(Spirits Bay Campsite)
Kapowairua Campsite
Te Paki Recreation Reserve, Cape Reinga
72 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 30 October 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 |
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| 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
Google Maps
Reviews
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Beautiful beach -
Clean facilities
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Spacious camping area
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Peaceful atmosphere
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No DOC pass acceptance -
Long unsealed road
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Busy site with queues
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Good place.
Rampon -
Nice and wild.
Gstto -
Really loved this site.
Stefan Beiner -
Clean toilets.
Mikayla Candido -
Beautiful place.
Marie
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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
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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.
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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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Best beach we found on our trip - simply stunning!
Looks like the facilities have been upgraded - lots of room. Peaceful.
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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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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.
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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)
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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.
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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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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
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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.
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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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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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Beautiful location, beach is private and gorgeous.
Road is a little bit of a pain and camp site could have more trees. Bathroom facilities were clean and heaps of choice on where to pitch your tent.
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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
-
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.
-
-
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.
-
-
Best beach we found on our trip - simply stunning!
Looks like the facilities have been upgraded - lots of room. Peaceful.
-
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.
-
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.
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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)
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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.
-
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
-
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
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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.
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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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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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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.
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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!
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Beautiful campsite!
The rock near the hill looks like a head or something.. Very nice!
One thing.. Watch out for the hundreds of mosquitos!