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Basic Camping

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Kerosene Creek, Rotorua

PhotoVaughan Brookfield

Accommodation ▷ Camping Grounds ▷

Basic Campsites

Camping with just the bare essentials in some of the most beautiful locations across NZ. Expect a non-flush toilet that's intermittently serviced. Anything more is a bonus.

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275 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 9 of 10.

Kawatiri Junction

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Kawatiri Campsite

Kawatiri area

74%

20 Reviews

7 Face-to-Face

Details

The Kawatiri Junction Camping Ground is handily placed near the main state highway and provides an ideal stop over between Nelson and the West...

Waikare River Mouth Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Waikare River Mouth Campsite

Waikare River area

74%

16 Reviews

 Details

Stay on the banks of the Waikare River with just a 10 minute walk to the beach. Note the 20 minute drive on a gravel road to access this campground...

Picnic Bay Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

Picnic Bay Campsite

Kenepuru Sound

74%

8 Reviews

 Details

This is a scenic area with walking, sea kayaking, motor boating, kayaking, fishing and bird watching opportunities.

Not Operating

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Rosie Bay Campsite

Te Urewera

74%

7 Reviews

 Details

Camp at the shore of Lake Waikaremoana in a secluded bay with stunning views. This is a popular campsite and a good base for lake activities.

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

River Ridge Retreat

74%

3 Reviews

 Details
The view from Deer Valley Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Deer Valley Campsite

Lewis Pass

73%

21 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Details

A small campsite on grassy flats next to the Lewis River. It is quite tight to turn at the end of the road - so check if you have room, or at...

Otaki Forks Camping Ground - Tararua Forest Park

North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷

Ōtaki Forks Campsite

Ōtaki Forks area

73%

14 Reviews

7 Face-to-Face

Details

Camp on a river terrace within Ōtaki Gorge.

Dunsdale Recreation Reserve

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Dunsdale Recreation Reserve and camping area

Hedgehope

73%

13 Reviews

 Details

Closed between May - September every year. Freedom campers are permitted to stay for up to three days at Dunsdale Recreation Reserve, inland...

Tolaga Bay Freedom Camping

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

(Te tōpuni ki Uawa)

Tolaga Bay Freedom Camping

Blue Waters

73%

10 Reviews

 Details

Open between Labour Weekend and Easter weekend each summer

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Poukaraka Flats Camping Ground

Whakanewha

73%

5 Reviews

 Details

This place is banger!

Kowhai Point Scenic Reserve

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Kowhai Point Campsite

Wairau River

73%

5 Reviews

 Details

Small campsite on SH 63

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Lake Heron Camping Ground

73%

3 Reviews

 Details

Please note this campground is only open between 1 October to 30 April.

Tiny

South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷

Macetown Campsite

Arrowtown

73%

2 Reviews

 Details

It is an adventure to get out to the Macetown Camping Ground. You can 4WD, walk or mountain bike here - there are 23 river crossings through very...

Upper Eglinton

South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷

Upper Eglinton Campsite

Milford Rd - Fiordland National Park

72%

7 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Details

This is a small campsite straight off the road. It is quite a tight turn getting into it and is not suitable for large vehicles. There are a few...

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Walker Creek

South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷

Walker Creek Campsite

Milford Rd

72%

5 Reviews

 Details

This is a small campsite next to the Eglinton River and the main road. There is a very tight turning bay at the end surrounded by tall trees...

Piripiri Campsite

North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

Piripiri Campsite

Pohangina

72%

2 Reviews

 Details

- FREE for all campers - Toilet - No fires - Max. 3 nights per calendar month - Great fishing from the campsite - Good swimming holes...

Pokaka Mill Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷

Pokaka Mill Campsite

Taurewa, Tongariro Forest Conservation Area

71%

5 Reviews

 Details

Rough gravel access road - 4WD recommended. Very remote and a pretty cool experience. Make sure you camp on a bit of higher ground if it starts...

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Wildlife Camping Ground

Lake Benmore - Waitaki Valley

71%

2 Reviews

 Details

The Waitaki District Council looks after this campsite and for a small fee you can experience the goodness. Please register and pay on arrival...

Primo rope swings

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Parsons Rock Camping Ground

Lake Aviemore - Waitaki Valley

71%

1 Review

 Details

The Waitaki District Council looks after this campsite and for a small fee you can experience the goodness. Please register and pay on arrival...

Rosie Bay Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Rosie Bay

Te Urewera

70%

8 Reviews

 Details

A small (only 6 sites), yet popular campsite on the foreshore of Lake Waikaremoana.

Mt Cook in Autumn

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Ohau C Camping Ground

Lake Benmore

70%

7 Reviews

 Details

For a small fee of $20 per family of 2 adults and 2 children, you can experience the goodness. Booking are not needed but if you book ahead...

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Whakamaru Domain Camping Area

70%

5 Reviews

 Details

This reserve is located between Mangakino and Whakamaru on the edge of Lake Maraetai. The camping area is in the paddock near the toilet block...

Hot pools at the Mangatutu Hot Springs

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite

Kaweka Forest Park

69%

17 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Details

A free, basic campsite with its own hot springs nestled within native bush. What's the catch?! We suppose the 1 hour gravel access road would...

Nikau Cove Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

Nikau Cove Campsite

Kenepuru Sound

68%

10 Reviews

7 Face-to-Face

Details

Turn off Queen Charlotte Drive, follow Kenepuru Rd. 3 km past Portage. Road is narrow and winding.

Not Operating

Courthouse Flat Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Courthouse Flat Campsite

Kahurangi National Park

68%

2 Reviews

 Details

DOC campsite, small fee, basic facilities

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Briar's Gully Campground

Lake Aviemore

60%

2 Reviews

 Details

The Waimate District Council looks after this campsite and for a small fee you can experience the goodness. Please register and pay on arrival...

Clements Road End Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷

Clements Road End Campsite

Kaimanawa Forest Park

no Reviews

 Details

Stay deep within the native bush of Kaimanawa Forest Park. Note the 20km gravel access road. Past the Clements Clearing Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Fowlers Campsite

Hanmer

no Reviews

 Details

· Basic facility - Free camping · 5 sites · Water supply · Dogs ok · Vehicle access · Toilet

The Lakes

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Waitangi Campground

Lake Aviemore

no Reviews

 Details

The Waimate District Council looks after this campsite and for a small fee you can experience the goodness. Please register and pay on arrival...

Te Taita A Makoro Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Te Taita A Makoro Campsite

Te Urewera

no Reviews

 Details

A long narrow gravel winding road to get there - but it's worth it! Camp next to the steam and chill.