Muriwai Beach Campground — Hotel in Rodney

In winter, great. Winter rate: powered site, NZMCA members, $20pp, so it's dear for 2 people. A pension might not stretch this far...Hosts v. nice, offered help to set up camp and gave quick tour on amenities. Sited me very wisely considering my 9m caravan. Camp 1/2 - 2/3 full in winter. Dump station, fresh potable water at frequently located taps, powered sites, modern shower (free hot showers, just push the button again if it cuts out too soon) and toilet block, nice functional communal kitchen inc. microwaves, fridges/freezers. Be aware, sites not perfectly level. Campground not large, so call ahead if you have a bigger vehicle/caravan. Do not recommend in summer if you like your own company best as Muriwai is Auckland's most popular "playground". In summer, I'd estimate Muriwai beach and the nearby gannet colony would be crawling with over 100K people on some weekends. Even in winter, there was a wedding on the beach every single day I was there (3 days, F, Sa, Su). Bethels Beach and Lake Wainamu (appx. 40 min drive away) are only do-able in winter as well; the road to those 2 places is extremely narrow, the Auckland council does not cut the vegetation from the edges, it's v. dangerous. Parking is limited, very limited. Not a great summer place. Currently DOC walks Te Henga and the other one (I can't remember the name) are both closed (as of 2022 August). Check the DOC website. When you camp at Muriwai, lock everything b/c the camp host can't be there all the time, and esp. on Friday nights, there are a lot of riff-raff busy huffing and puffing in the nearby carparks despite all the security cameras. I also noticed someone had ram-raided all the chained entrances the park authorities don't want you to go into. In other words, plenty of vandalism due to Muriwai's proximity to Auckland. And you don't want to lose your gas bottles/jerry cans/deck chairs if any of the riff-raff decide theft is a good idea. Also, if you arrive with a bigger rig, when you leave, you will have to contend with locals' cars parked on your side of the narrow entrance road, and you will have to dodge oncoming traffic. But it's well worth visiting as the camp is run very well, the sand is black (v. unusual colour), the gannet colony is spectacular, and Lake Wainumu in particular is a local...

Great family camp grounds. Clean, ample toilets with hot showers. Modern equipped kitchen with communal fridges, freezers, toasters, microwave, hot water jug, cook tops and even WiFi.

There are 2 gas BBQs with running water taps (drinking) spotted around the sites (powered and non).

Right next to Gannet colony, playground, golf course and even a cafe. Should you need to grab some food, there is a supermarket within 15 minute drive. The beach could be too intense for little ones but should be ok for 8+ with low tide/waves with supervision for bodyboarding (there are lifeguards).

Highly recommended for first time family campers (we were!) and we will definitely come...

Super rude bigoted little woman at the front desk, asked personal questions and lied about rules so we couldn't stay long, as it was winter and she didn't want to work. Owned by council so no incentive for them to have campers. There was one other camper who was self contained. Most other campgrounds are still busy with kiwi travelers.This place was empty, no atmosphere and sterile. One toilet open. We were paying full price for a muddy site.

I called the council to lay a complaint who said she was not entitled to turn us away.

I had stayed before in summer but was kept awake for the few days we were there by partying campers. Management...