The Camphouse
Located in Egmont National Park and North Egmont area in the Taranaki region
Introduction
The historic Camphouse is nestled on the slopes of the mighty Mount Taranaki. It's an ideal base for exploring the stunning walks of Egmont National Park. The Camphouse must be booked in advanced.Highlights
Access
- Vehicle
Occupancy
- Shared
Facilities
- Heating - electric
- Kitchen - fully equipped
- Lighting
- Shower - hot
- Toilet - flush
Activities
- Walking and tramping
Use the historic Camphouse as a base to explore the North Egmont area of Egmont National Park. Climb to the summit of Mt Taranaki, walk the Pouakai Circuit, or simply sit on the deck and enjoy the fantastic views over Taranaki to the mountains of the Central Plateau.
Call into the Kamahi Cafe in Egmont National Park Visitor Centre for brunch/lunch.
Facilities
- Sleeps 34 in 5 rooms:
- 4 rooms sleep 8 on bunk beds
- 1 room sleeps 2 on bunk beds
- Mattresses - bring your own linen or other bedding and pillows
- Pots, pans, cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery – bring your own tea towels and dishwashing liquid.
- Men’s and women’s bathrooms with 2 showers and 1 toilet in each – bring your own soap and towels.
- Wheelchair accessible toilet.
- Communal lounge with heating.
- Car parking for 5 cars directly outside. More parking available within 50 m.
Using the lodge
Collecting the key
The lodge is locked – refer to your booking confirmation for the key code to access a box with your key.
Cleaning
Mt Taranaki Camphouse operates on a 'self clean' basis. Clean and tidy the lodge before you leave. Basic cleaning supplies are provided but you will need to bring your own rubbish bags.
Check out time
Check out is 10 am. Return your key by 10 am or you may be charged an extra night's accommodation. Keys not returned will be charged for.
No smoking
No smoking is allowed inside DOC accommodation.
Getting there
The Camphouse is at the North Egmont road end, 29 km from New Plymouth.
Follow SH3 to Egmont Village and turn into Egmont Road (right if you're coming from New Plymouth, left if you're coming from Inglewood). Follow Egmont Road to the carpark and visitor centre at the end.
Fees
Per bunk bed (shared occupancy)
- Adult (18+): $25 per night
- Child (5-17): $10 per night
- Under 5: free
Bookings
2020/2021 bookings
Bookings are open for stays from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
Bookings are required all year.
A $10 service fee applies to all phone, email and in-person bookings.
Activities
There are many tramping opportunities in this area ranging from short walks to more adventurous undertakings.
Know before you go
The Camphouse is on a mountain - it can get cold! There is basic heating, but make sure you take plenty of warm clothing and bedding.
Marsland stockade and barracks in
1893
Camphouse (then Tahurangi House)
in 1907
North Egmont Camphouse today
Military barracks
The Camphouse was built as a military barracks for the Taranaki Wars of the 1860s.
In the summer of 1854-55 feuding between various factions of Maori broke out in the Waitara area over the sale of Maori land to Europeans. To allay the fears of local European settlers, Colonel Wynard, the Acting Governor, requested accommodation for soldiers to be stationed in New Plymouth.
A pre-fabricated building was designed and built in Melbourne, Australia. The pieces were marked so that reconstruction of the building would be easy on its arrival in New Zealand.
It formed part of the military barracks complex on Marsland Hill, New Plymouth. This became the headquarters of the Taranaki Military Frontier during the conflicts of 1860 to 1881. As a citadel, it was critical to the European defence of New Plymouth.
From 1874 the barracks were also used to provide temporary housing for immigrants. By 1891 the building fell into a state of disrepair and it was dismantled.
Reconstruction at North Egmont
In 1885 farmer Harry Peters discovered a new route to North Egmont and it quickly became more popular than other established routes of the time. As the number of visitors to the mountain grew so did the need for permanent accommodation to house them.
In 1891 part of the dismantled barrack building was sledded to North Egmont for this purpose. It was named Tahurangi House on its formal opening in 1892. It then became known as the Old House in 1913 when additional accommodation was added (later demolished), before finally becoming the Camphouse in 1977. Since 1892 it has provided accommodation for generations of New Zealanders and international visitors.
Today
While the building’s recreation heritage is most prominent today, its military past is still evident. Many of the original features such as handwrought corrugated iron with gun shots, and tongue and groove timber panelling can still be seen.
DOC’s work
The building underwent a major restoration and upgrade in 1999.
Further reading
Department of Conservation. (1995) Camphouse, North Egmont, Taranaki: Heritage Inventory (Unpublished).
Department of Conservation. (1995) Camphouse (North Egmont, Taranaki): Conservation Plan(Unpublished).
Contacts
| Egmont National Park Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 6 756 0990 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | egmontvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
2879 Egmont Rd Egmont National Park |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 462 New Plymouth 4340 |
| Full office details | |