Eltham Presbyterian Camp is a long-running group campsite on the edge of Eltham in Taranaki, between Stratford and Hāwera. It sleeps 80 people on beds across bunkroom blocks and self-contained cabins, with tent, caravan and campervan sites as well, making it a flexible, self-catered Taranaki school camp with Maunga Taranaki and the coast both within about 30 minutes. Groups have been camping here for more than 60 years.
Why schools choose Eltham Camp
- Room for a big group: 80 people on beds, with tent and campervan space on top.
- Separate bunkroom blocks: boys’ and girls’ dorms with shared bathrooms.
- Cabins for staff: three self-contained cabins suit teachers, parent helpers or guest speakers.
- Large commercial kitchen: plenty of space for a parent team to cook for the whole camp.
- Activities on site: archery, a slippery slide, canoes with safety gear and river swims.
- Central Taranaki base: the mountain, the beach and South Taranaki’s museums are all within easy reach.
- Six decades of group camping: a site set up for schools, churches, Scouts and Guides.
School camp accommodation
The whole camp sleeps 80 people on beds. The camp’s sleeping plan shows a little over 80 beds in total, with room for a few more on extra mattresses.
Bunkroom blocks
Separate bunkroom blocks, set out as boys’ and girls’ dorms, with shared bathroom facilities. Mattresses are provided.
Self-contained cabins
Three self-contained cabins of different sizes. They work well for camp leaders and teachers, and are also used by smaller groups and families.
Tents, caravans and campervans
Some powered sites and plenty of non-powered sites, with access to the communal kitchen and bathrooms. Cabin mattresses can’t be used in tents.
Bring sleeping bags or bedding, a fitted sheet, pillows, towels, tea towels and a first aid kit. Bedding can be hired if arranged in advance.
Facilities for school groups
- Large hall for group sessions, games and wet-weather activities.
- Large commercial kitchen with a dining area and a drip coffee machine.
- Crockery, cutlery and mattresses included in the hire.
- Barbecue, with gas available for hire or bring your own bottle.
- Archery, a slippery slide and canoes with safety gear.
- Campfire area, used in designated spots with the manager’s permission.
- Parking in a gravel area at the top of the driveway.
Self-catering
Eltham Camp is self-catering. Groups bring their own food and cook in the large commercial kitchen. The camp’s packing list suggests bringing tea towels, wrap and baking paper, containers for leftovers, and any extra appliances such as a food processor.
Learning opportunities
Schools plan and run their own programmes at Eltham Camp, and appoint a camp leader who is responsible for the group’s conduct, supervision and fire evacuation briefing. The on-site activities and the camp’s central location make it easy to combine camp-based fun with day trips around Taranaki.
Curriculum connections
A camp at Eltham fits well with education outside the classroom (EOTC) and can support learning in:
- Health and Physical Education: archery, canoeing, river swims and group games.
- Science: volcanic landscapes and forest on Maunga Taranaki, and wetland and bush ecology at Lake Rotokare.
- Social Sciences: settler and regional history at Tawhiti Museum and Taranaki Pioneer Village, and the region’s dairy industry.
- Key competencies: managing self, relating to others and participating and contributing through shared camp life and self-catering.
Activities on site and nearby
On site
- Archery.
- Slippery slide.
- Canoeing with safety gear provided.
- Group and family games outdoors and in the hall.
- Campfires and barbecues.
Water
- River swims under the school’s own supervision.
Day trips
- Maunga Taranaki walks, including Dawson Falls.
- Beaches on the South Taranaki coast.
- Museums at Hāwera and Stratford.
About Eltham Presbyterian Camp
The campsite has offered group camping for more than 60 years. It operates under the Eltham Presbyterian name and is overseen by a campsite management board, with a campsite manager on site who looks after bookings and the day-to-day care of the property. It hosts school and youth camps, church groups, Scouts and Girl Guides, families and travelling motorhome owners.
School camp rates
Rates aren’t published online. A bond is paid with the booking application and is refunded, or credited to the account, once the bill is settled and the site has passed its final inspection. Bedding hire is charged per person, and BBQ gas can be hired. Cancellation charges are a percentage of the expected booking income, depending on how close to the camp dates the cancellation is made. Contact Eltham Presbyterian Camp for current rates.
Example three-day camp
An example of how a school camp at Eltham could look (every camp is planned by the school):
- Day 1: Arrive and settle into the bunkrooms, archery and the slippery slide, barbecue tea and games in the hall.
- Day 2: Day trip to Dawson Falls on Maunga Taranaki, afternoon canoeing and a river swim, campfire evening.
- Day 3: Morning at Lake Rotokare or Tawhiti Museum, clean up, depart.
Getting there
Eltham is on State Highway 3 between Stratford and Hāwera, in central Taranaki. The camp is on the edge of town, and on arrival groups drive up the driveway to the gravel parking area. Maunga Taranaki and the beach are both within about 30 minutes’ drive.
Nearby attractions for school groups
- Lake Rotokare Scenic Reserve: a predator-fenced lake and wetland reserve with a walking track around the lake.
- Dawson Falls: waterfall and forest walks on the southern side of Maunga Taranaki.
- Te Papakura o Taranaki (Egmont National Park): alpine and forest tracks on the maunga.
- Tawhiti Museum: detailed historical displays and scale models near Hāwera.
- Taranaki Pioneer Village: a heritage village outside Stratford.
- South Taranaki beaches: black-sand coastline within about half an hour.
Other groups and events
- Church and youth groups: camps and weekends away.
- Scouts and Girl Guides.
- Families in the self-contained cabins.
- NZMCA members and other caravan, campervan and tent campers.
Good to know
- Each group appoints a camp leader, who is also the chief fire warden and briefs the group on evacuation soon after arrival.
- The school arranges adult supervision for all activities.
- No alcohol or drugs anywhere on the property, and no smoking in any building.
- No pets.
- Quiet hours are 11pm to 7am.
- Fires only in designated spots, with the manager’s permission.
- Anyone who has had vomiting or diarrhoea in the 48 hours before camp is asked to stay home.
- Bring your own sleeping bags or bedding, pillows, tea towels and first aid kit. Bedding hire must be arranged in advance.
- The camp is left clean and tidy and inspected by the manager before departure.
Frequently asked questions
How many students can Eltham Camp accommodate?
The whole camp sleeps 80 people on beds, with tent, caravan and campervan sites as well.
Is Eltham Camp catered?
No. Groups self-cater in the large commercial kitchen, and crockery and cutlery are provided.
Is there accommodation for teachers and parent helpers?
Yes. Three self-contained cabins suit camp leaders and adults.
What activities are on site?
Archery, a slippery slide, canoes with safety gear, river swims, campfires and group games.
Do we need to bring bedding?
Yes. Mattresses are provided, but bring sleeping bags or bedding, a fitted sheet and pillows, or arrange bedding hire in advance.
Do schools have to include religious content?
The camp doesn’t list any religious requirements for groups. Schools plan and run their own programmes.
Where is Eltham Camp?
On the edge of Eltham in central Taranaki, on State Highway 3 between Stratford and Hāwera, within about 30 minutes of the mountain and the beach.
