Ellen
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Hokitika ▷
4.5/5
A lovely stay!
Kevin is a dream host with plenty of recommendations locally. The lounge and kitchen felt like home... after weeks in a van it was the first kitchen/lounge we actually chilled out in and it was so lovely. The grounds are gorgeous and there's laundry available. The cleanest toilets and showers around. 9/10 is marked down 1 point as have to pay for hot shower and it's already a higher end price point but we would definitely stay again
Prices on website are different - I've uploaded a photo of his current pricing
South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Clyde ▷
5.0/5
Excellent free spot!
Right on the lake/river. Plenty of space. Clean flush toilets, running water (not drinkable) and rubbish bins
There were 5 campers here and we were all so spread out we felt totally alone, it was heavenly
South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Cromwell ▷
4.5/5
Gorgeous spot with plenty of space between neighbours.
Clean block of 4 flush toilets plus drip toilets dotted along the site.
Views of the lake are stunning, can imagine it gets quite busy although its a long site along the river bank so there's plenty of space
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Cron street ▷
5.0/5
Cheapest spot in Franz and a nice jungle feel thanks to all the fauna around.
Showers are great and have hairdryer & straighteners available. Toilets all clean and flushing! Dump station & water available, all tap water is drinking water too, but no refuse/rubbish/recycling. Pitches are nicely spread out, wifi free and ok.
South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
5.0/5
Gorgeous spot.
Fills up quick! Toilets were fine... clean enough, flushing (and the portaloo was a-ok too) cold showers, clean drinking water (although we questioned the water and threw ours as it tasted a bit green)
Sun rise and sun sets on the deserted beach here. 10/10 for a free spot
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Rangiora ▷
0.5/5
NOT HERE.
Hasnt been here for a decade
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Timaru ▷
5.0/5
10/10.
Clean flush toilets, two cold showers, dump station and drinking water. So much park to explore, see the penguins at night. The park even has an aviary. There were 20 vans, and the guy came to check everyone was out by 10am the next morning, he made comment that he knew there were more than 10 parked but nothing they can do. There's another carpark 10 yards away to park in during the day if you want to stay another night. Loved it here
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Oxford ▷
4.5/5
Lovely spot!
Plenty of room to spread out and enough people around to feel safe. Toilets are great (very clean and flushing!)
A huge amount of land and open domain to relax or get the frisby out. Great spot for a stop over on the way to Kaikoura
South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township ▷
5.0/5
Hands down the best spot we have come across in nearly a month.
For $10pp the setting is second to none with acres of space to choose from including lake front spots.
Toilet block of 4 flushing was always clean and stocked with paper, there is running water but not drinking water.
There's no showers but the laundrette is 10 minute walk away with showers, or you can dip in the lake or charge up a solar shower in the sun as there is so much room!!
There's nice walks nearby, jet boating across the road, rope swings set up by locals and over the bridge theres the laundrette, a Four Square, restaurant/bar, patisserie/cafe.... its all lovely.
Wakanda centre is 45 min walk or 8 min drive,
We stayed for 3 nights and we've not stayed anyway more than 24hrs to date!
South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
4.0/5
Really nice spot, loads if powered sites and there's modern and clean flush toilets, laundry and a shower $5.
Even better if you can get a spot overlooking the sea!
Dont know if it was a one-off for our stay, but there's a permanentish resident (maybe works at the bar) and they had a super loud party all night by the entrance.
Kaikoura doesnt really welcome freedom camping like other areas (need a fixed toilet and they are hot on checking) so options are limited. Best of a bad bunch... would have been a 10/10 if not for the party
North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Coromandel Town ▷
4.5/5
The post below about the bus stop is a different free camping spot in the same town.
Just park between the arrows and dont park in front of the dropped curb for the bus stop and you'll be ok. You get 2 nights at that one.
Kapanga Road has a bay of 4 and then a separate bay for 2 next to the EV charging point. 1 night only, out by 0800 (and there was a man checking). Toilets close by, lovely little spot
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
5.0/5
Great place to stop, plenty of space overlooking fields.
Good showers, toilets and communal spaces including kitchen. Pub is great, free pool. They dont serve food Monday/Tuesday fyi.
Super friendly host and a lovely resident dog called Rusty who loves a game of fetch!
Beware of the midges at sundown!
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Motueka ▷
4.5/5
Great spot for a couple of nights.
Clean toilets, cold showers and plenty of parks and greenspaces to chill out, exercise, yoga etc . Nice walks along the beach front and close enough to town
As others said, get there early as it fills up by 3/4pm. The odd space can open up - you're best to park up outside and walk in to check for a space (and the sign says).