Liv
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
5.0/5
The best freedom campsite we have stayed at in the South Island.
Drive all the way along Lake Pukaki and pick a quiet spot sheltered by the trees... it was so magical to watch the moon over the still lake at night. There are toilets at some locations but if you can bare to be away from them for the night you will have a much nicer spot.
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ St Arnaud ▷
4.5/5
Great DOC site with flushing toilets, water and a shelter for cooking.
Each site is nice and private with quick easy access to the lake. The views over the lake at sunset are amazing! There are sand flies but they are not as bad as other areas, such as lake Rotoroa.
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Murchison ▷
1.0/5
WARNING in Jan the sand flies are everywhere.
We couldn’t even get out of the van because there was a cloud of them waiting outside, almost impossible to even walk to the toilet. The camp area is a small piece of grass on a steady slope, no lake view with toilets and lake a walk away. Lake Rotiti DOC campsite is miles better for sand flies, facilities and lake views.
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
2.5/5
For a free spot by the beach it is ok.
Good toilets not too far away but it is noisy with drivers honking their horns as they pass at night. We also had someone throw something at our van as they passed which left a stain on the window. For a free spot it is okay but keep an eye on your van and stuff...
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Ohakune ▷
5.0/5
Awesome freedom campsite!
Right by the river for swimming and huge big grassy sites. There are toilets but bring loo roll :)
One of the best freedom campsites we have stayed at in the North island 👌
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim ▷
4.5/5
Great freedom site with lots of space, close to the beach and sheltered in the trees.
The toilets aren’t the nicest but it’s a perfect rest stop if you have just got the ferry in from Picton :)