Finding the best camping grounds in Tauranga comes down to where you want to wake up: close to the city centre, on the sand at Papamoa or Mount Maunganui, or somewhere quieter in the bush or on the harbour. Camping grounds in Tauranga offer powered sites for campervans and caravans, unpowered tent sites and budget cabins, and several add hot pools, swimming pools or direct beach access. Tauranga Tourist Park and Tasman Holiday Parks Papamoa Beach are two good places to start, with options further out at Welcome Bay and on the Ōmokoroa peninsula in the Western Bay of Plenty.
1Tauranga Tourist Park
Tauranga Tourist Park is a small, sheltered, owner-operated campground on Mayfair Street, about 4 kilometres from the Tauranga city centre. It caters mainly for campervans, caravans and motorhomes, with tent and cyclist sites and a handful of cabins, and suits travellers who want a quiet base close to town rather than a resort-style park.
Services
- Powered sites for campervans, caravans and motorhomes
- Non-powered and tent sites
- Cyclist sites
- Basic cabins and ensuite cabins
Highlights
- Privately owned and run by hosts Dan and Kerri Kearvell
- Dog-friendly, with conditions
- Communal kitchen with gas hobs, plus a TV lounge with a book exchange
- Free hot showers and Wi-Fi throughout the park
Location & Contact
Name: Tauranga Tourist Park
Address: 9 Mayfair Street, Tauranga 3112
Phone: 07 578 3323
Website: taurangatouristpark.co.nz
2Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach
Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach is a large family holiday park set directly on Papamoa Beach, with campsites alongside cabins and villas. It suits families after a full-facility beach holiday, with a resort-style pool, hot tubs and in-park activities, and Mount Maunganui a short drive away.
Services
- Powered and unpowered campsites
- Cabins, villas and glamping
- Camp kitchen, BBQs and guest laundry
- Wedding and event venue for up to 100 guests
- Group bookings
Highlights
- Beachfront access straight onto Papamoa Beach
- Heated resort-style pool and hot tubs
- Pets welcome on sites outside peak dates
- Accessible units and facilities
- Hosted activities such as pizza and movie nights and pedal carts
Location & Contact
Name: Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach
Address: 535 Papamoa Beach Road, Papamoa 3118
Phone: 07 572 0816
Website: tasmanholidayparks.com/north-island/bay-of-plenty/papamoa-beach
3Welcome Bay Hot Pools & Campground
Welcome Bay Hot Pools & Campground is a family-owned campground on the edge of Tauranga at Welcome Bay, set in native bush beside two geothermal mineral pools. It suits campers who want a quieter stay with a hot soak on site, and works for tents, campervans and motorhomes as well as cabin guests.
Services
- Powered and unpowered sites for tents, campervans and motorhomes
- Cabins from doubles to family cabins sleeping up to five
- Geothermal hot pools open to day visitors
- BBQ and party area hire
Highlights
- Two mineral pools at around 29°C and 39°C, fed by a natural geothermal spring
- Pools cleaned daily, with no chlorine added
- Native bush setting with a communal kitchen and shared bathrooms
Location & Contact
Name: Welcome Bay Hot Pools & Campground
Address: 429a Welcome Bay Road, Welcome Bay, Tauranga
Phone: 07 544 2327
Website: welcomebayhotpools.co.nz
4Cosy Corner Holiday Park
Cosy Corner Holiday Park is a family-owned holiday park on Oceanbeach Road in Mount Maunganui, across the road from the ocean beach. It operates as a summer holiday park, open from December to March plus Labour Weekend and Easter, and suits families booking a traditional Kiwi summer camping holiday.
Services
- Powered sites for tents, caravans and motorhomes
- Standard cabins and kitchen cabins
- Self-contained units
- Covered BBQ dining area seating up to 100
Highlights
- Across the road from the beach, about 4 kilometres from Mauao
- Solar-heated swimming pool
- Games room, free boogie boards and sports gear for guests
- Next to the public playground and playing field at Moa Park
Location & Contact
Name: Cosy Corner Holiday Park
Address: 40 Oceanbeach Road, Mount Maunganui
Phone: 07 575 5899
Website: cosycorner.co.nz
5Ōmokoroa TOP 10 Holiday Park
Ōmokoroa TOP 10 Holiday Park sits on the Ōmokoroa peninsula off State Highway 2, between Tauranga and Katikati in the Western Bay of Plenty. It suits campers who want harbour swimming, fishing and cycling close by, with the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga cycle trail starting nearby.
Services
- Tent and campervan sites
- Cabins, deluxe cabins and motel units
- Dump station and fish cleaning facilities
- Recreational gear hire
- Communal kitchen, laundry and BBQ area
Highlights
- Naturally heated thermal mineral hot pools on site
- Part of the TOP 10 Holiday Parks network, with TOP 10 Club member discounts
- Kids playground, games room and TV room
- Pets considered by prior arrangement with the park
Location & Contact
Name: Ōmokoroa TOP 10 Holiday Park
Address: 165 Omokoroa Road, Ōmokoroa 3114
Phone: 07 548 0857
Website: top10.co.nz/park/bay-of-plenty/omokoroa-top-10-holiday-park
Camping Grounds in Tauranga at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Tauranga Tourist Park | Privately owned and run by hosts Dan and Kerri Kearvell |
| Tasman Holiday Parks - Papamoa Beach | Beachfront access straight onto Papamoa Beach |
| Welcome Bay Hot Pools & Campground | Two mineral pools at around 29°C and 39°C |
| Cosy Corner Holiday Park | Across the road from the beach, about 4 kilometres from Mauao |
| Ōmokoroa TOP 10 Holiday Park | Naturally heated thermal mineral hot pools on site |
How to Choose the Right Camping Grounds in Tauranga
- Setting: decide between a beachfront park at Papamoa or Mount Maunganui, a quieter bush or harbour setting, or a site close to the city centre.
- Site type: check whether you need a powered site for a campervan or caravan, an unpowered tent site, or a cabin, and whether cabins include linen.
- Season: some parks open only over summer and holiday weekends, and beachfront parks book out early from December to February.
- Facilities: compare kitchens, bathrooms, laundry, dump stations and extras such as pools, hot pools or playgrounds.
- Pets and rules: confirm dog policies and blackout dates before you book, as most parks restrict pets over peak periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tauranga Camping Grounds
Can I camp near the beach in Tauranga?
Yes. Holiday parks at Papamoa Beach and Mount Maunganui put you on or across the road from the ocean beach. These are the most popular sites in the area, so summer weekends and school holidays need booking well ahead.
Which campground is closest to the Tauranga city centre?
For a campground close to the city centre, look at parks in the central suburbs within a few kilometres of the CBD. Papamoa and Mount Maunganui parks are a 10 to 20 minute drive from town, while Welcome Bay sits on the south-eastern edge of the city and Ōmokoroa is about 20 minutes north-west along State Highway 2.
Do Tauranga camping grounds have powered sites for campervans?
Most holiday parks around Tauranga offer powered sites suitable for campervans, caravans and motorhomes, along with unpowered tent sites. If you are travelling in a larger motorhome, check site sizes and whether the park has a dump station.
Is freedom camping allowed in Tauranga?
Freedom camping in Tauranga is restricted to certain areas and usually requires a certified self-contained vehicle. Tauranga City Council publishes the current rules and permitted locations on its freedom camping page. A paid campground is the simpler option if you want facilities or are in a tent.
Are there hot pools at campgrounds near Tauranga?
Yes. Several camping grounds in the Tauranga area have geothermal or heated pools on site, which is a draw in the cooler months. Some also sell day passes to the pools for visitors who are not staying overnight.
Can I bring my dog camping in Tauranga?
Many holiday parks accept dogs on campsites by prior arrangement, but most exclude pets from cabins and restrict them over Christmas, summer and long weekends. Always call the park to confirm before booking.
Are there DOC or council campsites near Tauranga?
The Department of Conservation runs basic and standard campsites across the wider Bay of Plenty, usually with fewer facilities than a holiday park. You can search locations and book through the DOC places to stay page.
When is the best time to book a campsite in Tauranga?
Book several months ahead for the Christmas and January period, Easter and school holidays, when beachfront parks fill quickly. Outside those times most parks can take bookings a few days out, although some seasonal parks close over winter.
How We Chose the Best Camping Grounds in Tauranga
Every business in this guide was found by searching for camping grounds in Tauranga, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Tauranga, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.