Discover Northland’s Best Family Camp at Ruakākā Beach Holiday Park
Welcome to something truly special – a holiday park that’s been creating precious family memories since the 1930s. Set on 13.8 hectares of stunning Department of Conservation reserve land, Ruakākā Beach Holiday Park offers a unique camping experience where natural beauty, genuine Kiwi hospitality, and community values come together beautifully.
Perfectly positioned halfway between Auckland and the Bay of Islands – just 134 kilometres north of Auckland and 32 kilometres south-east of Whangarei – this is the ideal place to break your journey or base yourself for exploring Northland. You’re only seconds from State Highway 1, making it wonderfully convenient without sacrificing that peaceful, away-from-it-all atmosphere.
The location is absolutely magical. Surrounded by a safe tidal estuary that’s perfect for swimming, paddling, and exploring, you’ll be enchanted by the abundant birdlife that calls this reserve home. It’s the kind of place where kids can run free, discover rock pools, and reconnect with nature, while parents can relax knowing they’re in a safe, welcoming environment.
The accommodation options cater to everyone’s needs and preferences. Choose from basic cabins that offer simple, comfortable shelter at great value, or upgrade to the water view cabins where you can wake up to stunning estuary vistas. These cabins provide that classic Kiwi camping experience with the convenience of a proper roof over your head.
For those who love the traditional camping experience, there’s a wonderful selection of both powered and non-powered sites. Whether you’re pitching a tent, parking up your caravan, or pulling in with your campervan, you’ll find spacious sites with room to spread out. The water view sites are particularly special, offering front-row seats to beautiful sunrises and the ever-changing moods of the estuary.
What makes Ruakākā Beach Holiday Park genuinely different is its not-for-profit status. Every dollar you spend on camping fees goes straight back into improvements and future projects, all guided by feedback from campers like you. This means the park is constantly evolving and improving, shaped by the community it serves.
The team here welcomes all guests with true manaakitanga – warmth and respect – and takes genuine pride in caring for this special place through kaitiakitanga (guardianship). Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s woven into everything they do, ensuring this beautiful reserve remains pristine for future generations to enjoy.
Living by the Tiaki Promise, the park is committed to caring for people, place, and culture. It’s this authentic approach that makes Ruakākā Beach Holiday Park feel less like a commercial campground and more like a cherished community treasure that welcomes you to be part of something meaningful.
Whether you’re after a quick overnight stop on your Northland journey or planning an extended family holiday, Ruakākā Beach Holiday Park offers affordable, quality accommodation in a truly beautiful natural setting that captures the very best of what New Zealand camping is all about.
