Pandora Campsite

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Kaitaia, Northland

Camping near Kaitaia

Information

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

Eastern Te Paki track closures

All walking tracks east of State Highway 1 and Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua in the Te Paki Recreation Reserve are closed due to storm damage. The tracks to the west including the Lighthouse track are open.

Pandora campsite is closed. Tapotupotu, Kapowiarua (Spirits Bay) and Twilight campsites are open.

This is a long term alert.
First published on 28 March 2023. Last reviewed on 15 November 2024.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Pandora Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	$0.00 per night
Unpowered Site	Child	$0.00 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

Organisation

DOC Northland

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia

Categories

Basic Camping
Free

Operating Season And Hours

Pandora Campsite is Currently CLOSED due to safety issues caused by recent weather events.
2 Jan 2024. (Please check with DOC for current information).

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-34.4523401059124

172.777522850671

Latitude
-34.4523401059124
Longitude
172.777522850671

Websites

Visit Website

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Free Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.
Campsite Operating	Campsite has been closed Campsite Operating Is the campsite generally operating or in service for overnight stays? Campsite has been closed This campsite is no longer operating has been closed for all overnight stays. Due to safety issues caused by recent weather events Pandora Campsite is closed as of 2 Jan 2024. Please check with the local DOC office for current information.	Campsite Operating Is the campsite generally operating or in service for overnight stays? Campsite has been closed This campsite is no longer operating has been closed for all overnight stays. Due to safety issues caused by recent weather events Pandora Campsite is closed as of 2 Jan 2024. Please check with the local DOC office for current information.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping only Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.
Campsite Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Maximum Sites Available	More than 20 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available.	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available.
Booking Required	First Come, First Served Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.
Powered Sites	No powered sites Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.	Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Dogs	No dogs allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs. Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs. Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only.
Vehicle Access	No vehicle access Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Basic Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.

Reviews

Pandora is a sweet little Mirco camp.
Tramped the 3 hours from Taputaputo Bay.
Remote goodness.
Not free!

Rating	Count
10/10	0	0%
9/10	3	60%
8/10	0	0%
7/10	0	0%
6/10	0	0%
5/10	0	0%
4/10	0	0%
3/10	0	0%
2/10	1	20%
1/10	1	20%

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.

Reviewed almost 5 years ago

Shizngigs
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!!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

Chrissy
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.

Reviewed about 6 years ago

Lee-Anne
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.

Reviewed about 8 years ago

Justine Stewart
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.

Reviewed over 8 years ago

Cymen Crick