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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 8 of 15.

Urchin Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷

Urchin Campsite

Kaimanawa Forest Park

83%

20 Reviews

 Analysis

Urchin Camping Ground is quite and remote. A great place to base yourself and cycle Tree Trunk Gorge, the Pillars of Hercules or go tramping...

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Da Barn

Matamata, Park Over Property

83%

15 Reviews

 Analysis

Next door to The Shire - Hobbiton Movie set. We offer a very safe and secure place for camper-vans.

South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷

Wingatui Racecourse

Overnight Campervan Parking

83%

13 Reviews

 Analysis

The Wingatui Racecourse on Gladstone Road in Mosgiel is operating as a Park over Property for camper vans and motor homes. Great location, quiet...

North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

Scotts Ferry Camping Ground

83%

10 Reviews

 Analysis
Nice swimming areas. Nice fishing too.

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Manganuku Campsite

Waioeka Gorge

83%

6 Reviews

 Analysis

Very easily accessed, next to State Highway 2. Camping area surrounded by native bush, beside the river and near the historic Howe Truss bridge...

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Pourerere Beach Freedom Camping

83%

6 Reviews

 Analysis

From mid December until mid February each year a ‘permit application fee' applies. For the rest of the year permits must be obtained from Council...

North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷

The Cliffs East Taratahi

Overnight Campervan Parking

83%

4 Reviews

 Analysis
Sun rising on the campsite

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Loch Laird Camping Ground

Lake Benmore - Waitaki Valley

83%

4 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...

Kuripapango Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Kuripapango (Ox Bow) Campsite

Kuripapango

83%

4 Reviews

 Analysis

An easily accessible campground beside the Napier-Taihape Rd near Kuripapango. 1 km gravel road off main road towards the river. The nearby...

Piano Flat Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Piano Flat Campsite

Waikaia

83%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

The Piano Flat Camping Ground is a riverside campsite in a farmland area. There are picnic tables and BBQ's to utilise after a good walk in the...

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Observation Beach Campsite

Abel Tasman National Park

83%

2 Reviews

 Analysis

There is now a foot track down to the beach - awesome!

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Blue Spur Farmstay

83%

1 Review

 Analysis

Private Campsite on a farm! 10 mins drive from Hokitika, a private campsite just for you. An Eco-farm, fully off-grid with friendly free-range...

The campsite

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Gillespies Beach Campsite

Gillespies Beach

82%

107 Reviews

47 Face-to-Face

Analysis

A primo spot next to the beach. The campsite is quite small and is very popular so getting a good spot may be a bit challenging, there is a good...

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Marble Hill Campsite

Springs Junction

82%

39 Reviews

10 Face-to-Face

Analysis

A great campsite surrounded by bush and hills. Camp on the grassy flats, heaps of space to find your own area. There is a shelter you can duck...

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Pleasant drive in.

North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

Wentworth Valley Campground

Coromandel Forest Park

82%

35 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Analysis

If you want the ease of lattes, golf and shops mixed with a bit of forest and outdoors goodness, then Wentworth Valley Camping Ground is for you...

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

Mistletoe Bay Eco Village Campground

Queen Charlotte Sound

82%

28 Reviews

10 Face-to-Face

Analysis

* The Kenepuru road is closed, but Mistletoe Bay Eco village remains open! Accessible via water taxi or the Queen Charlotte Track. * Not your...

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

POP 48 Marsden

82%

17 Reviews

 Analysis

Waterfront central Paihia

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Scandrett Regional Park Camping

82%

11 Reviews

 Analysis

Take State Highway 1 to Warkworth and follow the signs to Snells Beach. Approximately 3km beyond Algies Bay, turn left into Scandrett Road and...

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Kakaho Campsite

Pureora Forest Park

82%

10 Reviews

 Analysis

Kakaho Camping Ground is a large camp site on the Taupo side of the Pureora Forest Park, nestled right next a beautiful stream and lush podocarp...

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

St James Homestead Camping Ground

82%

7 Reviews

 Analysis

· Basic facility - Free camping · 6-10 sites · Water supply · Dogs ok · Vehicle access · Toilet

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Mimiha Campsite

82%

6 Reviews

 Analysis

Basic campsite near the stream - nice place to picnic or camp

North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷

Mangahuia Campsite

Mount / Mt Ruapehu

81%

66 Reviews

22 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Easily accessed from State Highway 47 and very close to National Park Village. This campsite provides less facilities than nearby Whakapapa motorcamp...

Lake Okareka Scenic Reserve

North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷

Lake Ōkāreka Campsite

81%

66 Reviews

26 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This is a small and pretty campsite 15 minutes out of Rotorua City. Also known as Lake Ōkāreka Scenic Reserve.

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Lyell Campsite

Buller Gorge

81%

42 Reviews

16 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This is a very easily accessible campsite just off the main highway. It is set in a large grassy area in the historic gold-rush town of Lyell...

Boat action - Lake Rotoroa

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Lake Rotoroa Campsite

Nelson Lakes National Park

81%

25 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Analysis

DOC campsite, small fee, basic facilities

Broken Hills Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

Broken Hills Campsite

Broken Hills area

81%

21 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Great camping next to the Tairua River and a chance to explore the gold mining area - who needs lotto when there's gold to be found! NOTE - If...

North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷

Catchpool Valley Campsite

Rimutaka Forest Park

81%

19 Reviews

7 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This is a standard campsite in the Wellington region. Camp beside Catchpool Stream close to walks in the Ōrongorongo Valley. Getting there...

French Pass Recreation Reserve

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

French Pass Campsite

French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves

81%

17 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Analysis

A campground location suited to the classic Beatles tune 'The long and winding road'. It's well worth the effort getting here though. It's edge...

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Pigeon Bay Motor Camp

Kukupa

81%

11 Reviews

 Analysis

$20/site for 2 adults. Please book and pay online.

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Rosie Bay Campsite

Te Urewera

81%

9 Reviews

 Analysis

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.