Waipu Caves
Overnight Campervan Parking
27 Rankers Reviews
0 Face-to-Face
Online Maps
Camping NZ NEW
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
Get the best out of it. Here's how…
Photos
Information
Covid19 information can be found here: http://www.wdc.govt.nz/FacilitiesandRecreation/ReservesandOpenSpaces/Pages/Camping-in-public-places.aspx
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Location |
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Whangarei |
|
|
Categories |
Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 27.
Get the best out of it. Here's how…
Roxkey
Ranking: 10/10
Awesome stay here! The gravel road to get there was a bit rough on our van but other then that it was a lovely stay! There was about 9 other camper vans but still plenty more space, public starting arriving around 10am the next day. Toilets were clean and outdoor shower was working. Glow worms were incredible!
Ash Jane
Ranking: 9/10
Great free spot right beside awesome caves with glow worms at night time! Heaps of shade provided by tree too. Plenty of space to park up and the toilets were very clean with TP, soap and lights at night time.
Only down side is the road to Waipu Cave is unsealed and very bumpy for about 5km, someone drove in on a flat tyre while we were there!
Bluescruize
Ranking: 9/10
Great experience through these caves! Nice spot to camp also! A few others were also there, definitely recommend. Tidy bathrooms.
Olivia
Ranking: 6/10
We visited this campsite and the glow worm caves but didn't stay.
When we arrived there were 2 or 3 people staying there in their campervans.It is a long gravel road to get there, which is why we opted out og staying here as we were traveling with a Caravan and didn't want to risk it without knowing the road.
After visiting we would still not stay there in our caravan unless we were desperate.
The parking lot is large and gravel and can accommodate a large number of guests.
There is plenty of space to pitch tents and also toilets, which when we were there were not good. Dirty and blocked!
Avoid Camping Fines!
Each camping location is approved by a 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…
Crystal
Ranking: 7/10
Beautiful abd quiet, but 2 bathroom stalls are out of order. Fun to wake up and explore!
Kris
Ranking: 10/10
Cleanb flush toilet, with lights. Went for a walk in the caves. Very cool!
Stefan Hohmann
Ranking: 8/10
Absolute silent free campsite, directly at the Waipu Caves. One of the two toilets was out of order, outdoor shower was working. The photo here doesn't match the signs at the parking, but no one cares about campervans all over the parking area in this wilderness. Tents are also possible at the great grass area surrounding the graveled parking.
Adam
Ranking: 8/10
Great spot next to the caves with flushing toilets. Lots of room!
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.
Bran
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful campsite with plenty of space and decent toilets. Cave system was an amazing experience saw countless glow worms and several eels. Definitely bring swimming shorts or something similar in to the caves as it does get waist high if you choose to venture all the way to the end.
Can't argue with free!
Serena
Ranking: 8/10
Very good spot with free access to glow worm caves just next to the campsite. Toilets were adequate but struggled with the locks, and there is a cold outdoor shower. Quite off the beaten track with a long gravel road to get there. Caves were definitely a highlight, much easier to walk in trainers/flip flops in the river rather than on the rocks/mud. WiFi didn’t work which was a shame as no service down there for our first night camping
HB
Ranking: 9/10
Great free spot for a night by the caves. Place filled up end of Jan but not over crowded. No cell reception. Good serviced toilets and cold outdoor shower.
Caves were mind blowing - wear shoes to get wet and a torch. You can go in quite far to the caves. they get quite narrow but really amazing rock shapes. Glow worms aren’t in too far at all.
Richard & Chris, UK
Ranking: 6/10
The dirt road to the site appears to be recently re-laid, and is like driving over corrugated iron for about five kilometers, but it'll feel longer. Grit your teeth so your fillings don't fall out, and drive very, very slowly! Once there, the glowworm caves are amazing, and well worth the breakages and the fact that any milk in your fridge will have churned into butter. The site wasn't managed, so it was full of vans and people sleeping in cars etc, well beyond the marked spot, and at least a dozen tents on the field next to it. Surprisingly quiet however, so thanks everyone for being so respectful of others. Beautiful surrounding countryside. Toilets were dirty, cold outside shower if you're desperate. No fresh water, no dump site. But it's free, so you get what you pay for.
Backpack On Fire
Ranking: 10/10
Camping is good, caves are incredible. Amazing place to see glow worms for free. As mentioned in previous comments once in the cave go left, cross the river 3 times and stop once you get to where the river goes under a section you would have to wade through. This part has the best glow worms. You can duck and wade through the river to the next cave for an added adventure but the glow worms are less in the next cave. Good toilets and cold shower. Highly recommend you add this onto you trip. We loved it so much we are doing a full YouTube video on just the caves!!!
