Area & getting there
Port Jackson 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
- -36.48401, 175.34180 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- Port Jackson Campsite: published Location coordinates (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- A booking is required even though individual pitches are unallocated.
- The adult rate changes during the summer peak period.
- The cooking shelter does not include a BBQ.
- Check the remote access road and bring a water-treatment plan.
- Location
- Northern Coromandel, Waikato
- Stays
- Tent, campervan and caravan; non-powered
- Adult fee
- NZ$18 per night; NZ$20 from 26 December to 8 February
- Facilities
- Cooking shelter, cold showers and non-flush toilets
- Water
- Stream-fed tap supply; boil or treat before drinking
- Arrival
- Check-in from 2 pm; pitch vacated before 11 am
Port Jackson puts a northern Coromandel beach beside your camp, but it should be planned as a remote stay rather than an effortless roadside stop.
Decide whether the approach works
Port Jackson Road is narrow and unsealed, with sections where passing can be difficult. DOC recommends a reliable 4WD and warns that towing drivers may need to reverse.
Use those constraints to choose transport before you reserve a night. Check vehicle dimensions, driver confidence and rental restrictions together. Leave a daylight margin for the last part of the journey; arriving late can turn a manageable route into unnecessary pressure.
Book the party and check the season
The reservation covers your group rather than a numbered pitch. Adult non-powered camping is NZ$18 per night outside 26 December-8 February, when it is NZ$20. Confirm the total on the official page.
Prepare a compact arrival plan: booking reference, party count and sleeping setup. If companions are arriving separately, make sure everyone knows which campground is booked. Nearby bays are distinct destinations, not overflow sections of the same reservation.
Pack for the facilities actually supplied
There is a cooking shelter but no BBQ. Cold showers, non-flush toilets and a stream-fed tap supply are listed. Boil or treat drinking water.
Choose meals that match your own equipment and bring containers for clean water. Keep food scraps enclosed and allow space to carry all waste away. A water bottle, rain layer and torch should remain easy to reach while the rest of the vehicle is packed tightly.
Separate the beach plan from the overnight plan
The Muriwai coastal walk starts from the Port Jackson area. Check its current information before committing to a route, and choose an outing appropriate to your group's pace and conditions.
For a water-focused day, keep weather, swimming ability and the return plan central to the decision. A beachfront campsite does not establish safe water conditions. Have a shore-based alternative and review the conditions page before leaving. Dogs, fires and generators are not permitted under the checked campground information.
Official facts are paraphrased from DOC under its CC BY 4.0 terms; planning advice is Outdoor Next's own.
Common questions
Is Port Jackson first come, first served?
No. You must book your party in advance, although you choose an available pitch on arrival.
Is there a BBQ at Port Jackson?
DOC specifically lists a cooking shelter without a BBQ. Bring your own permitted cooking equipment.
Is Port Jackson Road suitable for any rental campervan?
Do not assume so. DOC recommends a reliable 4WD on this narrow gravel route; check the specific vehicle, current road advice and rental conditions.
