Houghtons Bush Camp is a camping ground at 75 Motutara Road in Waimauku, Rodney, north-west of Auckland, with a 4.9 Google rating. Camping grounds vary more than people expect, and the first thing to check is what kind you are booking: a holiday park with powered sites and hot showers is a different creature from a bush camp, where the setting is the point and facilities stay simple. With the latter, self-sufficiency pays — find out what water, toilets and cooking shelter are provided, then pack for the gap. Ground under tree cover holds moisture after rain, so a good fly and spare pegs earn their keep. Regulars book early for summer weekends and arrive with daylight to spare, since picking a level, sheltered spot is half a good night's sleep. With Muriwai's black-sand beach and the Woodhill Forest trails close by, it sits at the gate of some of west Auckland's best outdoor country.