33 Incredible Campervan Sites in New Zealand

Planning a campervan trip around New Zealand? Here are some of the best campervan sites to camp at, plus tips for camping in NZ.

Road-tripping in a campervan around New Zealand is arguably the best way to experience the country. 

Travelling in your own house on wheels means you can be flexible and go wherever the weather or scenery takes you. It’s freeing, and it’s so much fun.

So, where should you go camping in New Zealand in a campervan? 

Let me help you with that!

I’m an avid camper (based in Queenstown, but I’ve lived in the North Island, too) and I love to go camping all around New Zealand. 

In this guide, I’m sharing some of my favourite campervan sites in the North Island & South Island. 

I’ve included a mix of free campsites, cheap campsites, and higher-end campsites—because sometimes, all you need are the basics and other times, it’s nice to have a hot shower & do some laundry!

For a campsite to make this list, it needs to have at least one of the following:

• An awesome location—either within walking distance (or a short drive) to hiking trails, beaches, wildlife-viewing, or other fun things to do. Or it could just be somewhere super scenic.
• Great facilities.
• Or even better—both of the above.

So without further ado, here’s your guide to some great campervan sites in New Zealand. I hope you love these spots as much as I do!

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links to brands, services or products I love & think you will, too. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I really appreciate your support!

🚐 Thinking of Hiring a Campervan in New Zealand?

→ I use Motorhome Republic to compare prices on campervans in NZ.

Their comparison tool does all the work for you so you don’t have to open up 10+ tabs and spend hours trying to find the best deal!

Apollo, Maui, Britz & Mighty are a few reliable companies I can recommend for higher-end, mid-sized to large campervans—basically, go with the best deal for your dates and you should be sweet!

→ Prefer something cheerful and compact? And maybe a bit more budget-friendly? I’m a big fan of JUCY, Travellers Autobarn, and Spaceships for fun & funky campervan rentals ✨

Campervan sites New Zealand map

A note about pricing: Prices for campsites in New Zealand can fluctuate depending on the time of year, with higher rates for peak season and lower rates for shoulder seasons. 

In this guide, I’ve listed peak season rates to give you an idea of what to expect. Please check on each campsite’s website, though, for the most up-to-date pricing.

North Island campervan sites

1. Tapotupotu Bay Camping Area

If you can make your way on a Northland camping trip all the way to Cape Reinga, you won’t regret it one bit. 

And while accommodation options are limited the remote Far North, campervanners are in luck—Northland is a camper’s paradise! 

Located just a 5-minute drive from Cape Reinga, Tapotupotu Bay Campsite is New Zealand’s northernmost camping ground. And what an epic spot it is.

You’ll get to park your campervan right in front of a gorgeous white sand beach, with a lovely river that flows into the ocean.

The facilities at this campsite are basic and, to be honest, could use a bit of an upgrade these days. You’ll find non-flush toilets, cold showers, and non-treated water taps, and that’s it. 

But the location is truly magic here. Spend a day walking to the Cape Reinga lighthouse and sandboarding down the Te Paki giant sand dunes, then head to camp afterwards to enjoy the beach. 

Make sure to bring all of your food/drinks with you, as there are no major shops up here. Also bring insect repellant—the mosquitos at this site can be prolific at times. Stop in Kaitaia on your way up north, as there’s a big Pak ‘n Save that’s perfect for stocking up. 

Tip: if Tapotupotu Bay is too crowded for your liking, head to Spirit’s Bay campsite instead. You’ll need to drive down a gravel road for 16km to get there, but man it’s a special spot for solace-seekers.

2. Paihia Top 10 Holiday Park

Looking for a good base for exploring the Bay of Islands? The Paihia Top 10 Holiday Park is a great choice.

This waterfront camping ground is such a gem. It’s located just a 5-minute drive from the town of Paihia in a peaceful setting surrounded by native bush. Paihia is quite a busy, touristy location, but this campground is nestled away from the hustle and bustle. It’s lovely here.

When you camp here, I highly recommend taking a day trip from Paihia over to Russell—either via the passenger ferry or vehicle ferry—to explore the cute historic town of Russell for the day. Don’t miss Hone’s Garden for an alfresco pizza lunch while you’re there!

You could also spend a whole day at this campground without even getting in your van to leave. 

Hire the campground’s kayaks to go for a paddle at high tide—they have super reasonable prices for kayak hires (it might be the best deal in the whole Bay of Islands!). When you’re not busy paddling, go for a walk on the beautiful Paihia to Opua Coastal Walkway. 

3. Camp Waipu Cove

Beachfront camping doesn’t get much better than Camp Waipu Cove!

This spacious, family-friendly holiday park sits just above the long stretch of white-sand Waipu Beach, one of the most beautiful surf beaches in the North Island. 

Spend sun-kissed days at the beach and then wander back to the campground to rinse off the sand and crack into a cold beverage…campervan life is just the best, isn’t it?!

From Camp Waipu Cove, you can take off on a number of great day trips, too. Visit the free Waipu Glow Worm Caves (bring a headtorch!), or head to Mangawhai to hike the epic Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway (followed by a burrito from Gringas—which is honestly worth a day trip in and of itself if you ask me 😂)

Note: this extremely popular campground often has a 7-night minimum throughout the month of January, so it’s best to camp here outside of that month unless you’re cool with hunkering down in the same (busy) spot for a week.

4. Te Arai Regional Park CSC Camping

Camp just over the dunes from stunning Te Arai Beach at the Te Arai CSC parking area.

You’ll need to drive along a gravel road to reach this spot, and the camping area here is quite basic—it’s essentially a parking lot. But believe me, it’s worth it—Te Arai Beach is one of the most gorgeous white sand surf beaches on the North Island! 

This is an excellent place to spend a night if you’re a beach-lover.

Go for long beach walks, surf, swim or just read a book under your beach umbrella. Some of my best summer swims have happened at this beach, and it’s one of my partner’s favourite spots to surf when the conditions are right. 

This campsite is maintained by the Auckland Council, and you need to book ahead on the council website to get an access code for the gate. I’d note down this code before heading out to camp, as you likely won’t get much cell service out there.

5. Tawharanui Regional Park

While it’s located just over an hour north of Auckland (traffic dependent), Tawharanui Regional Park feels like an oasis a world away from NZ’s largest city.

This gorgeous regional park is home to one of the Auckland region’s best beaches—Anchor Bay—where you can swim, surf, and go for white-sand beach walks. The park is surrounded by native forest and open pastures, and there are lovely coastal walks to embark on, too. 

Camp just over the dunes from Anchor Bay Beach at Tawharanui Campground, one of the Auckland region’s best campgrounds.

The Tawharanui Campground has basic facilities similar to those found at a DOC Campsite. But this is one stunning spot to camp at, with grassy sites surrounded by trees and the sound of the ocean nearby. 

You also might hear kiwi calls at night—this predator-free park is a bird sanctuary, too!

To book a campsite, you’ll need to register with the Auckland Council online (it’s pretty quick and easy to do) and make sure to book your site ahead of time, as you’ll need to get a PIN code via email to access the campground. (And note this PIN down somewhere, as cell service can be patchy in the park!).

6. Raglan Holiday Park

At the Raglan Holiday Park, you’ll get to camp near the beach and also be within short walking distance to the bohemian surf town of Raglan.

Raglan has a lot to offer visitors, surfers and non-surfers alike. There are beautiful black sand beaches to stroll on, the jungly bush walk to Bridalveil Falls, great boutique shops, and excellent food. And even if you don’t surf, you’ve got to stop by Manu Bay to watch the surfers in action.

You can also go kayaking in the harbour to see the Raglan pancake rocks, take a yoga class, and see epic West Coast sunsets. 

This holiday park is often quite busy—and it’s certainly not cheap—but you really can’t beat its prime location just across a footbridge from town. Park up your van, walk to town for dinner and drinks (Ulo’s Kitchen is a must!), and then wander back to camp at your leisure. Pure bliss.

7. Belt Road Holiday Park

Camp above the ocean at the Belt Road Holiday Park, an awesome place to camp in New Plymouth.

From this holiday park, you’re a 2km walk (or short drive) to the New Plymouth town centre, where you’ll find a plethora of awesome dining options and things to explore. I highly recommend Bleached for a coffee, Billow Bakery for sourdough or a pastry, and Shining Peak Brewing for a craft beer (and possibly dinner, too—their food is so good).

The New Plymouth Coastal Walkway lies directly below this campground. You can go for a long walk along the path or hire bikes from nearby Chaddy’s Charters. Cycling the walkway is one of my favourite things to do in New Plymouth!

You can also easily day trip from here to Egmont National Park, home to heaps of beautiful hiking trails. Try the loop trail that takes in Dawson Falls, the Wilkies Pools, and a “goblin forest”—it is stunning.

Belt Road also has ocean-view spa pools for hire for a reasonable price. Camping here certainly feels like a holiday!

8. Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park

Is this the nicest campground in the North Island? It just might be.

I love this Coromandel camping ground so much and have stayed here so many times I’ve lost count. 

The Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park is spacious, clean, packed with amenities, and it also happens to be beautiful.

The location is awesome for accessing one of the Coromandel’s most popular free attractions: Hot Water Beach, a must-see place on a Coromandel road trip!

A 10-minute walk from the campground leads you to the beach, where you can dig your own hot pool in the sand at low tide. You can hire spades (shovels) from the campground’s front desk for digging your hot pool.

When you camp here, you’re also a 10-minute drive away from Hahei, where you’ll find another beautiful white-sand Coromandel beach and boat or kayak tours that’ll whisk you away to see the famous Cathedral Cove Beach. (Cathedral Cove can only be seen from the water currently, as the walking track was damaged in a cyclone).

While all of the campsites here are great, I really love the unpowered sites by the stream, close to the bush (see the “Stream Area” and “Cabbage Patch” area on the camp map online, and ask when you book). You can often hear morepork/ruru (small brown owls) and kiwi calls at night from these sites. It’s the best sound to fall asleep to!

9. Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park

Camp in a prime location within one of New Zealand’s best beach towns at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.

There’s plenty to do in Mount Maunganui, and camping here will let you experience this seaside town to the fullest.

As the name suggests, this campground is truly beachside—you’ll be just steps away from the soft, white-sand Mount Maunganui Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the country.

You’ll also be at the base of Mount Maunganui’s namesake volcanic cone—Mauao—which has walking trails around its base and up to its summit.

While you can surf or swim at Mount Maunganui Beach, it’s best left to strong swimmers—if you have kids with you or just want calm waters to swim in, head in the other direction to Pilot Bay Beach, which is more sheltered. You can often rent kayaks and SUPs at Pilot Bay, too.

To top it all off, the Mount Hot Pools are right next door to the campground. These heated saltwater pools feel divine after a cold-water ocean swim.

And if you’d like a break from camp cooking, walk into town for some seriously good food and drinks. The General does amazing brunches, and Rice Rice Baby makes the best Vietnamese food around (and great cocktails, too). 

I do need to tell you that this campground can get really busy and the sites aren’t exactly private, but its location is unparalleled for accessing all that Mount Maunganui has to offer.

10. Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park

Rotorua is one of the most popular destinations in the North Island, famous for its unique geothermal activity. With all of that geothermal action, though, comes a strong natural sulphur smell in the town itself, which can be a bit stifling to camp amongst.

That’s where the Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park comes to the rescue!

This awesome camping ground is a 10-minute drive from town in a picturesque setting near Blue Lake (Lake Tikitapu), a great spot for swimming, walking, and picnicking. And to top it all off, there’s no sulphur smell here—so you can go explore Rotorua during the day and then retreat to the fresh air at your campsite!

When camping here, there is so much to do in the Rotorua area that it’s hard to know where to start. I recommend visiting the Whakarewarewa Redwoods, soaking in a natural hot pool, and visiting a geothermal site like Wai-O-Tapu—or for a free geothermal park, check out Kuirau Park in the heart of town.

Or you could simply relax by the lake, walk the scenic 5.5km Blue Lake loop trail, or go look for glow worms at night in the bush—all without having to drive anywhere after you’ve parked up!

11. Whakapapa Holiday Park

Camp right in the heart of Tongariro National Park at the Whakapapa Holiday Park.

This holiday park offers basic facilities but has everything you need for a comfortable stay, including hot showers—which are a necessity after all of the hiking you’ll be doing in Tongariro National Park!

The campervan sites here are tucked away in between beech trees, which offer privacy and beautiful lush greenery.

Take off on a number of hiking adventures close to this spot, including the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro Falls, Tama Lakes, and/or the short but sweet Tawhai Falls walk.

If you plan to hike the Tongariro Crossing, you can book a shuttle to pick you up from the campsite or from Whakapapa Village. 

12. Clifton Road Reserve freedom camping

For abundant local wine and food—and lots of sunshine—it’s hard to look past beautiful Hawkes Bay.

And you can camp amongst it all at the scenic Clifton Road Reserve freedom campsite.

This campsite is a real gem, located on the beachfront and also close to some of the best wineries in Hawkes Bay. You’ll face the ocean on one side, and vineyards on the other. It’s definitely one of the best freedom camping sites in the North Island!

Some of my favourite wineries are close to this campground. Elephant Hill, Clearview Estate, & Te Awanga Estate are all well worth visiting for wine tastings, and maybe a leisurely platter lunch, too. 

While you could make a day out of walking between wineries, also consider hiring bikes from Coastal Wine Cycles in Haumoana. Hawkes Bay has a network of some of the best cycling trails in the entire country and you’ll be well-positioned to explore some of them when you camp at Clifton Road.

If you wake up after a night of camping here and want a great breakfast, head to nearby Hygge at Clifton Bay for some excellent food and coffee.

13. Evans Bay Marina freedom camping

If you have a self-contained campervan and plan to camp in Wellington, it’s hard to beat the Evans Bay Marina freedom camping spot. 

Even though it’s technically just a parking lot by a busy road, this campsite is under 5km from the city centre, so it’s convenient for accessing Wellington’s top attractions.

You should aim to get to this camping spot by early afternoon, as it is really popular due to its prime location and proximity to the Interislander & Bluebridge ferries.

Park up your van and then catch an Uber or the public bus to get to the city centre, where you can explore this compact capital city on foot before returning in the evening to sleep in your van. 

Want to know how to spend a perfect day in Wellington while you camp here? I’d hike up Mount Victoria for incredible views, stroll along the Oriental Bay Parade, visit the Te Papa Museum, and try some of Wellington’s excellent food, coffee, and craft beer. 

And if you have even more time, take the Cable Car to the beautiful Botanic Gardens, or visit the Zealandia bird sanctuary.

I’d bring earplugs with you when you camp here, just so you don’t have to hear the road noise at night.

South Island campervan sites

14. Smith’s Farm Holiday Park

The Smith’s Farm Holiday Park is an awesome family-run campground in a great location near the Marlborough Sounds. It’s only a 35-minute drive from the Picton ferry terminals and is a great place to camp before or after crossing the Cook Strait.

When you arrive at this campground, you’ll get a warm welcome at check-in—the hosts are super kind and give out freshly-baked muffins, plus animal food to feed their friendly farm animals.

The campground is set on a working farm, and the whole place is idyllic and green. At night, you can walk along a trail to see a waterfall glow worm grotto.

And if you’d like to stay awhile, there’s lots to do in the area. You could kayak in the Marlborough Sounds, walk on the Queen Charlotte Track, or sample the local specialty—green-lipped mussels—from the Mussel Pot in Havelock.

15. The Barn Cabins and Camp

Abel Tasman National Park is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in the South Island, and the Barn is an awesome place to camp right next to the park.

This fantastic camping ground is located in Marahau, just a few minutes’ walk from the start of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand’s famous Great Walks.

While the entire Abel Tasman Coast Track takes multiple days with overnight stays to complete, you can do some amazing day walks on sections of the track, aided by water taxis that depart from Marahau—they’ll pick you up or drop you off at key locations along the trail.

And the location isn’t the only thing that makes this one of the best campervan sites in the South Island. The campground itself is also a standout, with loads of special features like communal firepits, indoor and outdoor kitchens, outdoor games, and movie nights on occasion. It’s such a relaxed, fun place to camp!

16. Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park

If you like off-the-beaten-path places, you should spend some time in Golden Bay on your campervan trip.

Golden Bay is packed with gorgeous beaches, jungly walks, and eco-friendly vibes—but because it’s a bit out-of-the-way, it’s often missed by travellers visiting NZ.

There are several good campgrounds in Golden Bay, but the Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park is my pick of the bunch. 

This campground is located just a few steps away from the calm waters of Pohara Beach, and it makes for a great base to explore Golden Bay from.

There are heaps of things to do in Golden Bay, so you should plan for at least a couple of nights here. 

Don’t miss exploring Wharariki Beach (low tide is best); kayaking at Tata Beach; short walks to Pupu Springs, Wainui Falls & the Grove; and a meal and craft beer at the legendary Mussel Inn!

17. Alpine Pacific Holiday Park

Out of all the campervan sites in Kaikoura, the Alpine Pacific Holiday Park is my favourite.

This lovely little holiday park is well-located for exploring Kaikoura. 

From the campground, it’s just a 10-minute walk to town, and it’s also near a New World supermarket & some nice cafes. You’ll also be close to Whale Watch Kaikoura, making it really convenient to get to your whale watching cruise on time!

The grounds are well-kept and the whole place feels clean and tidy—plus you’ll get some awesome mountain views of the Kaikoura Ranges from here.

What stands out the most to me about this campground, though, are its great amenities.

In addition to all of the facilities you’d expect from a holiday park, this campground also offers a  heated swimming pool (in the summer) and free hot tubs (all year round). They also hire out bikes for a very reasonable fee—hop on a bike and enjoy part of the Kaikoura Cycle Track!

When you camp here, I also highly recommend doing a day walk on the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, located a 10-minute drive from camp. It’s a gorgeous coastal walk and you’ll likely spot NZ fur seals along the way.

18. Gentle Annie Camping Ground

The Gentle Annie Camping Ground is one of my favourite campgrounds in New Zealand, and I don’t say that lightly!

This is a destination campground, and by that I mean that it’s a bit off the beaten track, but it’s well worth getting to because it’s just so good here. 

Located in Mokihinui, 50km north of Westport, Gentle Annie makes an excellent base for exploring the upper West Coast of the South Island. Or camp here and do nothing at all but relax—it’s a great spot for that, too!

This friendly, family-run seaside campground is set along the mouth of the Mokihinui River, with a driftwood-strewn beach that’s perfect for having a beach bonfire at sunset. And the grounds of the campground are beautiful, with lots of grass or gravel campsites to choose from (and some awesome cabins if you need a wee break from the van!).

Cook a pizza in the communal wood-fired pizza oven, go for coastal walks from the campground, or sip on a hot coffee from the onsite Cowshed Cafe.

If you’re keen on a day trip to explore the upper West Coast, you could also drive from the campground to Karamea and then up to the start of the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park. There is an excellent 2-hour day walk along the Heaphy Track to Scott’s Beach (make sure to detour through the Nikau Grove if you do this walk!).

19. Punakaiki Beach Camp

There is so much to do right by the Punakaiki Beach Camp, which is set next to a wild West Coast beach amidst coastal rainforest.

When you’re travelling around in a campervan, it can sometimes feel so good to park up at a campsite and not have to drive for a day or two. And that’s exactly what you can do here.

From the campground, you can walk to the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks in under 20 minutes. Visit the pancake rocks at high tide for the best chance to see the blowholes in action around the rock formations.

For an amazing day walk close to camp, head to the Pororari River Track, which is part of the larger Paparoa Great Walk. The trailhead for this track starts just minutes away from the campground, where you can walk along the tannin-stained Pororari River under a canopy of Nikau palms and jungly forest. It’s spectacular and unlike anywhere else in NZ.

A short drive away, you’ll also find the trailhead for the Truman Track, another jungly walk. This one leads to a beautiful beach with a thin ribbon of a waterfall that drops onto the sand. Visit this spot at low tide.

And whatever you do, don’t miss a sunset from the beach by the campground—watching the sun dip over the Tasman sea is a great way to end an amazing day of camping and exploring in Punakaiki.

20. Ross Beach Top 10 Holiday Park

The Ross Beach Top 10 Holiday Park is a standout campground on the West Coast. 

Located about 30km south of Hokitika, this is a great place to camp if you’re driving to or from Fox Glacier or Franz Josef (although it’s also a worthy destination in and of itself!).

The campground is beachfront, and the beach here is wild, gorgeous, and covered in driftwood—perfect for making beach a bonfire while watching the sunset!

The powered campervan sites at Ross Beach are private and sheltered by tall flax plants, or you could opt for an unpowered ocean-front site—you can’t really go wrong.

And the facilities here are awesome. The camp kitchen and lounge areas are some of the nicest I’ve encountered at a campground.

You also might get lucky and spot dolphins in the sea here—keep your eyes peeled!

21. Rainforest Retreat Campervan Park 

If you’re looking for the nicest holiday park in Franz Josef, the Rainforest Retreat Campervan Park is it.

This beautiful holiday park holds sheltered sites tucked amongst lush greenery—and while it feels like you’re camping in the middle of the forest, you’re just a short walk away from the town of Franz Josef.

And the facilities here are second to none when it comes to a campervan park—including a communal sauna and spa pool. 

There’s so much to do in and around Franz Josef. Some of my favourite activities nearby include walking to the Franz Josef Glacier lookout and kayaking on the Okarito Lagoon. 

The trailhead for the lovely Callery Gorge walk is also just a 5-minute walk from the campground.

And if you’re willing to splash out a bit, you could also take a helicopter tour to see Franz Josef glacier up close—it’s a bucket-list item for many visitors to this area.

22. Lake’s Edge Holiday Park

Fancy a campsite with some of the best views of turquoise-blue Lake Tekapo?

Then get yourself booked in to the Lake’s Edge Holiday Park!

This is only campground in the town of Lake Tekapo, and it’s a goodie.

Pretty much all of the sites have awesome views of the lake. And it’s a short walk to the town of Lake Tekapo in one direction, and a short walk to the Tekapo Springs Hot Pools in the other direction.

In late spring/early summer, the town of Lake Tekapo bursts into colour with vibrant wild lupins that bloom along its shores. And some of the largest patches of lupins in the area can be found just below this campsite, making it perfect for getting some flower-laden photo ops at golden hour.

23. White Horse Hill Campground

Camping doesn’t get much more scenic than the White Horse Hill Campground.

This DOC campground is located right in the heart of Mount Cook National Park, with epic hiking trails right at your campervan’s doorstep. For camping near Mount Cook, it’s hard to beat this spot.

While the facilities here are basic, this is one of the best campervan sites in New Zealand simply because of its incredible location. You’ll be surrounded by alpine scenery, with towering snow-capped mountains above you and the sound of glaciers crackling around you.

Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails—the Hooker Valley Track is a must-do, especially if you can time your hike in the evening or around sunrise, when crowds will be fewer than during the day. It’s easily one of the best day hikes on the South Island.

Other awesome trails you can access right from camp include Kea Point and the grueling but gorgeous Sealy Tarns Track.

Make sure to fuel up with petrol in Tekapo or Twizel (depending on where you’ve come from) and bring in all of your food, as there are no shops in the national park.

24. Lake Pukaki Reserve Freedom Camping

The Lake Pukaki Reserve campsite is located on the shores of turquoise-blue Lake Pukaki, just off the road between Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook National Park.

This is one of the most scenic free campsites in the South Island.

On a clear day, you can see epic views of Mount Cook just beyond the lake. You’ll also be right next to the Pukaki Foreshore Walk, and not far from the Pukaki Kettle Hole Track.

Facilities at this camping spot are basic—there are long-drop toilets available, but nothing else. You’ll need to take away any rubbish you bring in with you.

Bring your own drinking water and ensure you secure a site by the afternoon, as this spot fills up quickly in the evenings. But that’s perfect anyways, because then you’ll be all settled in and can experience a sunset from one of the most magic spots ever!

25. Oamaru Harbour Tourist Park

Oamaru is such an underrated town in the South Island—and you can easily explore its charms when camping at the Oamaru Harbour Tourist Park. 

This campervan-friendly campsite is located in the picturesque Oamaru Harbour near the historic Oamaru Victorian precinct. 

This is a compact campground and the sites aren’t very private, but the location is what this place is all about. There is so much to do in Oamaru and this campground couldn’t be better placed amongst it all. 

From the campground, it’s a short walk to the historic Victorian precinct, where you’ll find cute shops, cafes, historic buildings, and the Steampunk HQ museum.

There are also two excellent breweries here—Scotts Brewing Co & Craftwork Brewery. I’m a big fan of the atmosphere at Craftwork Brewery and highly recommend a visit!

And to top it all off, you can walk from this campground to the famous Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. You should book your penguin-viewing tickets in advance, and note that evening is the best time to see the little blue penguins.

A short drive away, you’ll find Bushy Beach, which is home to a seal colony and—sometimes—yellow-eyed penguins. It’s completely free to visit this spot. Bring some binoculars with you for the best chance of viewing the penguins. 

You also might be lucky enough to have little blue penguins waddle through the campground while you’re there. Now if that’s not a reason to camp at this spot, I don’t know what is!

26. Glendhu Bay Holiday Park 

As the only lakefront camping ground in Wanaka, the Glendhu Bay Motor Camp is an awesome place to soak in the beauty of Lake Wanaka.

This campground is just a 15-minute drive from the town of Wanaka, and it’s also a short drive to some popular Wanaka hiking trails, including Roy’s Peak & Rocky Mountain.

Spend a day exploring or hiking around Wanaka, then head back to camp for an evening of swimming and making a camp dinner with views of the lake in front of you. The best!

Note: I avoid this campground from around 26 December through January, because it becomes absolutely packed. Outside of that time, though, it’s usually pretty chill!

27. Driftaway

If you’re looking for the best campsite in Queenstown, you’ve found it: the Driftaway is in a league of its own.

This world-class holiday park sit on the sunny Frankton Arm of Lake Wakatipu, and Frankton Beach is mere steps away from camp. Most of the sites here have great views of the lake.

The grounds and facilities at this campground are top-notch in every way—I have never seen a camp kitchen as nice as the one here!

While the campground is located a 10-minute drive from the Queenstown town centre, it’s easy to take the public bus or water taxi to get to town, or you can access town by walking for an hour (one-way) along the beautiful Frankton Track (or cycle if you have a bike with you).

To top it all off, this campground offers beautiful hot tubs for hire, which have stunning lake views and are such a treat after a day of adventuring around Queenstown! Campers get a discount on hot tub hires, too.

28. Moke Lake DOC Campsite

Just 20 minutes away from busy Queenstown lies the peaceful, pristine Moke Lake Campsite.

This DOC camping ground is located along beautiful Moke Lake, surrounded by mountains and filled with fresh alpine air. It’s a great spot for camping along the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy.

Out of all the camping spots near Glenorchy, this is by far my top choice!

From the campground, you can walk along the Moke Lake Loop Track, one of the best easy walks in the Queenstown area. The walk takes about 2 hours return and circles the lake in a satisfying loop. 

On a clear night, the stargazing is incredible from this campsite.

Access to Moke Lake involves a narrow gravel road that is not recommended in the winter months unless you have a 4WD vehicle. 

29. Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park

Park your campervan at the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park and enjoy all that Te Anau—and Fiordland—has to offer.

This spacious Te Anau campground has parklike grounds and great facilities. The free hot showers are certainly a treat after all of the hiking you’ll be doing in Fiordland National Park!

From the campground, it’s a quick walk down to Steamer’s Beach on Lake Te Anau. From here you can swim, picnic, or watch a sunset from the photogenic Marakura Wharf.

There’s also the lovely Ivon Wilson park just above the campground with a free disc golf course (bring your own discs, or purchase from Outside Sports in town).

I’d make sure to book in for at least two nights at this campground. There is so much to do in Te Anau and Fiordland National Park and it’s worth spending some time here.

Spend a day doing activities around Te Anau—my perfect day would include a day hike on part of the Kepler Track, followed by seeing the Ata Whenua—Shadowland film at the Fiordland Cinema with a glass of local wine in hand.

Then spend another day on a day trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound, stopping at scenic lookouts and hiking trails on the way there and back.

30. Milford Lodge Rainforest Campervan Park

The Milford Lodge Campervan Park is the only camping ground at Milford Sound—and it’s a good one.

This campground comes with a high price tag, but it’s worth splashing out for if you want to enjoy Milford Sound after the daytime crowds have come and gone. It’s also convenient if you have a Milford Sound cruise booked the next morning, as you won’t have to rush to make your booking on time.

Campsites here are tucked amongst the beech forest, and the whole place is green and lush. Sandflies can be fierce, though, so come prepared with insect repellent and cover up your arms, legs, and ankles with clothing.

You’ll find a lovely camp kitchen and lounge area here, plus free WiFi, which is quite handy as you likely won’t get any cell service around Milford Sound.

Whatever you do, book this campsite ahead of time if you’re keen to camp here. It fills up fast, particularly between November through April.

31. Cascade Creek DOC Campsite

The Cascade Creek DOC Campsite is the best option for cheap camping near Milford Sound.

This large campsite has basic facilities, but it’s in a super-scenic valley surrounded by mountains, native forest, and two crystal-clear rivers.

From camp, you can access an easy, peaceful walking track through beech forest to reach Lake Gunn. You’ll also be within close access to drive to some of the best day walks near Milford Sound, including the Key Summit Track, Lake Marian Track, and Gertrude Valley.

The location of this campground is almost right between Te Anau and Milford Sound, making it quite convenient for exploring Fiordland National Park. 

Do come prepared with insect repellent, though, as the sandflies here can be quite bad. You should also book this site ahead of time in the summer months, and note that you won’t get cell service here due to its remote location.

32. Curio Bay Camping Ground

The Curio Bay Camping Ground makes an awesome base for exploring the Catlins. 

Many of the campsites here are sheltered by tall flax plants, which helps with the often-persistent Catlins wind and also provides privacy at some of the campsites.

The campground is perched above two stunning bays: the long sandy stretch of Porpoise Bay, and the petrified forest rock shelf of Curio Bay. You can walk to both bays within minutes from your campsite. 

This is a wildlife-lover’s dream campsite. Look for rare Hector’s dolphins at Porpoise Bay and yellow-eyed penguins at Curio Bay (bring binoculars!). 

Surfers will also be stoked on camping here—Porpoise Bay is a popular surf spot in the Catlins for both experienced and beginner surfers. Beginners can contact the Catlins Surf School, which is located within the campground and offers equipment hire and surf lessons.

33. Purakaunui Bay DOC Campsite

The Purakaunui Bay (“PK Bay”) DOC Campsite is one of the most scenic campsites in the Catlins (and in the whole of the South Island, really!).

Best for campers who don’t mind getting off-the-beaten-track (and a bit of driving on a narrow gravel road), this stunning campsite is located steps above the rugged, wild sandy beach at Purakaunui Bay. The bay is flanked by sheep-dotted farmland, dramatic cliff faces, and pockets of native bush.

Surfers flock to PK Bay when the conditions are right. It’s one of the best beach breaks in the Catlins, although you may have to share the waves with some of the territorial sea lions who call this area home!

And even if you don’t surf, this campsite is just an epic place to get away from it all and enjoy some coastal nature. You won’t get any cell service here, so it’s the perfect place to enjoy a good book while relaxing in your camp chair under the sun. 

Crack your windows at night and be soothed by the sounds of the ocean while you sleep.

On your drive in or out of the campground, don’t miss the detour to Purakaunui Falls, one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Catlins. A short walking track through native bush leads to this tiered waterfall, and the whole place feels like something out of a fairytale.

Make sure to bring in everything you need with you, as this is a remote location. There’s a small Four Square supermarket in Owaka, but I usually stock up on food & drinks (including water) before heading to the Catlins, as shops are really limited in this area.

Can you park a campervan anywhere in New Zealand?

No, you can’t camp overnight just anywhere you’d like in New Zealand.

Instead, you’ll need to camp in one of the following types of camping spots:

• Freedom campsites: Freedom campsites are often just a parking lot with no facilities, but they’re sometimes in really scenic locations. Usually only self-contained campervans are allowed at freedom campsites.
  
  
• DOC (Department of Conservation) campsites & regional park campsites: These are basic campsites with minimal facilities—usually just non-flush toilets & water taps with water that needs to be treated before drinking. They’re often in beautiful wilderness locations, though and are great for nature lovers.
  
  
• Commercial holiday parks & private campsites: Holiday parks are typically well-equipped commercial campsites with more amenities like flush toilets, hot showers, camp kitchens, & laundry facilities.

How to find campsites in New Zealand?

Here are the best resources for finding campsites in New Zealand:

• Department of Conservation (DOC)
• Rankers app 
• Campermate app 

Do you need to book New Zealand campervan sites in advance?

Sometimes you should book your campervan site in advance, and sometimes you won’t need to. 

Here’s when you should book your campervan sites in advance:

• If you’re planning to camp between 26 December through the first two weeks of January. This is the time of year that many Kiwis go on holiday, so campsites will be as busy as they get.
  
  
• If you’re camping during a holiday weekend—including Waitangi weekend, Easter weekend, and Labour weekend. Here’s a list of public holidays in NZ. 
  
  
• If you’re camping during school holidays. The exception to this is if you’re camping during winter school holidays anywhere besides Queenstown & Wanaka. Here’s a list of school holidays in NZ. 
  
  
• If you’re planning to camp in the most popular tourist destinations, namely Queenstown, Milford Sound & Mount Cook National Park.
  
  
• If you’re camping at certain DOC campsites or Auckland regional park campsites, they might require an advance booking (you can usually just book these a day or two in advance, though, unless you’re camping during one of the peak time periods mentioned above).

Other than these times, you can usually get away without booking your NZ campsites in advance. 

Another thing worth mentioning is that you can’t book freedom campsites in advance—they’re first-come, first-served.

How much are campsites in New Zealand for campervans?

Here’s what to expect for campervan site prices in New Zealand (in NZD).

• Freedom campsites: FREE of charge
  
  
• DOC campsites & regional park campsites: usually $10-20 per person per night
  
  
• Holiday parks & private campsites: anywhere from $20-$30+ per person per night

Note that you typically pay per person for campsites in New Zealand. Rates for children are often much cheaper than rates for adults, and kids under age 5 can often camp for free (depending on the campsite).

Want to find cheap campervan sites in New Zealand? 

Here are some handy tips for cheap camping in New Zealand:

• Check out the DOC campsite pass, which is great value for money if you intend to camp at lots of DOC campsites. It can’t be used at every DOC campsite around the country, but it can be used at many of them.
  
  
• The Top 10 membership is a great option, too, if you plan to camp at lots of Top 10 holiday parks. It gives you discounted rates on Top 10 campsites, plus deals on the Interislander ferry & lots of attractions around the country. 
  
  
• For the best campsite rates, go on your campervan trip during shoulder season—either late spring/early summer (November through mid-December), or late summer/autumn (end of February through April). You’ll usually find that campsite rates are much cheaper than during peak summer season (and places will be a lot less crowded, too!).

Camping Etiquette in New Zealand

• Practice leave no trace principles when camping in New Zealand, whether at a commercial campsite, freedom campsite, or DOC campsite. This includes disposing of any rubbish and recycling in the bins provided; if there are no rubbish bins provided, pack up your rubbish to take to the nearest facility.
  
  
• Use the toilets provided at your campsite. If there are no toilets provided, you’ll need to use your campervan’s toilet. And if your campervan doesn’t have a toilet, you should only camp at campsites with toilets provided!
  
  
• Dispose of grey waste at dedicated dump stations. Don’t wash your dishes or use soaps or shampoos in any of New Zealand’s lakes, rivers, or oceans.
  
  
• Don’t feed or disturb the wildlife.
  
  
• When setting up camp, be respectful of your fellow campers. If there’s space to spread out, try to not park your van right next to someone else (sometimes, though, this isn’t possible, depending on the site). Keep noise to a minimum at nighttime (10pm is a good rule of thumb).
  
  
• If you’re travelling in a large campervan, you may need to drive slower than other vehicles on the road. If vehicles start to pile up behind you on the road, pull over safely when a vehicle turnout is available, and let people pass you.

New Zealand campervan itineraries

Need some help piecing together a campervan itinerary? Here are some itineraries for you!

• 3-week South Island campervan itinerary (honestly one of the most epic trips ever)
  
  
• Christchurch to Queenstown road trip itinerary (5-7 days)
  
  
• Auckland to Queenstown road trip itinerary (14 days)
  
  
• North Island 7-day itinerary
  
  
• North Island 10-day itinerary

Thanks for reading my guide to campervan sites in New Zealand!

I truly hope it’s helped you plan your NZ campervan trip.

As always, please leave a comment or send me an email if you have any questions, and I’ll respond as soon as possible.