Freedom Camping Gisborne

If you’re thinking about heading to the sun-soaked East Coast of New Zealand, Gisborne is a destination that should definitely be on your must-visit list. In this corner of the world, you’ll find endless opportunities for adventure, along with golden beaches, Maori culture, and so much more. But, before you hit the road, it’s incredibly important that you understand you can’t just pull up and camp wherever you want.

Like all other areas of New Zealand, there are designated freedom camping spots where you’re allowed to spend a night or two, but there are also some bylaws enforced by Gisborne District Council that, if ignored or misunderstood, could result in a hefty fine. So, to make things much easier and make planning your Gisborne freedom camping adventure a breeze, we’ve clearly detailed everything you need to know. Below, you’ll find where you’re legally allowed to freedom camp and not, along with some information on what activities you can enjoy in the surrounding areas.

Are you ready? Let’s load up the campervan and find a place to stay!

Before we start looking at each of these spots in more detail, it’s important to note that you can only freedom camp in Gisborne in a certified self-contained vehicle. Contact the expert team at Travellers Autobarn today to hire a campervan in Auckland, and we’ll get you on the road to adventure without any stress.

Midway Beach Surf Club Car Park

Distance from Gisborne: 2.5km / 5 minutes

The Midway Beach Surf Club Car Park is the ideal spot to set up camp if you want to be close to the action. It’s only five minutes from Gisborne and is right next to one of the area’s most popular beaches, which is ideal if you want to spend your days surfing or sunbathing.

You will need to be in a certified self-contained campervan to camp here, and you’ll also need to make sure you only park in the spaces outlined with blue markings. The maximum stay here is three nights in any calendar month, too, and as far as amenities are concerned, you’ll have access to public toilets (they close at 9 p.m.) and cold showers on the beach.

From this freedom camping site, not only are you literally steps away from Midway Beach, but you’re also super close to town, where you can enjoy delicious meals at cafes like The Works, which is a 6-minute drive away. You’re less than 10 minutes away from the Tairawhiti Museum, too, giving you the perfect opportunity to learn more about local Maori history and art.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Public Toilets (closes at 9 p.m.)
• Cold Showers (on the beach)

Kaiti Beach

Distance from Gisborne: 2.5km / 5 minutes

Located at the foot of Kaiti Hill, the freedom camping area at Kaiti Beach puts you in the perfect position to explore this part of Gisborne without having to stray too far from your campervan. As always, you’ll need to be in a certified self-contained vehicle to camp here, and the designated spaces are marked with blue lines. These indicate the only spots you can freedom camp here, so if they’re all occupied, you’ll need to find an alternative.

Assuming you’re able to grab a spot here, you’re welcome to set up camp for a maximum of three nights in any calendar month. You won’t find much in the way of amenities, but there is a public toilet available and a playground, which is ideal if you’re travelling with kids. Just note that fires and semi-permanent structures aren’t allowed, and tent camping is only allowed in restricted seasonal areas with a permit.

Along with being close to Titrangi Reserve / Kaiti Hill, where you can walk to the top and see the Captain Cook Monument, you’re a 25-minute walk from Te Poho-o-Rawiri Marae. This is an important cultural site for the local iwi tribe, and while most people are only allowed to view the building, you may get the opportunity to be invited inside, where you’ll find some beautiful carvings on display.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Public Toilet
• Playground

Bright Street Car Park

Distance from Gisborne: 500m / 1 minute

Looking for a freedom camping spot that’s as close to Gisborne’s city centre as possible? Bright Street Car Park near the War Memorial Theatre is the place to head. You’re just one minute from the surrounding shops and restaurants here, which is ideal if you need to restock or just can’t be bothered cooking.

Naturally, you’ll have to be in a certified self-contained campervan to stay here, and, as with most other spots in the region, you need to park within the designated spaces outlined in blue. Your maximum stay here is 3 nights in any calendar month, and you’ll have access to public toilets and picnic tables. Now, while this isn’t a huge amount of amenities, you’re so close to town that the location more than makes up for it.

One of the must-visit attractions here is the Gisborne Farmers Market, which is just a 10-minute walk from the freedom camping area and is especially popular on Saturday mornings. The C Company Memorial House is also only 10 minutes away on foot and is a place that history lovers should visit to learn more about the Maori Battalion’s contribution during World War II.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Public Toilets
• Picnic Tables

Makorori Car Park Freedom Camping

Distance from Gisborne: 11km / 30 minutes

Makorori Beach is a slice of heaven on Earth, and while freedom camping isn’t allowed on the beach itself, the Makorori Car Park does allow certified self-contained vehicles to camp here, giving you a way to legally enjoy waking up to one of the most breathtaking views in the area.

You’ll find painted blue lines here indicating which spaces are suitable for freedom camping, and if you’re lucky enough to grab one, you can camp here for 3 nights in any calendar month. There isn’t much in terms of amenities, and you’ll only find a public toilet block. But that’s kind of what freedom camping is all about, and the opportunity to camp so close to the beach is well worth the sacrifice.

From here, you’ll get the chance to spot dolphins jumping from the water in the distance, along with opportunities to surf in the breaks. And when you’re ready to explore further afield, Wainui Beach is a 6-minute drive away and another beautiful coastal spot waiting to be explored. Had your fill of beach fun? Take the 5-minute drive to the Hamanatua Stream Walkway to enjoy a gentle stroll through the bush and spot some of Gisborne’s native flora and fauna.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Public Toilets

Tokomaru Bay

Distance from Gisborne: 90km / 1 hour 20 minutes

If you’ve not been able to find an available freedom camping spot, the good news is that you’ve still got an option that isn’t too far out of the way at Tokomaru Bay. Even better, there are two separate freedom camping areas here, increasing your chances of grabbing a space and setting up camp.

The first of the two is at the north end of Tokomaru Bay on Beach Road, and the second is at the south end of the bay on Waitou Road. However, it’s important to note that each of these sites is only open from May 1st to Labour weekend, so don’t make the trip if you’re visiting outside of this period. As far as rules are concerned, the usual certified self-contained vehicle requirement stands, and you’re limited to a maximum stay of 3 nights per calendar month. Also, unlike most other freedom camping spots in the area, the designated spaces are signposted instead of marked with painted blue lines.

When it comes to nearby activities, the main attraction here is Tokomaru Bay Wharf, which is less than 10 minutes away and stretches out into the water, offering both amazing views and excellent photo opportunities. Or, if you’re in the mood for something a bit more adventurous, a 40-minute drive will take you to the Cooks Cove Walkway, a relatively easy track that takes you through native bush before ending with unparalleled views of Cooks Cove.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• No Amenities – Self-Contained Vehicles Only

Motu Rest Area

Distance from Gisborne: 80km / 1 hour 5 minutes

Another great option a little further from Gisborne, Motu Rest Area is further inland and also ideally located if you’re en route to the Bay of Plenty and need a safe, comfortable place to set up camp.

As usual, you need to be in a certified self-contained vehicle to camp overnight at Motu Rest Area and the designated spaces are signposted, so make sure you only park in these. There are some good amenities nearby, including public toilets, laundry facilities, and even hot showers (a luxury when freedom camping) and your maximum stay is 3 nights in a calendar month, but that gives you plenty of time to explore the attractions.

This includes exploring the Motu Trails Network, which is just over an hour away and is part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail Network, with multiple joining spots nearby catering to all levels, from leisurely riders to experienced mountain bikers. Or, if you’d prefer to stay a little closer to the camping grounds, the Motu Falls is a 12-minute drive away and is accessible through a short bush walk.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Public Toilets
• Laundry Facilities
• Hot Showers

A Note on Freedom Camping in Gisborne

Those are all of the spots in and around Gisborne where you can legally freedom camp, provided you’re in the right kind of vehicle and follow the rules outlined for each of them. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that this part of New Zealand is very popular, especially during the summer, and if you can’t find a suitable space at one site, you’ll need to head to another authorised site and try your luck there.

Whatever you do, you shouldn’t be tempted to pull up in an unauthorised area, as this can result in fines. To help stop this from accidentally happening, you can find a list of the prohibited freedom camping areas below:

• Gisborne Urban Area & Surrounds
• Spong Bay
• Wainui
• Okitu
• Turihaua Point (North)
• Waihau Beach
• Tolaga Bay (North, South & The Wharf Car Park)
• Kaiaua Beach
• Te Araroa

Avoid these areas, stick to the sites detailed above, and you’ll have an amazing experience freedom camping in Gisborne.

From the beaches of Midway and Makorori to the inland areas of Tokomaru Bay and Motu, there are loads of excellent freedom camping spots just waiting for you to visit in Gisborne. Just remember, you need to be in a certified self-contained vehicle to stay at any of them, and not doing that could result in a dent in your travel budget. At Travellers Autobarn, we make it easy to hit the road in the right vehicle, and with the added bonus of free unlimited kilometres, you can chase waves and soak up the stunning East Coast scenery at your own pace. So, what are you waiting for? Your freedom camping in New Zealand adventure awaits!

Why let the adventure end in Gisborne? Extend your road trip with the campsites you’ll find in these articles:

• Freedom Camping Near Auckland
• North Island: Top 9 Freedom Campsites
• Guide to Freedom Camping in NZ
• Freedom Camping North Island