Last updated November 2026
The Tūtūkākā Coast has six council freedom camping sites between Ngunguru and Sandy Bay, all set out in Whangarei District Council’s Camping in Public Places Bylaw. Each one takes a handful of vehicles for a single night, and the council allows both certified self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles at all six.
Sandy Bay is the only one of the six where you can pitch a tent. The sites are about 19 to 24 km from Whangārei in a straight line, and every one has a council public toilet within a short walk.
Spaces are not marked at most of them, so the council’s rule is as many vehicles as fit in the designated area.
Practical Information
- Sites
- Sandy Bay, Woolleys Bay western car park, Matapōuri (Wehiwehi Road), Wellingtons Bay (Whangaumu Reserve), Kowharewa Bay, Ngunguru Library
- Location
- Tūtūkākā Coast, Whangārei District
- Distance from the city
- About 19 to 24 km from Whangārei (straight line)
- Vehicles
- Self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles at all six sites
- Tents
- Sandy Bay only (around 4)
- Maximum stay
- 1 night at each site
- Capacity
- Around 4 vehicles at most sites, around 6 at Woolleys Bay; no set number at Ngunguru Library
- Toilets
- Council public toilets beside or near every site, open 24 hours
- Nearest council dump station
- Kiripaka Road, Tikipunga (free, open 24 hours)
- Cost
- Free
About Tūtūkākā Coast Freedom Camping
The Tūtūkākā Coast runs northeast of Whangārei, and the council’s six camping spots are spread along it rather than gathered in one place. Ngunguru Library is the closest to the city, on Ngunguru Road. Wellingtons Bay and Kowharewa Bay sit near Tūtūkākā itself, and the remaining three are further up the coast at Matapōuri, Woolleys Bay and Sandy Bay.
All six are small. The council describes most of them as taking “around 4” vehicles, Woolleys Bay around 6, and Ngunguru Library simply as many as fit in the site.
None of them can be booked, so if a site is full you need to move on to another permitted spot rather than squeeze in or park outside the designated area.
The one-night limit is the same everywhere on this coast. That makes these sites a stop on a journey rather than a base for a longer stay.
If you are in a certified self-contained vehicle, the council also lets you stay up to three nights in any of its other public places that are not on the prohibited list, as long as you then move at least 1 km away and don’t come back for four weeks.
Several spots on the same beaches are no-camping areas, so being at the right beach is not enough on its own. The council’s site map for each location shows exactly where you can park.
The Six Sites
Sandy Bay
The designated area is the car park and grass beside the toilet block on Matapōuri Road, opposite number 1313. It takes around four vehicles and around four tents for one night. The Sandy Bay toilets are on the waterfront here; the council notes they are not suitable for people with disabilities.
Woolleys Bay western car park
Camping is in the western car park only, for around six vehicles. The eastern car park at Woolleys Bay is a no-camping area. The council’s accessible toilets are on the waterfront by the car park off Matapōuri Road.
Matapōuri, Wehiwehi Road
The site is at the end of Wehiwehi Road, with room for around four vehicles and an accessible council toilet on the waterfront. The Morrison Road car park and McAuslin Road at Matapōuri are both no-camping areas.
Wellingtons Bay, Whangaumu Reserve
Around four vehicles can stay in Whangaumu Reserve, where the Whangaumu Bay toilets sit beside the car park. Whangaumu Reserve west, at 22 Whangaumu Street, is a no-camping area, so check the site map before you park.
Kowharewa Bay
Kowharewa Bay takes around four vehicles, with an accessible council toilet on the waterfront off Tutukākā Block Road.
Ngunguru Library
This site is beside the library on Ngunguru Road, and the Ngunguru toilets are next to the library. The council gives no set number of spaces. Ngunguru School is a no-camping area.
Rules, Rubbish and the Dump Station
Camp only inside the designated site or marked spaces, and only for one night. The council asks campers to keep their site tidy, leave no sign of their stay, and take rubbish and recycling to a transfer station or dump station. Breaking the rules can bring a fine under the Freedom Camping Act or the Reserves Act.
There is no council dump station on the coast itself. The nearest council one is on Kiripaka Road in Tikipunga, opposite the entrance to Whangārei Falls. It is free, open 24 hours and has drinking water. The council’s other public dump stations are on Kioreroa Road in Whangārei, Sime Road at Ruakākā and at Langs Beach.
The Tutukākā Marina Reserve is on the council’s no-camping list, along with the spots named above. If you aren’t sure whether a spot is allowed, the council suggests checking with a freedom camping ambassador, an i-SITE, its online map or the sign at the site.
From locals
Can I camp at the Morrison Road car park in Matapōuri?
Is there drinking water at any of the beach sites, or do you need to fill up first?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
Like Whangārei’s outdoors?
Explore Whangārei Weekly has a walk or park idea every week, plus local news and weekend picks. Free every Thursday.
Free. One email a week. Unsubscribe any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I freedom camp on the Tūtūkākā Coast?
At six council sites: Sandy Bay, the western car park at Woolleys Bay, Wehiwehi Road at Matapōuri, Whangaumu Reserve at Wellingtons Bay, Kowharewa Bay and beside the Ngunguru Library.
How long can I stay?
One night at each of the six sites.
Do I need a self-contained vehicle?
No. The council allows both self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles at all six, within the designated area.
Can I camp in a tent?
Only at Sandy Bay, where the council allows around four tents in the car park and grass area by the toilet block.
Are there toilets?
Yes. Each site has a council public toilet close by, open 24 hours. The Sandy Bay toilets are not suitable for people with disabilities; the others are listed as accessible.
Where is the nearest dump station?
The council’s free dump station on Kiripaka Road in Tikipunga, opposite the Whangārei Falls entrance.
Can I camp at the Tutukākā marina?
No. The Tutukākā Marina Reserve is a no-camping area.
Does it cost anything?
No. The council sites are free, but check the council’s page before you go in case a site has changed or closed.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 2
- Whangarei District Council: Freedom camping: the current site list, a map of each site, no-camping areas and notices.
- Whangarei District Council freedom camping map: the permitted and prohibited areas across the district.