We have been coming here for what seems like forever. Some of my first memories are waking up in…read morethe tent, running down to the water and swimming all day long at Sullivans (Otarawao) Bay. It's an Auckland Regional Council camping ground so it's super cheap to stay in paradise. But this means that the sites book up seriously fast. They open booking six months before you want them and they can sell out in a matter of hour over the summer holiday. It is rather primitive with drop toilets and only a hose tap. But this is part of the fun for us. There is hardly any reception so even though you are not even an hour from Auckland, you feel like you're way out in the whaps. We usually take up kayaks, fishing gear, loads of board games and of course our togs. It's the most amazing way to spend your summers and I am so thankful for my parents for taking me here so many years.

Very nice motorcamp with lots of lighting, spacious kitchen & bathrooms. We used the powered site…read morewhich is right by the bathroom, kitchen, grills, TV room and laundry. They even Have vending machine in kitchen & music in the bathroom. Unfortunately no hair dryer & wifi which is big bummer. Office also close by 6pm but you can park first and settle with them the next morning after 8am. But what about if you have to leave before then? Also, I made my reservation through phone (no website available) but I'm not sure if it was ever reserved Coz I don't see a spot reserved for us when we arrived late last night.

Absolutely love Home Bay. Huge grassy meadow to tent on and still have your own space even when a…read morelot of other people are there. Although I have never experienced a lot of people being there, and I used to go every summer. A calm beach of smooth stones which is great for swimming, and rockpools to explore at low tide. There are walks around both Motutapu and Rangitoto to check out if you're staying a while, otherwise just relax and enjoy the peace. There are flushing toilets, water, and it's only $6 per night (for adults, and $3 for children). You really can't find better. Take the ferry to Rangitoto and hike over, or access the bay itself by private boat. It's possible to kayak here but is recommended for experienced kayakers only.

I wasn't overly impressed with this Top 10. I was hiking the Auckland leg of the Te Araroa trail (a…read morewalking/tramping trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff, of which I completed the first third) and arrived minutes after the office closing time. So I rang the buzzer and spoke to a disgruntled and not particularly pleasant employee who begrudgingly allowed me to stay after having to explain to them that no, I didn't have a vehicle and could I please possibly have a bit of space for my tent. However, the facilities were good and of a high Top 10 standard. Clean kitchen and ablutions areas and well-kept grounds. It's too bad that their customer service let them down.

I was truly excited to visit Whatipu Beach because I have been to so many of our West Auckland…read morebeach favourites, but I had not experienced this wonder. Upon arrival I was off with my family to walk the 20 minute/1.5km track to the Whatipu Caves. On the walk to the biggest cave you pass smaller old sea caves along the track, they are really fun to walk into for some exploring. The big cave was very impressive; I really enjoyed walking around and hearing my voice bounce around its walls. I made sure I listened to the department of conservation- and sprayed a disinfectant on the bottoms of my shoes before and after entering the walk; this would help prevent the deadly Kauri collar rot which is easily passed from soiled footwear to trees. After the cave walk, I headed to the beach for a bite of lunch and a chance to soak in the scenery, hardly a sole to see. Picturesque waves rolled in to the shore, while in the distance the Manukau bar dramatically splashed up almost to say check me out I'm dangerous. I will be back Whatipu I promised as I departed this afternoon- you are a mysterious beauty.

Over Christmas my husband and I knew we wanted to go camping but also wanted some quietude, so we…read morelooked somewhere close to home, the Waitakere ranges were it, and Whatipu Lodge camp grounds looked quite remote but interesting. It took quite a windy drive to get to, passing very close to the oceans edge and down some narrow curly passes but with just a mild case of nausea (for me) we eventually got there. The space was very open and had one other camper nearby, a family tenting. We have a van decked out, which was ideal as the place was very windy and wet. It rained the whole time, but I liked it none the less, it wasn't cold and a bit of rain is no drama in my world. The hike up the big hill was easy and gave amazing views of the coast that we had walked along earlier in the day. The wind up on the cliffs did mean we had to keep our wits about us, and no rock climbing. We tried to get to the caves but it wasn't really possible without more serious wet weather gear, we got soggy shoes and socks even through the mere attempt to get at them. I recently read about all the ghost sightings in this place, we saw, nor felt, none, but it did give off a rather haunting feel. But that could also be because it felt like such an isolated environment and was so wet and windy. We did, however, see a lot of bird life. Bird watching is not a hobby of mine but it was kind of cool to see so many and all their antics. The lodge caretakers came over to the car and collected the $15 (per night, per car) and had a brief chat soon after we had arrived. Bookings are essential before you arrive.

I came here recently for the first time with my daughter's school camp. It's in a lovely spot in a…read morevalley but I guess if I was choosing to stay in Piha I would want to see the water. I was more than happy to have the kids far away from it though and for a school camp this place was fine. I say fine because it just didn't feel very homely. I don't know if that's because of the makeshift nature of what the school was trying to achieve (kids in tents, no dining area just a big room to store their food and makeshift cooking facilities) or the camp itself. True the camp kitchen is the most well equipped I've ever seen and fairly clean as well. But maybe this was because the school staff had the run of the place? I'm not sure. I only have Camp Adair to compare it to and they are totally different beasts but are obviously used for the same things with school trips being one of them. The activities the kids took part in here were a little on the lame side and there's not much in the way of adventure infrastructure (i.e. nothing at all). In terms of accommodation there is one large dormitory and several smaller rooms with male and female bathrooms. I don't know, maybe I'm just not a camper but for a big group booking like a school I would choose Camp Adair any day. Probably it comes down to complicated school funding but interestingly the fees for this camp were more than those for the far superior Camp Adair (which included food where this one did not). This place is more for adults I think.

I remember this place from when I was a kid, and in primary school we came here for school camps. I…read morehave really great memories from the camp. It has a great location, set around the trees and not too far from the beach. We'd go for bush walks, we had a night time burma trail where all the adults through water and mud all over us and we made our way through the bush using peanut butter covered ropes. There's heaps of field area for tents, as well as the big dormitory that was split level. Perfect for boys on one level and girls on the other. From memory the top floor was all one room, with bunks lining the walls, and downstairs was separate rooms with two or three bunks in each room. The only thing is, there's not actually anything at the camp. All our activities were done elsewhere.

Came here in early July 2018 with my family. Before this, the last time I'd been to the hot pools…read morenear Auckland was as a kid - Waiwera, some 20+ years ago, but they were closed for refurbishment this year so I decided to take everyone to Parakai. We went on a weekday and it being winter, there weren't many people at all. Two slides, one swimming pool and one soaking pool that's hotter than the rest. Had a good time going down the slides and hanging out in the pools. Worth a visit, particularly if you've never been. The hot chips were really good as well.

There's an urban legend about Parakai that involves a woman squeezing the pus out of pimples on her…read moreman's back while sitting in a hot pool. I almost feel like I have seen it happen myself because I actually think I did. In the really hot adults-only pool. Anyway, such are the risks you take when sharing water with others. Ergh. The whole place has hardly changed in years and has a slightly sad faded feel about it which does nothing to deter the masses from descending, particular on chilly Winter's days. The slides are pretty rough but the kids think that's a good thing (uh huh) and the facilities in general are just a bit dilapidated. Still, it's so wholeheartedly Kiwi that you just gotta love it. I remember we used to have friends who would take their campervan to Helensville (the whole 40 minute drive from home) and camp at the campground here, which is part of the Springs complex. I was so jealous. Now I'm not really sure why you would - it's nice and green enough but there's better places. Still, like I said, it's classic Noo Zilland.

One of Dad's favourite spots for a day trip on the boat, this island sanctuary has beautiful sandy…read morebeaches and is a mere 30mins (approx) by boat from Westhaven marina. Relatively sheltered, the bays are perfect for kayaking, swimming or if you super trendy, paddleboarding. Ferries do run here throughout summer but they are sporadic so you'll need to check the Fullers website for the timetable before deciding when to go!

Motuihe Island is so magical. And yet, so close to Auckland city it's ridiculous. In a short 30…read moreminute boat ride you can be in paradise. We like to go for day trips, but there is a DOC camping ground on the Island so you can actually stay on there. All you need to do it just catch the ferry from Half Moon Bay, easy. There's also a cute little kiosk that sell ice blocks and essentials, so you're not completely in the wilderness. The best part about it is that if the wind is blowing in on one side of the island you can just walk fifty metres and be sheltered on the other side of the island. There are loads of trails around for walking and of course the views are simply priceless.

Park at Glenesk Road and take the walking track to the bottom of this gorgeous multi-step…read morewaterfall. Bathrooms available as well as outdoor picnic tables here. The first thing you pass on the tramp is this cool Kauri tree trunk eaten by termites that is hollow and you can stand inside it- very neat. Cool rainforest walk that follows a beautiful stream and passes a wooden bridge and past the old milling area. A great wooden picnic table that overlooks the waterfall from a distance- great place to stop for a breather or proper meal. You know you're nearly there when you reach the wooden staircase to the rocks that is a little slippery. Be careful. A large lake-pool at the base that is gorgeous for swimming. Water is quite cold but still so nice. Definitely worth taking a dip. We spotted a giant eel so beware. You are able to climb to the top but it's steep going but still well worth it. Cool several level-led private pools that you can climb down to enjoy- need to come back to nab one of these gorgeous spots. Must see- and not too intensive or long of a walk either. Winner

OMG what a discovery. I was excited to see that we were going on a tramp to a waterfall when I was…read morerecently at camp with my daughter and what an amazing place it turned out to be. I know there's a lot of secret little places in the Piha/Karekare area and this is one of them. Although I've since discovered that most people I've talked to already know about it. Oh well. If you drive to the end of Glenesk Road in Piha the tramp is clearly signposted. The walk is fairly steep in places and takes about 45 minutes (many more with many many children in tow) each way. I thought I was fairly fit and coped really well at the time but my legs felt like jelly at the end and I literally couldn't walk properly for several days - something to do with the steps coming down and the way they affect your calf muscles. Anyway, whatever, it's SO worth it. Remember this though: go right at the fork and come back on the other side (doing an anticlockwise loop). Trust me if we had done the reverse I'm not sure I would have made it out. If you go in the morning as we did the water in the pool will be freezing cold - I truly thought I was having a heart attack. Later in the day the sun comes over the cliff-face which I imagine would warm it up a bit. There's also an amazing rock canyon just down from the swimming hole that can be abseiled into. Just having a peek down there blows your mind, it's very cool. This is one of those idyllic Auckland spots that just has to be seen to be believed and the walk through the bush is so peaceful, even as you are killing your legs.