Far North Freedom Camping Experience. Te Pua Reserve will take your breath away.

May 16, 2016
2 min read

* Price: Key Deposit * Toilets: No * Shower: No * Site: Grassed and fairly level

* Pet Friendly: Yes * Phone &WiFi: No * Satellite TV Reception: Yes

Need a break on the way to Cape Reinga? It's a long trip to the tip of the North Island and if your last stay was Auckland, you probably want to explore the coast and rest up a night or two on your way to the Cape. Take a walk on the wild side and set up camp at Te Pua Reserve.

History of this area

A brilliant white 1,600 hectare sand spit contains some of the worlds purest silica sand, an ingredient in glass making, which was once shipped by barge to glass works in Whangarei and Auckland. The old broken shed in the images below was used to

Amenities

We were looking for a place to rest up on our way to Cape Reinga and discovered Te Pua Reserve. Important to note that you need to stop at Te Kao local store on the way to pay (a mere deposit for a key which is refunded on return).

The reserve is gated and we felt very secure in this remote area. A huge grassed area overlooking a beach with a boat ramp greets you. But the most spectacular view was a silica sand bar which glistens startlingly white in the middle of your ocean view. A special treat was to see the sunrise and sunset play with the light emanating from this sand bar providing amazing photo opportunities.

There are no toilets, no amenities, just this vast area with a magnificent view. Not tent friendly! Motor homes spread wide apart were taking advantage of the fishing this spot had to offer or just taking the time out to bask in the 'wonderful-ness' of it all.

Our intrepid passenger and pet, Honda, found doggy heaven whilst romping through the longer grassed areas and greeting other pets. Honda relished the freedom and having the chance for the much anticipated walk through the surf with his best mate/owner.

The setting of this campsite with it's wild open grassed area, the crashing waves and the sparkling white sand bar has a truly romantic feel to it. Soon after you stop congratulating yourself for discovering a truly magesti stay for the night, you will be soaking in the ambiance and making plans to return for a longer stay.

My favourite Far North overnight stay...for now.