14 Best Camping Spots in Kaikoura

Kaikōura is one of the most popular camping destinations in the South Island, and for good reason: it’s stunning.

With mountains that meet the sea, abundant marine life, and epic surf breaks, Kaikōura is one of the best coastal towns in New Zealand.

If you’re planning on camping in Kaikōura but aren’t sure where to stay, I’m here to help. I live in the South Island and always love visiting Kaikōura, especially when camping is involved! 

In this guide, I’m sharing the best campsites in Kaikōura, including campgrounds for tents and campervans, and freedom camping spots for self-contained vehicles.

Here’s where to go camping in Kaikōura.

Kaikoura Camping Map

Holiday Parks & Private Campgrounds in Kaikoura

1. Peketa Campground

The Peketa Campground is my all-time favourite place to camp in Kaikōura, and one of my top campsites in the South Island.

Located a 10-minute drive from town, this beachfront campground offers a classic Kiwi camping experience. 

The black sand beach here is a stunning spot for sunrises, sunsets, dolphin-spotting, and—in the right conditions—surfing. 

Facilities at this campground are on the older side, but everything is clean and functional. 

They offer campsites for both tent camping and campervans, and there are also camping cabins (note: you’ll need to bring your own linen for the cabins). 

2. Alpine Pacific Holiday Park

If you’re looking to camp right in town, the Alpine Pacific Holiday Park is a great choice.

This holiday park is located right off Beach Road in Kaikōura, within easy walking distance to cafes, the New World Supermarket, and Emporium Brewery.

In addition to unpowered and powered campsites, they also have camping cabins available here. My partner Ty and I have stayed in one of their 2-person cabins and found it so cosy!

I should warn you that during summer, it can get pretty busy here, and the campsites can get quite packed in. 

One thing I love about this campground is that they have free hot tubs available—such a treat!

3. Kaikoura Top 10 Holiday Park

The Kaikōura Top 10 Holiday Park is a large, bustling campground located right in the town of Kaikōura. 

As with the Alpine Pacific Holiday Park, you can walk to heaps of cafes and shops from here. 

This is a good campground if you’re travelling with kids, as they have lots of family-friendly activities onsite like a jumping pillow, playground, and swimming pool. 

The mountain views from this campground are lovely. With excellent facilities and a wide range of camping and accommodation options, this is a solid choice if you’re after a holiday park in Kaikōura.

4. KiwiCamp Kaikoura

If you’re after a cheap(ish) campsite right in town, KiwiCamp might be the choice for you.

This basic campsite allows both tents and campervans (whether you’re self-contained or not). 

To access this campsite and its facilities, you need to purchase a Penny card; the local Night & Day sells them (for $5 last time I checked). You can use the Penny card at various KiwiCamp locations across New Zealand.

An unpowered campsite was $25 the last time I was here, and power was an extra $10. 

The toilets and fresh water at this campsite are free to use, but you’ll pay for any extra facilities using your Penny card, including hot showers, a cooktop, and a laundry room. 

You’ll get ocean views from this site, but do note that the train goes right by here, so I’d pack earplugs if you plan to camp at this spot. 

This isn’t my top choice for camping in Kaikōura, but I do think it’s a somewhat budget-friendly option, particularly if you’re camping in a non-self-contained vehicle and plan to use the Penny card at other KiwiCamps.

DOC Campsites in Kaikoura

5. Puhi Puhi Campsite

Located a 20-minute drive north of town, the Puhi Puhi Campsite is the only DOC campsite near Kaikōura.

This small campsite sits in a remote spot with no cell service, and the facilities are very basic (just a non-flush toilet). 

I don’t recommend staying here if your goal is to explore Kaikōura, as it’s not handy to town; however, it’s a decent option if you’re after a simple, back-to-basics camping experience somewhat near Kaikōura.

Self-contained Campervan Sites in Kaikoura (paid)

There are several low-cost campsites in Kaikōura for self-contained vehicles. Two of these spots are located next to cosy pubs, while another is tucked away in a coastal carpark.

6. The Pier Hotel

Camp on the coast at the iconic Pier Hotel & Restaurant, which offers cheap camping in a relaxed carpark setting.

Last time I was here, it was just $20 for an unpowered site. The facilities are basic (toilets; a paid shower & laundry facilities) but it’s a lovely little spot—with the bonus of having the Pier Restaurant right next door, so you can get a break from campervan cooking!

From this campsite, you can walk along the coastal path to reach the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. 

7. The Point Campsite

Self-contained vehicles can camp at the Point Campsite, a family-run farm overlooking the sea. 

This is a back-to-basics camping experience, with no facilities, but it’s a peaceful spot to spend the night while you’re in Kaikōura. It’s also quite affordable—last time I checked, it was $25 per night to camp here.

From the campsite, it’s a short walk to the Point Kean seal colony and Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. 

8. Donegal House

The Donegal House is a historic Irish pub located just 6 km north of Kaikōura. 

They offer unpowered & powered campsites for self-contained vehicles, with toilets and paid hot showers available onsite.

After a day of exploring Kaikoura, it’s nice to post up here and enjoy a pint and hearty pub meal right at your doorstep.

Freedom Camping in Kaikoura 

To freedom camp in Kaikoura, you need to be in a certified self-contained campervan, with a toilet that’s accessible even when the bed is made up. 

For more information, see the official Kaikōura freedom camping rules.

It’s important to read the signs at these freedom campsites to see where you can park overnight, and how long you can stay. If you break the rules, you risk getting a fine.

I also just want to mention that while it’s fun to try freedom camping, most of these spots can fill up quite early in the day, and it can sometimes feel a bit stressful trying to find a site. Have a backup plan in case all of the freedom camping areas are full.

Here are the 5 designated freedom campsites around Kaikōura.

9. Jimmy Armers Beach

Jimmy Armers Beach is my favourite freedom camping spot in Kaikōura.

This small camping area is located along a coastal road, just a short walk away from the Point Kean Seal Colony and Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. The Kaikōura Seafood BBQ Kiosk is also close by.

Sites here are very limited (6 spots), so arrive early for the best chance of securing a site.

There are toilets, cold outdoor showers, rubbish bins, and picnic tables here. Right in front of the camping area is a lovely beach, and sunrises from here are truly spectacular!

10. West End Carpark

If you want to camp right in town, you can’t beat the West End Carpark.

This freedom camping spot is located in the middle of town in a large carpark with public toilets close by. You can easily walk from your campsite to the beach, cafes, and shops.

As with the other freedom campsites in Kaikōura, this one fills up quickly, so arrive early for the best chance of getting a spot.

There’s a maximum 1 night stay here. Note that this is a paid carpark from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

11. South End Railway Station Carpark

The South End Railway Station freedom campsite is located in a carpark just above town, and right by the beach.

There are spaces for 6 self-contained vehicles to park overnight here. Public toilets are a 5-minute walk away at the West End carpark, and you can easily walk to the eateries in town (Coopers Catch is great for takeaway fish & chips to have at the beach!).

You’re allowed to stay here for 1 night and need to leave the site by 7 am.

12. Pohowera (South Bay)

The Pohowera (South Bay) freedom campsite is located just south of the town of Kaikōura, in a stunning spot with epic ocean views.

The camping area here is a fairly spacious carpark, with space for about 15 vehicles. 

There are no facilities here at all, so it’s important that you’re fully self-contained and that you use the toilet and sink in your van, and take away your rubbish when you leave. 

Note that this campsite is closed between 15 August through the last day in February to protect the banded dotterel that nest here.

13. Scarborough Street

The Scarborough Street freedom campsite is a large parking area a short drive from town with no facilities at all. 

This is my least favourite of the freedom camping spots in Kaikōura, but if everything else is full, it’s an option.

Since there is no toilet here, you really need to have a usable toilet in your van—and camping compliance officers often come by to enforce this rule, so don’t risk it!

More Camping near Kaikoura 

14. The Store, Kekerengu

If you’re travelling between Picton and Kaikōura, the campsite at the Store in Kekerengu is a beautiful place to spend the night. All types of vehicles can camp here (you don’t need to be self-contained).

This beachfront campsite is just steps away from the sand and sea. There’s a fantastic cafe at this property—the Store—where you can grab a coffee and bagel, or have lunch. 

The facilities here are fairly basic, but include toilets and coin-operated hot showers. 

The only thing I don’t love about camping here is the road and train noise—it sits just off State Highway 1, and the train tracks run past it, too. Luckily, the sound of the ocean drowns out most of the road and train noise, but I still recommend packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

Thanks for reading my Kaikoura camping guide!

I truly hope this has helped you plan your camping trip in Kaikōura. It’s one of my favourite beach towns in New Zealand and I hope you love camping here as much as I do.

As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me—I really love hearing from you!

More New Zealand camping guides

If you’re planning to go camping in New Zealand, I have heaps of resources for you here on this site. Here are some articles that might be helpful:

• Everything you need to know about camping in New Zealand
• Freedom camping in the South Island
• The best campervan sites in New Zealand
• 2-week South Island campervan itinerary
• 3-week South Island campervan itinerary