Area & getting there
Stony Bay 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
- -36.51231, 175.42188 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- Stony Bay Campsite: published Location coordinates (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- Reach Stony Bay via Port Charles, not through Fletcher Bay.
- The narrow unsealed road may require reversing for other vehicles.
- Boil or treat the stream-fed water before drinking.
- The Coromandel Walkway is partially closed; check your route.
- Setting
- Coastal campground, northern Coromandel, Waikato
- Stays
- Tent, campervan and caravan, subject to road suitability
- Bookings
- Required; unallocated non-powered pitches
- Adult fee
- NZ$18 per night, age 18+
- Facilities
- Cold showers and non-flush toilets
- Water
- Untreated, stream-fed tap supply
Stony Bay is reached from the eastern side of northern Coromandel. A map showing nearby Fletcher Bay can obscure the very different road approaches.
Read the access instructions closely
The route uses Port Charles Road and Stony Bay Road. DOC warns about tight corners, limited passing space and slippery surfaces after prolonged rain. Be prepared to reverse when meeting traffic.
Check whether every driver in the group is comfortable with that scenario before departure. A shorter distance on a navigation app should not override the official approach. Save the route and an alternative overnight plan where it can be read without reception.
Reserve a stay, not a particular view
Bookings are required and cover the number of people rather than a designated pitch. Adult nights are listed at NZ$18. Check current availability and stay limits through the DOC page.
Allow time to look over the camping area before unpacking. Keep your setup flexible enough to work in a suitable available space rather than depending on a photograph's exact location. A separate bach is not included in a campground booking.
Water and rain preparation
Cold showers and non-flush toilets are confirmed. The stream-fed tap supply needs boiling or treatment before drinking. Bring a ready-to-use supply and keep clean-water containers separate from untreated refill containers.
DOC warns that the campground ford can become impassable in heavy rain. Think about the return journey as well as arrival; a dry approach does not settle tomorrow's access. Pack essential medications, food and warm layers where they remain accessible if the itinerary changes.
Choose an achievable day outside
The Coromandel Walkway has a partial closure, so a through-walk should not be the default plan. Use current track information to set a turnaround point and tell someone your intended route.
Keep a shorter option for changing weather or a tired group. Beach time can still be worthwhile without entering the water. Review our conditions page, remove all waste and follow the restrictions on dogs, fires and generators. A quiet bay still needs considerate shared-space habits.
Official facts are paraphrased from DOC under its CC BY 4.0 terms; planning advice is Outdoor Next's own.
Common questions
Can I drive through Stony Bay to Fletcher Bay?
No. The Stony Bay approach is a no-exit road via Port Charles; plan each bay's road access separately.
Does Stony Bay require advance booking?
Yes. Book the people in your party through DOC before occupying a pitch.
Can I rely on a full Coromandel Walkway crossing?
No. The campsite page warns of partial closure. Check the current track notice and choose a permitted route.
