Pandora Campsite

Pandora Campsite

Te Paki Recreation Reserve

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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

  • 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 14 August 2024.

DOC Campsite Pricing

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

DOC Basic Campsite

Basic campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water may be from a water tank that is untreated, stream or lake. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Access may be by road or boat.

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 IslandNorthlandKaitaia

Categories

  • Activity__basic_facility_campingBasic 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

Reviews

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

    Reviewed over 4 years ago

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 almost 8 years ago

  • 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