Gisborne Camping Grounds

Some places just make you want to slow down, breathe deeply, and forget about the rest of the world for a while. Gisborne is one of those places, and not only is it known for its beautiful East Coast location on New Zealand’s North Island, but it’s also home to some amazing beaches and opportunities for outdoor adventures.

But what are the camping options in Gisborne? Well, with a good mix of amenity-packed holiday parks and more off-grid spots, there’s something for every kind of traveller. And, to make finding that ideal camping spot even easier, we’ve done all the hard work for you. Below, you’ll find our selection of the best Gisborne camping grounds, with information on what you can expect to find at each and what you can do in the surrounding area.

Are you ready? Let’s find you the perfect Gisborne camping spot.

Gisborne Camping Grounds

• Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
• Tatapouri Bay Oceanside Accommodation
• Tokomaru Bay Holiday Park

Each of these campgrounds offers something different, but they all have one thing in common – you’ll need to be in a campervan to stay at them. Speak with the expert team at Travellers Autobarn to learn more about hiring a campervan from Auckland, and let us help you get on the road in comfort and style.

Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

If you’re new to campervan camping and aren’t quite ready for that back-to-nature experience just yet, or you simply prefer camping with all the comforts of home, Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park is a fantastic choice. Here, you’ll find both spacious sites with electricity and power hookups, along with access to some excellent amenities.

These include bathrooms with showers and laundry facilities, as well as a shared kitchen and dining area and a shared BBQ area, giving you the perfect opportunity to meet fellow explorers. There’s also free unlimited WiFi available, which is ideal if you need to stay connected while you’re away from home. And, as if that wasn’t enough, there’s even a covered, heated swimming pool that is open all year round and a playground with a jumping pillow that kids will love.

The only thing to note is that each site has a maximum occupancy of 6 people, so if you’re travelling in a larger group, you’ll need to book multiple spots.

When it comes to things to do in the area, you’re only 15 minutes on foot from Gisborne’s town centre, where you can explore loads of different cafes and bars, including Sunshine Brewery. When you’re ready to stretch your legs a bit, a 10-minute walk will take you to Midway Beach, or for something a little more challenging, Kaiti Hill (Titirangi Reserve) is a 10-minute drive from camp, where you can climb to spectacular views across the bay.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Showers
• Laundry Facilities
• Shared Kitchen & Dining Area
• Shared BBQ Area
• Free Unlimited WiFi
• Covered Heated Swimming Pool
• Kids’ Playground

Tatapouri Bay Oceanside Accommodation

Have you been dreaming of waking up to the sound of waves crashing against the shore? Pack up your campervan and head straight to Tatapouri Bay Oceanside Accommodation! As its name suggests, you’re right on the beach here, less than 100 metres from the sand, giving you ocean views and that relaxing atmosphere you’ve been craving.

Each of the sites here is spacious, so there’s no need to worry about feeling crammed in with your neighbours, and there is a mix of powered and unpowered campsites to choose from. Whichever suits your needs best, you’ll also get access to communal bathrooms with hot showers, a shared kitchen, laundry facilities, BBQs, and free unlimited WiFi. There’s even a kids’ playground to keep your little ones entertained and an onsite oceanfront cafe serving coffee and treats during the spring and summer.

These amenities are undeniably good, but what really makes camping here so special is the location. Prepare yourself for some amazing marine wildlife encounters, with Dive Tatapouri sitting just a 2-minute walk from the campgrounds and giving you the opportunity to get into the water amongst wild stingrays. Or, if you’d prefer to stay dry, take a 30-minute scenic drive along State Highway 35 to Tolaga Bay Wharf, where you can take a stroll along one of New Zealand’s longest piers. And, for a delicious meal, make sure you stop at Captain Morgan’s to enjoy some of the freshest fish and chips you’ll ever taste.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Communal Bathrooms
• Hot Showers
• Shared Kitchen
• Laundry Facilities
• BBQs
• Free Unlimited WiFi
• Kids’ Playground
• Seasonal Oceanfront Cafe

Tokomaru Bay Holiday Park

A little further from Gisborne’s town centre, Tokomaru Bay Holiday Park is around 80 minutes away but offers you a quieter and more remote camping experience. In fact, there are only seven powered sites available here with plenty of space around each, so you’ll get a sense of privacy you may not find at other campgrounds in the area.

This remoteness doesn’t mean you’re without amenities, though, and there are some excellent campground facilities you’re welcome to use. These include a communal kitchen, bathrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, a dump station, BBQ areas, and a TV lounge where you can kick back and relax or forge new friendships with your fellow campers. Basically, you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay while getting some peace and quiet!

Naturally, the main highlight here is Tokomaru Bay itself and the 7km-long beach that is perfect for morning walks, swimming, or fishing straight off the shore. You’re also only 10 minutes away from Tokomaru Bay Wharf here, and if you’re up for a hike, a 35-minute drive the other way will take you to Cooks Cove Walkway, where you can explore the famous hole-in-the-wall rock formation. Feel like taking things a little easier? Anaura Bay is just 30 minutes away and is the go-to place for amazing ocean views.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Bathrooms
• Hot Showers
• Communal Kitchen
• Laundry Facilities
• Dump Station
• BBQ Area
• TV Lounge

Freedom Camping Options

If you’re looking to get that true, wild camping experience, you’ve also got the option to enjoy freedom camping in Gisborne. However, there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind before you decide this is the right choice.

First, not all areas in Gisborne allow freedom camping, and you can’t just pull up wherever you like and set up camp. Instead, you must only camp in the designated areas. Likewise, there are areas where freedom camping is totally prohibited. You can find a full list of these designated and prohibited areas here.

Second, you must be in a certified self-contained vehicle to freedom camp in the designated areas. This is something Travellers Autobarn can help you with, as we have a range of self-contained campervans ideal for freedom camping in Gisborne, and, better yet, you can hire one of our campervans straight out of Auckland for added convenience.

Obviously, you can also stay at any of the camping grounds we’ve detailed above, all of which are among the best campgrounds and holiday parks in New Zealand, and none of which follow these strict freedom camping rules, making things that much easier when it comes to planning your Gisborne adventure.

Find the North Island’s best campervan hire rates with Travellers Autobarn Auckland

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a well-equipped holiday park or a quiet, off-grid retreat. In Gisborne, you’ll find the perfect place to set up camp! With Travellers Autbobarn, you can hit the road in an affordable hired campervan out of Auckland that perfectly suits your needs, whether you’re travelling solo or with a group of mates. Our campervans even come with unlimited kilometres as standard, so you’ve got the ultimate freedom to discover the open road at your own pace without worrying about incurring extra costs along the way.

Looking for some other awesome North Island camping options? Here are some articles you might find useful:

• Freedom Camping Matakana
• Freedom Camping Sites near Auckland
• Freedom Camping Hamilton
• Freedom Camping Taupo

DISCLAIMER: All information provided, including prices, availability, and site details, is correct at the time of publishing. We recommend contacting campsites or caravan parks directly to confirm the latest details before planning your visit. Please review our Terms and Conditions for additional information.