Pandora Campsite
Te Paki Recreation Reserve
5 Rankers Reviews
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Pandora Campsite
Camp in a picturesque setting in beautiful Pandora bay. Only accessible on foot and with minimal facilities, this is the spot for those seeking a true wilderness experience.
Accessible on foot only, no drive in access.
A perfect place for fishing and relaxing.
Check out the rock pools above the campsite by following the track toward Tapotupotu. Follow the track for a few minutes until you get to the sign directing you down a short path to the stream and pools.
Pandora Campsite is only accessible via foot walking the Te Paki Coastal Track or Pandora Track.
Getting There:
From Kaitaia head north on SH1.
Follow signposts for Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua OR
Tapotupotu if accessing from the west.
You can access the campsite from the east via Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) Campsite.
Alternatively, you can walk Pandora Track which is located 4.5 km past Te Paki Stream Road on SH1.
Notices
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Pandora Campsite closed
Pandora Campsite is closed. There is currently no access to the campsite.
This is a long term alert.
First published on 16 January 2025. Last reviewed on 5 March 2025.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Pandora Campsite is categorised as a DOC Backcountry Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for each campsite but is usually very cheap. Visit the website for exact pricing.
DOC Backcountry Campsite
Backcountry campsites have toilets and a water supply which may be from a stream. Picnic tables, cooking shelters or fireplaces may be provided.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | Varies per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | Varies per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | Varies 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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Operating Season And Hours |
Pandora Campsite is Currently CLOSED due to safety issues caused by recent weather events.
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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4.5/5
Tramped the 3 hours from Taputaputo Bay.
Well worth the hike. The place is well kept and clean. Had a fantastic night camping. Although watch out for the mosquitos I got bitten quite a lot. The beach is a short walk from the camp and is beautiful.
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4.5/5
Pandora is a sweet little Mirco camp.
A beautiful walk from spirits Bay that warrants a nights stay! Although come prepared with bug spray! There are two very clean compost toilets a large outdoor sink with water and a pavilion where you can eat/ hide from heat! There are fantastic rock pools that double as a beautiful bath and over look the ocean while being set in the forest- make use of these! This micro cqmp was in wonderful condition when I was there Jan 2019- huge credit to DOC and hopefully people continue to respect such wonderful places!!
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1.0/5
Not free!
$13 per adult, drove the 13ks to get there only to find out it was not free and cold showers.
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0.5/5
We tramped to Pandora Bay and thought it was just darling so we stopped there for the night.
Then night fell, and the mosquitoes arrived. It was horrific. We were swarmed getting out to go to the loo in the middle of the night and then took maybe 200 mosquitoes back into our tiny tramping tent with us. Which we then had to kill one by one as we don't tramp with fly spray. We heard the mosquitoes buzzing outside the tent, there were so many they were in concert.
And then the rats got our food. Delightful place to spend the day but not the night. It's named Pandora for a reason.
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4.5/5
Remote goodness.
Pandora feels out there and it is out there. An experience as much as a destination. Pandora isn't for everyone, but if it is, you won't forget it.
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