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.

Beautiful location. Large grassy powered and non powered sites with water right on the beach. Self…read morecontained cabins also available. Lovely beach with small islands off shore. Mid winter when we stayed but still incredible and do quiet. A couple of other campers were fishing right off the beach. So pleased we came

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.

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.

Cuuuuuute. This place is adorable. Mum bought me and my boyfriend and weekend here for Christmas,…read moreand we went up last weekend. It was so so cute. Sandspit is really close to Aucklanders' favourite - Matakana, and just like Matakana even though you're close, it feels like you're miles away. It was super easy to find despite never having being there and as soon as we arrived we felt more relaxed. The service was super friendly and chilled despite us arriving outside of working hours. We were shown to our little waterfront cabin and left alone for the rest of the time. It was everything we needed, a bed, fully equipped kitchen, bunk beds if you need the, a great deck and a bench for eating on. Oh, and a TV. We were so close to the water and the place is idyllic. It is a favourite for families, so if you are wanting an adult escape, it's probably not the place. But we loved the cheerful family vibes. You can take kayaks out whenever you want, go for walks along the wharf and cook on the great BBQ set up. With Matakana, Goat Island and Omaha just a short drive away, there are plenty of things to do, great food, drinks and adventures to be had.

A good standard camping ground based just at the bottom of the hill before you get into Paihia…read more Well maintained grounds, standard but basic facilities, with a new toilet and shower block. There a few small self contained units, as well as plenty of sites for tents and camper vans. Some sites are right on the waters edge, so might be a haven for mozzies in the summertime. Well-priced for the budget conscious. There's a little herb garden as well that you can utilise for your cooking, a nice homely touch.

Enjoyed our stay here very much The good: clean & new…read morebathroom facilities Great BBQ & kitchen + dining area Well lit & felt very safe walking around even at night as a female Stunning views Great spot if you were a keen fisherman with a boat ramp & filleting station The not so good: We had a group of four & booked 1 campsite each couple together online the owner/manager called us and said 1 site will be enough for us so we agreed thinking this might save us a little but no we paid the same amount to have half the space leaving us basically no room to park our vehicle & feeling a bit ripped off considering we already had to pay a minimum of 5 nights when we were only staying 3. Pretty expensive to pay $600 for one tiny campsite for 3 nights when we could have had double the space for the same price Quite far out of the town if you plan to go out drinking make sure you have a sober driver or pre arrange a ride

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.

I have the best memories of my first camping holiday with my family as it was my first time camping…read moreas a new mother of a little infant. The calm peace and tranquility that I experienced at this holiday park will stay with me for life. My powered waterfront tent site was pitched perfectly a few steps from the water's edge on the beautiful Whangateau harbor. Allowing our days to be spent, at leisure taking swims in the bay, and watching time slip away. The region is spoilt with amazing places to visit- drive from here to either Goat Island Marine reserve or any of the stunning beaches and bays of the coast. The park offers a few different options too with accommodation, you can choose with the powered sites, the onsite caravans or cabins. The bathrooms, kitchen and BBQ area are all situated in one large block, at opposite sides of each other and closely in zone with accommodation. The shower's cost only a 50 cent coin in the machine which lasts a good few minutes. We didn't need to use the laundry for our short stay; however I admired the cosiness of the dining and TV/games room. I liked that the field adjacent had lots of space for the little ones to run about and of course the close water play kept us all happy!