Mangaohane Campsite – Kaweka Forest Park

Mangaohane Campsite sits inside Kaweka Forest Park in the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand’s North Island, one of the less-trafficked public conservation areas in the country. It’s basic DOC infrastructure: a toilet, flat ground, and river access. No powered sites, no shop, no hand-holding. The Kaweka Range is serious backcountry — tussock tops, deep valleys, wild pig and deer hunting culture. Camp here and you’re sharing the forest with hunters and trampers, not tourist caravans.

Access involves a long gravel road off SH50 — rough in sections and definitely not for low-slung rigs. High-clearance 2WD gets you there dry; check the DOC website for current road conditions before committing, especially in winter when the road can ice up or wash out. Water from the river must be treated. No booking required — first-come, first-served, small daily fee applies via the self-registration system at the gate.

Earn it on corrugated gravel. Have it to yourself.