East Cape Campground
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East Cape Campground
East Cape Campground sits along East Cape Road at Gisborne. You'll be in awe at finding yourself the middle of views and places you never thought possible. Upon entering the site, you'll be greeted with vast green scapes, leading to a stretch of sandy beach. There, you'll find yourself seeming to be in two places at once.
The sea views are exquisite for viewing the first sunrise that comes every day in this area. Imagine waking up to the sound of the waves and seeing the sun in all its glory shining right before you, just before everyone in the world sees it.
Please respect the rare banded dotterels nesting in the sand dunes between the Campground and the beach.
Please pay via the website link on this page.
Details
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Organisation |
East Cape Camp GroundCommercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Hicks Bay |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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5.0/5
An absolutely incredible spot right off the beach.
Facilities aren’t much but for the location they’re more than you’d expect. Waking up to the sunrise is unbelievable, just beware of the wind!
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4.0/5
Beautiful spot with great basic facilities, including flush loos and showers.
Huge area to spread out and enjoy fantastic views from every position. Off grid and remote with amazing night skies and sunrises, run by friendly family.
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3.5/5
Amazing location, with a unique view over the Southern Pacific Ocean, the Hautai beach, and the grass fields, forests and mountains surrounding the East Cape.
In addition to the above, the campsite is just located 10 min. away by car, from the lighthouse, that marks the easternmost point of New Zealand.
However, the establishment provides very basic amenities: nice grass where to install a campervan or tents, bathrooms (unfortunately not very clean ones, urinatory not working, absence of toilet paper and hot shower not working at all), electric barbecues, and basic shelter in case of rain.
Despite the above, I absolutely recommend the place due to its calm, lovely and unique environment that undoubtedly provides an unforgettable experience.
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3.5/5
Very basic campsite in an incredible spot in the middle of nowhere.
Lots of space to park on the grass, you won't be bothered by the neighbours. Come for the view, not the facilities!
Toilets and 2$ hot shower (or free cold shower) but it was rather dirty. Wifi spot next to the reception, no phone service though.
Please note that as of January 2024, the track to the east cape lighthouse is currently closed (there was a big slip). But you can still watch the sunrise from a nice spot on the road right before the hill!
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4.0/5
Brilliant location with excellent views.
Extremely remote with some track roads to get to it but worth the drive. No dump site or WiFi, so a little expensive for facilities still worth it. No staff present but easy to understand lay out and honesty box. Just as an FYI the lighthouse was closed but you can see the sunrise from the road.
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2.0/5
Great view and location if you want to catch the rising sun at the lighthouse.
Do know that all showers and toilets are either not open or not usable. The urinal was blocked and « full ».
In summary, great place to stay if you don’t need access to any of the sanitary facilities. Be wary of the wind, you are on a coastal camping with no protection from the elements.
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5.0/5
If you want to pinch yourself when you wake up in the morning and watch the Sunrise, then this is the place to go.
Amazing location on the beach, plenty of space, last stop before the Light House. We did not use the basic facilities as they were closed due to Covid restrictions.
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5.0/5
Ae Marika te Tairawhiti, tino ataahua, the east coast just beautiful.
An exposed site next to the beach with stunning views. There is a beautiful looking swimming hole next to the camp site, no cell phone coverage here either and I didn't see the sign that mentioned, travel several ks back towards town to get reception, my bad. Didn't get to use the facilities, I probably needed to inform the owner I was on site so they could come down and turn the water on, again my bad. Sadly the light house entry was closed to the public and for your info there's a public toilet at the light house carpark, there is a roadside notice board as you leave the township informing motorists of road closures and the light house closure but yet again I missed that one too.
I paid $20, $15 for the camp fee and I included $5 for the sticker of the campground, there wasn't a price for the sticker. I simply enjoyed the peacefulness of the camp site.
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0.5/5
The owners should be ashamed.
Wished I had checked the facilities before paying.
- no flat ground to park at all
- no WiFi
- no running water / shower
- ALL toilets clogged up and dirty
The only thing working were the cameras checking the honesty box
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0.5/5
The owners should be ashamed.
Wished I had checked the facilities before paying.
- no flat ground to park at all
- no WiFi
- no running water / shower
- ALL toilets clogged up and dirty
The only thing working were the cameras checking the honesty box
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3.5/5
Amazing location, with a unique view over the Southern Pacific Ocean, the Hautai beach, and the grass fields, forests and mountains surrounding the East Cape.
In addition to the above, the campsite is just located 10 min. away by car, from the lighthouse, that marks the easternmost point of New Zealand.
However, the establishment provides very basic amenities: nice grass where to install a campervan or tents, bathrooms (unfortunately not very clean ones, urinatory not working, absence of toilet paper and hot shower not working at all), electric barbecues, and basic shelter in case of rain.
Despite the above, I absolutely recommend the place due to its calm, lovely and unique environment that undoubtedly provides an unforgettable experience.
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4.0/5
Beautiful spot with great basic facilities, including flush loos and showers.
Huge area to spread out and enjoy fantastic views from every position. Off grid and remote with amazing night skies and sunrises, run by friendly family.
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5.0/5
An absolutely incredible spot right off the beach.
Facilities aren’t much but for the location they’re more than you’d expect. Waking up to the sunrise is unbelievable, just beware of the wind!
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3.5/5
Very basic campsite in an incredible spot in the middle of nowhere.
Lots of space to park on the grass, you won't be bothered by the neighbours. Come for the view, not the facilities!
Toilets and 2$ hot shower (or free cold shower) but it was rather dirty. Wifi spot next to the reception, no phone service though.
Please note that as of January 2024, the track to the east cape lighthouse is currently closed (there was a big slip). But you can still watch the sunrise from a nice spot on the road right before the hill!
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2.0/5
Great view and location if you want to catch the rising sun at the lighthouse.
Do know that all showers and toilets are either not open or not usable. The urinal was blocked and « full ».
In summary, great place to stay if you don’t need access to any of the sanitary facilities. Be wary of the wind, you are on a coastal camping with no protection from the elements.
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4.0/5
Brilliant location with excellent views.
Extremely remote with some track roads to get to it but worth the drive. No dump site or WiFi, so a little expensive for facilities still worth it. No staff present but easy to understand lay out and honesty box. Just as an FYI the lighthouse was closed but you can see the sunrise from the road.
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5.0/5
If you want to pinch yourself when you wake up in the morning and watch the Sunrise, then this is the place to go.
Amazing location on the beach, plenty of space, last stop before the Light House. We did not use the basic facilities as they were closed due to Covid restrictions.
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5.0/5
Ae Marika te Tairawhiti, tino ataahua, the east coast just beautiful.
An exposed site next to the beach with stunning views. There is a beautiful looking swimming hole next to the camp site, no cell phone coverage here either and I didn't see the sign that mentioned, travel several ks back towards town to get reception, my bad. Didn't get to use the facilities, I probably needed to inform the owner I was on site so they could come down and turn the water on, again my bad. Sadly the light house entry was closed to the public and for your info there's a public toilet at the light house carpark, there is a roadside notice board as you leave the township informing motorists of road closures and the light house closure but yet again I missed that one too.
I paid $20, $15 for the camp fee and I included $5 for the sticker of the campground, there wasn't a price for the sticker. I simply enjoyed the peacefulness of the camp site.
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4.0/5
Awesome location and great base to catch the sunrise at the lighthouse from.
Plenty of spaces and right on a beautiful beach.
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4.5/5
super fun campsite with all the cows wandering round you while you camp.
We stayed here with the intent of tenting but ended up sleeping in the car as it was quite windy, so bare that in mind. hard to find level ground if you don't get in early but otherwise fantastic! we watched the sun come up then went to lighthouse and found wild horses.
additional info: now costs $15 per adult, showers only accept $1 coins and you need 2 $1 coins for 4 minutes of shower time.
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4.5/5
It was our favourite site on the Cape.
Yes it is basic but the views are amazing and there was loads of room even in the peak Christmas holiday. It actually costs $15 per adult and $10 per child. Showers are $2 for 4 mins. No kitchen but small sink area for washing dishes if you don’t have your own facilities. Highly recommend if you want to get away from the crowds and chill out.
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5.0/5
Worth the trip.
Really remote but such a cool spot. As long as you don’t mind cows but they never came near or bothered us at all. Beautiful spot to wake up to! Really fairly priced, it’s an honesty box.
Toilets and showers are clean and nice
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4.0/5
Great views for sunrise and just a short drive to the lighthouse but perhaps a bit overpriced for basic facilities.
It could do with more stable/flat ground to park up given it costs for $10pp.
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4.0/5
Basic amenities but expected for the remoteness.
Would suggest only self contained vehicles.
Great views of sunset/sunrise and short drive to lighthouse.
Bring chocks if you want to be dead level as it’s just grass and not that level.
Toilets were clean but no lights at night - headtorch needed.
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0.5/5
Despite the views, this is a very disappointing site, no running water for toilets, basins and showers.
Disgusting backed up toilets, no kitchen. You may as well camp in a pig sty!
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5.0/5
A great remote spot, good base for watching the sunrise from the East Cape Lighthouse.
Like a doc camping, but privately owned, caught up with the owner, who came to check the toilet and the like. OK amenities, no hot water, kind of warm if you have a sunny day :) Get your food, water sorted at the last town, as there’s nothing nearby. Do not be offended if the cows turn up next to your tent, they are super friendly. As described by others, the wind can be annoying, try and find a good spot, use you car as a shield. The beach is nice, but full of hidden rocks, you can find nice spots tho a bit further up north, during mid tide when some natural pools remain in the rocks.
You will love it if you want to have some real camping experience and not the holiday park style...
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4.5/5
Really enjoyed our stay here.
Lots of space. Kids loved doing manu's in the river. Good fishing and diving nearby if conditions allow. Showers and toilets nice and clean. Men's showers cold, ladies showers luke warm. Well priced, nice owners
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5.0/5
Great spot !
We were going to miss this part of NZ out but managed to fit it in and glad we did.
The drive up is stunning, the campsite in a great location with good clean facilities (toilet block and showers) and reasonably priced ($10pp)
We went up to the light house for the sunrise in the morning which was great. Allow your self about a hour before sunrise to drive and climb the steps to the top. This should allow to to catch the sunrise just before it begins.
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4.0/5
Great spot close to lighthouse.
Was incredibly windy while we were there so a strong tent or camper reccomend. Note that the price was $10 per adult in Jan 2020 which put us slightly off guard
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4.5/5
Great private camping spot.
We were there for 2 nights, the 26th and 27th and it's an awesome, remote spot. Open to motor homes and tents.
The spot gets really windy and there isn't much shelter, so if you have a tent you need to work out where the wind's coming from and use you car as a shield. We had our van so positioned it in such a way that it's catch the least wind.
The beach is really nice and although the surf looks really good, there are a lot of rocks so surfing and body boarding is not advised.
It's 6 kms from the lighthouse so if you're feeling adventurous, like we did, walk along the beach and then in the gravel to the lighthouse.
The facilities are basic, there's water which you need to boil before use, the toilets are no longer long drops, so you have some comfort and the showers are cold water only.
No phone reception, and as it's a very basic site, make sure you have all your supplies as the nearest town is Te Araroa which is 13 kms away.
Great spot. Enjoy!
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4.5/5
Beautiful remote place, mountains on one side, the beach on the other, there is a track so you can easily walk to get on the beach.
No signal or wifi so be prepared to fully enjoy the views! A great place to watch the sunset, rise and look at the stars. To get there you go along a long gravel road with loose cattle (don’t worry they will leave you alone) The area is a nicely mowed field with toilets, (cold) showers, water and sink for dishes and bins for your rubbish and recycling. It is $10 per adult and $5 per child so come prepared with the correct cash. There is a sign in/out book and an honesty box to pay, though while i was there the owners did come around to introduce themselves, have a chat and check everything was okay and that you’d paid. A very windy place so keep that in mind when it comes to using your gas cooker! This is the perfect place to stay to get to East Cape Lighthouse as it is just another 15mins drive (and a 20min walk) up to the lighthouse. A beautiful place to stay with good clean facilities and you would be supporting the locals. I highly recommend it.
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3.0/5
The location of the campground is ideal when you want to visit the lighthouse in the morning.
If you are not going to do that, I would suggest you to go to a campground in Te Araroa, where you have a lot more comfort for only 5 dollars more.
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3.5/5
Checked campsite out today, large mown grassy paddock so lots of room next to the beach.
A new toilet and shower block 5 months old with gas hot water to be installed in next couple of weeks run by private local family, stay and support their efforts for us all to enjoy, campers, vans and tents welcolme.
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5.0/5
Sign at gate says camper vans only, which is different to what this app says.
Looks like an incredible spot, very disappointed not to stay here in my car
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3.5/5
This campsite is the perfect spot for anybody looking for a basic place to stay.
It’s a huge field, just be aware that there are splodges of cow poop around the place. After reading some of the other reviews, the toilets have actually been updated and now have flushing toilets and cold showers. They are working on getting hot water into the facility too. There are no cooking facilities so make sure you have your own. There is an honesty box and a book to sign in a small office type building near the entrance and Len, the owner, is a really lovely man.
The whole area is really remote so make sure your vehicle is topped up with fuel and have plenty of supplies!
Overall, a wonderful experience!
The beach is just opposite the site, I wouldn’t recommend a swim but if you’re a nifty surfer then it’s a great beach for the waves!
The lighthouse is about a 20 minute drive (if you drive really slowly) on a gravel road from the campsite but it’s the only campsite around the area. It’s a really lovely walk up to the lighthouse with wonderful views of the sun coming up in the morning. There’s also a car park and toilets.
The road from the little town before is about 20kms long and has patches of gravel and proper road along it. Allow extra time if you’re in an older car/van but it’s do-able, we have a 1993 van and it made it!
