Beachfront Reserves, Cooks Beach
Beachfront Reserves, Cooks Beach
Overnight Campervan Parking
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Information
All freedom campers must be certified self-contained.
Maximum stay of two consecutive nights, departure by 9am.
Park only between the freedom camping signs.
Location - South-east end at Purangi Reserve boat ramp overflow parking, seaward side to the west of the boat ramp.
Size - 40m starting from the north-east corner and heading south-west.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga |
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Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 24.
Simon Foster
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful place to camp and free! Ranger was very friendly too
Kate
Ranking: 10/10
Absolutely beautiful find on the bank of the estuary/beach. Clean toilet and picnic benches to use. Long way down the road from the town but nice and quiet
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The big German family
Ranking: 10/10
The place is wonderful! Quite, clean and public toilets. Beach nearby. We arrived at nighttime and did not realise that all places were gone (it’s quite a large grassy area but less then 10 places). We had a note at the car the next morning, the ranger was obviously around that night. He did not wake us up, no penalties as well (Thank you, unknown ranger!). We liked it a lot!
Erika
Ranking: 7/10
Lots of campers already there in February. We asked someone to move to make room and they very kindly did so. Others arrived later than us and parked in a second row. Toilets a bit of a walk and no view
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Monika
Ranking: 7/10
The place is pretty good. Spot itself doesn't have a beatiful view but within 5 min walking distance you can enjoy a really amazing landscape. The ranger (or however you call him) came 8am in the morning to check if any vehicles park outside the designated place for sc cars and if all are sc. There were 3 parked out of the sign area and he gave them just a warning. In a line between arrows there were 9 vehicles parked (3m distance was not maintained though). We asked the ranger if two lines can be formed and he said yes, as long as it is inbetween arrows and before the the road. So in total I guess 12 vehicles can park there, maybe 18 if you nicely squeeze. Toilet and bbq within 2min walking distance. According to what locals said the ranger visits often.
Andy Bond
Ranking: 6/10
Visited this place 2 years ago in the main holiday season and it was busy but not as cramped as tonight with 13 vans. Great location but with such a small area its too busy and not my idea of freedom camping. Last time we met two great NZ couples who we are still in contact. but tonight there are too many vans here and I'm not sure how some of the cars are self contained. Trouble is this will have a negative effect on freedom camping. Overall great location but too cramped and well used.
Problem is its near Cathedral Cove, maybe if there were a few more sites it would take pressure off this location.6/10 due to overcrowding.
Jeanne
Ranking: 7/10
Good place to stay for free. Very quiet but also no lights. The toilets are very far off, especially if you have to find your way at night. They were clean though. There was also a play ground and cooking area with a nice view.
There were much more campers than the actual 6 available spots, so it was quite crowded.
It got very cold at night (maybe we were just unlucky) and there were lots of mosquitos.
The town was empty and all the shops were closed early, no opportunity to get food in the evening.
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jofa972
Ranking: 6/10
I didn't feel like this place was amazing... You have to park in a field next to several houses, and the toilets are a bit far away if you want to go there the night. Also there was not enough place for us so we stayed outside the 2 arrows (we didn't have anywhere else to go and it was already the night), like another campervan... Nothing happened to us though
Maddie F
Ranking: 9/10
Public toilets 3 minutes walk and picnic tables too. Very quiet.
Katharina Pisarew
Ranking: 7/10
Stayed over one night, it’s ok, nothing spectacular. Toilets are quite a walk, if rainy (like for us) the road is dirty, so put on good shoes. Ok for 1 night.
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Nicolas Cuervo
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful and very quiet location, pass the toilets and picnic tables and follow the signs. Get there EARLY as it fills up quickly. There is space for 6-7 campervans; but make sure you park between the signs only, as there is a lot more space of grass but you are not allow to stay there (which is a shame).
Toilets are about 3 min walk. Get insect repellent as you are parking by the river and there is a lot of mosquitoes at night.
Leanne Taylor-Smith
Ranking: 9/10
Perfect little spot to free camp, room for 4-6 in the designated area. As the review before says- the location is around the corner, in a field, just follow signs. Toilet facilities a short walk.
Aaron Brose
Ranking: 7/10
Really beautiful location right on the bay. The parking is on a large patch of grass. A bit far off the main road but a good alternative if the cathedral cove is full.
