Warrington Domain

Warrington Domain is a rarity: a free camping area, twenty-five minutes north of Dunedin, on flat grass a short walk from a beach that runs for kilometres. It is run by the Dunedin City Council, and it exists because the community chose to keep it open rather than close it, which is worth remembering while you are there.

That comes with obligations. It is self-contained vehicles only, there is a night limit, and the site's continued existence depends on people leaving it clean and not overstaying. If everyone treats it well it stays; the council has closed sites elsewhere in Otago when they were abused.

The beach itself is long, wind-scoured and usually deserted, with Blueskin Bay behind it — good birdwatching at low tide. Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula are close enough that you can base yourself here and drive in for the albatross colony and the penguins.