River and Rail

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Motorhome stays by the railway line
Motorhome stays by the railway line
The Oruawharo flows under the line
The railway line
The Oruawharo River
Peace and quiet among the trees
Neatly mown field
View of the railway line
General view
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The Oruawharo flows under the line
The railway line
The Oruawharo River

  • Small campground for campervans at Tōpuni on North Island
  • In the middle of Auckland and Whangarei (both 50 minutes' drive)
  • Off the highway and well back from the traffic, on private land
Looking for somewhere to overnight close to the SH1? On the outskirts of Tōpuni in the Auckland/Northland border region, River and Rail is a small and rural campground specifically designed for self-contained motorhomes. Pull off the highway and park up on the flat ground well back from the traffic. The private land overlooks the Oruawharo River and is next to the railway line; entrance is automated. Marked areas on gravel stay solid through winter, while you can spread out on the grass over summer. There are a couple of picnic benches for alfresco dining, or you can set up your own tables and chairs before sparking up the barbecue. Wood is supplied – but just be sure to extinguish the fire before you turn in. The Oruawharo River is a short walk down from the parking area, with a rail bridge crossing it. The line is used frequently, so please do not cross the bridge – the owners are in the process of carving a path down to the water’s edge.

Site type

Motorhome sites 10
Open now
Opens 24 August
Please note
  • This campground/park has no on-site toilet and shower facilities.

Vehicles

  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.

Safety

  • Fires, barbecues and/or firepits will not be permitted in dry, windy and/or hot weather conditions.

Reception

  • There is no reception building on-site: on arrival please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Mon, 24 Aug 2026 to

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

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Features

Dogs allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Bush Peaceful

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No drinkable water point No hot water No running water Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Tiny (1-10 sites)

Accessibility

Level campground, no steep slopes Uneven terrain; gravel or loose mud

Location

River and Rail

11 Oruawharo Road

Topuni

Northland Region

New Zealand

0975

Directions

Timezone

Pacific/Auckland NZST (GMT+12:00)

GPS

36.2137°S
174.46949°E

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

There are several beaches near River and Rail; turn east to the seemingly endless sands at Te Ārai Beach (25 minutes’ drive), where you can surf or swim in the calmer water of the pocket-sized lagoon. Backed by sand dunes, Pacific Road Beach (half an hour) is another spot popular for swimming. Heading east, there are peaceful waterside walks as well as small pockets of beach at Port Albert Wharf Reserve (20 minutes). There are also boat ramps leading into the Tōpuni River, a play area and fishing platforms. A memorial to settlers who first landed here in 1862 is also close by. You can also visit Kaipara Harbour (25 minutes), the largest natural harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, to take scenic boat trips and hike coastal walks in the Ātiu Creek Regional Park (also 25 minutes). Follow the sculpture trail through woodland with sea views at Kaipara Coast Plant Centre & Sculpture Gardens (45 minutes), and see wacky art installations on a monumental scale at Gibbs Farm (35 minutes).

Food and drink

  • Spice Lounge 5.9 km

Groceries

  • Kaiwaka Food Market 5.9 km
  • Kaiwaka Cheese Shop 6.2 km
  • Port Albert General Store 8 km

Parks and play

  • Te Hana Reserve 5.8 km
  • Te Hana Reserve 5.9 km
  • Port Albert Recreation Reserve 7.1 km
  • Port Albert Wharf Reserve 7.4 km

Public transport

  • Kaiwaka 6.3 km

Local services

  • Caltex Fuel station 5 km
  • GAS Fuel station 5.8 km
  • Kaiwaka HPC (Gull) Charging station 6 km
  • Gull Fuel station 6 km

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Frequently asked questions

  • Does River and Rail have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is River and Rail dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near River and Rail? There are several beaches near River and Rail; turn east to the seemingly endless sands at Te Ārai Beach (25 minutes’ drive), where you can surf or swim in the calmer water … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of River and Rail?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  10 a.m. –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at River and Rail? From $10 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.