Whether you like roughing it or you prefer DIY glamping, the Tawharanui Peninsula is one of the best spots in Auckland for overnight camping. Here’s all you need to know if you’re interested in staying at this beautiful, serene campground.

Tawharanui is one of my favourite camping spots. It is so close to Auckland, making it super convenient and the regional park is just spectacular. The peninsula is a predator-free bird sanctuary and if you’re lucky, you’ll hear the calls of kiwis at night. If you’re extra lucky, you may even spot one! The coastal area is also a marine sanctuary, making for great snorkelling and lots of wildlife in the rockpools. Auckland Council runs a campsite in the regional park and it’s such a great place to spend a night or few so you can fully explore the area. I love my stay in the park every time I go!

How To Get To Tawharanui Regional Park

Getting to Tawharanui from Auckland is easy! Follow SH1 North before turning off at Warkworth towards Matakana. From Matakana, follow signs and head east towards the peninsula. The route is well sign posted and easy to follow. It takes about 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and which part of Auckland you are leaving from.

How To Book Your Stay

The campsite is best booked online via the Auckland Council website. Check your email after booking as you will be sent an access code for the gated campground. It may be worth writing the code down and keeping it handy, as 3G/4G can be patchy in the regional park. In summer, the campsite is usually fully booked over the weekends and Christmas period, so get in quick if you want those dates!

My favourite times to visit are mid-week in summer or a spring/autumn weekend. That way you still get the fabulous weather & a fun experience with fewer people at the campsite. Despite this, the campsite never feels crowded, I’ve stayed there on Christmas Day & despite being fully booked, it didn’t feel cramped!

What To Bring

The campsite has basic amenities, including drop toilets and taps for water. There is no electricity and no showers or cooking facilities. Auckland Council also ask that you take any rubbish home with you as there are no bins on site.

This is my roundup of what you need to pack for your stay in the regional park. Keep in mind that you’re able to drive your vehicle into the tents only campground, so you don’t have to carry gear far & you can leave things in your car for storage. My list is in three categories from basic to over the top!

The Essentials:

• • Tent

  • Cooker, gas & lighter

  • Sleeping bags

  • Sleeping mat

  • Food

  • Plates, bowls, spoons

  • Camping pots & pans

  • Pot scrubber

  • Lamp

  • Water bottle

  • Change of clothes

  • First aid kit

Nice to have:

• • Head torch

  • Air mattress & pump

  • A book to read

  • Water canteen

  • Table & chairs

  • Power bank

  • Walking shoes

  • Togs

  • Towels

  • Sandcastle spade

  • Snorkel gear

  • Boogie boards

  • Hammocks

You’re extra!

• • Gas BBQ

  • Solar shower & shower tent

  • Blow up couches

  • Gazebo

  • Pillows & extra blankets

  • Multi-room tent

  • Surf boards

  • Paddle boards

  • Bicycles

  • Kayak

Things To Do In Tawharanui Regional Park

There are so many activities to do at Tawharanui, with an extensive coastline & a choice of walks, you’re bound to find something that you love doing. On a summer’s day, the beach is my first choice. I love to relax on the white sand, build a sandcastle, or spend hours exploring the rock pools. The mid-size waves are great for boogie boarding, surfing or swimming in. Since there is a marine reserve on the north side of the peninsula, the waters are bustling with wildlife. Put on your snorkel gear to see all sorts of marine creatures below the surface.

If the beach isn’t your favourite, you’re in luck, because there are a handful of walking and cycling tracks throughout the park. I love to walk out to the end of the peninsula, to the lookout at Takatu Point. On a clear day, you can see as far a Whangarei heads, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel! In the evenings, you may want to wander through the bush and try your luck at seeing our native bird, the kiwi.

I hope you find this guide helpful. I absolutely love spending time in Auckland’s regional parks and Tawharanui is no exception. I love that you can spend a few nights at the campground as I find time away from home so refreshing. Get amongst nature and have the best time! I know you will.

xoxo