Thank you for choosing Camp Waipu Cove, we hope your stay is an enjoyable one.
In case of emergency, please make your way to the muster point located on the grass area in front of reception. Camp staff will be there to give you further information and assistance.
We are a smoke and vape free environment. Smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere within the campground.
For most of the year, reception is open 7.30am - 8.30pm daily. During peak season (20th December - 7th February) reception is open 7am - 9pm daily.
Fold out couch beds come with sheets and blanket already on them, additional blankets and pillows are located in the room/cupboard.
Please do not turn off the fridge, or move any furniture around.
Check out time is 10am for all guests. If you are staying in a unit or cabin, please ensure dishes are done and the cabin left tidy (a $100 cleaning fee will be charged if cabin is left dirty or for failure to observe our non-smoking policy).
Any breakages or damages incurred must be paid for.
Each of our three ablutions blocks includes a 24-hour self-serve laundry with washing tubs. Machines operate using rechargeable cards available at all 3 laundry stations (Eftpos, Debit or Credit card required to purchase). Initial cost for card is $4 (refundable on departure), hot/cold wash $4, dryer (45 mins) $4. Washing powder ($2 per box) is available in each laundry and there are also outdoor washing lines provided for guest use.
Camp Waipu Cove is committed to sustainable practices, including energy management, recycling, planting native plants, dune restoration, buying locally, using chemical free cleaning products and supporting local conservation efforts and we encourage our guests to be part of our environmental sustainable practices.
We would appreciate your help in achieving our environmental goals by using the recycle bins provided which are used for all glass and aluminium cans (drink cans). Please take your recyclables to the recycle bins stationed opposite the camp kitchen at the end of your stay.
Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.
As much as we dislike rules, they are necessary for the benefit of all!
Fire Safety: Fires or braziers are not permitted within our camp area or on the beach - all year round. Fireworks are also not permitted at any time. Gas or electric BBQs only.
Smoke/Vape free: Camp Waipu Cove has a strict no smoking or vaping policy, guests cannot smoke or vape anywhere within the campground. Guests and visitors can use the beach and reserve areas if needed. Smoking or vaping inside cabins will result in a $100 cleaning fee.
Parking: Only one vehicle per cabin allowed. No parking on empty sites or driveways. Extra vehicles must be parked in the car park at the entrance or northern car park. No tents or temporary sleeping accommodation to be used in cabin complex.
Speed: The maximum speed is 5km (walking pace only)
Conduct: The camp managers or security officers can enforce the following regulations under The Reserve By Laws. Under these regulations offenders can/will be instructed to vacate the campgrounds or Reserve immediately.
Consideration must be shown to other guests at all times.
Damage: Damage is to be reported to the office immediately. Cost of damage will be recovered.
Visitors: Visiting hours are strictly 8am-10pm. All visitors must report to the office on arrival, before entering the park. Visitors are by courtesy of the management, but they are your responsibility and must leave by 10pm.
Bikes: Bikes are not to be ridden over gardens or around ablution blocks. Helmets must be worn and bikes are to be ridden at a moderate pace. No bikes after dark.
Skateboards: No skateboarding is allowed in the campground.
Water: Water is metered in the camp, thus no water wastage please. Water bombs, water pistols and paddling pools are not allowed. No washing of cars.
Management reserves the right to alter sites or units if necessary.
Magnificent coastal views, a small rocky beach, interesting limestone rocks, native coastal bush, great fishing, and picnic spots. Allow 1.5 hours one way for a quick transit but it warrants a more leisurely approach for rests, views, photos, and the return trip.
Features of the walk:
Finding your way:
The northern end of the way begins at Waipu Cove beach – cross the small tidal stream opposite the last concrete BBQ bench on the lawn of Waipu Cove. If the tide is in, wet feet may be the start of your journey here. At the end of the trail you can choose to return the same route or walk the 1.5km along Cove Road.
The trail can be entered at either end where notices, stiles, orange markers and posts indicate the path. The trail, used by the early immigrants to Waipu, passes along the Esplanade Reserve in front of recent developments. A portion crosses private ‘riparian rights’ grazed land, with the owner’s generous consent to access.
PLEASE NOTE: This trail is not recommended during or after heavy rain as it can get very muddy and slippery.
In Waipu village the amazing story of the great migration of Scottish Highlanders who moved from Nova Scotia to New Zealand is told in the Waipu Museum. See the last horse drawn cart made in Waipu, the life size Piper, and the House of Memories.
This beautiful white sand surf beach is popular for swimming, surfing and fishing. A river borders the eastside which is safer for small children. A section of the ocean beach is patrolled by lifeguards over the summer months. Waipu Cove has a village feel with a vibrant camp ground virtually on the beach. Toilets, picnic tables, BBQ’s, a convenience store and a café/restaurant are all located within Waipu Cove.
A stunning white sandy beach framed by ancient coastal trees and wonderful views to offshore islands and craggy headlands. This is an excellent spot for swimming, surfing and bodysurfing, or for a relaxing shoreline stroll.
Waipu is rich in Scottish Heritage, and these days also boasts a great selection of local art, crafts and cafes. It is home to the Caledonian Highland Games every New Year, the oldest running highland event in the southern hemisphere. June to August features ‘Winter @ Waipu’, a varied calendar of events. Throughout the year there is a market on the first Saturday of the month in the Coronation Hall. Extra Street Markets are held on the Saturday of long weekends, while on Sunday the popular Waipu Antiques & Collectables Fair takes over the hall. All are welcome at Scottish Country Dancing nights, also held in Coronation Hall.
Waipu Caves feature stalactites and stalagmites lit by glow-worms within impressive limestone formations. There is head room inside the cave entrance, although wet and slippery. Good footwear and torch needed. Glow worms can be seen at any time of day. Free natural attraction with public toilets available in carpark. For the more serious under-ground explorers the main cave is some 175 meters long.
2km one way. The track starts at the Whangarei District Council reserve, by the cave's entrance, off Waipu Caves Road. There is a large flat area suitable for picnics and a Whangārei District Council administered public toilet at this point. Note: the entrance to the caves is directly across the Council Reserve before the track starts. Look across the large flat grassed area for the orange post, which indicates the start of the track. Cross the large concrete culvert and start climbing your way out of the Waipu Caves valley. The track passes through the Waipu Caves Scenic Reserve; after meandering among karst limestone formations it climbs up steeply, across areas of open grass and regenerating bush, before ending at a gate through to private farmland. The track ends on the ridgeline where you will be rewarded with panoramic views right across the Whangārei Harbour to Bream Head and out to the Hen and Chicken Islands. You must return back the same way.
Signposted from SH1 just south of Waipu, a short 10 minute walk through forest and over the Ahuroa River leads to the petite Piroa Falls with swimming holes along the way and at the base of the waterfall. Look out for the Green and yellow DOC sign for the walkway entrance.
Situated just inside the entrance of the picturesque Whangarei Harbour, the newly developed Marsden Cove Marina is envisaged to become one of New Zealand's most sought after marine and holiday destinations. It boasts a world class 230 berth marina and offers boat owners convenient all tide and weather access to and from the ocean via a deep water harbour as well as the perfect base to explore Northlands cruising, diving and game fishing grounds.
Internationally significant wildlife refuges for shore birds and waders are found at the Ruakaka and Waipu river mouths. Among the species which feed and breed in these pristine estuaries are the NZ dotterel, variable oyster catcher and critically endangered NZ fairy tern. Other species include wrybill, reef heron and banded dotterel – all rare and protected. Offshore the Hen & Chicken Islands, named by Captain Cook in 1769, beckon the imagination. The islands are the remains of long dormant volcanoes, once part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Known to the Maori as ‘Marotiri and Taranga’, they are now a wildlife sanctuary. There is strictly no landing without a permit.
Bream Bay’s spectacular giant arc of white sand and clear water spans from Langs Beach in the south to Marsden Point to the north with pristine estuaries, wildlife refuges, native bush, rural scenery, small friendly communities - fish, swim, surf, kayak, cave, culture, history, markets and more. This natural crescent is rich in culture – the Maori ancestral home of Patuharakeke.
White sand and surf, stunning views to offshore islands and magnificent Bream Head. A Department of Conservation campsite nestles in sand dunes, right beside the beach. Main entrance is via Tip Road, Waipu.
A 13 km expanse of white sand and surf between river outlets, Ruakaka Beach is popular for surf, sun and water sports. The Ruakaka Surf Life Saving Club is on patrol from Labour Weekend until Easter every year, and also hosts beach education days and surf lifesaving competitions. Motels, bed & breakfasts and camping ground. The Ruakaka Racecourse ‘Where the Turf meets the Surf”, a unique all weather racecourse hardly a furlong inland from the breakers.
The story of the great migration by the descendants of Waipu
Forced to leave the Highlands of Scotland by the infamous Highland Clearances, the settlers first formed a community at St Ann's in Nova Scotia. On this productive land the Scots built a strong community, despite cold winters.
The community at St Ann's grew under Norman McLeod’s leadership. He was ordained as a Presbyterian Minister in the United States of America in 1827. His church and congregation were the largest in Cape Breton. He was however a controversial figure.
By the mid 1840's this was a thriving community. However, by 1845 the very cold winters, combined with potato blight and crop failure created a devastating famine. The fishing industry was under threat, opposing religions were a future challenge and land was limited.
Norman McLeod's son Donald sent newspapers from Australia in 1848. Norman McLeod and his followers soon learned about the opportunities in Australia. They decided to emigrate to secure a better future for their community.
The Reverend Norman McLeod led his people on a great adventure to Australia in search of a better future.
The 236 ton barque "Margaret" was built and in 1851 she sailed with the Reverend Norman McLeod (aged 71 years) and 140 followers to Adelaide in South Australia.
The "Highland Lass" she set sail to follow the "Margaret" with 136 on board but was caught in ice. They left five months later in spring 1852. By the time they reached Adelaide the "Margaret" group had moved to Melbourne.
No suitable land was found in Adelaide or Melbourne. The discovery of gold caused the demand for land, and its value, to sky rocket out of affordability. The group were forced to live in Canvas town outside of Melbourne in the midst of violence, crime and disease. Some died of typhoid including 3 of Norman's sons.
Both ships were sold and the passengers found work in Melbourne while the quest for land turned to New Zealand.
The Reverend Norman McLeod wrote to Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, who encouraged him and his people to come to New Zealand.
After 12-18 months in Melbourne the first party left for Auckland. The "Gazelle" was bought to make the journey. Ninety "Highland Lass" people and 33 from the "Margaret" arrived in Auckland on 18 September 1853.
The leaders of that group chose Waipu as being the most suitable area for the new settlement.
The area was most suitable for fishing, ship building, and farming and allowed the Gaelic speaking community to remain together to worship with their Minister the Reverend Norman McLeod. The Reverend Norman McLeod came with more of the "Margaret" group from Melbourne in January 1854.
At last, after many trials, determination and persistence were rewarded. Compared to Scotland and Nova Scotia, Waipu was a land of great opportunity.
At last the community had found land with great potential.
When news of Waipu reached those who had remained in Nova Scotia, others decided to migrate and four ships were prepared for the journey. Some families still stayed in Nova Scotia. It was a heart-wrenching time for those left behind. They lost kinfolk and many of the community's leaders.
The first ship to make the complete journey from Cape Breton to Auckland was the "Gertrude. She arrived in 1856 with 176 people on board. Next came "The Spray" in 1857 with 96 keen settlers. Then the "Breadalbane" arrived in 1858 with 160 more people for the settlement. Finally the largest of the fleet, the 336 ton barque "Ellen Lewis" arrived in 1860 with 235 new immigrants.
Almost 1000 people completed this remarkable migration. They set about the task of establishing a close knit and highly successful community in Waipu and sister settlements
Today, the descendants number in their tens of thousands. The remarkable Waipu Migration has descendants all over New Zealand and the world. Those connections continue to be celebrated. In the words of the late PM Sir Peter Fraser:
"New Zealand has many records of the adventurous voyages and the trying experiences of its hardy and courageous pioneers. Each successive settlement has its history of early trials and vicissitudes, of tremendous difficulties and failures preceding success ...............................but none excel the story of the Highlanders of Waipu."
CAMP
WAIPUCOVE