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New Zealand🇳🇿 | festivalsSploreTapapakanga Beach, costumes, Hauraki Gulf, cashless site | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Splore
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Splore began as a small, scrappy gathering of a few hundred people and has grown into a ticketed festival of roughly 10,000 with proper stages, though the barefoot, costume-heavy spirit survived. It runs over a late-summer weekend at Tapapakanga Regional Park, on the Hauraki Gulf coast southeast of Auckland in the north of New Zealand. Music spans electronica, soul, reggae, funk and world sounds, with a wellness and arts program on the side. The costs that catch people out are late ticket tiers, shuttle seats that sell out, and cash habits: buy early, book the bus before you pack, and load your payment card because the site is mostly cashless. I filled a refillable bottle at the first water station and skipped bar-priced drinks all weekend, which you can copy. Sociable travelers who like dancing outdoors will love it; anyone wanting quiet nights or a hotel bed will not.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 New Zealand Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #99 festival in New ZealandThe unique appeal for travelers

Backpackers build a New Zealand loop around Splore because it packs a lot of people into a small, walkable Tapapakanga Regional Park campground by the water. Camping on site keeps the cost down compared with festivals that make you pay for hotels nearby, and the shared tents, cooking and shuttle queues turn strangers into friends within hours. Crowds skew local, so you meet Aucklanders who will point you toward beaches, swimming spots and gigs you would never find alone. The costumes are a real part of it, and a thrifted outfit from an Auckland op shop fits right in. Timing also works well: the festival falls in the warm tail of summer, when you can pair it with the nearby Coromandel Peninsula or the islands of the gulf. Many travelers fly in, hit the festival, then head north or south by campervan afterward.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Splore

  1. The Main Stage and Waterfront Dance Floor: the headline area sits close to the shoreline, so you dance with the gulf behind the speakers. Sets build from sunset into the small hours.
  2. Tapapakanga Beach: swimming and paddling happen right beside the camping area. It is the best place to reset between sets.
  3. Costume Culture: festival-goers arrive in glitter, wings, onesies and handmade outfits. Joining in makes talking to strangers effortless.
  4. Wellness and Arts Spaces: workshops, yoga, massage and art installations run during the day. They give a calm counterpoint to the dance floors and are a good way to recover on day two.
Start with the beach on arrival day, since swimming while the site is still quiet lets you scout the layout before the crowds fill it.
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Things to do near Splore

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Splore?

Splore runs over a long weekend in late February or early March (Friday to Sunday, sometimes starting Thursday), at Tapapakanga Regional Park on the Firth of Thames, about 60 km southeast of Auckland.
  • Best day: Saturday has the biggest lineup and the fullest crowd, while Friday afternoon is calmer, with space to pick a good camp spot and swim.
  • Weather: Expect 18 to 26°C (64 to 79°F), strong sun, occasional showers and a cool night wind off the water. Bring a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, a warm layer and a rain jacket.
  • Booking: Tickets usually sell out, so buy early. Nearby accommodation fills and prices climb, so reserve a few months ahead.
  • Traffic: Arrive Friday before noon to beat the queue on the park’s gravel access road. Leave Sunday evening or Monday morning, since the exit backs up after the
… read more 👉
Splore runs over a long weekend in late February or early March (Friday to Sunday, sometimes starting Thursday), at Tapapakanga Regional Park on the Firth of Thames, about 60 km southeast of Auckland.
  • Best day: Saturday has the biggest lineup and the fullest crowd, while Friday afternoon is calmer, with space to pick a good camp spot and swim.
  • Weather: Expect 18 to 26°C (64 to 79°F), strong sun, occasional showers and a cool night wind off the water. Bring a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, a warm layer and a rain jacket.
  • Booking: Tickets usually sell out, so buy early. Nearby accommodation fills and prices climb, so reserve a few months ahead.
  • Traffic: Arrive Friday before noon to beat the queue on the park’s gravel access road. Leave Sunday evening or Monday morning, since the exit backs up after the closing sets.
Camp with a shuttle bus ticket and you skip the parking queue entirely.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

The easiest option is the on-site campground at Tapapakanga Regional Park, which is where nearly everyone sleeps and where the social side of Splore really happens. You pitch a tent among thousands of others, share fires of conversation with neighbors, and walk to the stages in minutes. Solo travelers meet people fast here, and nobody has to drive home after the late sets.
If camping is not your thing, base yourself in central Auckland, around the Queen Street and Ponsonby areas, where hostels and budget rooms cluster and festival shuttle buses depart. This is the best choice for backpackers without … read more 👉
The easiest option is the on-site campground at Tapapakanga Regional Park, which is where nearly everyone sleeps and where the social side of Splore really happens. You pitch a tent among thousands of others, share fires of conversation with neighbors, and walk to the stages in minutes. Solo travelers meet people fast here, and nobody has to drive home after the late sets.
If camping is not your thing, base yourself in central Auckland, around the Queen Street and Ponsonby areas, where hostels and budget rooms cluster and festival shuttle buses depart. This is the best choice for backpackers without a car, and it is safe, lively and full of other travelers heading the same way.
Smaller towns nearby, such as Clevedon and Papakura, offer quieter motels and holiday parks, but you will need a car or a lift. Most of them sit 20 to 40 minutes from the gate. Book early, because the whole region fills up during festival weekend.
Best hostels in New Zealand


Best quality hotels in New Zealand

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Splore

Expect to spend about NZ$330 to 520 (US$200 to 320) a day at Splore, with the ticket making up most of the bill.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsNZ$130 to 200 per dayMulti-day passes run roughly NZ$300 to 500, so the daily figure averages that across the weekend.
AccommodationNZ$40 to 120Camping is included or costs a small extra fee, while Auckland hostels cost more during festival weekend.
Local transportNZ$30 to 60Festival shuttles from Auckland cost roughly NZ$30 to 50 return, and parking is limited.
Food & drinksNZ$50 to 90Mains at stalls cost NZ$15 to 25, a beer or cider NZ$9 to 12 and coffee NZ$5 to 6.
Miscellaneous expensesNZ$20 to 50Sunscreen, ear plugs, a warm layer, camping gear and the occasional merchandise or vendor purchase.
Total Daily BudgetNZ$330 to 520Per person, per day, in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

Food at Splore is a street-food crawl in a paddock by the sea. Expect dozens of stalls serving wood-fired pizza, dumplings, tacos, Indian curries, fish and chips and plenty of vegetarian and vegan plates. Many vendors lean on local produce and Pacific flavors, so look out for Samoan or Māori-influenced dishes such as fry bread or slow-cooked pork.
For drinks, the bars pour New Zealand craft beer, local wine, cider and cocktails, along with fresh juices, kombucha and strong flat whites to rescue your Sunday morning. The coffee carts draw queues early, so go before the sets begin.
Most stalls take card and contactless, but mobile signal can wobble in the park, so carry some cash as a backup. Portions are generous, so share a plate with a new camp neighbor and try more. Bring a refillable bottle, … read more 👉
Food at Splore is a street-food crawl in a paddock by the sea. Expect dozens of stalls serving wood-fired pizza, dumplings, tacos, Indian curries, fish and chips and plenty of vegetarian and vegan plates. Many vendors lean on local produce and Pacific flavors, so look out for Samoan or Māori-influenced dishes such as fry bread or slow-cooked pork.
For drinks, the bars pour New Zealand craft beer, local wine, cider and cocktails, along with fresh juices, kombucha and strong flat whites to rescue your Sunday morning. The coffee carts draw queues early, so go before the sets begin.
Most stalls take card and contactless, but mobile signal can wobble in the park, so carry some cash as a backup. Portions are generous, so share a plate with a new camp neighbor and try more. Bring a refillable bottle, since water points are available on site, and remember that the rules on bringing your own alcohol into the arena are strict.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Splore takes place over a long weekend in late February or early March, usually Friday to Sunday. It is held at Tapapakanga Regional Park on the Firth of Thames, roughly an hour’s drive southeast of Auckland. Gates open on the first day around midday, and the closing sets finish late on Sunday night.
A multi-day ticket generally costs about NZ$300 to 500 (US$180 to 300), and camping is often included or has a small added fee. Shuttle buses from Auckland add roughly NZ$30 to 50 return. Food and drinks at stalls cost about NZ$50 to 90 per day.
Yes, buy tickets in advance, since Splore regularly sells out and gate sales are not guaranteed. Shuttle bus seats and camping passes should also be booked ahead online, often a few months before the festival. Tickets are scanned at the gate from your phone or a wristband exchange.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other New Zealander festivals near Splore

Explore more nearby:

  • Auckland Lantern Festival—Albert Park lantern trail, zodiac sculptures, dumpling stalls, lion dances| 32 km away
  • Pasifika Festival—Pacific island villages, Western Springs, umu food, tivaevae quilts| 49 km away
  • WOMAD—Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park, world music, workshops| 254 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Arrive on Friday afternoon, before the gates fill, and pitch your tent while the Tapapakanga Regional Park paddocks are still quiet. The best hour is Saturday dusk, when the light softens over the Firth of Thames and the crowd turns toward the water. I would skip Sunday night entirely if you need to be on the road early, and book the Auckland shuttle ahead.

✈️ When did I visit New Zealand?
All the way back in high school I have been visiting the North Island of New Zealand (1993).

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in New Zealand, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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