Free camping in Bay of Plenty

31 free and low-cost places to camp in Bay of Plenty, with facilities and directions, and the ones we’d go back to first.

Our picks

Campground
Campground · MuruparaHidden gem
Mid Okahu Road campsite (Whirinaki)
Free, grassy campsite beside a stream inside Whirinaki forest.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · OmanawaHidden gem
TECT Park KiwiCamp
Low-cost camper facility in a forest park between Tauranga and Rotorua.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · BowentownHidden gem
Waihi Beach - Bowentown KiwiCamp
Low-cost camper facility at the Bowentown end of Waihi Beach.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · ŌhopeHidden gem
West End Road Reserve (Ōhope)
Council freedom camping at the west end of Ōhope, for self-contained vehicles.
DOC campsite · Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park
Mid Okahu Road Campsite
Camp on grass terraces adjacent to Okahu Stream. Good picnicking and walking in the forest.
DOC campsite · Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park
Sanctuary Campsite
Small camp next to the Minginui Stream. Walk through podocarp forest.
DOC campsite · Te Urewera
Te Pakau (Eight Acre) Campsite
Once a dairy farm, this campsite is near the Waimana River. There are numerous walks into the spectacular forest nearby.
DOC campsite · Ōpōtiki area
Whitikau Campsite
A remote campsite at Whitikau entrance to Raukumara Conservation Park.

Freedom camping is allowed on much public land, but each council sets its own rules and many sites are for certified self-contained vehicles only. Fines run up to NZ$1,000, so check the sign or the council’s map before you stay.

Every other place we know

DOC campsite · Ōpōtiki area · Free
Boulders Campsite
Toilets · Drinking water · BBQ
Directions
DOC campsite · Te Urewera · Free
Mimiha Campsite
Toilets
Directions
Holiday park · Waihī Beach · Free
Brighton Reserve Freedom Camping (self-contained only)
Directions
Holiday park · Pāpāmoa Beach · Free
Freedom Camping
Toilets
Directions
Holiday park · Matua · Free
Freedom Camping
Directions
Holiday park · Pāpāmoa East · Free
Freedom Camping
Directions
Holiday park · Pāpāmoa East · Free
Freedom Camping
Directions
Holiday park · Otūmoetai · Free
Freedom Camping
Directions
Holiday park · Whakamārama · Free
Freedom Camping for self contained vehicles
Directions
Holiday park · Rotorua · Free
Government Gardens Motorhome and Campervan Parking Area
Directions
Free camp · Katikati · Free
Haiku Park Freedom Camping (self-contained only)
Directions
Holiday park · Island View · Free
Island View Esplanade Reserve Freedom Camping (self-contained only)
Directions
Holiday park · Island View · Free
Island View Reserve Freedom Camping (self-contained only)
Toilets · Drinking water · Dump station
Directions
Holiday park · Ōhinemutu · Free
Lakefront Motorhome Parking Area
Directions
Holiday park · Ōhope · Free
Maraetorara Reserve (SelfContained only)
Drinking water
Directions
Free camp · Minginui · Free
Okahu Road campsite
Directions
Holiday park · Ōmokoroa Beach · Free
Omokoroa Domain Freedom Campsite
Toilets · Drinking water · Dump station
Directions
Holiday park · Waiotahe · Free
Te Ahiaua (SelfContained only)
Directions
Holiday park · Te Kaha · Free
Te Kaha Reserve
Directions
Free camp · Welcome Bay · Free
Campsite
Directions
Holiday park · Ōmokoroa · Free
Caravan park
Directions
Holiday park · Hamurana · Free
Caravan park
Toilets
Directions
Holiday park · Ōhiwa · Free
Caravan park
Directions

From OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), the Department of Conservation (CC BY 4.0) and Roadtrip’s own research. Check prices, rules and booking with the site.