Parua Bay

Parua Bay - Overnight Campervan Parking

Parua Bay

Overnight Campervan Parking

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Nice looking toilets!

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Information

Parua Bay

Beachside reserve with large flat grassy area and boat ramp access.

You must park in the designated site that is indicated by signage.

If the site is full, you must move on.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Whangarei District Council

Council organisation

Location

North IslandNorthlandWhangarei

Categories

  • Activity__freedom_campingFreedom Camping
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-35.7757236747707

174.450122320652

Latitude
-35.7757236747707
Longitude
174.450122320652

Nearby

Reviews

    ✓ Beautiful views

    ✓ Clean toilets

    ✓ Lots of space

    ✓ Close to water

    ✓ Safe environment

    𐄂 Noisy at night

    𐄂 Boggy ground when wet

    • Great!
    • Lovely spot if you can get in ...
    • Grass was very boggy so limited parking spots.
    • Nice, calm spot.
    • We stayed here overnight on our way far north.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 12
    38%
    9/10 8
    25%
    8/10 8
    25%
    7/10 2
    6%
    6/10 1
    3%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 1
    3%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 3.5/5

    Facilities weren’t that clean, kinda disgusting when we arrived.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.5/5

    Had 3 night here, flat easy access.

    great looking out over the bay. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great place to stay when making day trips to Whangarei.

    Quiet, safe, spacious. Seems pretty relaxed about the 3 night rule it seems because theres a few locals that are there longer. (Don’t quote me on that though) Toilets and water available 24/7

    Reviewed 10 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Wonderful campsite The view is amazing right on the water.

    Enjoy the interactions with other campus. Flushable toilets and clean. They no garbage cans is the only downsides

    Reviewed 12 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice free parking and camp site with basic facilities (toilets, drinking water tap) which were not too dirty.

    Lots of tables and grass areas, perfect for dining while admiring the sunset over the bay. A bit of noise from the road at night and some locals with boats in the morning. We felt very safe.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great, clean toilet

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Awesome spot clean toilets and a magic wake up

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Great!

    Good toilets!

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    We stayed here overnight on our way far north.

    Great location but toilets let it down, also there was quite a bit of road noise from trucks early in the morning.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Grass was very boggy so limited parking spots.

    Nice location, great that dogs were OK. Toilets disgusting, and obvious long term stayers.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 2.0/5

    A bit of a shame that my visit to this lovely bay was spoilt by some fellow campers who drank way too much, were way too loud and fell asleep with their "music" still playing.

    In fact it was still going when I left at 7am. I would guess that it isn't always like this, and the scene as the sun set was peaceful and serene.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    My friend and I stayed in a tent and in the car, May 2022.

    It was so beautiful to wake up next to the water, the seagulls as annoying as they are were a pleasant morning friend. I didn't have to pop a squat or have my dog trapped in my car. We were on a mish at night slightly stressed on where to go and this place was the perfect fit for our travel, convenient and reasonably quiet. Ka Pai Whangarei, we appreciated our stay ❤️

    Reviewed over 1 year ago and experienced in May 2022

  • 3.5/5

    Facilities weren’t that clean, kinda disgusting when we arrived.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.5/5

    Had 3 night here, flat easy access.

    great looking out over the bay. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great place to stay when making day trips to Whangarei.

    Quiet, safe, spacious. Seems pretty relaxed about the 3 night rule it seems because theres a few locals that are there longer. (Don’t quote me on that though) Toilets and water available 24/7

    Reviewed 10 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Wonderful campsite The view is amazing right on the water.

    Enjoy the interactions with other campus. Flushable toilets and clean. They no garbage cans is the only downsides

    Reviewed 12 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice free parking and camp site with basic facilities (toilets, drinking water tap) which were not too dirty.

    Lots of tables and grass areas, perfect for dining while admiring the sunset over the bay. A bit of noise from the road at night and some locals with boats in the morning. We felt very safe.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great, clean toilet

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Awesome spot clean toilets and a magic wake up

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Great!

    Good toilets!

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    My friend and I stayed in a tent and in the car, May 2022.

    It was so beautiful to wake up next to the water, the seagulls as annoying as they are were a pleasant morning friend. I didn't have to pop a squat or have my dog trapped in my car. We were on a mish at night slightly stressed on where to go and this place was the perfect fit for our travel, convenient and reasonably quiet. Ka Pai Whangarei, we appreciated our stay ❤️

    Reviewed over 1 year ago and experienced in May 2022

  • 4.0/5

    We stayed here overnight on our way far north.

    Great location but toilets let it down, also there was quite a bit of road noise from trucks early in the morning.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Grass was very boggy so limited parking spots.

    Nice location, great that dogs were OK. Toilets disgusting, and obvious long term stayers.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    April 23: The parking lot is spacious and even people later arriving will find a spot.

    The ground is level and there is a great view and picnic tables. There is a tap for drinking water and toilets that are also open at night. Nice people and locals who also stay longer than 3 nights. During the day a lot of hustle at the boat ramp, walkers and bathers. At night a bit noisy from the street, but I felt comfortable and safe as a solo female traveler.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Lots of room for self contained, non-self contained, and tents!

    24 hr bathrooms, and lots of green space and picnic tables. Would definitely stay here again!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great spot with plenty of room for quite a few vehicles.

    Smaller section for non CSC vehicles, so would recommend parking in one of the other spots if you’re self contained 😄 clean toilets with a light and open at night. Quite a bit of activity next door at the boat club in the evening and next morning.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful place to stay!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Pretty and quoet place with alot of space for campers.

    When we arrived late Dec perhaps 1/3 the site was too boggy to park in but we managed to find a spot nonethleless. Decent public toilets a short walk away and a very pretty little jetty - great photo ops! A nice spot to stay on our way deeper into Whangetei Heads.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 2.0/5

    A bit of a shame that my visit to this lovely bay was spoilt by some fellow campers who drank way too much, were way too loud and fell asleep with their "music" still playing.

    In fact it was still going when I left at 7am. I would guess that it isn't always like this, and the scene as the sun set was peaceful and serene.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Amazing spot!

    Beautiful view. Quiet. Didn't use facilities so unsure of condition. Has picnic tables and 4 flat structures which I assume are for hiking tents. Really enjoyed this spot. Chur

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Lovely spot if you can get in ...

    does anyone police the 3 night stay? Same vehicles have been parked there for a month now

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful spot, great views from camping area of water and boats, nice green area, lovely clean toilets, fresh water, lots of space for both tents and non self-contained vehicles, jetty for diving and

    swimming, boat ramp. Everything you could want!

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Nice, calm spot.

    Just a bit far from toilets but it's a peaceful place nonetheless.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot right on the water front.

    Quite a busy boat ramp during the day but quiet during the night. Lots of room for campers and all good toilet facilities. Would stay again.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Had a fantastic stay here.

    Great spot by the water. Don’t know why this app says no dog allowed as we’re lots of dogs there and no signs stating they weren’t allowed

    Reviewed about 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Perfect spot on reserve by boat park.

    Waterfront sites. In winter sites are limited by the muddy grass only about 4 would fit in approved area that is tarred. Great pub a safe 5 minute walk away. Only downer was boy racers tearing past for a part of the night.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Excellent spot, close to the water with a great view over the bay.

    Spots for parking non-contained, extra spots for self contained vehicles and an area for tents as well. Definitely one on the best free camping spots we have found!

    We intended to go to Reotahi Road, which was just a gravel car park and no view. So glad we came back here!

    Reviewed almost 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Absolutely beautiful spot!

    Stayed several times here, but on Friday night we were invaded by 10 non self contained vans full of French tourists. They clearly were all together, and left all their rubbish ! Two visits from armour guard did nothing, even though they were clearly out of the area allowed for non self contained vans. Those people are why we worry about losing such nice opportunities for free camping in this beautiful country. Step it up armour guard, and city council!!

    Reviewed almost 6 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Lovely Place with a nice view.

    Big grass area. Clean public toilets every time open. The place is really quiet.

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 3.0/5

    If dark then not easy to find, the rules where to stay are complicated, bit noisy, if other campers are not stupid there is place for 6-8 Campers.

    Reviewed almost 6 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Quite a busy little bay with people accessing sailing club, slipway etc, but signage on the corner of the designated area is very clear, toilets are good (and colourful), and site is fine with a 10m limit

    for van length. Views of the bay and lots of boats.

    Reviewed about 6 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Lovely place right on the water front with very clean toilet facilities.

    Would definitely use this again and recommend to anyone!!

    Reviewed over 6 years ago