Absolutely love this place, amazing beach, magical location, loved being able to use fridges/freezers & power in the woolshed and the managers are lovely and super helpful.

Others complained about being expensive but we thought it was cheap! We'll definitely be back!

Reviewed 22 days ago

NOT FOR Internet afficianados.

Everybody else one of the nicest place we have been too. Superb view, 50m to the beach, not the cheapest without facilities, clearly you need to be fully self dependent. But every cent worth it.

Reviewed about 1 month ago

Elliot Bay campground is an undiscovered treasure on the east coast of Northland.

I’m hesitant to write about it because we’d rather this untouched paradise stayed a jealously-guarded secret. It’s set in the most astonishing beautiful, remote location far away from the noisy crowds and tiny cramped plots you encounter at so many commercial camping sites. We arrived on Christmas Day 2023 and the new managers, Charlotte and Michael, were incredibly kind and attentive to us, taking time to provide excellent information about the area while preparing Christmas dinner for a large number of family and friends. We requested a beachfront site and ended up with an entire paddock right on the beach to ourselves. We could park our fully self-contained motorhome wherever we liked. There were a few groups camping in tents in another part of the campground but our only immediate neighbours were rare and endangered dotterels and oyster catchers. A handful of surfers and fisher-people turned up during the day along with hikers traversing the rugged coastal headlands to even more remote bays. We climbed the hill behind us, ablaze with pohutukawa trees in full bloom, and discovered exquisite, deserted Pahi Bay. Ours were the only footprints in the sand that day. We also hiked the nearby Whangamumu DoC Track to a long-abandoned whaling and sealing station. Highly recommended for spectacular scenery and rather gruesome history of how the whalers cornered their prey in this small and tranquil bay.

Don’t go to Elliot Bay campground expecting fancy facilities. It’s exactly as advertised, a rustic, back-to-basics Kiwi camp site where you need to be able to survive off-grid and without wifi. It’s a rare privilege to find such an unspoiled gem these days.

However, if camping is really not your thing, there’s upmarket accommodation on a hill overlooking the beach.

Reviewed about 1 year ago

Beautiful location and beach but horrible value for money.

20 dollar per person/night, stinky and uncomfortable long drop toilet (apparently closed during summer) and water faucet on the opposit side of the ground (no sink, no soap).

Reviewed 10 months ago

Beautiful place to stay, bit pricey at $20 per head, with no amenities at all.

But we loved waking up to the beautiful sunrise.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

Elliot’s Bay is pure paradise, perfect for all ages ,our group camp kids were aged 3-13 all loved it, safe , fun and beautiful.

The managers Steve and Ursla went above and beyond to help make our stay incredible, nothing was too hard for them , they have great knowledge of the area and really know how to run a campground . Thanks we will be back !

Reviewed 22 days ago

10/10!

The most beautiful camping spot, and one of the most reasonable camps we have paid for. Facilities include running water, power, fridges and freezers and long drops during off-peak season.

The beaches are outstanding.

Steve and Ursula who run the campground are two of the best people we have met in our travels.

Totally recommend Elliot Bay to anyone who wants to unwind, relax, and enjoy the simple things in life - Sun, Sand, Friends, Nature.

Reviewed 22 days ago

Beautiful location and beach but horrible value for money.

20 dollar per person/night, stinky and uncomfortable long drop toilet (apparently closed during summer) and water faucet on the opposit side of the ground (no sink, no soap).

Reviewed 10 months ago

Elliot Bay campground is an undiscovered treasure on the east coast of Northland.

I’m hesitant to write about it because we’d rather this untouched paradise stayed a jealously-guarded secret. It’s set in the most astonishing beautiful, remote location far away from the noisy crowds and tiny cramped plots you encounter at so many commercial camping sites. We arrived on Christmas Day 2023 and the new managers, Charlotte and Michael, were incredibly kind and attentive to us, taking time to provide excellent information about the area while preparing Christmas dinner for a large number of family and friends. We requested a beachfront site and ended up with an entire paddock right on the beach to ourselves. We could park our fully self-contained motorhome wherever we liked. There were a few groups camping in tents in another part of the campground but our only immediate neighbours were rare and endangered dotterels and oyster catchers. A handful of surfers and fisher-people turned up during the day along with hikers traversing the rugged coastal headlands to even more remote bays. We climbed the hill behind us, ablaze with pohutukawa trees in full bloom, and discovered exquisite, deserted Pahi Bay. Ours were the only footprints in the sand that day. We also hiked the nearby Whangamumu DoC Track to a long-abandoned whaling and sealing station. Highly recommended for spectacular scenery and rather gruesome history of how the whalers cornered their prey in this small and tranquil bay.

Don’t go to Elliot Bay campground expecting fancy facilities. It’s exactly as advertised, a rustic, back-to-basics Kiwi camp site where you need to be able to survive off-grid and without wifi. It’s a rare privilege to find such an unspoiled gem these days.

However, if camping is really not your thing, there’s upmarket accommodation on a hill overlooking the beach.

Reviewed about 1 year ago

We love this place and have spent many happy times here with family and friends.

Even better to hear that just last week it went into a trust by all to enjoy! On Saturday we'd had a great time watching a big pod of dolphins, fishing and a walk to the old Whangamumu whaling station. Only to have a great day spoilt by the psychopathic carpark caretakers who accused us of not paying our $2 parking fee! It was the 1st thing we did on arrival! We could not convince them and a verbal altercation took place which ended up with them barring the entrance way and taking photos of our vehicle. From there it went from bad to worst with the male caretaker spitting at my husband, scratching his arm, punching the drivers window with his fist and attempting to tear off the side mirror. We understand from previous reviews that this is not the 1st time and feel terrible to think that this is happening in our local area! We have travelled all over NZ and have never experienced anything like this before. Here is a trust that wants to promote Northland, provide employment and business opportunities in an area of high unemployment only to be spoilt by the bad behaviour of this rude couple!

Reviewed over 4 years ago

Mr Elliot, the camp manager and psychopathic wife.

Has flipped out, harassed and bullied me and everyone goes to Elliot bay. They are absolutely mental and deranged. They have Assaulted, yell and threatened my friends. They are a menace to the chill kiwi summer. Shouldn't be about to hold everyone ransom to a beautiful beach and surf spot. May the grow old with empty lives.

Reviewed almost 5 years ago

The place is beautiful.

The camping experience is awful on acount of rude and violent owner.

We didn't have cash for payment so the owner asked us to leave surfboard as a bond until we return with cash. We agreed but as we were driving off he said that was not enough and demanded to leave him a cellphone. We refused. He run to the car opened the boot and took one of the backpacks. When I tried to take it back he hit me. After a while his partner managed to calm him down and pull him away. As we were driving through the last of 4 gates he hit the car.

Later we returned to pick up the board and pay. The owner refused to take money.

Tereable experience. People are not welcomed at this place. Ovoid it.

Reviewed about 6 years ago