The complete guide to camping on the Coromandel Places to stay, the rules and handy tips for visitors

www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping www.thecoromandel.com Contents

4 Where to stay (paid campgrounds)

Where can I camp? See our list of campsites and contact information for bookings. For more on camping in visit www.camping.org.nz or one of our information centres. 6-8 DOC Campgrounds Details on where the Department of Conservation provides paid campgrounds. 9 DOC Freedom Camping Policy Details on locations where DOC has prohibited or restricted freedom camping. 10-12 TCDC Freedom Camping Guidelines We welcome responsible freedom camping. Don’t risk a $200 fine. Make sure you know the rules and read the signage. Only certified self-contained freedom camping is permitted. There are areas that are prohibited or restricted. 13-14 What to do with your rubbish and recycling Drop your recyclables off at a recycling centre as you travel. We’ve listed your nearest Refuse Transfer Station and provided a map for where to find them.

2 www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping

15-16 Public toilets and dump stations Camping our way is not using the roadside as a toilet. Read these pages for locations of public toilets and dump stations where you can empty your campervan wastewater. 17-18 Coromandel Road Map Roads on the Coromandel can be winding, narrow and there are limits on where you can take a rented vehicle so be sure to speak to your rental company and follow our advice and map on this page. 19 Information Centres Visit our seven information centres or check out www.thecoromandel.com for ideas on what to do, what to see and how to get there.

www.thecoromandel.com 3 Where to stay (paid campgrounds)

Thames North Coromandel CRUZ ‘n’ STOP, Thames Waikawau Bay Recreation Reserve (DOC) 07 868 9833 M 07 866 1106 T M www.campervancruznstopcom.com Fantail Bay Recreation Reserve (DOC) T M Dickson Holiday Park, Fletcher Bay Recreation Reserve (DOC)TM 07 868 7308 T M D www.dicksonpark.co.nz Port Jackson Recreation Reserve (DOC) T M Tapu Creek Campervan Park, Tapu Stony Bay Recreation Reserve (DOC) T M 07 868 4570 T M D * non-powered sites www.tapucreek.co.nz Kuaotunu Tapu Motor Camp, Tapu Kuaotunu Camp Ground 07 868 4837 T M D 07 866 5628 T M D www.topshelfcharters.co.nz www.kcg2008.com Holiday Park, Te Puru 07 868 2879 T M D Whangapoua Holiday Park www.tepuruholidaypark.co.nz 1266 Whangapoua Road Valley Whangapoua 07 866 5215 T M campsites (9) www.whangapouaholidaypark.co.nz (DOC) 07 867 9080 T M * powered and non-powered sites E: [email protected] Holiday Park Coromandel 07 866 5579 T M D www.mercurybayholidaypark.co.nz Coromandel TOP 10 Holiday Park 0800 267 646 T M D Harbourside Holiday Park www.coromandeltop10.co.nz 07 869 5152 T M D www.harboursideholiday.co.nz Long Bay Motor Camp, Long Bay 07 866 8720 T M Mill Creek Bird & Campervan Park http://www.longbaymotorcamp.co.nz/ 07 866 0166 T M D www.millcreekbirdpark.co.nz Shelly Beach Top 10 Holiday Park 07 866 8988 T M D Whitianga Campground www.shellybeachcoromandel.co.nz 07 866 5834 www.whitiangacampground.co.nz Tidewater Motel & Tourist Park 07 866 8888 T M Flaxmill Bay www.tidewater.co.nz Flaxmill Bay Hideaway Camp & Cabin Oamaru Bay Caravan Park 07 866 2386 T M D 07 866 7750 T www.flaxmillbay.co.nz Colville Otautu Bay Farm Camp Cooks Beach Holiday Resort 07 866 6801 T M 07 866 5469 T M D www.otautubaycamp.co.nz www.cooksbeachresort.co.nz Colville Farm Holidays 07 866 6820 Hahei Holiday Resort www.colvillefarmholidays.co.nz 07 866 3889 T M D Colville Bay Motor Camp www.hahei.com 07 866 6814 T M D www.colvillebaymotel.co.nz Papa Aroha Holiday Park Hot Water Beach Holiday Park 07 866 8818 T M D 08002hotbeach T M D www.papaaroha.co.nz www.hotwaterbeachtop10.co.nz Anglers Lodge Motel & Holiday Park T = Tent 07 866 8584 T M D M = Motorhome KEY www.anglers.co.nz D = Dump Station

4 www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping River Glen Holiday Park & Campground The Glade Holiday Park 07 866 3130 T M D 07 864 8559 T M D www.riverglencoromandel.co.nz E: [email protected] Paunaui Club Carpark/self-contained camper park (fees apply) Seabreeze Holiday Park www.pauanuiclub.co.nz 07 866 3050 T M D 07 864 8695 M www.seabreezeholidaypark.co.nz 31 Shephard Ave Tairua Holiday Park Opoutere Coastal Camping (seasonal) 07 864 8071 T M D 07 865 9152 T M D E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Broken Hills, Puketui Valley (DOC) T M Wentworth River (DOC) T Whangamata Motor Camp 07 865 9128 T M D

Fletcher Bay F Freedom Camping Port Jackson Stony Bay DOC Campground

M O E H Fantail Bay A U Our fresh water is R PORT CHARLES A N G E a precious resource so please use sparingly. Ask tourism operators about their COLVILLE environmentally friendly practices. Papa Aroha

Long Bay Whangapoua Kuaotunu COROMANDEL TOWN F F 25

Te Kouma F WHITIANGA Manaia Flaxmill Bay Cooks Beach

HAHEI

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R O Hot Water Beach Waikawau M 25 A COROGLEN N D WHENUAKITE E L 25 R TAPU A N

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TE PURU F TAIRUA PAUANUI Kauaeranga Valley DOC HIKUAI Tararu Info Centre Broken Hills F THAMES OPOUTERE

Wentworth F Valley WHANGAMATA

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www.thecoromandel.com 5

Waikino 2 Waitawheta

Athenree Kaimai Forest Park

To Hamilton TE AROHA

To Rotorua 80km To Tauranga 70km Department of Conservation (DOC) Campsites and Accommodation

DOC provides a range of accommodation options on the Coromandel Peninsula which include DOC huts, backpacker accommodation , a lodge, a cottage and a bach as well as numerous camp sites. All are bookable online.

The two northern Coromandel farm parks have five campgrounds: Waikawau Bay and Stony Bay on the eastern side, Fletcher Bay and Port Jackson on the north coast and Fantail Bay on the western side. There are campgrounds in the southern Coromandel at Broken Hills (Puketui Valley Road) and Wentworth Valley as well as nine campsites in the Kauaeranga Valley.

Bookings for Waikawau Bay, Port Jackson and Wentworth Valley are essential over Christmas and New Year. Elsewhere, campsites are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

Resident managers, on site during summer months, oversee camp facilities, enforce camp rules and collect fees. Camping outside designated areas is not permitted. Fees for DOC campsites range from $5 – $10 per adult and $2.50 – $5 for children (5-17), children under 5 are free.

6 www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping DOC Campgrounds List

Booms Flat, Kauaeranga Valley Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Toilets, Dogs are permitted

Broken Hills, Hikuai Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Toilets Rubbish Bin Water from tap

Catleys, Kauaeranga Valley Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Toilets Picnic Table Rubbish Bin Water from stream

Fantail Bay campsite Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Water from tap Toilets Rubbish Bin  Showers (cold)

Fletcher Bay campsite Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Water from tap Toilets Showers (cold)

Hotoritori, Kauaeranga Valley Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Toilets Water from stream, Dogs are permitted

Kahikatea Powered site, Kauaeranga Valley Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Power Water from stream There are no toilets in the campground as it is only for self-contained, certified motorhomes

Port Jackson Conservation Campsite Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Water from tap Toilets Barbecue Rubbish Bin Showers (cold)

Shag Stream, Kauaeranga Valley Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Toilets Picnic Table Rubbish Bin Water from stream

www.thecoromandel.com 7 DOC Campgrounds List [cont]

Stony Bay campsite Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Water from tap Toilets Picnic Table Rubbish Bin Showers (cold)

Totara Flat, Kauaeranga Valley Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Toilets Rubbish Bin Water from stream

Trestle View, Kauaeranga Valley Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Toilets Rubbish Bin Water from stream

Waikawau Bay campsite Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Water from tap Toilets Rubbish Bin Showers (cold)

Wainora, Kauaeranga Valley Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Toilets Rubbish Bin Water from stream

Wentworth campsite Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Water from tap Toilets Barbecue Picnic Table Rubbish Bin Showers (cold)

Whangaiterenga, Kauaeranga Valley Campsite category: Scenic Facilities: Toilets Picnic Table Rubbish Bin Water from stream

For information on the Crosbies and Pinnacles Huts, Fletcher Bay Backpackers, Stony Bay Bach, Knox Cottage or the Waikawau Bay Lodge see: www.doc.govt.nz/coromandel contact the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre 07 867 9080 or [email protected]

8 www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping DOC Freedom Camping Policy Freedom camping is permitted on public conservation (DOC) land except in areas where it is expressly prohibited or restricted to self-contained vehicles. This is indicated by signage. Please ensure you are well-informed of where you can and cannot camp and if unsure, enquire with DOC. Read all signage and be sure to follow the rules that apply if you want to avoid a costly fine.

Prohibited The DOC website (search for freedom camping) lists all areas where freedom camping is prohibited and at the time of printing these included the following locations: • Kauaearanga Road Visitor Centre carpark, Coromandel Forest Park • Kauaearanga Road end carpark, Coromandel Forest Park • Muriwai Walk Carpark, Port Jackson • Waikawau Beach boat ramp carpark, Waikawau Bay Farm Park Recreation Reserve • Waikawau Beach access carpark (west)

Restricted At Cathedral Cove carpark freedom camping is restricted to self- contained vehicles for four night’s maximum in a single calendar month between 5pm and 9am.

For more information visit the DOC website www.doc.govt.nz/camping

www.thecoromandel.com 9 Be firewise – observe TCDC Freedom fire bans indicated on signage and at Camping Rules www.tcdc.govt.nz/fire

If you stay overnight in an accessible public place other than in a campground, then you’re probably freedom camping. We have freedom camping rules for all public areas that TCDC owns or manages and you need to comply withe these or risk a $200 fine. The big rule – you must be in a certified self-contained vehicle if you want to freedom camp. If you’re a tourist and don’t know if your vehicle complies, ask your rental company. We have areas around the Coromandel that need protecting from freedom camping. Some areas are either prohibited to all freedom camping, or restricted with conditions. All prohibited and restricted areas are clearly sign-posted. If you stay in a restricted area these conditions apply: 1. Park only in the designated (sign-posted) area. 2. Depart by 9.00am. 3. Stay a maximum of two consecutive nights. 4. NB: some areas such as sports ground car parks have a further condition that: Notwithstanding restriction 3, all freedom campers must depart on Saturday mornings.

Certified Use this QR code with your self-contained mobile phone (you can freedom download the app for free) camping only. It will take you to our camping page on our website.

www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping

10 www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping Freedom Camping on the Coromandel We have three classifications for freedom camping on the Coromandel: Allowed Restricted Prohibited

Allowed For public areas that TCDC own or manages, freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is permitted, subject to any other controls that may be in place.

Restricted Certified self-contained freedom camping is permitted, and the further conditions on the previous page apply. To freedom camp in restricted areas campers must park in the designated area, which is sign posted. For details and maps of the restricted areas go to: www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping

Prohibited Freedom camping is not allowed in prohibited areas under TCDC’s Freedom Camping Bylaw 2014. There are several reasons why an area is prohibited, including habitats for endangered species, need to protect public access to reserves, and for health and safety reasons. All prohibited areas are clearly sign posted. For more details and maps of prohibited areas go to: www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping

www.thecoromandel.com 11 You must be in a certified self- contained vehicle if you want to freedom camp.

12 www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping Driving the Coromandel The Coromandel is one of New Zealand’s great road trip destinations. To review the status of the State Highway 25 on the Coromandel, please visit the New Zealand Transport Agency’s (NZTA) website, www.nzta.govt.nz. NZTA manage this highway. Information for drivers We drive on the left side of the road We have many hilly, narrow or winding roads that mean your journey make take longer than you expect. You must carry your driver licence on you at all times. If your licence is not in English, you must carry a translation from an approved translator.

Choose to buy or hire a fuel-efficient vehicle and switch off your engine when stopped.

www.tcdc.govt.nz/rubbish 13 What to do with your rubbish and recycling On the Coromandel it’s free to recycle. For non-recyclables, we operate a pre-paid bag system. Ask for the ‘TCDC blue rubbish bags’ at local supermarkets and food stores and deliver these free of charge to one of the refuse transfer stations listed below and indicated on the map. Locations for dropping off eco tip your rubbish and recycling Always put all your Coromandel rubbish in the bin 525 Hauraki Road, Coromandel provided, or take it 07 866 7616 with you when you leave. 101 Matarangi Drive, Matarangi 07 866 5427 Whitianga Environmental Care 237 South Highway, Whitianga Code /Toitu te whenua 07 866 2954 (leave the land undisturbed) Tairua 3 Red Bridge Road, Tairua • Protect plants and wildlife – treat 07 864 7639 NZ’s flora and fauna with respect. Pauanui • Remove rubbish – carry out what 887 Hikuai Settlement Road, you carry in. Pauanui 07 864 7949 • Keep streams and lakes clean Whangamata – soaps and detergents can be 2755 SH25 Waihi-Whangamata, harmful to water-life. Whangamata 07 865 9723 • Take care with stoves and fires – Thames check for fire bans and restrictions. 102 Burke Street, Thames • Camp carefully – leave no trace of 07 868 9637 your visit. For all opening hour times go • Respect our cultural heritage – to www.tcdc.govt.nz/rts many places have spiritual and historical significance. • Keep to the track – lessen damage to fragile plants and prevent the spread of kauri dieback. • Consider other people – we all have the right to enjoy the natural environment.

14 www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping Recyclable plastic, bottles and cans. eco tip Reuse plastic bags or try not to use them

at all.

KEY

Transfer Station

24/7 Drop-off available

WHANGAPOUA MATARANGI OPITO BAY COROMANDEL TOWN

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Unless otherwise WHITIANGA stated, our tap water is potable so you can reuse your water bottles quite safely.

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TAIRUA PAUANUI

HIKUAI

THAMES

WHANGAMATA

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www.thecoromandel.com 15 Dump Stations Dump stations – The listed places below are where you can empty your campervan toilet and wastewater. The TCDC locations are free of charge. See below for Dump Stations locations.

Charges may apply at a holiday park where customers are not staying. THAMES/THAMES COAST FLAXMILL BAY Tapu Motor Camp, Tapu Cooks Beach Holiday Resort, Te Puru Holiday Park, Te Puru Cooks Beach Dickson Park Motor camp, HAHEI Victoria Street, Thames Hahei Holiday Resort TCDC Dump Station at BP – Hot Water Beach Holiday Park Stuart Moore Motors, 100 Banks Street, Thames WHENUAKITE Seabreeze Holiday Park, COROMANDEL Whenuakite TCDC Dump Station at Patukerikeri Reserve, TAIRUA Wharf Road, Coromandel Tairua Holiday Park Coromandel TOP 10 Holiday TCDC Dump Station on the Park, 636-732 Rings Road, corner of Ocean Road and Coromandel Paku Drive, Tairua COLVILLE PAUANUI Colville Bay Motel & Motor, TCDC Dump Station, adjacent Wharf Road, to Pleasant Point Boat Ramp, Colville Bay Pauanui Papa Aroha Holiday Park, Glade Motor Camp, Colville Road, Papa Aroha Vista Paku, Pauanui Anglers Lodge Motel and OPOUTERE Holiday Park, Colville Road, Opoutere Coastal Camping, Amodeo Bay Ohui Road, Opoutere Whitianga WHANGAMATA Public Dump Station at Transfer TCDC Dump Station, Martyn Station, South Highway, Road, Whangamata Whitianga Wentworth Campsite, Mercury Bay Holiday Park, Wentworth River (DOC) Whitianga Whangamata Motor Camp TCDC Dump Station at Settlers Motor Camp, Abrahamson Road, Whangamata off Moewai Road, Whitianga

16 www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping Public Toilets ‘Camping our way’ is not using the side of the road or the bush as a toilet – please use on-board or public facilities.

Fletcher Bay Port Jackson Stony Bay

M O E H Fantail Bay A U R PORT CHARLES A N G E

COLVILLE KEY

Toilet Papa Aroha

Kuaotunu Whangapoua Matarangi Long Bay Opito Bay COROMANDEL TOWN

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Te Kouma WHITIANGA Manaia Flaxmill Bay Cooks Beach

HAHEI

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R O Hot Water Beach Waikawau M 25 A COROGLEN N D WHENUAKITE E L 25 R TAPU A N

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TE PURU TAIRUA PAUANUI Kauaeranga Valley DOC HIKUAI Tararu Info Centre Broken Hills F THAMES OPOUTERE

Wentworth Valley WHANGAMATA

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www.thecoromandel.com 17 Mackaytown WAIHI 2 Tirohia KARANGAHAKE GORGE Waitawheta

Athenree Kaimai Forest Park

To Hamilton TE AROHA KEY Local Visitor Information Centre/i-SITE Information Campground DOC Campground Airports Heritage & Mining Cycleway Fletcher Bay PORT JACKSON Kauri Heritage Stony Bay Golf Course M Sandy Bay O E H Marine Reserve Fantail Bay A U R PORT CHARLES A N Surfing G E Fishings

Waikawau Bay Walks Otautu Bay

COLVILLE

Amodeo Bay Papa Aroha Otama WHANGAPOUA KUAOTUNU Beach Shelly Beach BAY WHANGAPOUA MATARANGI Long Bay Opito Bay COROMANDEL TOWN

Coromandel Harbour 25 To PASSENGER FERRY Te Kouma Waitaia Bay Te Kouma Harbour Mercury Bay Manaia Harbour Manaia WHITIANGA 309 Marine Reserve Kauris Cooks CATHEDRAL COVE Ferry Beach Landing HAHEI

C O

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O Waikawau M HOT WATER BEACH A COROGLEN N 25 D WHENUAKITE E L

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E Rangihau Sailors Grave Square Valley Te Karo Bay WAIOMU Kauri TE PURU TAIRUA Pinnacles Broken PAUANUI FIRTH Hut Hills OF THAMES DOC Puketui Slipper Is. Tararu Info HIKUAI Centre

THAMES Kauaeranga Valley OPOUTERE

25a Kopu MARAMARUA 25 To Auckland 2 Valley Wentworth 2 Mangatarata Valley WHANGAMATA

27 25

To Rotorua/Taupo Kopuatai 26 Waimama Bay Wet Lands Whiritoa

Netherton

18 www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping

Waikino Mackaytown WAIHI Orokawa Bay 2 Tirohia KARANGAHAKE GORGE Waitawheta

Athenree Kaimai Forest Park Bowentown

To Hamilton TE AROHA

To Rotorua 80km To Tauranga 70km Ask a local Our Local Information Centres We’ve got seven Visitor Information Centres on the Coromandel that can point you in the right direction. i-SITE Thames Tairua Information Centre 206 Pollen St 233 Main Rd, P.O. Box 76, Tairua 07 868 7284 07 864 7575 [email protected] [email protected] www.thamesinfo.co.nz www.tairua.info OPEN HOURS OPEN HOURS Mon-Fri: 8.30am - 5.00pm Daily: 9.00am - 5.00pm Sat, Sun & Pub Hols: 9.00am - 4.00pm Pauanui Information Centre Holiday Hours (17 Dec - 6 Jan) Cnr Vista Paku & Sheppard Ave , Mon-Fri: 8.30am - 7.00pm Pauanui Sat-Sun: 9.00am-5.00pm 07 864 7101 Holiday Hours ( 7 Jan - 3 Feb) [email protected] Mon-Fri: 8.30am-6.30pm www.pauanuionline.co.nz Sat-Sun: 9.00am-5.00pm OPEN HOURS 9.30am - 4.00pm daily i-SITE Whitianga with extended hours for Summer 66 Albert Street, Whitianga Coromandel 07 866 5555 Fax: 866 2205 Information Centre [email protected] 84 Kapanga Road, www.whitianga.co.nz Coromandel Town 3506 OPEN HOURS 07 866 8598 Mon-Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm [email protected] Sat & Sun: 9.00am - 4.00pm www.coromandeltown.co.nz Holiday Hours (26 Dec - 1 Feb) OPEN HOURS Mon-Sun: 9.00am - 6.00pm Open 7 Days Mon-Sun 10.00am-4.00pm Whangamata Information Centre Public Holidays 10.00am-3.00pm 616 Port Rd, P.O. Box 215, Kauaeranga Visitor Whangamata Information Centre 07 865 8340 Kauaeranga Valley Road, Thames [email protected] 07 867- 9080 www.whangamatainfo.co.nz www.doc.govt.nz OPEN HOURS OPEN HOURS Mon-Sat: 9.00am - 5.00pm Open 7 Days (Closed Christmas Day) Sun: 10.00am - 4.00pm 8:30 am – 4:00 pm daily Holiday Hours (26 Dec - 1 Feb) off peak/shoulder season Mon-Sun: 9.00am - 5.00pm 8:30 am – 5:00 pm peak summer season www.thecoromandel.com 19 For all enquiries call our friendly Customer Services Team they’ll be happy to hear from you Phone 07 868 0200 Offices in Thames – Coromandel – Whangamata – Whitianga

District Office: 515 Mackay Street, Thames Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm

Thames 07 868 0200 Coromandel 07 868 1001 Whangamata 07 865 0060 Whitianga 07 867 2010

Fax: 07 868 0234 Website: www.tcdc.govt.nz December 2015

www.tcdc.govt.nz/camping