Freedom Camping In Tauranga

Freedom to camp throughout Tauranga

Discover where you can Freedom Camp in Tauranga

Table of Contents

Throughout Tauranga there are plenty of places to go freedom camping. Unlike the many towns and cities throughout New Zealand, Tauranga is very lenient when it comes to freedom camping. Offering wonderfully beautiful spots to find yourself waking up to.

In Tauranga, freedom camping is a great way to explore the region’s scenic landscape. You can enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area while staying in a tent or a mobile home. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you head out to a local freedom camping site. Especially when on council land or doc land.

First, make sure you are displaying NZS5465:2001 certification, which is necessary for any self-contained mobile home. Otherwise, you should find a campground. Once you’ve found a campground, follow its rules. For example, if you’re only planning to stay overnight, you’ll need to be quiet and respectful of the surroundings.

Regardless of where you choose to stay, the council monitors its freedom camping sites. Some sites will have CCTV cameras for added safety. Self-contained vehicle’s must stay inside the designated area. In addition, discharge of noxious and offensive substances can be detrimental to the environment, and can endanger the community.

While some people like the freedom to camp in public places, the practice can also negatively affect the environment. Some people use public areas to set up camp without regard for the rules, creating litter and other problems. It’s important to be careful to avoid causing damage to the environment.

Fortunately, the government’s rules are generally very strict, so you wouldn’t like to get caught doing something you shouldn’t be. In which case, you could face a potential infringement fine. However, if you’re looking for a place to freedom camp in Tauranga, you’ll be sure to find a spot that suits your needs.

Here we will provide for you the necessary information for you to take on board if you are to ever find yourself in Tauranga. The information here is official, provided by the Tauranga City Council. Among this information will be all the great places to stay and sleep overnight or multiple nights. 

You’ll discover where and for how long you are permitted to stay in one place at a time. As well as perhaps finding something of interest that will encourage you to stay in one place over another. Many of these spots are wonderful parks and reserves.

Tauranga is with out a doubt one of the best freedom camping locations in the North Island of New Zealand. There are so many freedom camp sites to choose from. Other than being central to itself – like every city, there are a few nearby neighbours that are also just as popular, if not more popular for tourists and the like.

With that being said, I am sure you will enjoy this beautiful city as much as I and other freedom campers. A beautiful spot is Memorial Park.

All legal Freedom Camping spots throughout Tauranga

Days Available – Sunday to Thursday

Fergusson Park

Days allowed to stay: 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only
Number of spaces: Three
Location: 90 Tilby Drive, Matua, Tauranga
Toilets: Toilets adjacent to boat ramp are open 24 hours

Pemberton Park

Days allowed to stay: 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only
Number of spaces: Two
Location: 36 Yatton Street, Parkvale, Tauranga
Toilets: No toilets

Pemberton Park

Days allowed to stay: 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only
Number of spaces: Four
Location: 25 Kaitemako Road, Welcome Bay, Tauranga
Toilets: Yes - summer 7am to 10pm, winter 7am to 7pm

Gordon Spratt Reserve

Days allowed to stay: 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only
Number of spaces: Eight
Location: 80 Alice Lane, Papamoa
Toilets: Rear public toilets are also unlocked daily

Greerton Park

Days allowed to stay: 7pm Sunday – 10am Friday only
Number of spaces: Six
Location: 90 Oropi Road, Greerton, Tauranga
Toilets: Open during the day

Days Available – Available at all times

Beach Road Reserve

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Two
Location: Beach Rd, Otumoetai, Tauranga
Toilets: Yes - public toilets nearby

Cambridge Park

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Six
Location: 280 Cambridge Rd, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: Yes - public toilets nearby

Harrisons Cut

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Two
Location: 500 Papamoa Beach Rd, Papamoa
Opening hours: -
Toilets: No

Marine Park

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Eight
Location: Cross Rd/Keith Allen Dr, Tauranga, 3110
Opening hours: -
Toilets: Yes - public toilet

Maxwells Road Esplanade

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Two
Location: Maxwells Rd, Otumoetai, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: Yes - public toilet

Motiti Reserve

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Two
Location: Near 1165 Papamoa Beach Rd, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: Yes - public toilet

Stella Place

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Three
Location: Opposite Stella Pl, Papamoa, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: No

Tye Park

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Two
Location: Forrester Dr, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: Yes - public toilet

Whareroa Reserve

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Four
Location: First right turn off Totara St, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: No

Mitchell Park

Days allowed to stay: Available all days
Number of spaces: Two
Location: 50 Seymour Place, Bellevue, Tauranga
Toilets: Open 8am to 9pm daily

Carlton Street Reserve

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Eight
Location: 412 Ngatai Road, Tauranga
Opening hours: All year round from 5.30am to 6pm
Toilets: Yes - public toilet

Graham Park

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Three
Location: Accessed from Takitimu Dr, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: No

Kulim Park

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Two
Location: 101 Kulim Ave, Otumoetai, Tauranga
Opening hours: All year round from 5.30am to 6pm
Toilets: Yes - public toilet

Matua Saltmarsh

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Three
Location: Sylvania Dr, Matua, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: No

Memorial Park

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Six
Location: Seventh Ave, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: Yes - public toilet

Rotary Park

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Three
Location: Te Hono St, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: Yes - public toilet

Taylor Reserve

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Two
Location: Near 1007 Papamoa Beach Rd, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: Yes - public toilet

Waikareao Foreshore

Days allowed to stay: Available at all times
Number of spaces: Three
Location: Near Takitimu Dr, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: No

Mount Greens Carpark

Days allowed to stay: Available between 8pm and 7am
Number of spaces: Ten
Location: Kawaka St, Tauranga
Opening hours: -
Toilets: No

Important information for Freedom Camping in Tauranga

What do I need to legally freedom camp in Tauranga?

If you are looking to freedom camp in Tauranga, you must have a self contained vehicle. The vehicle must clearly display the NZS5465:2001 certification.

What happens if I break the rules of freedom camping?

The consequence for not adhering to the rules is some kind of infringement fee, usually a $200 fine. This will be issued by the local council.  Anyone who is caught breaching the freedom camping bylaw, may also be liable for prosecution. The freedom camping bylaw sets out all of the spots and places where you can and cannot park/stay.

Freedom Camping on roads and at car parks

Throughout the city you are able to freedom camp on a number of roads and at a number of car parks. However, the rule breaker is you can’t park in front of a private home or business. Here is a list of some places you can’t park overnight while on your freedom camping adventure:

  • Tauranga Racecourse
  • Marine Parade or The Mall, Mount Maunganui
  • Maunganui Road car park or City Council Administration car park 
  • any road with a speed limit over 50km/hr or any service lane.
  • Macville Park
  • Omanu Surf Club car park
  • Sulphur Point 
  • Cliff Road car park 
  • Greerton Road car park
  • Turret Road
  • Shadelands Lane
  • Ocean Downs Reserve
  • Papamoa Domain

Here is a link to the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2019 from the Tauranga City Council. This has all the necessary information if you wish to fully understand the rules regarding freedom camping and self contained vehicles. More so when not visiting a holiday park.

Tauranga City Council Freedom Camping Bylaw 2019

Places of interest in Tauranga