Campsites in Manawatu-Whanganui

Manawatu-Whanganui stretches from the volcanic plateau and Kaimanawa ranges to the winding Whanganui River and coastal flats, giving overlanders plenty of variety. The campsites here range from riverside clearings and forest pull-ins to remote off-grid spots deep in the backcountry. Expect quiet nights beside fords and streams, with easy road-end stays and more rugged options further afield.

Army Road Campsite

Bartletts Ford

Clements Clearing Campsite

Clements Clearing Campsite is a spacious, remote bush camp in Kaimanawa Forest Park, reached by an easy gravel road with fire pits and clean toilets.

Clements Road End Campsite

Clements Road End Campsite is a basic, easy-to-reach spot in Kaimanawa Forest Park native bush, at the start of the Hinemaiaia Track.

Intake campsite

Kaimanawa Road Campsite

Kakapo Campsite

Kimberley Reserve

Kimberley Reserve near Levin is a quiet, spacious bush campsite beside the Ōhau River, with good river access and seasonal permit camping.

Koitiata Stream

Koitiata Stream is a wild, free campsite in the Manawatu-Whanganui dunes with a great swimming beach, room for about one car, and no facilities.

Londons Ford

Londons Ford is a free riverside campsite in Manawatū-Whanganui with a large grassy area, swimming spots and a small forest walk on a former ferry site.

Mangahuia Campsite

Mangawhero Campsite

Mangawhero Campsite is a quiet forest spot on the flanks of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, with flat tent sites and great stargazing.

Offgrid campsite

Ohinepane Campsite

Ohinepane Campsite is a spacious, highly rated Whanganui River Great Walk site in ManawatuWhanganui, with riverside space, hammock trees and a boat launch.

Patea Dam

Patea Dam is a lakeside South Taranaki campsite on New Zealand's longest manmade lake, with a boat ramp, hot showers and bushwalks, reached via rough gravel.

Piripiri Campsite

Piripiri Campsite is a quiet, remote riverside spot in the Pohangina Valley with flat ground for about five vehicles, a basic toilet, and jet boat access.

Pohangina Base Campsite

Pokaka Mill Campsite

Pokaka Mill Campsite in the Tongariro Forest, Manawatu-Whanganui, is a remote off-grid spot with private sites, dark skies and a long-drop toilet only.

Pongaroa Sports Field

Raumai Reserve

Raumai Reserve is a tucked-away riverside campsite on the Pohangina River off the Manawatu Scenic Route, best down by the water in summer.

Ruatiti Domain

Ruatiti Domain is a quiet, free riverside campsite up the Whanganui backblocks, with grassy sites, fire pits by a rocky river and spotless toilets.

Te Iringa Campsite

Te Iringa Campsite is a quiet, bush-clad trailhead camp in Kaimanawa Forest Park with basic facilities, campfires and plenty of firewood nearby.

Te Ngutu o te Manu

Ten Man Hut

Ten Man Hut is a remote hunters' hut in Tongariro Forest, Manawatu-Whanganui, reached by a rough, steep 4WD or quad climb through native bush.

Traverse (A-Frame) Hut

Urchin Campsite

Urchin Campsite is a sheltered, bush-fringed spot in Kaimanawa Forest Park, a tidy base for tramping, hunting and biking with basic facilities.

Waiinu Beach Campsite

Waiinu Beach Campsite is an open, roomy beachfront spot in Southern Taranaki with beach driving, a BBQ and toilets, but exposed to the wind.

Waikoko Campsite

Waverley Beach Campground

Waverley Beach Campground is a large, tree-sheltered South Taranaki coastal site near a black sand beach with caves, hot showers and a big playground.

Whakahoro Campsite

Whakapapa Holiday Park

Woodville Ferry Reserve

Woodville Ferry Reserve is a spacious riverside camp, with open grassy space, good swimming holes and basic long-drop toilets.

Campsites in other regions

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