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Camping guide · Where to camp

Camping Near Auckland: Regional Park Campgrounds and CSC Sites

The Shakespear Regional Park picture frame overlooking Te Hāruhi Bay and its headland

Photo: “Te Haruhi Bay” by russellstreet, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Overview

Auckland's best camping is in its regional parks, run by Auckland Council. Many have campgrounds behind beaches or in farmland, and several also have certified self-contained (CSC) vehicle areas and overnight car parking.

These are council campgrounds, not holiday parks. Expect toilets, water and sometimes cold showers rather than kitchens and hot pools, at a much lower price.

How Auckland Council camping works

  • Book online through Auckland Council. Campground bookings open six months ahead, and availability refreshes at midnight.
  • Group limits: At Te Hāruhi Bay, groups can be up to 10 people from 17 December to 31 January, and up to 50 the rest of the year.
  • Locked gates: Some campgrounds have a locked access gate. The code comes with your booking.
  • Park gate hours: Some parks close their gates at night. Shakespear's main gates are open 6am–9pm in daylight saving and 6am–7pm otherwise.
  • No dogs at bookable sites: Dogs and other pets are banned at all regional park bookable sites and accommodation, except registered aid dogs.
  • No fires: Lighting an outdoor fire is illegal in all public areas in the Auckland region.
  • Rubbish: Most regional parks are rubbish-free, so take everything home.

Te Hāruhi Bay, Shakespear Regional Park

The Te Hāruhi Bay campground is on the tip of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, inside the pest-free Shakespear Open Sanctuary.

Tent and vehicle campgroundAdult $18.50, child $7, infant free per night
CSC parking area$22.50 per vehicle per night, maximum 3 nights, one vehicle per booking
Overnight car parking$8 per night, for people on an off-park trip (such as an island or boat trip). No sleeping in your vehicle.

Prices include GST. Check the operator's website for current rates.

Because it's a sanctuary, check your vehicle and belongings for pests before you arrive. Dogs aren't allowed anywhere in the sanctuary.

Other regional parks with camping

Our regional park guides cover the camping at each park:

See all Auckland regional parks for more.

Freedom camping in Auckland

Auckland Council sets its own rules for freedom camping in vehicles, so check its website for where you can and can't stay. Since 7 June 2026, a self-contained vehicle needs a green warrant. Read our freedom camping guide for the national rules.

More about Auckland

Planning time in the city too? See our Auckland city guide.

Sources

  • Auckland Council: Shakespear Regional Park, Te Hāruhi Bay campground, Shakespear CSC parking area and overnight car parking pages

Campsite profiles in this guide

Check before you go

Prices, pet rules, closures and road access change. Confirm current details for Camping near Auckland on the official page before you book or travel.

Auckland Council park accommodation