Katie
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
3.0/5
Probably as good as you can get for being free in a city.
Plenty of room & the car park next to it closes overnight so other cars stop coming by at 10pm but the construction work does start up at 7am - imagine it’ll be a decent spot once that’s complete
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Nelson ▷
2.0/5
You are near The Buxton pub which is a late night venue; karaoke is Thursday night - which would’ve been insufferable if I hadn’t gone & joined it haha (so i’d avoid Friday/Saturdays too).
Parking guy did come by to check how many nights you stay - he was super chill & said as long as you put your plate in for the hour free parking at 8am he didn’t mind you being sat around longer.
The toilet is better than the free ones at Montgomery.
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Timaru ▷
3.0/5
Toilet was immaculate - brand new, and saw someone checking it in the morning despite being spotless.
Really peaceful & lots of room - road down a little rocky but opens up to flat grass.
Phone signal: no
Sandflies: no (but lots of other flies)
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Murchison ▷
3.0/5
Semi-small car park but can still fit a good amount of vehicles, it was full by the evening.
Worst smelling toilet i’ve ever been in & my bar is low. Gag levels. Waterfall is badass though, sightseers will start arriving throughout the day
Phone signal: yes
Sandflies: yes
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
4.0/5
huge space with clean toilets over to one side, quite a trek to them if you want to park on the side with the views but very satisfying to pop open my boot and look out on to Aoraki Yes to phone signal
too
South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Clyde ▷
3.5/5
Stunning views with great facilities - big washing up sinks & bins.
Lots of space
Biggest downside is being so close to the highway 👎
Phone signal: yes
Sandflies: no
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Greymouth ▷
4.5/5
There is a limit of spots but I arrived very late & was outside the lines & was undisturbed.
It’s a quaint little lake town so not high demand for space. The toilet block was undergoing some construction but still functional, shows it’s a well maintained area.
Phone signal: yes
Sandflies: yes
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Fairlie ▷
4.0/5
Fab spot with loads of room & super quiet, the lake seems modest after looking at Tekapo & Pukaki but still cool to camp lakeside.
Immense amount of bugs at nightfall, close your doors - but i was able to tolerate sitting outside with a citronella candle
Phone signal: yes
Sandflies: yes
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Darfield ▷
5.0/5
IT’S FREE!
10/10 big open space with huge toilets, washing up sink & even a cute swing. Right by the river through some tall grass which is a blessing because you feel sheltered from the campers as you’re by it.
No phone signal but left and drove up to the picnic area by the junction & got signal there (also stunning spot under the old bridge)
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Arthur's Pass ▷
2.0/5
Pretty but the view is somewhat obscured.
Does feel fully out in the wild which I always enjoy but ungodly amount of flies (and a warning for wasp & bee populations in Summer / Autumn) Toilet yes but, what I can only describe as, a ‘Shrek’ style outhouse overrun by wasps
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
4.5/5
Fabulous & reasonable spot, the hosts were very nice & accommodating to seven of us showing up on the day.
$19pp which is great considering Collingwood was $35 😵 Being right on the beach is fab too, fell asleep to the sound of waves
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
2.0/5
It’s an ‘it’ll do’ stay for sure, considering the options are very limited in the area but being central Takaka is grand.
& the fact it’s just a free car park you can use it to explore during the day
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Motueka ▷
4.5/5
Oh, if only all free car parks could be stacked like this - SUPER clean toilets, washing up area, outside shower (with changing room!), and lots of bins.
Only downside is it’s not walking distance from town. Getting there after 4pm will be tough to have a spot though!
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
4.0/5
It’s down a 7 mile off-road track so be prepared for it to take 30mins minimum to get to (& would recommend to do it in daylight!).
Super remote & peaceful right next to the woods. With 2 drop toilets can’t complain in the slightest. Hour walk to Harwoods & lookout which was well worth it (ignore the scary sign saying how unsafe it is, just a liability assurance for doc)
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Havelock ▷
4.0/5
Great FREE spot btw but I highly recommend going into the Inn & buying a pint as compensation - might look scary but it’s family run & the daughter was very kind to me, even offered me a shower in her
own home (: Public toilets round the corner and very well kept considering it’s a bit remote! The highway is just over the ways but not loud in the slightest
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds ▷
3.5/5
Stunning spot, don’t pay tons to stay in Picton just drive a little further to here.
Portaloo is fine, the views make up for it tenfold
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Otorohanga ▷
3.5/5
Very pretty to sleep next to a lake - beautiful sunset spot.
You get mobile data out there too! Public toilets are a fair walk away & share the space with local fishers, dog walkers etc so expect millers about
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
2.5/5
[April ‘23] There’s building work currently so you will be woken to general building noise.
Otherwise quick central spot gets the job done. Toilets well maintained. 3 ‘official’ spots but they don’t mind use of the regular car parking spots next to them too. Security came to check self containment status but was super chill. Let an absolutely massive campervan park up by the Club building so.. not super bothered. It’s ‘kay.
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
3.5/5
The better of the two central Rotorua parks, feels more secluded.
Just a shame about high competition. I was tired & slept in until 11am without any interruptions here!
North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Napier ▷
3.0/5
It’s mainly a car park - lots of spaces at least.
Can hear noise from the road and plenty of people arriving in the morning for general car park use. Toilet okay, door a bit janky. Didn’t use the cold shower but I like that it’s an option.
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Waitomo ▷
5.0/5
Fab facilities; fully equipped shared kitchen, free wifi, board games, washing machines - great for $17per night imo!
usual hostel case of shower was cold later in the evening but given
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Raglan ▷
4.5/5
Decent price, usual campsite facilities, self check in so can arrive whenever, town is walkable (40 mins but nice along the beach) (otherwise, short drive), quiet guests are encouraged
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu ▷
2.5/5
Pretty spot, always nice next to water.
Toilet was completely boarded up though? So basically just a spot with bins at that point. & kinda far from the city (10 miles) but close to Rainbow Mountain & Waiotapu. You get 3G at least. Was quiet for me personally but who’s to say in summer. Would’ve been even nicer on a none cloudy day to look over the lake but can’t control the weather haha