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Home Bay Campsite, Motutapu Island

Auckland, North IslandDOC campsite

AI-generated cartoon of a green and coral tent with trees and distant hills; not a photograph of this campsite.

AI illustration. Generic AI-generated camping artwork, not a photograph of this campsite. It does not represent the site's actual landscape, pitches or facilities.

Artwork: Outdoor Next / AI-generated artwork / AI-generated illustration / Details

Campsite essentials

Your stay at a glance

Tent camping by Home Bay, with reduced camping space and access restrictions on Motutapu.

Campground type
DOC campsite
Setting
Coast
Operator / brand
Department of Conservation
Stay options
Tent
Booking
Advance booking required

Facilities

  • Powered sitesNot available
  • Hot showersNot available
  • ShowersNot available
  • ToiletsAvailable
All facilities & policies

Confirm with the operator: shared kitchen, laundry, campfire policy. Missing information does not mean a facility is unavailable.

Powered sites
Not available. DOC lists non-powered camping.
Hot showers
Not available. DOC explicitly says no showers.
Showers
Not available. DOC explicitly says no showers.
Toilets
Available. Main block closed; several Norski toilets remain open according to the alert.
Shared kitchen
Not confirmed. An equipped kitchen is not verified; bring cooking gear.
Laundry
Not confirmed. Laundry not verified.
Pets
No pets. No dogs; other pets require checking DOC's separate rules. Confirm assistance-dog arrangements with DOC.
Campfires
Not confirmed. Campfire permission has not been confirmed. Do not light a fire without checking with the operator and checking current fire restrictions.

Before you go

Untreated water

DOC describes filtering/treatment but still requires boiling for at least 3 minutes; not recorded as ready-to-drink treated water.

No pets

No dogs; other pets require checking DOC's separate rules. Confirm assistance-dog arrangements with DOC.

Fire safety

Campfire permission has not been confirmed. Do not light a fire without checking with the operator and checking current fire restrictions.

Check current fire restrictions (new tab)

Access & important conditions
  • Southern campsite and main toilet block closed for landslide/rockfall risk; DOC says only 25 pitches are offered for booking, not that 25 are vacant.
  • Southern vehicle road closed near exposed high-voltage cables; use the coastal Motutapu Walkway and obey barriers.
  • Home Bay wharf has unsafe low-tide ladder access. Confirm landing arrangements; ferry services are limited.
Fees & booking

Area & getting there

Home Bay Campsite, Motutapu Island

DOC campsite reference point, not a verified entrance or individual pitch.

Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)
Location source & precision
Reference coordinates
-36.76716, 174.92899 (latitude, longitude)
Precision
WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
Location source checked
Explore Auckland
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice

By Outdoor Next / Editorial standards / Last checked

  • Tent camping by Home Bay, with reduced camping space and access restrictions on Motutapu.
  • Southern campsite and main toilet block closed for landslide/rockfall risk; DOC says only 25 pitches are offered for booking, not that 25 are vacant.
  • Southern vehicle road closed near exposed high-voltage cables; use the coastal Motutapu Walkway and obey barriers.
  • Home Bay wharf has unsafe low-tide ladder access. Confirm landing arrangements; ferry services are limited.
Camping styles
tent
Fees
Non-powered camping: NZ$10 per adult 18+ per night; confirm booking total.
Water
DOC describes filtering/treatment but still requires boiling for at least 3 minutes; not recorded as ready-to-drink treated water.

Tent camping by Home Bay, with reduced camping space and access restrictions on Motutapu.

Start with transport, not a pitch map

Home Bay works as a tent-based island overnight when the landing and baggage carry fit the group. Ferry services are limited, and alternative arrivals may involve substantial walking. Ask the transport operator about the actual landing point and tide conditions before reserving travel. The warning about the Home Bay wharf's low-tide ladder makes this an important detail, not an optional convenience.

Use only the remaining camping area

The southern campground and main toilet block are closed because of landslide and rockfall concerns. DOC identifies a smaller bookable area with several Norski toilets still operating. Choose space only within the open boundary; old photographs and the headline capacity are not a reliable pitch guide. Do not use the southern vehicle road either: its separate closure concerns exposed electrical cables.

Pack for a simple island stay

There are no showers, power or equipment transfers within the island. Bring a stove, lighting and containers that make the carry manageable, and plan to boil supplied water as instructed. A booking covers people rather than an individually marked pitch. Keep the return journey clear in your plans and allow room in your luggage for all rubbish, even after a short overnight.

Check the official campsite information for current restrictions, facilities and booking arrangements.

Sources & official links

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