Manaia Baptist Camp is a long-standing community camp at Whangārei Heads, Northland, run on a not-for-profit basis by the Regent Community Trust. Set in a sheltered coastal spot with its own safe harbour beach and the Mt Manaia track starting right behind the hall, it is a cost-effective, self-catered Northland school camp for up to 86 people across a bunk hall, a house and two family lodges.
Why schools choose Manaia Camp
- Beach at the door: a safe harbour beach in front of the camp, with swimming out to the island.
- Mountain behind the hall: the Mt Manaia track starts directly behind Cottrell Hall, and the Mt Aubrey track is within walking distance.
- Room for a whole syndicate: up to 86 people across bunk-style dormitories, leaders’ rooms, Jensen House and two lodges.
- Set up for big groups: a large dining hall seating 75 and a commercial kitchen with a walk-in chiller.
- Community run: a non-profit facility, with subsidised rates possible for some groups.
- Coast and bush on the doorstep: tramping, orienteering, beach studies and environmental projects within walking distance or a short drive.
- Experienced with schools: a long history of hosting schools and youth groups, with staff and volunteers who understand educational visits.
School camp accommodation
Accommodation is spread across four buildings plus tent and caravan sites, and the camp can be booked as a whole or by building. Bunk-style dormitories are supported by leaders’ rooms for teachers and supervisors.
Cottrell Hall
The main building sleeps up to 55 in five large bunk rooms of about 10 each and two smaller cooks’ rooms sleeping three each, with six double beds in total. Another 17 mattresses are available on request for marae-style sleeping. There are two bathroom sets, each with two toilets, two showers and three basins. Cottrell Hall is not wheelchair accessible.
Jensen House
Sleeps 15 in three rooms (18 at most), with its own kitchen, deck, a meeting area seating 20, two toilets, two showers and a heat pump in the lounge. It suits teachers and parent helpers or a smaller group.
Sherburd and Litherland Lodges
Two family cabins sleeping four to six, each with a bedroom with a double bed, a second bedroom with two bunks, a lounge, a full kitchen and a bathroom.
Tent and caravan sites
Four tent sites with their own ablution block and shared camp kitchen, plus a powered caravan or camper site.
Bring rubbish bags, toilet paper, sharp knives, detergent, scourers, dishcloths, tea towels, rags and a first aid kit. The hall and lodges have no heating, so bring small heaters in cold weather.
Facilities for school groups
- Large dining hall in Cottrell Hall with tables and chairs for 75, used for meals and meetings.
- Indoor recreation spaces for structured sessions and wet-weather activities.
- Commercial kitchen with commercial electric stoves, a dish steriliser, large and small dixies, a hot water zip, a walk-in chiller, an upright freezer and a serving hatch to the hall.
- Crockery and cutlery for 60 to 70, plus utensils and cleaning gear.
- Large sunny deck with sea views and tables.
- Open fields for games and a basketball court.
- Barbecue at the hall (bring your own gas bottle).
- Laundry with washing machine and coin-operated dryer, and a large covered area behind the hall.
- Kayaks for qualifying groups, for a maintenance fee.
- Parking with a separate bus bay.
Self-catering
Groups self-cater. Cottrell Hall’s commercial kitchen is set up for catering for big groups, and Jensen House and the lodges have domestic kitchens. Every kitchen has a microwave, cutlery and crockery. Shared mealtimes in the dining hall are part of the community-living feel of a camp here, with plenty of chances for students to work together.
Learning opportunities
Schools plan and run their own programmes at Manaia Camp. The mix of on-site and nearby activities makes it simple to plan a balanced camp around outdoor learning, group bonding, leadership development and fun. Free education material, ranger talks and local expert visits are available through the Bream Head Scenic Reserve, and the camp suggests guest speakers such as the Northland Astronomical Society, Backyard Kiwi and Whangārei Coastguard.
Curriculum connections
A camp at Manaia fits well with education outside the classroom (EOTC) and can support learning in:
- Science: beach studies, rocky shore and marine reserve life, native bush and kiwi conservation, and night-sky sessions.
- Health and Physical Education: tramping, swimming, kayaking, orienteering and field games.
- Social Sciences: the people and places of the Whangārei Heads.
- Technology: designing a Burma trail or building shelters.
- Key competencies: managing self, relating to others and participating and contributing through shared, self-catered camp life.
Activities on site and nearby
On site
- Swimming from the camp beach, including out to the island in front of the camp.
- Kayaking with the camp’s kayaks (qualifying groups).
- Burma trail designed and run by your group.
- Shelter building and treasure hunts for natural items such as shells and compound leaves.
- Surf and turf cooking challenge in the hall kitchen, served on the beach.
- Field games and basketball.
- Campfire evenings where fire permission is given by the booking office.
Walks and coast
- Mt Manaia track from behind the hall, and the Mt Aubrey track.
- Castle Rock, about 15 minutes’ walk along the beach, with fishing off the ledge.
- Whangārei Heads walks from 20 minutes to overnight, including the Reotahi coastal walkway.
- Snorkelling and birdwatching at the Reotahi marine reserve.
- Sand sculpting at Taurikura, Little Munro Bay or Ocean Beach.
With local providers
- Surf lessons and surf safety days at Ocean Beach.
- Sea kayaking programmes for primary and secondary schools.
- Horse riding at Parua Bay.
- Cycle tours and fishing charters around the Heads.
About Manaia Baptist Camp
Manaia Camp is a non-profit community facility administered by the Regent Community Trust, a Whangārei community services trust whose other projects include the Whangārei Community Toy Library. Several trustees are long-time members of Whangārei Central Baptist Church. The camp has hosted schools, youth groups and community groups for many years, and recent improvements include repainting Jensen House with help from a Whangārei District Council community facilities grant.
School camp rates
Rates are charged per person per night for adults and children over five, with a minimum nightly charge for each building (Cottrell Hall, Jensen House and the lodges) and for tent sites. The whole camp can be booked from a set nightly rate, with conditions. Some groups may qualify for special rates or subsidised accommodation. A deposit is taken at booking and refunded if everything is left in good order, the dryer is coin operated, and kayak use carries a per-group maintenance fee. Contact Manaia Baptist Camp for current rates.
Example three-day camp
An example of how a school camp at Manaia Camp could look (every camp is planned by the school):
- Day 1: Arrive and settle in, fire drill, swim at the camp beach, treasure hunt, evening Burma trail.
- Day 2: Morning climb of Mt Manaia, afternoon beach studies and snorkelling at Reotahi, surf and turf cooking challenge for dinner.
- Day 3: Walk along the beach to Castle Rock, shelter building, clean up and depart.
Getting there
The camp is at the end of McDonald Road at Whangārei Heads, about 1.5 km past the McLeod Bay store and about 34 km from Whangārei. It’s about two and a half hours’ drive from Auckland. Vehicles park on camp property, with a separate bus bay.
Nearby attractions for school groups
- Mount Manaia: a steep forest climb to rocky peaks, starting behind the hall.
- Bream Head Scenic Reserve: coastal forest walks, with education material and ranger talks for schools.
- Whangārei Harbour Marine Reserve: the Reotahi section is close by for snorkelling and shore studies.
- Ocean Beach: a surf beach about 10 minutes’ drive away.
- Castle Rock: a short beach walk from camp.
- Mt Aubrey: a shorter climb with harbour views, within walking distance.
Other groups and events
- Youth and church groups.
- Community groups and family groups in Jensen House and the lodges.
- Campers and caravans on the tent and powered sites.
Good to know
- The camp is run as an alcohol-free site, with no smoking in buildings, no fires without permission and no dogs.
- Quiet is required after 10pm, and neighbours and the neighbouring farm must be respected.
- Each camp elects a fire officer to run a fire drill, and party leaders brief their group before arrival.
- Rocks must not be taken from or thrown off the sea walls.
- Groups take away all rubbish and recycling and leave the buildings clean.
- Key codes are sent with the booking confirmation.
- Visits to view the camp must be arranged in advance, as other groups may be on site.
- No religious programme requirements for school groups are stated.
Frequently asked questions
How many students can Manaia Baptist Camp accommodate?
Up to 86 people across Cottrell Hall, Jensen House and two lodges, with leaders’ rooms for teachers and supervisors.
Is the camp catered?
No. Groups self-cater, with a commercial kitchen in Cottrell Hall and domestic kitchens in the other buildings.
Is there beach access?
Yes. The camp has its own safe harbour beach, and Ocean Beach is about 10 minutes’ drive away.
Can we book the whole camp?
Yes. The whole camp can be booked for a set nightly rate, or individual buildings can be booked.
What activities are close by?
The Mt Manaia track starts behind the hall, and there’s swimming, kayaking, Castle Rock, the Reotahi marine reserve and Bream Head nearby.
Do we need to bring heaters?
For cold weather, yes. Cottrell Hall and the lodges have no heating, while Jensen House has a heat pump.
Is alcohol allowed?
No. Alcohol is not allowed on camp property.
Where is Manaia Baptist Camp?
At the end of McDonald Road at Whangārei Heads, about 34 km from Whangārei.
