Best Campgrounds in New Zealand

"The tip of the Awhitu Peninsula, just south of Auckland, is an unspoilt, untapped paradise of epic proportions. Many South Auckland locals know about this idyllic little getaway yet it remains pretty much a secret from the rest of the country. Orua Bay Beach is a golden-sand spectacular and the motor camp there is reminiscent of a more slower pace of life. When you stand on the beach here after erecting your tent, you feel like there is limitless possibility about what you can do with your day, whether that’s lying under a pohutukawa and reading a good book or wallowing like a whale in the clear-blue water. Plus the bay in which this campground is located is very safe so it’s a great place for families with kids to get away from it all and enjoy a quintessential Kiwi camping experience."

"For a coaster like me it may seem a little odd that the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park would make my Top 5 list but I’m constantly blown away by this retro campground, located right on the water’s edge at Takapuna Beach. It’s a great little find for anyone who is visiting Auckland and needs some budget accommodation. Just a stone’s throw from the Takapuna shops, once you step inside the park you are a world away from Auckland, yet just around the point from its bustling CBD. With views across the sparkling Hauraki Gulf to Rangitoto, you can’t beat this holiday park on a crystal-clear summer’s day with a light off-shore breeze. Plus at low tide you can walk out onto the reef and explore all the way to Milford. Check it out!"