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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 9 of 15.

Fantail Bay Recreation Reserve

North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

Fantail Bay Campsite

Northern Coromandel

81%

8 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Analysis

DOC campsite, small fee, basic facilities

Loch Katrine Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Loch Katrine Campsite

Lake Sumner Conservation Park

81%

6 Reviews

 Analysis

Camp beside the beautiful lake in a large grassy area. There is lots of mountain biking, walking or 4WD missions to go on in this area. Swimming...

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Bark Bay Campsite

Abel Tasman National Park

81%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

(Te tōpuni ki te Tāhuna o Waihau)

Waihau / Loisels Beach Freedom Camping

81%

2 Reviews

 Analysis

Temporarily CLOSED this season - 2023-2024 Camping at Waihau Beach - Loisels is from 23 October - 30 April. You must have a permit before...

Temporarily CLOSED this season...

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Thousand Acres Camping Ground

Hunua Ranges

81%

2 Reviews

 Analysis

Walking accessed campsite in the Hunua Ranges

North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

John Coull Campsite

Whanganui National Park

81%

2 Reviews

 Analysis

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

McCreadies Paddock Camping Ground

Karekare

81%

2 Reviews

 Analysis

Small tent sites only

North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷

Ladyhawke Mobile Home Park

81%

1 Review

 Analysis

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Kiwi Corral

81%

1 Review

 Analysis

Kiwi Corral: Working Hostel, Te Puke NZ Located near Te Puke in New Zealand, the Kiwi Corral Working Hostel provides backpacker-style accommodation...

Park up under the giant pines

South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷

Albert Town Camping Ground

80%

146 Reviews

24 Face-to-Face

Analysis

The Albert Town campground is managed by Hampshire Holiday Parks Wanaka and does not have an onsite reception. No bookings are taken for this...

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Lake Mahinapua Campsite

Mahinapua Scenic Reserve

80%

101 Reviews

32 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Camp beside Lake Mahinapua within forest surroundings. A popular overnight and day stop. Enjoy water sports in the lake.

South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷

Henry Creek Campsite

Milford Rd

80%

101 Reviews

35 Face-to-Face

Analysis

This campsite is the closest DOC campsite to Te Anau on the popular scenic drive to Milford Sound.

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

East Cape Campground

80%

55 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Analysis

East Cape Campground sits along East Cape Road at Gisborne. You'll be in awe at finding yourself the middle of views and places you never thought...

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Te Kopua Whanau Camping Ground

80%

48 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Analysis

A very basic camping ground for $10 per person, per night. Situated away from the surf at Ocean Beach. A great place to watch a west coast sunset...

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Lindis Pass Historic Hotel

South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷

Lindis Pass Historic Hotel Campsite

Nine Mile Historic Reserve

80%

45 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Analysis

A great opportunity to camp amongst historic ruins of a by-gone era at the Lindis Pass Historic Hotel. Enjoy the experience, but please don't...

overview

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Lignite Pit Cafe and Secret Garden

80%

29 Reviews

 Analysis

A secret garden hidden from view of the passing traffic. So call in and sit back and enjoy the views over the pond watching the wildlife.

Amazing vistas from Hawdon Shelter Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Hawdon Shelter Campsite

Arthurs Pass

80%

20 Reviews

4 Face-to-Face

Analysis

The Hawdon Shelter Camping Ground is a huge camping area on the grassy flats surrounded by mature beech trees. This place could be a bit exposed...

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Hakatere Camping Reserve

80%

14 Reviews

 Analysis

The camping area at Hakatere is located at 1226 River Road, opposite the mailboxes for the Lower Hakatere Hut Holders Association. This campground...

beach front camping

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

Te Kohanga Camping Ground

Ahipara

80%

13 Reviews

 Analysis

$25 per night, long drop toilets and cold showers

Picnic Bay Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

Picnic Bay Campsite

Kenepuru Sound

80%

9 Reviews

 Analysis

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

Not Operating

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Raglan Club

Overnight Campervan Parking

80%

7 Reviews

 Analysis
Overnight parking in blue area

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Port Albert Wharf Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

80%

7 Reviews

 Analysis

A maximum of 10 self-contained vehicles can stay overnight in the area designated for freedom camping. If you want to stay overnight in this...

Piropiro Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Piropiro Campsite

Pureora Forest Park

80%

7 Reviews

 Analysis

Piropiro Camping Ground is a great place from which to access the Pureora Forest Park. Go hunting, tramping or mountain biking - this place is...

Pouawa Beach

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

(Te tōpuni ki te Tāhuna o Pouawa)

Pouawa Beach

Freedom Camping

80%

6 Reviews

 Analysis

Camping at Pouawa Beach is from 23 October - 30 April. You must have a permit before you set up camp. Apply here online There's no charge...

Mid Okahu Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Mid Okahu Road Campsite

Whirinaki Forest Park

80%

5 Reviews

 Analysis

There are two sites to camp on Okahu Road, the road end and the larger mid-Okahu camp (formerly known as Grader Camp), they are about 7km apart...

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

Pandora Campsite

Te Paki Recreation Reserve

80%

5 Reviews

 Analysis

Accessible on foot only, no drive in access. A perfect place for fishing and relaxing.

Pandora Campsite is Currently...

Whitikau Camping Ground

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Whitikau Campsite

Raukumara Forest Park

80%

3 Reviews

 Analysis

Located alongside the mighty, long and winding Motu Coach road, this remote campsite is at the Whitikau entrace to Raukumara Forest Park.

Mt Nimrod Camping Ground

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Mt Nimrod Campsite

Motukaika

80%

1 Review

 Analysis

The Mt Nimrod Camping Ground is a quiet campsite southwest of Timaru on the edge of the Hunter Hills Conservation Area. There are picnic and recycling...

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Te Pukatea Bay Campsite

Abel Tasman National Park

80%

1 Review

 Analysis

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Scotts Beach Campsite

Kahurangi National Park

80%

1 Review

 Analysis