Campsites to enjoy this summer

The golden rule is if you're booking into a campground or holiday park check the facilities available so you know what to bring. There's nothing worse than arriving without food supplies to find the store only stocks the basics, or expecting a powered site and discovering it's not.

Choosing the right tent is crucial. If you want to store your gear in the tent as well, a good rule of thumb is to double the size. Larger tents with separate areas are ideal for families.

For New Zealand's changeable climate, choose a quality waterproof tent with a fly that goes to the ground and insect mesh for protection.

Nylon is lightweight and often costs less, but canvas is more durable. Dome tents are a good option for no-nonsense camping, and are easy to put up and to take down.

If you're camping over the peak summer period, book in advance as the more popular beach and lakeside campgrounds fill quickly. Campgrounds in remote areas, including most of those run by the Department of Conservation, usually operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so reserving a site isn't an option.

Facilities are also more basic, as most DoC campgrounds offer a back-to-nature type experience. You will also be expected to take your rubbish to the nearest transfer station.

If you're heading north, try the following spots that offer the chance to make the most of New Zealand's beach and bush environment:

1. Kapowairua (Spirits Bay), Far North (Department of Conservation)

Facilities: Water, toilets, cold showers.

Location: Spirits Bay Rd, 16km from Waitiki landing - beachfront setting.

Bookings: First-come, first-served. Further information, contact Te Paki Field Centre, phone (09) 409 7521 or the Kaitaia Area Office, phone (09) 408 6014.

Set on a remote sandy beach, its headlands clad in pohutukawa trees, Spirits Bay is one of the Far North's loveliest spots. Offshore are good beach breaks for surfers, and Cape Reinga and its historic lighthouse is a short drive away.

There is campervan access but the road is unsealed from Waitiki Landing so it can be rough on vehicles. Camp hosts are on site from early December to Easter. Rubbish must be removed to the transfer station at Houhora Heads. Be sure to take insect repellent.

2. Maitai Bay, Karikari Peninsula, Far North (DoC)

Facilities: Water, toilets, cold showers

Location: Karikari Peninsula - Maitai Bay Rd, 25km northeast of Kaitaia. Beachfront setting - no vehicles on the beach except for boat launching.

Bookings: First-come, first-served. Further information, from the Kaitaia Area Office, phone (09) 408 6014.

Fronting on to the twin sandy beaches of Maitai Bay, this is an ideal base for exploring Northland's stunning Karikari Peninsula, which features dive and snorkelling sites. The grounds are open all year and camp hosts are on site from early December to Easter. The last garage is at Whatuwhiwhi. There is campervan access, although the road to the campground is unsealed. All rubbish must be removed to Whatuwhiwhi transfer station.

3. Whangaruru North Head, Bay of Islands (DoC)

Facilities: Water, toilets, rubbish, cold showers.

Location: Puriri Bay, Whangaruru North - 30km southeast of Russell. Beachfront setting with campervan access during summer. Take the turn-off at Ngaiotonga which is on the old Whangarei-Russell coastal road.

Bookings: Bookings required peak season, contact Whangarei Area Office, phone (09) 430 2133 or Whangaruru Campground, phone (09) 433 6160.

The campground fronts on to the beautiful Puriri Bay, and some lovely walking trails are accessible from the campground. The camp is open all year but can only be accessed by foot from July 1-November 30. Camp hosts are on site from December to Easter.

4. Urupukapuka Island, Bay of Islands (DoC)

Facilities: Water, toilets, cold showers, boat facilities

Location: Bay of Islands Maritime Park. The campground is accessed by boat from Russell or Rawhiti, and camping is available at Cable Bay and Urupukapuka Bay.

Bookings: Bookings are taken for the peak season for Cable Bay only, phone Russell Visitor Centre (09) 403 9005.

In the middle of the Bay of Islands Maritime Park, this island campground has great access to the park's diving, fishing, boating and marinelife activities. An archaeological walk with on-site interpretation signs takes you around the island. A camp host is on site from early December. A rubbish barge is moored at the south end of Moturua from mid-December to mid-February, and Far North District Council rubbish bins are at Kingahoa and Te Uenga Bays.

5. Waikahoa, Whangarei (DoC)

Facilities: Water, toilets, cold showers, but no boat launching facilities (dinghies are okay).

Location: Mimiwhangata Coastal Park, 48km northeast of Whangarei. The camp has a beachfront setting. From Whangarei, turn off SH1 to Russell Rd. At Helena Bay turn south on to Webb Rd, and continue until you come to the Mimiwhangata Coastal Park turn-off.

Bookings: Essential during the peak season (the camp is closed from June 1-October 31). Contact Whangarei Area Office, phone (09) 430 2133 or Mimiwhangata Coastal Park, phone (09) 433 6554.

Mimiwhangata Coastal Park features wonderful coastal rambles and excellent swimming and diving. Waikahoa campground is accessed on foot, so you'll need to carry the gear over the hill. The access gate is locked and campers must report to the resident ranger to pay fees and receive a key code. The nearest rubbish transfer station is at Hikurangi.

6. Kai Iwi Lakes Campgrounds, Kai Iwi Lakes, Dargaville

Facilities: Camping is allowed at Pine Beach and Promenade Point. Pine Beach has facilities for up to 500 campers, including cold showers, washbasins, toilets, running water and gas barbecues. Promenade Point's facilities cater for up to 100 campers, with drop toilets and running water. Neither campground has electricity.

Location: Kai Iwi Lakes Rd, Dargaville.

Bookings: Kauri Coast Information Centre, 69 Normandy St, Dargaville, phone (09) 439 8360.

This lakeside holiday spot is fringed with white sand and is perfect for swimming, boating, windsurfing, waterskiing, camping and trout fishing. There are walking tracks around the lakes and walkway access to the west coast is available through an adjoining farm property. From here are 100km of golden sands all the way to Pouto, the northern headland of the entrance to Kaipara Harbour.

7. Tawharanui, near Omaha (Auckland Regional Council)

Facilities: For up to 260 people, drinking water. Vehicle and campervan access - caravans are not permitted. Limited boat facilities available (hand launch only).

Location: Ocean beach setting. From Warkworth, follow the signs to Matakana village, turn right at the Omaha intersection, head along Takatu Rd and follow the signs to the park.

Bookings: The park is extremely popular so book early for the peak summer months. Contact Auckland Regional Council, phone (09) 366 2000 or email info@arc.govt.nz.

This open sanctuary has a mix of farm and forest, and a beautiful ocean beach, with stunning views to the Hauraki Gulf, Kawau and Little Barrier Islands. The mature native bush contains stands of puriri, kauri and nikau, while the dunes are home to New Zealand dotterel. The difficult road is not suitable for heavy vehicles, and a seven-day maximum stay applies.

8. Shakespear Regional Park (ARC)

Facilities: Facilities for up to 120 people, drinking water. Vehicle access, cold outdoor shower, food preparation area, flush toilets. A boat ramp and barn for shelter is at Army Bay.

Location: Rural setting at the end of Whangaparaoa Peninsula, 15 minutes from Whangaparaoa township.

Bookings: Contact Auckland Regional Council, phone (09) 366 2000 or email info@arc.govt.nz

Located at the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, Shakespear Park enjoys a breathtaking vista over Auckland city and the inner Hauraki Gulf. The campground is ideal for families and handy to the area's bays, walks and native wildlife.

White-faced herons, stilts and dotterels frequent the tidal flats of Okoromai Bay, and tui and native pigeons can be found in the regenerating forest of Waterfall Gully. Camper-vans and caravans are permitted and there is a 14-day maximum stay.

9. Whakanewha Regional Park, Waiheke Island (ARC)

Facilities: Basic tent sites (no electricity) for up to 30 people, with vehicle/boat access, picnic areas, gas barbecues, drinking water and toilets. There is small boat access at high tide, with anchorage available at nearby Rocky Bay (Omiha).

Location: Whakanewha Regional Park, Gordon's Rd, Waiheke Island - beach and bush setting.

Bookings: Auckland Regional Council, phone on (09) 366 2000 or email info@arc.govt.nz

On Auckland's scenic Waiheke Island, this 270ha park is mainly bush-covered with some lovely bushwalks through mature stands of kohekohe and taraire forest. Whakanewha has the island's only campground which fronts on to a tidal sand/shell beach, with safe swimming and foreshore picnic areas.

The large wetland here is home to some of New Zealand's rarer birds, including bittern, banded rail, spotless crake and the New Zealand dotterel. A small section of the road to the campground is unsealed. Rubbish must be removed to the transfer station at Ostend.

10. Medlands Beach, Great Barrier Island (DoC)

Facilities: Water, toilets, rubbish, showers

Location: Southern end of Medlands Beach. Access to the island is by car ferry Subritzky Sealink, phone (09) 300 5900 or visit www.subritzky.co.nz (link below).

Bookings: Contact Great Barrier Island Area Office, phone (09) 429 0044 or Auckland DoC Information Centre, Ferry Building, Quay St, phone (09) 379 6476.

This beachside camping ground fronts on to the sweeping white sands of Medlands Beach on rugged Great Barrier Island. This bush-clad island retreat is one of the scenic gems of Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, with secluded bays and beaches, historic kauri dams, natural hot springs and more than 100km of trails through lush native bush.

The climb up Mt Hobson, the island's highest point, offers breathtaking views across the Hauraki Gulf. The campground is popular with summer holidaymakers so bookings are required all year. The grounds are serviced from early December to the end of February.

IF YOU GO

Further information: Jasons Holiday Parks and Campgrounds Accommodation Directory is the biggest directory of places to camp with more than 500 properties listed. It contains listings for properties ranging from Department of Conservation campgrounds to fully appointed Top 10 or Kiwi Holiday Parks with resort-style recreational facilities. Copies can be ordered free online (see link below) or obtained from most information offices.