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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 7 of 15.

Park up at the 'Bend'

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Fishermans Bend campground

Lake Waitaki

86%

5 Reviews

 Analysis

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

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Timber Yard Point Lakeside Domain Camping Area

Lake Ellesmere

85%

70 Reviews

 Analysis

Lake Ellesmere is New Zealand's fifth largest lake and has a huge biodiversity of birdlife. The lake is actually a lagoon covering 20,000 hectares...

North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷

Kaitoke Regional Park Camping Ground

85%

65 Reviews

13 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Plenty of space to stay on river flats surrounded by native bush and only 30 minutes drive from Wellington City. Lots of nearby walks including...

Ambury Camping Area

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Ambury Park Camping Ground

Mangere

85%

49 Reviews

 Analysis

Ambury has basic, flat camping with toilets and drinking water nearby. Only 10 minutes drive from Auckland International Airport.

A view of Lake Wakatipu from the Kinloch Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷

Kinloch Campsite

Glenorchy

85%

37 Reviews

10 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Kinloch Camping Ground is a great place from which to start the many walks around the area such as the Greenstone or the Caples walks. The campsite...

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Nelson Creek Camping Ground

Ngahere

85%

23 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Analysis

$6 per person, per night.

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Wenderholm Camping Ground

Wenderholm Regional Park

85%

22 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Gates open at 6am and close at 9pm

Ohinepane Camping Ground - Whanganui Journey

North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷

Ohinepane Campsite

Ohinepane Recreation Reserve

85%

14 Reviews

 Analysis

Great Walk Hut

Lake Rotorangi Hydro Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷

Patea Dam / Lake Rotorangi

Freedom Camping Ground

85%

6 Reviews

 Analysis

Camping at Patea Dam in South Taranaki

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Tōtaranui Great Walk campsite

85%

4 Reviews

 Analysis
Boat Harbour

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Otematata Boat Harbour campground

Lake Benmore - Waitaki Valley

85%

3 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 ▷ Ruapehu ▷

Tīeke Marae/Kāinga Campsite

Whanganui National Park

85%

2 Reviews

 Analysis
The jetty at Lake Paringa

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Lake Paringa Campsite

Haast, Paringa and Moeraki rivers area

84%

93 Reviews

32 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This small campsite is placed right next to Lake Paringa, a serene lake with good fishing and boating. The lake is set in a mature forest backdrop...

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Lake Maraetai Camping Reserve

Mangakino

84%

41 Reviews

 Analysis

Free camping on the Mangakino Recreation reserve on the shore of Lake Maraetai.

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Goldsborough

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Goldsborough Campsite

Hokitika

84%

38 Reviews

10 Face-to-Face

Analysis

A large secluded campsite at the site of an old gold mining town. Its sheltered, it has a shelter, picnic areas and BBQ's, you can even take your...

Klondyke Corner Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Klondyke Corner Campsite

Arthurs Pass

84%

32 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Klondyke Corner Camping Ground is a large open campsite surrounded by large trees creating a good sheltered spot. It is right on the banks of...

North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷

Belmont Regional Park

Dry Creek Valley Camping

84%

32 Reviews

 Analysis

If you like walking, mountain biking and stunning, well-earnt views, come camping at Dry Creek in Belmont Regional Park.

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Railway Reserve, Marshall Street, Paeroa

84%

18 Reviews

 Analysis

The site is located on Marshall Street, Paeroa. A dump station is available at the site. Power is available at this site which incurs a fee...

North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷

Kaimanawa Road Campsite

Kaimanawa Forest Park

84%

18 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This camping ground is at the edge of the Kaimanawa Forest Park. It is situated in a wicked setting high above the river. Heaps of tramps start...

Thicket Burn Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Thicket Burn Campsite

Lake Hauroko

84%

14 Reviews

 Analysis

Just 5km's from New Zealand's deepest lake. This campsite is a bit off the beaten track and it's quite a long drive along a gravel road to get...

South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷

St Bathans Campsite

84%

14 Reviews

 Analysis

A basic campsite in a remote and historic area, explore the St Bathans township of mountain bike the Otago Rail Trail. Primo.

Anatori Beach

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Anatori River Camping Ground

84%

13 Reviews

 Analysis

Absolutely Stunning West Coast Freedom Camp

The beach

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Pikowai Reserve Camping Ground

84%

10 Reviews

 Analysis

A popular seaside camping ground

North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

Hotoritori Campsite

Kauaeranga Valley

84%

8 Reviews

 Analysis
Waiohine campground is surrounded by native bush.

North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷

Waiohine Gorge Campsite

Tararua Forest Park

84%

6 Reviews

 Analysis

Waiohine Gorge Campground is set in a beautiful bush setting, located above a river junction and next to one of the best accessible swing bridges...

Harvey Bay Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

Harvey Bay Campsite

Tennyson Inlet

84%

4 Reviews

 Analysis

A large, flat, sheltered camping area which makes a great base for exploring the Tennyson Inlet and the nearby area by boat, foot or by mountain...

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Angelus Hut campsite

Nelson Lakes National Park

84%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷

Cascade Creek Campsite

Milford Rd

83%

171 Reviews

39 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This large sheltered campsite is suitable for larger vehicles. There are lots of different areas to park up on and call your own and there is...

South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷

Puhi Puhi Camping

83%

36 Reviews

15 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This is a small peaceful grassy campsite with basic facilities close to Kaikoura. There is a short bushwalk to help stretch the legs. Please don...

Chill out and enjoy

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Lake Ianthe Matahi Campsite

Harihari area

83%

31 Reviews

7 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Another one of the wonderful West Coast's forest-lined fresh water lakes. Popular for fishing, boating and swimming.