AUCKLAND: HIBISCUS COAST

The Freedom Camping Trial is now finished, and you might not be able to stay at this location
The Council is presently reviewing their Freedom Camping Bylaw
The freedom campling locations at Snells Beach and Algies Bay are still available

Matakana Wharf Rd and Esplanade Reserve has a small parking area within a short walk from the shopping centre where self-contained motor caravanners can park overnight.

Matakana has become the boutique country shopping centre which is very popular with Aucklanders, being less than an hours drive from most of Auckland's suburbs. It features a range of specialty shops and restaurants, a cinema, and a farmers market that is held every Saturday morning. Parking space is at a premium!

We called in on a Friday afternoon in autumn, and there was no parking for a motorhome in the town centre, and only a little at the Esplanade Reserve. Cars were coming and going while were were parked there, and at times, we would have been blocked in.

The only level parking is at the bottom, alongside the river and beside the wharf shelter.

If we had wanted to go to the market on the following morning, this would have been the time to find a park and stay overnight, maybe eating out at one of the restaurants, and going to see a movie. Arriving on Saturday morning would have been hopeless!

River cruises also leave from the Esplanade parking area, but you will need to phone ahead of time and make a booking if you want to do that.

Parking alongside the river, you can hear the waterfall, which is quite pleasant.