Camping in the Wairarapa

Greytown Campground

The Wairarapa has plenty of beautiful camping spots from the mountains to the sea - whether you're pitching a tent or parking a campervan.

What better way to end a day than sleeping under the stars? (Or in a comfy cabin if you must!)

Camping in Towns
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Every major town in the Wairarapa has a campground. Talk about handy!

Featherston is the first stop over the Rimutaka Hill Road from Wellington and the Featherston campground is right there on State Highway 2.

Martinborough campground is a short walk from the Martinborough wine village and many vineyards.

Greytown campground is just west of the main street and very walkable back to the excellent boutique shopping strip.

Masterton is the largest town in Wairarapa and the campground is right there in the middle on the river.

Coastal Camping
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Brilliant sunrises and sunsets, walks, swimming and fishing make it well worth the trip out to the rugged Wairarapa coast. Check out the famous lighthouses at Castlepoint and Cape Palliser.

Lake Ferry campground has wonderful views across Palliser Bay and is an easy drive to the Putangirua Pinnacles, Ngawi and Cape Palliser Lighthouse.

Castlepoint campground provides easy access to the Castlepoint lighthouse and surrounding walkways.

Ngawi campground is located on the coastal side of Cape Palliser Road, opposite Ngawi settlement. Here is a map to Ngawi campground.

Tora have two campgrounds, one at the northern end and one at the southern end of the beach. Here is a map to north Tora camping and a map for southern Tora camping.

Te Awaiti Camping Area – Between Te Awaiti Road and Oterei River. Follow this map to Te Awaiti camping.

Camping is also welcomed on Department of Conservation land at the Putangirua Pinnacles and the Corner Creek campsite. Corner Creek is only 5 minutes walk from Palliser Bay along Ocean Beach road, 45 minutes from Featherston. If you're thinking of camping in the South Wairarapa you can grab a copy of local guidelines here.

Ocean Beach down Western Lake Road from Featherston is a rough road and really only recommended for 4WD vehicles. The scenic rewards are worth the effort.

Mountain Camping
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There are three great camping spots at the foot of the Tararua Ranges - they're all family-friendly with easy access to walks.

Kiriwhakapapa in the northern reaches of the Tararua Ranges is a small and quiet camping area and start to easy access to the mountains.

Mount Holdsworth is the most popular camping area in the Tararua Ranges and is a fun atmosphere with other families often camped there.

The Department of Conservation offers camping at Waiohine Gorge about 20 minutes from Carterton and at Bucks Road by the Tauherenikau River, just 15 minutes from Featherston.

Greytown Campground
Remutaka (Rimutaka) Cycle Trail
The Remutaka (Rimutaka) Cycle Trail connects Wellington with Wairarapa, winding through a variety of stunning Kiwi landscapes: a river valley, rolling foothills, bush-clad ranges, old railway tunnels, lake-sides, farm land and a rugged coastline. Choose to ride parts of the trail in one day or ride the whole trail over several days.
Remutaka (Rimutaka) Cycle Trail whole
Riding the entire Remutaka (Rimutaka) Cycle Trail gives you a bike ride packed with variety, terrific scenery and neat places to stay - all so close to Wellington.