Image: Stephen Wynne-Jones | ©
Children play among tents that sit on the edge of an inlet. It's a very bright day.
Waikahoa Bay Campsite

Located in Mimiwhangata Coastal Park in the Northland region

Camp beside a sandy beach among pōhutukawa trees. A great spot for water activities.

Fees

9 February to 25 December

  • Adult (18+ years): $18 per night
  • Child (5–17 years): $9 per night
  • Infant (0–4 years): free

26 December to 8 February

  • Adult (18+ years): $20 per night
  • Child (5–17 years): $10 per night
  • Infant (0–4 years): free

Passes

The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite. 

Campsite Pass bookings must be booked online before occupying a site. If you do not book, bookings may be made by campground staff (if present) and will incur a $10 service charge. Sites may not be available if you do not book. 

Bookings

Bookings are open for stays from 22 October 2026 to 30 April 2027. The campsite is closed during winter. 

  • If no availability shows online for your dates, the campsite is fully booked.
  • No spaces are kept for campers arriving without a booking.
  • Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
  • Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.

22 October - 30 April

The campsite is open. Bookings are required.

1 May - 21 October

The campsite is closed. 

Book Waikahoa Bay Campsite online

Book well in advance for the peak period from 1 December - 28 February and for public holiday weekends.

Your booking will be for a site, which will be allocated or selected on arrival.

Mimiwhangata Coastal Park is located about 48 km north-east of Whangārei.

From Whangārei, turn off SH 1 onto Russell Road. At Helena Bay turn south onto Webb Road, continue until you come to the Mimiwhangata Coastal Park turn off.

Access: From Teal Bay the road is gravel, narrow and winding. Steep 5 minute walk to campsite – all gear must be carried from the car park over the hill to the campground.

Location

NZTM2000 coordinates: E1728006, N6077000
Latitude: -35.44244321, Longitude: 174.41204155
  • Gate access to the camp carpark is locked. The PIN number will be emailed to you after booking.
  • No vehicle/campervan access.
  • Sites are not individually marked but are limited to a maximum of 5 people per site.
  • There are no boat launching facilities, however hand launching of dinghies is permitted from the car park.

Rubbish and recycling

This campsite operates a ‘pack in, pack out’ policy for waste. There will be no rubbish collection. This includes compost and recycling.

The closest rubbish facilities to the campsite are the Oakura Recycling Centre or Russell Transfer Station.

Mimiwhangata Marine Park regulations

The Marine Park extends 1000 m offshore between Paparahi Point and Te Ruatahi Island and extends beyond Rimariki Island. Full detail of the boundary and rules applying at Mimiwhangata Marine Park can be found in the Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013, section 69 and schedule 14. 

New Zealand Legislation website.

You can not take marine life from this area. This is to protect the significant ecological values of this area which has been severely impacted by fishing. 

These rules do not affect kina harvest daily bag limits, or non-commercial Māori customary fishing rights guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, but a permit is required. 

See Northland Regional Council's Marine Protections Areas for area maps and more information. 

Water safety

If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.

 Enjoy kayaking, swimming and relaxing. 

The swimming and diving are superb.

Walkways go through neighbouring farmland.

Mimiwhangata is also a great place for bird watching – it is home to a variety of shorebirds, the endangered brown teal and there are good numbers of kiwi in the surrounding forested areas.