Waipu Caves
Waipu Caves
Overnight Campervan Parking
Maps
Photos
Information
One night maximum
You must park in the designated site that is indicated by signage
If the site is full, you must move on
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Whangarei |
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Categories |
Reviews
Emma
Ranking: 9/10
What an amazing spot! Stayed 16/7/19.
Really far off the main road through the mountain, so no highway cars to be heard. You go over a bridge into the parking lot and the toilets are right there. The Waipu caves are only a 2min walk across a empty paddock and into the forest and are stunning! 10steps in and you can see the glistening glow worms. The only reason this isn’t a 10/10 is due to no kitchen fascilities and no showers (but there is a foot shower just next to the toilet) really nice location for self contained, non self contained and tents! Highly recommend this spot one of my favourite places, can’t believe it’s free! My self and my partner had no cellphone reception until we came back onto the highway.
Anthony
Ranking: 9/10
The caves are nice and the hike up to the top of the hill is very lovely. The hike is kind of hard to find, but basically just go to the left of the caves and you'll find it. There is no service out there, so make sure you know how to leave before you go to the site. Offline maps helped us.
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JT
Ranking: 10/10
the picture is not up to Date. there is lot of space for camping. we think for more than 30 cars. the cave is nice to visit. many glow worms.
Kristen
Ranking: 8/10
Arrived around 6pm and several campers were already set up, got full throughout the evening despite the listed 5 campervan restriction. The parking area was large enough so it wasn't an issue.
Short walk to the cave and there were plenty of glow worms right inside the entrance - no reason to wade through the water unless you want the experience.
Toilets were decent and there's an open shower for washing your feet after the cave. Some people went to the cave in the morning around 9 or 10, but the tour groups show up then so I would recommend going at night.
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Andrej
Ranking: 10/10
Very quiet and lovely place. Toilets were clean and had water and soap.
It is a bit in the middle of nowhere, but worth it.
Laurine
Ranking: 8/10
Good parking spot for one night. Toilets were not really clean in the evening but have been cleaned the next morning. Toilet and parking area has light in the night. There is a cold shower for the visitors of the Waipu Caves (which is a 1 minute walk away) to clean their muddy feet, but it doesn't have doors and walls. There are houses that aren't so far away so we felt save. Place we're quite busy the next morning but in the evening before we were the only ones in the caves for half an hour or so. Only one other campervan there over night (in September).
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Joseph
Ranking: 7/10
Down a very bumpy and some one lane corners but ok for a nights stay if you’re looking at the caves but the walk way they have there is for a look out that isn’t that great and very muddy!! The only caves are through the trees on the bottom by the car park, paid WiFi here too but bit pricy
Juliane
Ranking: 8/10
Good spot! Road was s bit scary with a big mobilhome in the darkness. Place was busier than expected.
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Mikayla Candido
Ranking: 7/10
Decent camp area. It’s free so can’t complain too much really.
The bathrooms were alright for a nights stay. No shower. No drinking water. Small area for campers. It was jam packed as it is peak season for campers in New Zealand. Says only 5 permitted but was about 18 vehicles all parked up close together.
If you want to stay get there early on. We arrived at 2pm and after 4 was when the whole lot of people started coming in.
Cool caves and nice hike to the top of the mountain.
Waipu Caves - Overnight Campervan Parking responds:
Whangarei District Council here. This is not a campground, it is a public place where overnight camping for one night is permitted. The majority of 'free' camping areas that are not on Department of Conservation land are the same - public parks and reserves but NOT campgrounds, so please do not expect any facilities other than a public toilet. There are signs saying you have to park within the designated area, but the sign does not say only 5 vehicles permitted. Hope this helps.
Debbie Lesurf
Ranking: 10/10
Lots of space in parking lot. Seems to fill up but was quiet and friendly crowd. Good toilets, well lit. Beautiful setting; perfect for visiting the glow worm caves.
