Looking for the best camping grounds in Gisborne? These holiday parks and motor camps cover everything from a powered site for the campervan to a tent pitch, cabin or motel unit, whether you want to be a short walk from the city centre at Waikanae Beach or right on the sand further up the coast. For camping in Gisborne close to town, Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park and Showgrounds Park Motor Camp in Makaraka are the two to start with, while Tatapouri Bay and Tolaga Bay sit north of the city along the East Coast.
1Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park sits on Grey Street beside Waikanae Beach, about a ten-minute walk from the Gisborne city centre, with the Oneroa Walkway on its doorstep. It suits families, couples and groups who want a camping ground within walking distance of town, with plenty for children to do on site.
Services
- Powered sites and tent sites
- Standard and ensuite cabins (double and twin)
- Motel and self-contained family units
- Two and three bedroom ocean view apartments and a beach bach
- Equipment hire
Highlights
- Indoor heated swimming pool
- Jumping pillow, trampolines, playground and sand volleyball court
- Dog friendly during set periods of the year, under the park’s dog policy
- Member of the TOP 10 Holiday Parks group, with TOP 10 Club discounts
Location & Contact
Name: Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Address: 280 Grey Street, Gisborne 4010
Phone: 06 867 5634
Website: gisborneholidaypark.co.nz
2Showgrounds Park Motor Camp
Showgrounds Park Motor Camp is run on the 40-hectare Poverty Bay Showgrounds at Makaraka, set among century-old trees and about 4 km from the city, shops, museum and wineries. It is a no-frills motor camp with shady or open sites, a good fit for caravans, large motorhomes and anyone after a quieter camping ground on the edge of town.
Services
- Powered camp sites
- Non-powered tent and caravan sites
- Basic cabins (bring your own bedding)
- On-site dump station
Highlights
- Adjacent to an 18-hole golf course
- Smokefree modern kitchen, lounge and TV area
- Dog friendly
- A short drive to the Makaraka Village shops and an LPG and fuel station
Location & Contact
Name: Showgrounds Park Motor Camp
Address: 20 Main Road, Makaraka, Gisborne 4010
Phone: 06 868 6084
Website: gisborneshow.co.nz/motor-camp
3Tatapouri Bay
Tatapouri Bay is an absolute-beachfront camping ground on Whangara Road, north of Gisborne city on the East Coast, surrounded by rolling hills and golden sand. Alongside its campsites it has a range of cabins and small stays, and it suits campers who want the beach, boating and diving right outside the tent flap.
Services
- Beachfront powered campsites for campervans, RVs and caravans
- Non-powered campsites
- Zen cabins, log cabins and Moana cabins
- Tiny Home, Little Villas and Podlife stays
Highlights
- On-site boat ramp
- Oceanfront cafe open in spring and summer
- Free Wi-Fi, children’s playground and a disability-access shower and toilet
- Pets by arrangement, plus extra vehicles, trailers or boats by arrangement
Location & Contact
Name: Tatapouri Bay
Address: 516 Whangara Road, RD3, Gisborne
Phone: 06 868 3269
Website: tatapouri.co.nz
4Tolaga Bay TOP 10 Holiday Park
Tolaga Bay TOP 10 Holiday Park is outside the city, further up the East Coast in Tolaga Bay, on a beachfront site at the base of Mount Titirangi overlooking the Tolaga Bay Wharf. It is a classic Kiwi camping ground for families, couples and groups who want a quieter base for a coastal trip north of Gisborne.
Services
- Powered and non-powered camp sites
- Kitchen cabins for up to 6 guests
- Studio units and motels
- Accessible self-contained unit with full kitchen
- Equipment hire
Highlights
- Beachfront beside the Tolaga Bay Wharf
- Jumping area and playground
- Communal kitchen, laundry and BBQ outdoor dining area
Location & Contact
Name: Tolaga Bay TOP 10 Holiday Park
Address: 167 Wharf Road, Tolaga Bay 4077
Phone: 0800 862 6716
Website: tolagabayholidaypark.co.nz
Camping Grounds in Gisborne at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park | Indoor heated swimming pool |
| Showgrounds Park Motor Camp | Adjacent to an 18-hole golf course |
| Tatapouri Bay | On-site boat ramp |
| Tolaga Bay TOP 10 Holiday Park | Beachfront beside the Tolaga Bay Wharf |
How to Choose the Right Camping Ground in Gisborne
- Distance from town: decide whether you want to walk to cafes and the museum, or would rather be on a quiet stretch of coast and drive in for supplies.
- Site type: check whether you need a powered site, a tent site or a cabin, and whether large motorhomes, trailers or boats can be accommodated.
- Facilities: look at kitchens, showers, laundry, dump stations and anything for children such as pools, playgrounds or jumping pillows.
- Pets: dog policies vary between parks and often by season, so read the policy before you book.
- Office hours and bookings: smaller motor camps may only staff the office on weekdays, so arrange late arrivals and summer bookings ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gisborne Camping Grounds
Which campgrounds are closest to the Gisborne city centre?
For camping in Gisborne within easy reach of town, Waikanae Beach is about a ten-minute walk from the city centre, and Makaraka, on the western edge of the city, is roughly 4 km out. Tatapouri and Tolaga Bay are further north along the coast and suit travellers who plan to drive in.
Can I bring a large motorhome or caravan?
Most camping grounds in Gisborne take campervans, caravans and motorhomes on powered sites. Some advertise room for very large vehicles, trailers or boats, so give your vehicle length when you book, particularly over summer.
Is there somewhere to empty a motorhome waste tank?
Several holiday parks around Gisborne have an on-site dump station for guests. If you are passing through without staying, ask the park first, as access and any fee for non-guests are set by each operator.
Can I freedom camp in Gisborne instead?
Freedom camping in the Gisborne district is controlled by the council, with rules on where you may stay and the type of vehicle you need. Check the current rules on the Gisborne District Council freedom camping page before you park up; a campground is the simpler option if you want showers, a kitchen and power.
Are dogs allowed at Gisborne campgrounds?
Some are dog friendly and others only allow pets by arrangement or during certain times of year. Read each park’s dog policy before booking and keep dogs on a lead around other campers.
When do I need to book?
Summer and the school holidays are the busiest times for a campground in Gisborne, and beachfront sites fill first. Outside those periods you can often arrive with less notice, but smaller motor camps may have limited office hours, so call ahead.
What does a powered site usually include?
A powered site gives you an electricity hook-up for your caravan or campervan plus access to the shared kitchen, bathrooms and laundry. Some parks charge for showers or laundry with coin machines, so keep a few coins handy.
How We Chose the Best Camping Grounds in Gisborne
Every business in this guide was found by searching for camping grounds in Gisborne, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Gisborne, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.