Katikati Naturist Park
Katikati, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
A commercial clothing-optional holiday park with a wide range of accommodation and riverside walks, open to all visitors.
snapshot
Katikati Naturist Park is a clothing-optional holiday park in Katikati, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, open to all visitors without membership. It offers campsites, caravans, cabins, chalets and motel rooms around a pool with two hot tubs, a sauna and a riverside walking area. It suits travellers who want the flexibility of a commercial resort, with the option to visit repeatedly without joining a club.
resort type
Mid-size Campground
dress code
Clothing-Optional
budget
Mid-range
When to visit
December to February
THE DESTINATION
THE DESTINATION & where to find it
Katikati Naturist Park is located in Katikati, in the Bay of Plenty, roughly an hour from Hamilton and about two hours from Auckland by car. Tauranga is the nearest airport.
The park operates as a commercial resort rather than a members’ club, which shows in the range of its accommodation: campsites and rental caravans sit alongside cabins, chalets and motel rooms, each pitched at a different comfort level and budget. A riverside area with natural pebbled banks runs along one edge of the property, tracked by two walking trails.
The park is clothing-optional throughout, meaning nudity is welcomed and common but not compulsory, a setup suited to visitors who want to explore without full commitment on arrival.
THE EXPERIENCE
THE EXPERIENCE & what to expect
Katikati Naturist Park has more of a resort rhythm than the smaller member-run clubs elsewhere in the region, largely because it welcomes day visitors and repeat tourists without requiring membership. That openness brings a wider mix of people through, from committed visitors to curious first-timers testing the water.
The pace shifts through the week. Thursday to Saturday tends to be busiest, with a broader mix of visitors, while weekdays settle into a quieter rhythm dominated by locals who know the park well. Evenings often centre on a communal fire, a fixture that pulls together whoever is staying that night regardless of which accommodation type they’ve booked.
The river is a highlight beyond the pool. Its natural pebbled banks make for an easy walk and a different kind of swimming spot to the pool, and the resident eels, some reportedly up to a metre long, are a talking point for most first-time visitors.
Accommodation spans five types, which is unusually broad for a New Zealand clothes-free venue. Campsites and rental caravans suit visitors on a budget or those who prefer self-sufficiency. Cabins offer one large room with a bed, a fully equipped kitchen and a terrace, a solid mid-range choice for a couple. Chalets add a private bathroom and are consistently the most requested option, often booked out well ahead. Motel rooms, with their own bathroom and sitting area, are the closest thing to a standard hotel stay on site. Choosing between them mostly comes down to how much self-catering and privacy a visit calls for.
WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO SHOULD GO & who should not
Great for
- ✓ First-timers who want the option to ease in without full commitment
- ✓ Travellers wanting a wide choice of accommodation from camping to motel rooms
- ✓ Visitors who prefer a commercial resort they can revisit without joining as a member
- ✓ Anyone drawn to riverside walking and swimming alongside pool and spa facilities
not ideal if
- ✕ You want the quietest possible stay
- ✕ You're looking for a small, tight-knit club feel.
practical
GETTING THERE & what to know
getting there
Tauranga is the nearest airport to Katikati Naturist Park. By car, the drive from Auckland takes about two hours via State Highway 1 south, connecting to State Highway 2 east at Pokeno and continuing to Katikati. From Hamilton, allow about an hour.
A bus service runs from Auckland to Tauranga via Katikati, though it leaves a roughly five kilometre gap to the park that needs a taxi or a walk. Having your own transport is recommended for groceries and exploring the wider area during a stay.
where to stay
Choose from campsites, rental caravans, cabins with a kitchen and terrace, chalets with a private bathroom, or motel rooms with their own bathroom and sitting area. Rates sit in the mid-range band overall, spanning a lower rate for camping up to a higher rate for chalets and motel rooms, and vary between the high season of October to April and the quieter low season. Chalets are the most popular option and are often fully booked, so reserve early.
when to go
December to February brings the Bay of Plenty’s warmest weather, best suited to the pool, riverside swimming and walking trails. The park operates year-round, so a shoulder-season visit in spring or autumn is a reasonable way to trade some warmth for a quieter stay.
The week itself matters as much as the season. Thursday to Saturday draws a bigger, more varied crowd, while weekdays are quieter and dominated by local regulars.
what to know
Day visitors are welcome from 9am to sunset, which makes this an easy option to combine with a wider Bay of Plenty trip even without staying overnight. No membership is required for tourists, and repeat visits are straightforward to arrange.
The park changed ownership in 2025 after a period on the market, and recent visitor feedback describes a new management team actively improving the property, so it’s worth checking current conditions when booking. Bring your own transport for groceries and day trips, since the park itself is set apart from Katikati’s shops.
plan your visit
Book at Katikati Naturist Park
Book directly through the park’s website or by phone, particularly for chalets, which are the most requested accommodation and fill up first.
virtual visit
HAVE A peek inside
Sometimes a two-minute watch tells you more than a page of text. Our video visit covers the setting, the facilities, and what the atmosphere actually feels like on the ground.
keeping you busy
FACILITIES & amenities
●Pool
Large pool with two hot tubs.
●Sauna
On-site sauna available to guests.
●River access
Natural pebbled riverbank with two walking trails and swimming spots.
●Mini golf and petanque
On-site courses for casual daytime activity.
beyond the resort
NEARBY VISITS
Tauranga Airport35 minutes
Hamiltonabout 1 hour drive
Aucklandabout 2 hours drive
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FAQ
most asked questions
Is Katikati Naturist Park suitable for first-timers?
Yes. It's clothing-optional rather than fully clothes-free, which gives first-timers room to ease in, and its openness to day visitors and tourists means no membership commitment is needed to try it out.
Is Katikati Naturist Park family-friendly?
The riverside walks, mini golf and petanque suit a range of ages.
What is the best time of year to visit Katikati Naturist Park?
December to February for the warmest weather, though the park operates year-round. Weekdays outside this window offer a quieter, less crowded stay.
How do I get to Katikati Naturist Park from Auckland?
By car, it's about two hours via State Highway 1 to Pokeno, then State Highway 2 east to Katikati. A bus service also runs from Auckland to Tauranga via Katikati, with a taxi needed for the last few kilometres.
Is nudity mandatory at Katikati Naturist Park?
No. The park is clothing-optional, so nudity is welcomed and common but not required, which makes it a comfortable option for new visitors.
What accommodation options are available at Katikati Naturist Park?
Campsites, rental caravans, cabins with a kitchen and terrace, chalets with a private bathroom, and motel rooms with their own bathroom and sitting area. Chalets are the most popular and often fully booked.
Can I visit Katikati Naturist Park for just the day?
Yes, day visitors are welcome from 9am to sunset, and no membership is required to visit as a tourist.
