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Camping in New Zealand: Best Campsites, Types and Tips

Exploring New Zealand by campervan is an amazing experience and highly recommended. Not only because of the beautiful landscapes and the comfort of travelling in your own vehicle, but because New Zealand offers some extraordinary campsites that are an attraction in themselves.

Also, the ease of camping, the super cheap prices and the campsites with everything you could need, makes sleeping in a campervan even more tempting than doing it in a 5-star hotel, at least if you are a nature lover 😉

Life in the camper

In this second article about travelling in a motorhome in New Zealand, we will discover the best campsites in the country, the different types and some always useful tips to make the most of your adventure in the land of the Kiwis.

All from the hand of two people who have been travelling in a motorhome in New Zealand for more than two years (Marcos 6 months, Thea 1 year and 7 months) and sleeping in dozens of different campsites.

    1. New Zealand by campervan: find yours
    2. Camping in New Zealand: Best Campsites, Types, and Tips

Where to camp in New Zealand?

We’ll say it now so we don’t forget: camping in New Zealand in places not designated for it is illegal and can lead to fines of up to $500 NZ (although the normal rate is $200). A warning is a warning. That said, let’s start with the different campsites that can be found in New Zealand. 

Different types of campsites

Just as you can sleep in a wide range of hotels, hostels, motels, guest houses… You can also find different types of campsites in New Zealand. Below we will see them all. 

Holiday Parks

Holiday Parks are the most comfortable campsites and offer the most facilities, although they are a bit more expensive, between NZ$25 and NZ$40 per night.

These types of New Zealand campsites typically offer bathrooms with hot water, fully equipped communal kitchens, places to hook up your campervan, and sometimes well-equipped lounges and private cabins.

Similarly, some holiday parks have swimming pools, playgrounds and once, we even stayed in one that came with a sauna and hot tub. Lastly, they have the advantage of being located close to famous attractions or large towns, so you won’t have to go deep into the mountains in search of a campsite to spend the night.

Sleeping in Holiday Parks is especially suitable for families or large groups travelling in motorhomes or if you wish to spend more comfortable nights.  

DOC Campsite 

DOC stands for Department of Conservation. Therefore, these types of campsites are offered by the New Zealand government. There are three different types of DOC campsites:

Serviced Campsites offer the widest range of amenities; hot showers, flush toilets, running water, kitchenettes, eating facilities and rubbish bins. Prices are usually around NZ$20.

Among the most complete and the most basic we find the Standard Campsites, these campsites in New Zealand usually have running water, toilets, cold showers, picnic tables and with luck a small covered shelter. In this case, they usually cost about 10-15 NZ$

Finally, Basic Campsites are the most basic campsites, including only a bathroom, often of the portable type with a water tank and a hole in the ground. Showers will depend on whether you go to public pools or, in the worst case, lakes or springs :). However, Basic Campsites are usually free.

Example of a DOC campsite
Example of a DOC campsite

Free camping

Sometimes there is the possibility of camping freely if you have a self-contained vehicle and in some very specific cases, with non-self-contained motorhomes. This will depend a lot on the area you are in and some rules to consider. 

According to the Freedom Camping Act 2011, local authorities are the ones who decide where you can and cannot camp. It sounds confusing so it is best to check the sites before you set off. This brings us to the next rule…

Look for signs prohibiting camping or overnight stays. These types of signs are very common in recreational areas, parking lots, parks, picnic areas… and are spread throughout the country.

Do not camp where no camping signs are posted!
Do not camp where no camping signs are posted!

Apply the golden rule: leave no trace of your stay. No, this is not to prevent anyone from following you, but to keep New Zealand’s campsites and sites clean. 

Finally, keep in mind that free camping areas are few and far between in the country, and therefore, unless you know for sure that the area is free camping, do not camp freely.

Private campsites

Private campsites are simply plots of land or areas that the owners allow camping on. As they are private land, there is no general pricing or amenities. Some of them will be at the level of Holiday Parks but much cheaper while others may be DOC type but more expensive. In the end, this will depend on the owners.

The best way to find good private campsites in New Zealand is through the camping apps that I will tell you about in the next section. In them you can find out the prices, facilities and much more of each campsite in New Zealand. But first, let’s review the different types of motorhomes.

Self-Contained vs non-self-Contained Motorhome

The terms self-contained and non-self-contained are used by the New Zealand government to classify the different types of motorhomes in the country. Generally speaking, a self-contained motorhome is one that meets all of the following requirements:

  • It has water tanks capable of storing up to 12 liters
  • It has a tank for waste water
  • A stack with flowing water
  • Fixed or portable bathroom
  • Evacuation hose

Self-contained caravans give you access to a wider variety of free campsites, making them much more convenient to travel with (in addition to the advantages of having the above accessories).

However, self-contained motorhomes are usually more expensive to rent than non-self-contained ones.

In the end, choosing between one or the other will depend more on the type of motorhome you are going to choose for your trip through New Zealand. 

How to find campsites in New Zealand?

Now that you know the difference between the different types of motorhomes and campsites in New Zealand, let’s get into the details. On how to find campsites in New Zealand. 

The truth is that there is not much mystery; it is as simple as searching according to your location in one of the apps that I detail below. 

CamperMate – Personally my favourite app and the one I spent the most time on. A mobile app where you can find everything you need in your day to day life while travelling around New Zealand in a campervan. The app also allows you to search between campsite types with different colours for each one.

A very easy to use interface
A very easy to use interface

Wikicamps – Similar to the above but priced at NZ$3.49. A one-time price that gives you access to everything you need during your campervan trip with an interactive interface. Ultimately, choosing between this and the above is a personal preference. 

Rangers – A mobile app specially designed to find campsites in New Zealand. Very useful and focused, it gives you options between tent campsites, free campsites and all kinds of parking lots where you can park your motorhome. 

Best Campsites in New Zealand

In this section we will discover the best campsites in all of New Zealand divided by North Island and South Island. It is important to note that the campsites are not necessarily those with the best amenities, but those that, according to their location, landscapes, prices and amenities, are the best.

North Island

Matauri Bay Holiday Park

This campsite is located in the Bay of Islands, 30 minutes by car from the town of Kerikeri. The campsite, apart from having super good facilities, is located right in front of the beach.

Right in front of the beach
Right in front of the beach

So you can relax on the white sands, fish, swim or even take a stroll to the historic Rainbow Warrior monument (check out the Northland guide for more information). In my opinion, this is the prettiest campsite on New Zealand’s North Island.

Next to the monument
Next to the monument

Matai Bay Campsite 

Just like the previous one, this campsite is located in Northland, that is, in the north of New Zealand in the centre of the Karikari Peninsula. Matai Bay Campsite is of the DOC standard type, so it is one of the cheapest you will find in the area and relatively well equipped.

The campsite’s location is also more than enviable, right next to the beach, ideal for swimming, watching the sunrise or sunset and taking a nice walk around the area.

On the same side of the beach
On the same side of the beach

Blue Lake top 10 Holiday Park

The name says it all, a Holiday Park-style campsite next to a blue lake. And being in New Zealand, what blue lake are we talking about? Well, none other than the beautiful turquoise lake of Rotorua, neighbouring Green Lake and the only one where you can swim.

The location is perfect, 10 minutes from Rotorua and well away from the rotten egg smell of the city.

Don’t tell me you don’t want to take a bath…
Don’t tell me you don’t want to take a bath…

One of the most complete campsites, with plenty of space, an enviable location and all the facilities you could wish for to spend a comfortable night.

South Island

Totaranui Campground

We return to the DOC campsites, and just like the previous one, we are looking at a standard style one, with a bathroom, cold water showers, a place to light bonfires and even areas to set up tents. 

Totaranui Campground is located in the Abel Tasman National Park (check out the Nelson Tasman guide for more information) and is accessible by both road and boat.

Totaranui beach
Totaranui beach

The campsite is one of the most charming in all of New Zealand, the only drawback is that it doesn’t have good coverage, but who needs a mobile phone when you have a golden beach with crystal-clear waters right in front of you?

Elaine Bay Campsite

Another DOC standard campsite, this time located in Marlborough Sounds. An almost hidden campsite, on the way to the famous French Pass, with a rather bumpy road and 1 hour and a half from Havelock.

Elaine Bay Campsite
Elaine Bay Campsite

But don’t let that put you off, Elaine Bay Campsite is extraordinary, as it is situated in front of a beautiful sound, with the beach very close, great for kayaking, swimming or even spotting numerous manta rays. And when night falls, the starry sky will leave you speechless, we are sure of it.

White House Hill Campground

One of the most wonderful campsites in New Zealand, located in the town of Mt Cook Village, right at the entrance to numerous hiking trails such as Hooker Valley or Kea Point.

Our favourite part? Being woken up by the curious Keas squealing above our campervan! Great for getting up early and doing some hiking around Mt Cook.

Sleeping under the starry sky and surrounded by the high mountains of the Southern Alps is an experience you can only have at this campsite in New Zealand.

Eating between mountains
Eating between mountains

Finally, the campsite amenities are typical of a DOC serviced campsite with a spacious kitchen and fairly good bathrooms with running water.

Large kitchen with keas on the ceiling
Large kitchen with keas on the ceiling

Lake Pukaki Reserve

This is another of those unique campsites in New Zealand, where the mountains are reflected beneath calm lakes like oil lagoons and crystal-clear glacial waters. In this case, the mountain reflected is none other than Mt Cook and therefore, the spectacle is guaranteed.

Sunset over the campsite
Sunset over the campsite

The campsite is also huge and free for self-contained motorhomes. Here you can find the area you like best and camp right on the shore of Lake Pukaki.

This campsite is also perfect for enjoying the starry skies of Kiwiland, taking short walks around the lake and even swimming during the hot summer months.

Mt Cook from Lake Pukaki Campsite
Mt Cook from Lake Pukaki Campsite

Rainforest Retreat Holiday Park

The Rainforest Retreat Holiday Park in New Zealand is, in our personal experience, the most complete campsite we have ever camped at. A campsite with unlimited Wi-Fi, kitchen, common room with TV, super clean and well-kept bathrooms, barbecue, laundry, swimming pool and…. Spa!

In addition, the areas where you can park your motorhome are super private, with small trees providing privacy, picnic tables and even chairs to sit on.

Rainforest Retreat Holiday Park
Rainforest Retreat Holiday Park

But it’s not just about comfort, the campsite is located in the heart of Franz Josef, making it perfect for staying while you explore the immense glacier. 

Orepuki 

One of the busiest campsites we stayed at during our stay on the South Island, and not for nothing.

For one, this Southland campsite is right next to the beautiful Monkey Island 1 hour from Invercargill, is free and well equipped with clean toilets, fresh water and allows non-self-contained vehicles.

Monkey Island is an attraction in itself, with golden sands and waters teeming with Hector’s dolphins. The small island is accessible at low tide and the views from it are truly amazing.

Sunset with Monkey Island on the right
Sunset with Monkey Island on the right

Finally, here we are looking at one of the most beautiful sunsets of our lives. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Moke Lake Campsites 

The last campsite on this list had to be a DOC campsite and of course, it’s a standard one. This campsite is located near Queenstown right on the shore of Moke Lake. The views from the site are incredible, with the blue lake and the mountains and hills surrounding it. A wonderful campsite that also has a toilet and water fountains.

The beautiful Moke Lake
The beautiful Moke Lake

Finally, the place is a green space where you can immerse yourself in nature, take a dip in the summer or take the Moke Lake Track and explore the surroundings of the lake.

Final assessment and tips “Conmochila”

As we have seen throughout this post, New Zealand’s campsites are something unique in the world, with incredible locations and the most complete facilities. Likewise, finding the ideal campsite is very easy, especially if you go with a self-contained vehicle.

Therefore, travelling by motorhome through New Zealand and spending the night in one of its campsites is very worthwhile. 

However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you decide to stay at some of New Zealand’s campsites. Here are a few recommendations and common-sense tips to help everything go smoothly:

  • The golden rule of camping applies no matter how much you pay or where you stay. Camping, even in a motorhome, means being in contact with nature and therefore, there should be no trace left other than the tracks of the tires. 
  • Some campsites require advance reservations. The apps described above usually include links to campsites that require reservations. 
  • If you want to enjoy the best area and park your motorhome in the perfect place, you will have to arrive at the campsite early to ensure your spot.
  • If you are non-self-contained, you should be aware that even if the campsite allows your vehicle, you must park in the areas specially designated for non-self-contained campers. Otherwise, you risk paying a fine of up to NZ$200 (don’t ask us how we know this :P)
  • Check the apps before going to the campsite, as they often include details and considerations that are worth knowing.

Remember

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