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Basic Camping

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Kerosene Creek, Rotorua

PhotoVaughan Brookfield

Cymen Crick

Thanks to local councils and DOC, we're lucky to have some of the most pristine campsite locations in the world.

While others are pretty marginal to be honest. You'll find them all here.

And you can view great campsites in NZ on our Camping NZ map.

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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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447 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 5 of 15.

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

Rarangi Campsite

Blenheim area

88%

29 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Camp next to a beach. Fish, walk, picnic, surf or walk to Monkey Bay.

sheltering in the trees near the fire pits.

South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷

Mavora Lakes Campsite

Mavora Lakes Conservation Park

88%

20 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Analysis

A beautiful place to stay with views of mountains and the lake. There is some great biking in the area as well as heaps of walks and fishing...

The reservoir below

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Cobb River Campsite

88%

19 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Analysis

A long and windy road up alongside the Takaka River (good swimming holes can be found) to the hydro power station. From there the road leads up...

South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷

Trotters Gorge Campsite

Moeraki

88%

19 Reviews

 Analysis

Close to Moeraki, turn off at Horse Range Road and follow for about 4.5km to Trotters Gorge. The campsite is surrounded by mature native forest...

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Whitecliffs Domain

88%

15 Reviews

 Analysis

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Woodlyn Park

88%

9 Reviews

 Analysis

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

(Te tōpuni ki te Tāhuna o Kaiaua)

Kaiaua Beach

Freedom Camping

88%

7 Reviews

 Analysis

Camping at Kaiaua Beach is from 23 October - 30 April. You must have a permit before you set up camp. Apply for permit on the website link...

Freedom camping by the river

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

(Te tōpuni ki te Pāka o Doneraille)

Doneraille Park Freedom Camping

Tiniroto

88%

5 Reviews

 Analysis

Riverside Freedom Camping.

Temporarily CLOSED for the season...

Te Pakau (Eight Acre) Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Te Pakau (Eight Acre) Campsite

Te Urewera

88%

4 Reviews

 Analysis

This campsite was once a dairy farm. There are heaps of walks in the area in the amazing forest.

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Mita Bay Camping Ground

Mahurangi Regional Park

88%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

Walking access only - 45 mins

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Heaphy Campsite

Kahurangi National Park

88%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

Pohangina Base Campsite

Pohangina Valley area

88%

3 Reviews

 Analysis
Waikahoa Bay Campsite - Mimiwhangata

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

Waikahoa Bay Campsite

Mimiwhangata Coastal Park

88%

2 Reviews

 Analysis

No vehicle access

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

Trounson Kauri Park Campground

Trounson Kauri Park

87%

90 Reviews

27 Face-to-Face

Analysis

The Trounson Kauri Park was New Zealand's first 'mainland island', an intensively managed area which helps to protect and restore New Zealand...

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Camping at the top

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

(Spirits Bay Campsite)

Kapowairua Campsite

Te Paki Recreation Reserve, Cape Reinga

87%

71 Reviews

29 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This is the perfect place to go fishing and swimming! The Kapowairua Camping Ground is situated close to the beach and the lagoon.

Waihora Park Reserve Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Waihora Park Domain Camping Ground

Motukarara

87%

29 Reviews

 Analysis

The Waihora Park Domain is a very peaceful setting in Motukarara, near Banks Penisula on the way out to Akaroa. T It has public toilets and...

Cannon Downs Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Canaan Downs Campsite

Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve

87%

27 Reviews

12 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Remote DOC campsite, small fee, basic facilities

North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

(Putai Ngahere)

Vinegar Hill Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

87%

23 Reviews

4 Face-to-Face

Analysis

One of the district's most popular and well-used picnic and camping reserves.

Kiriwhakapapa Camping Ground - Tararua Forest Park

North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷

Kiriwhakapapa Campsite

Masterton

87%

14 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This is a lovely family campsite beside a creek. Choose from a variety of nearby walks. Access road is unsealed for the final 5km.

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

Titirangi Farm Camping Ground

Pelorus Sound

87%

13 Reviews

 Analysis

Titirangi Farm is a sheep and cattle farm situated in the outer Pelorus Sound. It has stunning views to the Chetwode and Titi Islands. Titirangi...

Lake Middleton

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Lake Middleton Campsite

Twizel area

87%

12 Reviews

 Analysis

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

North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

Whangaiterenga Campsite

Kauaeranga Valley

87%

7 Reviews

 Analysis

This is one of nine campsites beside the Kauaeranga River.

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Apple Tree Bay Campsite

Abel Tasman National Park

87%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

Kahikatea Campsite

Coromandel Forest Park

87%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

Number of powered sites is 18, including 4 sites suitable for large mobile homes/buses. Maximum number of people per site is 6. Facilities...

Lot's of space. Picnic tables. Fire pits.

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Omahuru Campsite

87%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

Wilderness Camping

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Wai-iti Domain

Overnight Campervan Parking

87%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

Self contained vehicles can stay for a maximum of two nights. You must contact the Tasman District Council and inform them of your vehcile details...

Tawa Bay Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

Tawa Bay Campsite

Tennyson Inlet

87%

1 Review

 Analysis

Boat access only

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Waiharuru Campsite

Lake Waikaremoana

87%

1 Review

 Analysis

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Anapai Bay Campsite

Abel Tasman National Park

87%

1 Review

 Analysis

North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷

Whakahoro Campsite

Whanganui National Park

87%

1 Review

 Analysis

Great Walk Hut