ranking: 7/10
Great spot were we stopped on our way to Auckland. The view is amazing mostly in the morning. Just missing a toilet.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
Anna Brzezińska Talaga
Ranking: 10/10
Nice spot. Easy to find and you can park right near the seaside. There were lots of campers but we still got a spot.
Gena Bond
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent place right on the beach. Crashing waves, beautiful scenery. Lots of spaces and we parked 50m from anyone and there was about 15 campers there. No facilities so needs to be self contained.
Jason Stalgis
Ranking: 9/10
We really liked this spot. There was a line of about 30 to 40 campers all along the top of the beach! Great spot to have a few beers and watch the sunset. We fished on the beach but didn't catch anything. Locals came down and put a net in. They were really nice people and gave us a few fishing tips. They do get flounder and snapper here. Nothing there except room to get off the road. I don't think I heard a car go past all night but I had put a few beers away.
Trent
Ranking: 7/10
Awesome spot. As other have mentioned could have easily gotten bogged.
Sharon
Ranking: 9/10
LOVE this spot!!! Large flat area. Quiet. No amenities so make sure you are self-contained. Cloudy night but the stars would be amazing as little light pollution. Looking forward to a walk on the seashell covered beach in the morning for pictures of the sunrise and spotting shorebirds; maybe visit the Pukorokora Miranda Shorebird Centre www.miranda-shorebird.org.nz/about-us
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 74 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
ascotandanaussie
Ranking: 8/10
Great campsite close to Auckland. It is a big area so even when we arrived at 7pm there was still a few spots by the edge of the beach with an uninterrupted view. Only downside is the lack of toilet but worth it for the view!
Eversons
Ranking: 10/10
Made the last night in our van really special. Park right alongside the water. Great for bird watching. No facilities and no camping but that didn’t stop 2 tent fulls of teenagers!! Sunset pretty special here! Just down the road from the Miranda Bird place.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
Sinkbli
Ranking: 8/10
Great place. We stopped for our first night after picking up our rental campervan in Auckland. The views are beautiful, and there is a lot of space. There were probably 10 vans there with us, but it was easy to find a space and didn’t feel crowded at all.
Jim Harding
Ranking: 9/10
Perfect spot for self-contained campers and well located for access to the shore bird reserve. Best time to see the bird life is within 2 hours of high tide.
No facilities whatsoever, but that is part of the charm. Just be careful of a few soft sand areas.
Debbie Harding
Ranking: 8/10
Great spot but beware of soft surface. We saw people get stuck. Only downside was barking dogs. Not sure where they were but they woke me up several times during the night.
Avoid Camping Fines!
The only camping map where each location is approved by every regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
orit almog
Ranking: 9/10
Great spot to stop on the way to Aucland. amazing view, just near the water, peaceful location. no toilet. lots of space for everyone.
Jan Hiltermann
Ranking: 7/10
Although this site was quite busy (weekend in mid-November), the view was breathtaking though. Great for a first night in a self-contained vehicle. No facilities on site.
Vander Plancke Julien
Ranking: 7/10
Great spot were we stopped on our way to Auckland. The view is amazing mostly in the morning. Just missing a toilet.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
Anna Brzezińska Talaga
Ranking: 10/10
Nice spot. Easy to find and you can park right near the seaside. There were lots of campers but we still got a spot.
Gena Bond
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent place right on the beach. Crashing waves, beautiful scenery. Lots of spaces and we parked 50m from anyone and there was about 15 campers there. No facilities so needs to be self contained.
Jason Stalgis
Ranking: 9/10
We really liked this spot. There was a line of about 30 to 40 campers all along the top of the beach! Great spot to have a few beers and watch the sunset. We fished on the beach but didn't catch anything. Locals came down and put a net in. They were really nice people and gave us a few fishing tips. They do get flounder and snapper here. Nothing there except room to get off the road. I don't think I heard a car go past all night but I had put a few beers away.
