Area & getting there
Otamure Bay (Whananaki) Campsite
DOC's published campsite reference point, not a surveyed entrance or individual pitch.
Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)Location source & precision
- Reference coordinates
- -35.49228, 174.46135 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- Otamure Bay (Whananaki) Campsite: published Location coordinates (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- Book your chosen pitch before travelling.
- Gates close overnight from 9 pm to 7:30 am.
- Showers are cold; boil the untreated tap water.
- Take rubbish, recycling and food scraps away.
- Location
- Whananaki North, Northland
- Stays
- Tent, campervan and caravan; non-powered
- Adult fee
- NZ$20 per night, age 18+; confirm when booking
- Arrival
- Check-in from 2 pm; gates locked 9 pm-7:30 am
- Facilities
- Cold showers, non-flush toilets and cooking shelter
- Water
- Untreated tap water; boil before use
Otamure Bay is a practical option when you want a coastal pitch you can reserve in advance, rather than a first-come gamble.
Choose a pitch before setting out
DOC bookings are for a chosen site. Use the official campground zone map while selecting it, then check that your tent or vehicle fits the booking category. A coastal photograph cannot show the dimensions of every pitch, so ask about any unusual vehicle or accessibility requirement before paying.
Compare your group's priorities: proximity to facilities, space for sleeping equipment and how you will carry beach gear. Keep those decisions separate from assumptions about views or privacy.
Booking, budget and arrival
The checked adult tariff is NZ$20 per night; ages 5-17 pay NZ$10. Check the final quote for your dates and party through the DOC listing.
Save the confirmation and pitch details offline. Plan an arrival comfortably before the gate closure, allowing time for supplies and delays. Put the booking holder's contact details somewhere another adult in the group can access them.
Water, cooking and waste
The facilities include cold showers, non-flush toilets and a cooking shelter. Tap water is untreated and needs boiling. A shelter should not be treated as a promise of kitchen appliances; bring the cooking equipment your menu needs.
Arrive with drinking water ready to use so your first task is not preparing a batch after dark. Take containers for food scraps and recycling, and leave room in the vehicle for the return journey's waste. The camp rules prohibit dogs and fires.
Plan the beach day separately
The approach follows Whananaki North Road and Rockell Road. Nearby walking options include Watkin Powell Track; check its own conditions before making it part of the day.
Choose shore activities that work for the least confident person in your group. Keep dry clothing, drinking water and your return transport plan independent of a swim. Check the conditions page and retain a non-water option if the forecast changes.
Official facts are paraphrased from DOC under its CC BY 4.0 terms; trip-planning suggestions are Outdoor Next's own.
Common questions
Is Otamure Bay first come, first served?
No. Book a chosen site through DOC; a Campsite Pass does not replace that reservation.
Are there hot showers at Otamure Bay?
DOC lists cold showers. Do not plan around a hot-shower service.
Can I arrive late at Otamure Bay?
The gates lock at 9 pm. Confirm arrival arrangements with DOC before travelling if delays could affect your arrival.
