(Te tōpuni ki Uawa)
Tolaga Bay Freedom Camping
Blue Waters
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Tolaga Bay Freedom Camping
Open between Labour Weekend and Easter weekend each summer
Camping at Tolaga Bay is from 23 October - 30 April
You must have a permit before you set up camp. Apply for a permit on the website link above.
There's no charge for a permit. You must comply with all the conditions on the permit and in the bylaw.
You need to manage your own rubbish.
Camping is allowed in tents and vehicles - chemical toilets are required.
About Tolaga Bay at Blue Waters
Tolaga Bay is 54km from Gisborne and 280km from Opotiki.
The camping area, known as Blue Waters is at the northern end of the bay at the end of Furneaux Street. Excellent swimming and fishing.
The Tolaga Bay Surf Life Saving Club is located in Furneaux Street. Surf lifeguard patrols operate during the peak summer period.
There is a holiday park next to the Tolaga Bay Wharf.
Rubbish and recycling
We encourage zero waste.
You need to manage your own rubbish. No bags are issued with permits so you need to take your own.
You’re responsible for taking your rubbish away with you. The closest transfer station to sort your rubbish and recycling is Tolaga Bay.
Do not put rubbish bags on the roadside, this is illegal dumping.
Details
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Organisation |
Gisborne District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷ Tolaga Bay |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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3.5/5
Plenty of space among some longer term stayers.
The toilet block was closed, and the nearest other toilets are 150 m down the road. We duly got our permit online, but no one asked to see it on our overnight stay.
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0.5/5
The worst nite of our lives,terrorized at 11pm at nite until midnte,ended up driving another 2 hours to get away from the place ,so my family could sleep,don't advise anyone to stay there,infant avoid
the area if you can.
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4.0/5
Nice little place with lots of flat spots.
Jolly windy in a Northerly, though based on our drive from Gisborne it appears this coastline is all very exposed in a northerly. The beach is lovely for a walk up to the cliffs.
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4.5/5
Great spot at the northern end of the bay.
Sheltered and right by the beach. Great safe swimming. Lots of room and easy access for large motorhomes. Permit required - we purchased at Gisborne iSite $17 for 2 nights or $35 for up to 10 nights for 2 people in any of the designated spots as far up as Te Araroà, includes rubbish bags to use at collection spots. Great system- maybe other councils could follow suit👍✔✅
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4.5/5
Nice and quiet spot.
I've got my permit in one of the supermarkets. It wasn't possible to just pay for one night. The price for two is $16.50 even if you just want to stay one night. I was completely alone there in March.
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5.0/5
Go GDC!
Permit needed but easy to obtain at various locations. What a stunning beach and slice of paradise on the Cape. Only stayed one night wish it was two! Safe swimming - kids had a ball. Lots of space for our camper. Quiet spot. We will be back!
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5.0/5
Beautiful spot right on the beach.
Toilets and non-potable water available! Nice beach with good beginner surf and good fishing at estuary and wharf.
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4.0/5
Awesome view, very close to the beach (1 minute walk).
Nice little town, friendly people. Basic amenities. Great place for surfing (close to the wharf) and interesting history.
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3.5/5
Nice spot by the sea - for self contained campers only.
Council permit needed in advance that can be picked up from a variety of locations. Very cheap
