The camp is in a really nice location directly where the river flows into the ocean.

The amenities are very clean. But it's very costly. We've paid 105 NZD for a powered site with 2 adults + 2 children. WiFi costs extra and so do hot showers. That's the most expensive campground we've had so far.

Reviewed about 1 month ago

Nice family orientated campground Clean facilities and not too noisy We stayed last night and pitched our tent on an unpowered site We are a couple and had our car and a small tent The tent sites are huge

We took up only half the space The price also is huge $75 for one night Unfortunately being pensioners we will not be returning in the foreseeable future at these prices

Reviewed almost 3 years ago

There is a lot of old reviews on here!

We stayed for the first time in Jan 2021 and booked a couple of waterfront powered sites.

These sites have a slope on one end, but there is room for a family tent and gazebo on the level since each site is around 8x9m. Sand is also laid to help level rough patches, and the non-powered sites are in spectacular condition considering the time of year. These provide great playing fields.

The staff were great and friendly, so I think the rude staff and management must be long gone. There is a good-sized shop on site (no insect repellent or insecticide but espresso coffee, essentials, ice, treats, tent pegs, etc.) and on Saturdays a food stall from Matakana opens from lunch till dinner time at the main campsite entrance to the beach. It has a limited selection but I really enjoyed the food.

Surfers and fishers can go to the surf. This area is a bit of a lagoon which is just wonderful for kids to swim, very picturesque and safe and there are picnic tables, swings, hammocks and a beach volleyball court, all in a coastal-rustic style which befits the location and amenities.

The facilities are nice and clean, and while there is a ban on loud noise after 10.30am, quiet chatter is fine and this tolerance is appreciated. Also, the showers are accessible any time, which also avoids overcrowding at peak times, unlike Whangateau which has very up-to-date facilities but is run by Auckland Council and much more restricted.

There are two ways to travel between here and Matakana (book the Market Kitchen with a riverside table - there is unlikely to be a spare table for walk-in dining - and enjoy the Saturday markets, cafes, bakeries, chocolatiers, and local brewery and vineyards. The rougher ride goes past Leigh, which you will want to visit at least once, especially the Sawmill Cafe, Sawmill Brewery, Leigh Eats, Matheson Bay, Goat Island and Omaha Cove, but both routes are steep and winding in parts.

We will definitely be back!

Reviewed almost 4 years ago

We had a lovely time in a beachfront unit - the units are spacious an very clean - beds and pillows seems to be all new - toilet and fridge is getting older than rest of the unit.

The estuary, white sand beach and the views to Little Barrier

Island is stunning.

We will cetrtainly be back with all the grand children.

All the best for a great season.

Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

Pretty nice campground, its bit tricky to get to the beach, it looks like its just there, but it is actually quite a bit to walk., Nice clean facilities, but try to get a "river side" spot, and not in

the back of ground as it can smell a bit of sewer down that end. Otherwise great and a beautiful place and beach!

Reviewed almost 12 years ago

The camp is in a really nice location directly where the river flows into the ocean.

The amenities are very clean. But it's very costly. We've paid 105 NZD for a powered site with 2 adults + 2 children. WiFi costs extra and so do hot showers. That's the most expensive campground we've had so far.

Reviewed about 1 month ago

Nice family orientated campground Clean facilities and not too noisy We stayed last night and pitched our tent on an unpowered site We are a couple and had our car and a small tent The tent sites are huge

We took up only half the space The price also is huge $75 for one night Unfortunately being pensioners we will not be returning in the foreseeable future at these prices

Reviewed almost 3 years ago

There is a lot of old reviews on here!

We stayed for the first time in Jan 2021 and booked a couple of waterfront powered sites.

These sites have a slope on one end, but there is room for a family tent and gazebo on the level since each site is around 8x9m. Sand is also laid to help level rough patches, and the non-powered sites are in spectacular condition considering the time of year. These provide great playing fields.

The staff were great and friendly, so I think the rude staff and management must be long gone. There is a good-sized shop on site (no insect repellent or insecticide but espresso coffee, essentials, ice, treats, tent pegs, etc.) and on Saturdays a food stall from Matakana opens from lunch till dinner time at the main campsite entrance to the beach. It has a limited selection but I really enjoyed the food.

Surfers and fishers can go to the surf. This area is a bit of a lagoon which is just wonderful for kids to swim, very picturesque and safe and there are picnic tables, swings, hammocks and a beach volleyball court, all in a coastal-rustic style which befits the location and amenities.

The facilities are nice and clean, and while there is a ban on loud noise after 10.30am, quiet chatter is fine and this tolerance is appreciated. Also, the showers are accessible any time, which also avoids overcrowding at peak times, unlike Whangateau which has very up-to-date facilities but is run by Auckland Council and much more restricted.

There are two ways to travel between here and Matakana (book the Market Kitchen with a riverside table - there is unlikely to be a spare table for walk-in dining - and enjoy the Saturday markets, cafes, bakeries, chocolatiers, and local brewery and vineyards. The rougher ride goes past Leigh, which you will want to visit at least once, especially the Sawmill Cafe, Sawmill Brewery, Leigh Eats, Matheson Bay, Goat Island and Omaha Cove, but both routes are steep and winding in parts.

We will definitely be back!

Reviewed almost 4 years ago

We had a lovely time in a beachfront unit - the units are spacious an very clean - beds and pillows seems to be all new - toilet and fridge is getting older than rest of the unit.

The estuary, white sand beach and the views to Little Barrier

Island is stunning.

We will cetrtainly be back with all the grand children.

All the best for a great season.

Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

We couldn't park anywhere near the beach but I don't think that's always the case - we arrived when it was quite busy so we didn't have much choice.

The facilities were fine. The beach is stunning - even with wet and windy weather!

Reviewed over 11 years ago

We camped on electric powered sites.

The managers are a bit strict with how much water you'll use for their coin-operated showers. Lovely sceneries. I loved our own company so we generally enjoyed our stay here.

Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in December 2011

Great location but very snappy and rude staff - at time of booking on phone and on arrival.

Shame also to have to pay for showers as tent site expensive already.

Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

As always the location is the reason we have returned to pakiri every year for the last 5 years.

We have stayed in the same cabin every year & although the prices have gone up, the facilities haven't changed a bit:-( What has changed though is the managers & for the last two years we have been very disappointed in their lack of friendliness... Maybe next year there'll be new leasers? These things won't stop us coming back, but when paying top dollar we find they are necessary.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago

Lovely setting, but the unpowered sites are a fair walk from the facilities.

They seem to be building new toilets and showrs so this may get better.

Reviewed almost 15 years ago