(Spirits Bay Campsite)
Kapowairua Campsite
Te Paki Recreation Reserve, Cape Reinga
71 Rankers Reviews
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Kapowairua Campsite
Camp with lush forests and sandy beaches in close range. Kapowairua is a place to relax, enjoy and explore the great outdoors.
This is the perfect place to go fishing and swimming! The Kapowairua Camping Ground is situated close to the beach and the lagoon.
Notices
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Eastern Te Paki track closures
Sections of Te Paki Coastal Track are closed due to storm damage. The closed sections of track are:
- Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) to Pandora
- Pandora to Tapotupotu Bay
- Tapotupotu to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Waiura
The open section of the Te Paki Coastal Track starts at Cape Reinga and ends at Te Paki Stream.
Pandora campsite is closed. Tapotupotu, Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) and Twilight campsites are open.
This is a long term alert.
First published on 28 March 2023. Last reviewed on 5 March 2025.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) Campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
DOC Standard Campsite
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
| Feature | Value | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Unpowered Site | Adult | $10.00 to $15.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $5.00 to $7.50 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
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Organisation |
DOC NorthlandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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4.0/5
No more a DOC campsite, so you can’t use your pass if you have it.
But really nice place.
Lot of flying insects (mosquitos) during our stay
C![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(80,229,221)" /><path d="m 150 510 Q 67 233 -210 150 Q 67 67 150 -210 Q 233 67 510 150 Q 233 233 150 510 z" fill="rgb(215,142,111)" /><path d="m 150 314 Q 215 85 -14 150 Q 215 215 150 -14 Q 85 215 314 150 Q 85 85 150 314 z" fill="rgb(40,113,144)" /><path d="m 150 160 Q 294 6 140 150 Q 294 294 150 140 Q 6 294 160 150 Q 6 6 150 160 z" fill="rgb(175,26,34)" /></svg>)
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2.0/5
Camp site is located at end of long unsealed road.
Beautiful area and near the beach, though very exposed. Site was very busy and didn’t have enough facilities for the number of campers. Toilets and showers had regular queues and were filthy.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(124,45,8)" /><path d="m 150 515 Q 187 113 -215 150 Q 187 187 150 -215 Q 113 187 515 150 Q 113 113 150 515 z" fill="rgb(73,96,248)" /><path d="m 150 409 Q 164 136 -109 150 Q 164 164 150 -109 Q 136 164 409 150 Q 136 136 150 409 z" fill="rgb(182,159,7)" /><path d="m 150 216 Q 98 202 84 150 Q 98 98 150 84 Q 202 98 216 150 Q 202 202 150 216 z" fill="rgb(131,210,247)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Great spot with lovely swimming or surfing beach.
Nice clean toilets & cold showers
This camp is not free with a DOC pass. We were charged $16 each per night.
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4.5/5
Best beach we found on our trip - simply stunning!
Looks like the facilities have been upgraded - lots of room. Peaceful.
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4.5/5
The camping is ok, have no electricity, cold water on the showers, some toilets and shins to refill the self contained.
The amazing thing is the landscape, stunning beach and mountain around. Nobody was on the office, you just have to pay online.
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5.0/5
Amazing campsite next to a breahttaking beach.
Clean toilettes and 4 cold showers. Lots of space on grass for you car. Getting there by gravel road needs nearly 30 min, but can be passed by any vehicle. Phone internet signal available (one nz).
All in All very awesome.
B![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(208,41,56)" /><path d="m 150 547 Q 74 226 -247 150 Q 74 74 150 -247 Q 226 74 547 150 Q 226 226 150 547 z" fill="rgb(247,36,40)" /><path d="m 150 346 Q 49 251 -46 150 Q 49 49 150 -46 Q 251 49 346 150 Q 251 251 150 346 z" fill="rgb(8,219,215)" /><path d="m 150 309 Q 299 1 -9 150 Q 299 299 150 -9 Q 1 299 309 150 Q 1 1 150 309 z" fill="rgb(47,214,199)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Magnificient space for campervan, hide deep in nature after 10+km into gravel road.
Lovely hills, infinite beach
Plenty of space to find a spot with decent privacy.
Nice drop toilet (not smelly),cold shower (did not use)
B![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(21,4,66)" /><path d="m 150 674 Q 69 231 -374 150 Q 69 69 150 -374 Q 231 69 674 150 Q 231 231 150 674 z" fill="rgb(146,126,201)" /><path d="m 150 520 Q 191 109 -220 150 Q 191 191 150 -220 Q 109 191 520 150 Q 109 109 150 520 z" fill="rgb(109,129,54)" /><path d="m 150 133 Q 252 48 167 150 Q 252 252 150 167 Q 48 252 133 150 Q 48 48 150 133 z" fill="rgb(234,251,189)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Nice and wild.
Drop toilets. Beautiful beach. Lots of mosquitoes at dusk and dawn this time of year. Long gravel riad but in secent shape.
G![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(202,231,17)" /><path d="m 150 571 Q 254 46 -271 150 Q 254 254 150 -271 Q 46 254 571 150 Q 46 46 150 571 z" fill="rgb(31,252,92)" /><path d="m 150 518 Q 136 164 -218 150 Q 136 136 150 -218 Q 164 136 518 150 Q 164 164 150 518 z" fill="rgb(224,3,163)" /><path d="m 150 144 Q 72 228 156 150 Q 72 72 150 156 Q 228 72 144 150 Q 228 228 150 144 z" fill="rgb(53,24,238)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Spirits Bay itself was a beautiful, most peaceful & magical place a short stroll away.
Winter review:
Arrived early July along a 13KM gravel road in and had the entire place to ourselves
What a beautiful spot
Sprawling grass site with picturesque rolling hills as a backdrop dotted by horses now & again through our stay
Modern & clean amenities (drop toilet & showers)
Blanket of stars at night
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4.0/5
Interesting place to say the least.
Given its history in Maori legend we found it a bit eery. Had a strange experience on our second night with a local who had been fishing after dark approached us saying he had a flat tire and if we had seen anyone near his car. Given it was only us and one other campervan it was a bit unsettling. He then proceeded to sit there for almost an hour flashing his light in all directions before slowly driving off. Probably wouldn't stay again
D![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(97,146,179)" /><path d="m 150 569 Q 112 188 -269 150 Q 112 112 150 -269 Q 188 112 569 150 Q 188 188 150 569 z" fill="rgb(150,22,82)" /><path d="m 150 306 Q 164 136 -6 150 Q 164 164 150 -6 Q 136 164 306 150 Q 136 136 150 306 z" fill="rgb(105,233,173)" /><path d="m 150 335 Q 138 162 -35 150 Q 138 138 150 -35 Q 162 138 335 150 Q 162 162 150 335 z" fill="rgb(158,109,76)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Great spot to camp.
Lovely whanau at the front gate.
Pull up pay,and park up where ever you want.
Clean toilets and showers.
The beach is amazing. Great sunsets.
Will definately be back.
c![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(109,19,49)" /><path d="m 150 671 Q 135 165 -371 150 Q 135 135 150 -371 Q 165 135 671 150 Q 165 165 150 671 z" fill="rgb(68,234,139)" /><path d="m 150 432 Q 216 84 -132 150 Q 216 216 150 -132 Q 84 216 432 150 Q 84 84 150 432 z" fill="rgb(187,21,116)" /><path d="m 150 145 Q 296 4 155 150 Q 296 296 150 155 Q 4 296 145 150 Q 4 4 150 145 z" fill="rgb(146,236,206)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Loved this spot, came for one night and decided to stay for two.
Went for a bit of a hike. Cold showers but they were great considering how hot it was. Dirt road in but well worth it!
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4.0/5
Stunning location.
15 km gravel Road in.
Not direct beach front but a short walk in to a huge stretch of sandy White Beach. Access from here to outstanding headland walks, views even across to Cape Reinga.
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4.0/5
Awesome spacious campsite even on Christmas Eve.
Beautiful scenery of mountains, ocean and horses. Facilities were basic but at a good standard....cold showers and drop toilets.
Downside was the midgies (sandflies) but still totally worth it.
A![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(7,101,91)" /><path d="m 150 661 Q 91 209 -361 150 Q 91 91 150 -361 Q 209 91 661 150 Q 209 209 150 661 z" fill="rgb(155,201,229)" /><path d="m 150 530 Q 190 110 -230 150 Q 190 190 150 -230 Q 110 190 530 150 Q 110 110 150 530 z" fill="rgb(100,54,26)" /><path d="m 150 237 Q 101 199 63 150 Q 101 101 150 63 Q 199 101 237 150 Q 199 199 150 237 z" fill="rgb(248,154,164)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Beautiful place.
Short way to the beach and a river. 13$ per adult, 6.50$ per child. Toilets were ok. Showers and taps were dirty. But the location makes it all up!
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(183,28,10)" /><path d="m 150 564 Q 282 18 -264 150 Q 282 282 150 -264 Q 18 282 564 150 Q 18 18 150 564 z" fill="rgb(169,32,38)" /><path d="m 150 315 Q 46 254 -15 150 Q 46 46 150 -15 Q 254 46 315 150 Q 254 254 150 315 z" fill="rgb(86,223,217)" /><path d="m 150 173 Q 111 189 127 150 Q 111 111 150 127 Q 189 111 173 150 Q 189 189 150 173 z" fill="rgb(72,227,245)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
No more a DOC campsite, so you can’t use your pass if you have it.
But really nice place.
Lot of flying insects (mosquitos) during our stay
C -
2.0/5
Camp site is located at end of long unsealed road.
Beautiful area and near the beach, though very exposed. Site was very busy and didn’t have enough facilities for the number of campers. Toilets and showers had regular queues and were filthy.
M -
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4.5/5
Great spot with lovely swimming or surfing beach.
Nice clean toilets & cold showers
This camp is not free with a DOC pass. We were charged $16 each per night.
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4.5/5
Best beach we found on our trip - simply stunning!
Looks like the facilities have been upgraded - lots of room. Peaceful.
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4.5/5
The camping is ok, have no electricity, cold water on the showers, some toilets and shins to refill the self contained.
The amazing thing is the landscape, stunning beach and mountain around. Nobody was on the office, you just have to pay online.
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5.0/5
Amazing campsite next to a breahttaking beach.
Clean toilettes and 4 cold showers. Lots of space on grass for you car. Getting there by gravel road needs nearly 30 min, but can be passed by any vehicle. Phone internet signal available (one nz).
All in All very awesome.
B -
5.0/5
Magnificient space for campervan, hide deep in nature after 10+km into gravel road.
Lovely hills, infinite beach
Plenty of space to find a spot with decent privacy.
Nice drop toilet (not smelly),cold shower (did not use)
B -
4.5/5
Nice and wild.
Drop toilets. Beautiful beach. Lots of mosquitoes at dusk and dawn this time of year. Long gravel riad but in secent shape.
G -
5.0/5
Spirits Bay itself was a beautiful, most peaceful & magical place a short stroll away.
Winter review:
Arrived early July along a 13KM gravel road in and had the entire place to ourselves
What a beautiful spot
Sprawling grass site with picturesque rolling hills as a backdrop dotted by horses now & again through our stay
Modern & clean amenities (drop toilet & showers)
Blanket of stars at night
L -
4.0/5
Interesting place to say the least.
Given its history in Maori legend we found it a bit eery. Had a strange experience on our second night with a local who had been fishing after dark approached us saying he had a flat tire and if we had seen anyone near his car. Given it was only us and one other campervan it was a bit unsettling. He then proceeded to sit there for almost an hour flashing his light in all directions before slowly driving off. Probably wouldn't stay again
D -
4.5/5
Great spot to camp.
Lovely whanau at the front gate.
Pull up pay,and park up where ever you want.
Clean toilets and showers.
The beach is amazing. Great sunsets.
Will definately be back.
c -
5.0/5
Loved this spot, came for one night and decided to stay for two.
Went for a bit of a hike. Cold showers but they were great considering how hot it was. Dirt road in but well worth it!
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4.0/5
Stunning location.
15 km gravel Road in.
Not direct beach front but a short walk in to a huge stretch of sandy White Beach. Access from here to outstanding headland walks, views even across to Cape Reinga.
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4.0/5
Awesome spacious campsite even on Christmas Eve.
Beautiful scenery of mountains, ocean and horses. Facilities were basic but at a good standard....cold showers and drop toilets.
Downside was the midgies (sandflies) but still totally worth it.
A -
4.0/5
Beautiful place.
Short way to the beach and a river. 13$ per adult, 6.50$ per child. Toilets were ok. Showers and taps were dirty. But the location makes it all up!
M -
4.5/5
Beautiful campsite!
The rock near the hill looks like a head or something.. Very nice!
One thing.. Watch out for the hundreds of mosquitos!
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5.0/5
Fabulous spot.
Plenty of space, very tidy.
Cold running water. Clean toilets.
Amazing beach.
Perfect place for relaxing time.
$13 per person.
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