Beautiful spot right by the lovely beach!

The pin isn't quite right but if you park next to the toilet block you will see two clearly marked freedom camping spots. Toilet block was clean and open all night. The parking spot wasn't completely flat so bring blocks if that is a problem, and the road is popular with motorbikes and cars with loud engines but I didn't notice any noise late in the evening or during the night. I've stayed in the spot on Colson Lane before but preferred this one as it's got a better view of the beach and is closer to the toilets. The main street has a nice café and restaurant. Water and dump station a 5 mins drive away

Reviewed 3 months ago

Car park was full when I arrived late afternoon and a random man was trying to charge campers $5 to park in the next car park along which was clearly marked with "no overnight camping".

His cardboard box for collecting money was another giveaway...

Reviewed 3 months ago

Arrived here late after some penguin spotting at Akaroa but there was masses of space in a giant field.

Found a spot near one of the toilet blocks on some flat grass. Quiet and peaceful

Reviewed 3 months ago

Short walk to be right on the coast watching the sunset.

Lots of spaces in the car park, toilets with a cold water shower a couple minutes walk away where the surfers go. Car park got full by the evening

Reviewed 3 months ago

Car park in the middle of town.

Free at weekends and free for the first hour during the week, then free after 5pm weekdays. Closest toilets weren't working and it was a bit of a walk to the next toilets which often had a queue as I was there on a Saturday night. No cooking allowed in car park but plenty to eat and drink in the town. Lots of spaces available for freedom camping.

Reviewed 3 months ago

Nice wee spot by the sea.

It was very windy but I only noticed the noise of the ocean which was quite peaceful. Two toilets. Not a huge site and it filled up when I was there in Jan.

Reviewed 4 months ago

Busiest place I've stayed my entire trip!

There's a huge area available but it seemed to be getting filled. The views of the mountains were spectacular and I went a lovely swim in the lake. The toilets often had a queue outside

Reviewed 4 months ago

Lovely views across the lake and I was greeted by two baby ducks when I arrived.

Got busy in the evening but it's a big area available

Reviewed 4 months ago

Parking is free for the first hour and free between 5.30pm and 10.30am so I arrived at 4.30pm and entered my details to the machine so that I could stay for free until morning.

There was loads of space as the car park extends across the road however the toilets were locked overnight and not opened for cleaning until 8am. There's a nice cafe next door that opens at 7am and the charity shop on the corner was really cool. 30 mins walk to where the Little Blue Penguins come ashore

Reviewed 4 months ago

Great spot!

This was a gigantic field which sounds like it may flood in rain but it was very dry when I was there. I went a swim in the river then washed off in the cold shower on the outside of the toilet cubicles. No fresh water available

Reviewed 6 months ago

I loved this spot!

From the sign it looked like there were lots of areas for Freedom Camping, the section I was in had loads of space available on a beautifully sunny Saturday. The fur seal colony is an 8 mins drive away. The site has loads of big recycling bins but no fresh water.

Reviewed 6 months ago

Several long drop toilets but they were a bit of a mess inside as people seemed to be leaving rubbish.

The walk to the three sisters is along slippy sand so it's easier to go barefoot, however there is no shower or running water available to wash off the black sand. Loads of space for vans

Reviewed 6 months ago

Relatively quiet spot not far from the main road but right next to another road.

There were truckers stopped over for the night too. There's no sign to say camping is allowed but it's on the council website. They say to get a permit from them, for free, if you stay more than one night. Near the excellent bike park and toilets a few minutes walk away, although only one was unlocked while I was there.

Reviewed 7 months ago

Beautiful views with loads of space for campers to spread out, toilets and a lake to swim in.

What more could you ask for!

Reviewed 6 months ago

Great location for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttles with all the KiwiCamp facilities i.e.

laundry, dish washing, cooking, toilets and showers. Keypass needed to pay. Loads of spaces for vans and cars. Felt very safe

Reviewed 6 months ago

Great location with all the KiwiCamp facilities i.e.

laundry, dish washing, cooking, toilets and showers. Keypass needed to pay. Sheltered picnic table area was useful since there was a lot of rain when I was there

Reviewed 6 months ago

Nice little spot with space for 4-5 vans.

Toilets in the car park which shut overnight but cleaned every morning at 7.30am so no complaints. I tried a couple of other freedom camping spots in Whangamata but they only had space for two vans and we're both full whereas it was just me and one other here. It's not far to get to the beach and round the corner from the shops but still quiet enough.

Reviewed 7 months ago

Lovely beach front view, next to main road but didn't notice any noise.

Lots of spaces but filled up on a sunny weekend. Drinking water fountain and toilets a few minutes walk away, but be warned it gets cold in the wind even on a sunny day!

Reviewed 7 months ago

Plenty of spaces (but they got full by evening), hot showers for $4 with paywave and 24 hour toilets nearby.

More toilets near the main road (famous Hundertwasser decor) and fresh water for bottles across the road. A dump station and drinking water refill are a few mins drive away

Reviewed 7 months ago

Peaceful, safe and quiet with nice views from the ridge, owners were really lovely to chat to.

The sheep and hen neighbours were fun too! Cold shower and filtered drinking water available as well as a portaloo on site

Reviewed 7 months ago