Cable Bay campsite, Urupukapuka Island
Alert/Important notice
Major upgrade of visitor facilities on Urupukapuka Island scheduled for November 2011 to winter 2012
Find out more in the media release 19 October 2011
Work will be programmed to minimise impacts on the busy areas. Please observe all track closures and use alternative routes for your own safety and to help us expedite the work.
Campsite category
Standard
Facilities
Water from tap
Toilets
Showers (cold)
Fees
$8.10 adult/night, $2.00 child/night (5 - 17 years)
Booking
You can book via the online booking system or contact
Before you book online, read the terms & conditions
Cable Bay is a popular campsite. Please give others a chance to stay here, and only book one site per tent.
Campsite details
Cable Bay is one of three campsites on Urupukapuka Island and has room for about 212 people or about 53 tent sites.
When you make a booking, you can choose your campsite location from 5 distinct camping areas (pods). This helps to make your stay at the campground more enjoyable as campsites are distributed evenly along the beach.
The campground map shows the locations of the pods through differently coloured outlines. There are 3 beachfront pods, called the Pohutukawa, Titoki, and Manuka, and 2 pods located in the back row - the Ti and Kauri.
Sites
Beachfront sites:
- Pohutukawa Pod: 48 people/12 available tent spaces
- Titoki Pod: 44 people/11 available tent spaces
- Manuka Pod: 24 people/6 available tent spaces
Back row sites:
- Ti Pod: 56 people/14 available tent spaces
- Kauri Pod: 40 people/10 available tent spaces
Setting up your site
Please set up your site so that the mess/gazebo/cooking area is located on the back part of your site with the accommodation at the front.
Location
Cable Bay campsite is on the southern shores of Urupukapuka Island
Getting there
Cable Bay campsite
Ferries leave from Paihia and Russell daily to Otehei Bay (10-15min) in peak season. Water taxis run year round. Private boats can leave from ramps in the Eastern Bay, including Kaimarama or Te Unga Bays, 30-45min from Russell on Russell Rd, Manawaora Rd and Rawhiti Rd.
From Otehei Bay: turn right at the end of wharf and follow archaeological walk towards southern end of island, about 30 min. Look for white triangle cable marker in the bay.
Grid reference: NZTM2000, E1712583-N6102014
Notes
- Boat access only. Ferries and/or water taxis leave from Paihia and Russell daily during summer peak period
- Bookings required
- 027 cellphone coverage is available around all parts of the island
- You must take all your rubbish with you when you leave
- No cooking facilities
- Liquid or LPG only
- No dogs
- No fires or fireplaces
- No solid fuel cooking facilities allowed
- No fireworks
- No rubbish is collected so please remember that whatever you bring in, you take out
- Grass is grazed by sheep
- Camp host is on-site from 22 December to 20 January each season
- Urupukapuka Island is now rodent free. It is very important to check your bags, food stores, tents and tarps for any rats and mice prior to arrival on the islands.
- Argentine ant free. Please check all gear thouroughly for infestations prior to arrival. Use fly spray on ants.
- Find out more about camping on pest free islands.
Activities
Activities with children
Bird watching
Diving/snorkelling
Flora and fauna
Historic sites
Photography
Sea kayaking
Walking track: Urupukapuka Island Archaeological Walk
The bay is also a great place for fishing, swimming and all types of water sports.
Park or reserve
The island has well-preserved archaeological remnants of early Maori settlement. Occupied by Ngare Raumati then Ngapuhi early in 19th Century, the island has significant historic and cultural importance. Learn more from information panels around the island.
Nearby Otehei Bay has an open-air restaurant.
Plan and prepare
Urupukapuka Island is now rodent free and Argentine ant free. It is very important to check your bags, food stores, tents and tarps for any rat, mice or ant infestation prior to arrival on the island.
Before travelling to Urupukapuka Island, find out how you can help keep the island pest-free in the island visit information pack.