Image: Kostek Strzelski | Creative Commons
Yellow tent under starry night sky.
Wainora Campsite

Located in Coromandel Forest Park and Kauaeranga Valley in the Coromandel region

This scenic campsite is at the start of the Cookson Kauri Walk, with attractive water views on the walk.

Maximum number of people is 100.

This is one of nine campsites beside the Kauaeranga River.

You're allowed to take dogs through Wainora Campsite when you're going to Cookson Kauri Walk.

Fees

  • Adult (18+ years): $10 per night
  • Child (5–17 years): $5 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 for 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

Bookings open at 9.30 am on Tuesday 20 May 2025.

All bookings are first-come first-served. We do not have waiting lists for bookings for future seasons or facilities that are already booked-out.

Bookings for stays up to 30 June 2025

Bookings are currently open.

Book a Kauaeranga Valley campsite online.

Bookings are for a campsite in the Kauaeranga Valley – you can choose to camp at this particular campsite on arrival.

You can book for a maximum of 3 weeks.

A $10 service fee applies to phone and in-person booking. This is a limited service – book online first. An in-person booking is dependent on there being space available.

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

If you haven't booked and arrive when the visitor centre is shut

If you arrive after hours and wish to stay in one of the nine campgrounds you can pay by cash in the envelope provided at the visitor centre. The envelopes and dropbox are to the right of the main doors.

Kauaeranga Visitor Centre opening hours.

You can also pay using the online booking system.

Follow the Kauaeranga Valley Rd from Thames for 14 km to the visitor centre. Wainora is 7 km north and the fourth campground on the left past the Visitor Centre.

Access: Gravel road.

Location

NZTM2000 coordinates: E1836197, N5893822
Latitude: -37.07214224, Longitude: 175.65686263

This camp is at the start of the Cookson Kauri Walk.