Image: Brandon Koger
Whangaruru campsite, Puriri Bay.
Puriri Bay (Whangaruru North Head) Campsite

Located in Whangaruru North Head Scenic Reserve in the Northland region

Overlooking the mouth of Whangaruru Harbour, this campsite has sheltered waters for swimming and boating activities, and a series of interconnected walks.

The campsite overlooks the mouth of Whangaruru Harbour.

View a map of the campsite zones (PDF, 1,100K)

Facilities and services

Camp hosts are on site from Labour Weekend to the end of April.

Labour Weekend date.

When camp hosts are not there the grass areas are blocked off. There's still hard ground parking available.

Fees

9 February to 25 December

  • Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
  • Child (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
  • Infant (0–4 years): free

26 December to 8 February

  • Adult (18+ years): $18 per night
  • Child (5–17 years): $9 per night
  • Infant (0–4 years): free

Pay when making an online booking, on arrival to the camp host, or at the self registration stand when there is no camp host on site.

Passes

The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite. 

Campsite Pass bookings must be booked online before occupying a site. If you do not book, bookings may be made by campground staff (if present) and will incur a $10 service charge. Sites may not be available if you do not book. 

Bookings

Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2025.

All bookings are first-come first-served. We do not have waiting lists for bookings for future seasons or facilities that are already booked-out.

Bookings are required all year. Book well in advance for the peak period from 1 December - 28 February and for public holiday weekends.

A $10 service fee applies to phone and in-person booking. This is a limited service – book online first. An in-person booking is dependent on there being space available.

Your booking will be for your chosen site.

Check in and out times

  • Check in from 2 pm
  • Check out before 11 am 

22 km north of Whangarei, turn off SH1, onto Russell Road. After about 30 km ( just north of Ngaiotonga) turn into Whangaruru North Road.

Location

NZTM2000 coordinates: E1723562, 6085659
Latitude: -35.36473569, Longitude: 174.36010002

Water safety

If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.

Rubbish and recycling

This campsite operates a ‘pack in, pack out’ policy for waste. There will be no rubbish collection. This includes compost and recycling.

The closest rubbish facilities to the campsite are the Oakura Recycling Centre or Russell Transfer Station.

All drone use must be authorised by DOC

You must have a permit to fly a drone on public conservation land.

Visit our Drone use on conservation land page for more information.

Walking and tramping

Whangaruru North Head walking tracks start from the campsite.

Water activities

The sheltered waters are good for swimming, boating, etc.