Onaero Bay Holiday Park

Onaero Bay Holiday Park occupies a spectacular location straddling both sides of the Onaero River mouth, surrounded by native bush on New Zealand’s Taranaki coast. Just 11.5km north of Waitara, this quiet family campground offers a genuine back-to-nature experience with limited cellphone coverage, meaning you actually get to switch off and enjoy the outdoors. The sheltered river provides safe swimming and kayaking for families, while the beach is popular for surfing, body boarding, and fishing, with whitebaiting in season drawing keen anglers.

The park features 57 powered sites and 30 unpowered tent sites, all level and spread across well-manicured grounds. A family cabin sleeping four and a standard two-berth cabin are also available, along with seasonal glamping options from mid-December to mid-March. Facilities include a communal kitchen, flush toilets, hot showers ($1 coin-operated), laundry, and a dump station. The children’s playground is a highlight, and the river with its changing tidal landscape provides endless exploration opportunities for kids. Pets are welcome by request. Check-in is from 2pm, check-out by 10am. NZMCA members receive discounted rates.

The Taranaki region offers outstanding adventure opportunities. Picture-perfect Mount Taranaki and Egmont National Park are within easy reach for hikes and family-friendly walks. Surf Highway 45 stretches along the coast offering some of New Zealand’s best surf breaks. Chaddy’s Charters runs wildlife cruises to the country’s most northern fur seal colony. New Plymouth, with its renowned Len Lye Centre and Pukekura Park, is a short drive south.