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Freedom Camping

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Bay of Islands, Northland

PhotoAlistair Guthrie

Accommodation ▷ Camping Grounds ▷

Freedom Camping Locations

Expect no facilities. Generally for self contained vehicles only.

A few unprepared freedom campers have affected Aotearoa, socially and environmentally. New Zealanders are very aware of this, and some now see freedom campers as a threat to the environment and our collective ability to enjoy it.

We don’t want you to be seen in this light. Please be respectful of the environment and the local people. These freedom camping tips will show the way.

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Hawkes Bay

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Self-contained motorhomes only

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Any cost

18 items with the highest ranking score first

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Kairakau Beach Freedom Camping

94%

17 Reviews

 Details

Free camping for self-contained campers at Central Hawkes Bay's Kairakau Beach

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Clifton Road Reserve

Freedom Camping

93%

88 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Details

There is a donation box near the toilet block and a suggested donation of $3.00 per person is welcomed. Beachfront free-camping! We love it...

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Puketapu Domain

Overnight Campervan Parking

93%

10 Reviews

 Details

Puketapu Park is one of the Hawkes Bay's freedom camping zones.This reserve sits alongside the Tutaekuri River, west of Napier, and is a short...

Haumoana Domain Freedom Camping

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Haumoana Domain

Freedom Camping

92%

31 Reviews

 Details

This location has lots of space, with shaded nooks and crannies around shrubs and trees, so you can choose your fav camping spot for the night...

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Balls Clearing Roadend Carpark

Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

92%

2 Reviews

 Details

This reserve is the best place in Hawke’s Bay to experience a lowland podocarp forest.

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

(Clive Ski Reserve)

Evers-Swindell Reserve

Freedom Camping

87%

18 Reviews

 Details

Evers-Swindell Reserve (previously Clive Ski Reserve) on the Clive River is a designated free-camping area for certified self-contained motorhomes...

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

BMX Pump Track Carpark, Marine Parade

Overnight Campervan Parking

85%

48 Reviews

 Details

3 nights maximum stay Vehicles must have a current self-containment certificate.

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Aramoana Beach Freedom Camping

Hawkes Bay

83%

3 Reviews

 Details

Free camping for self-contained campervans and motorhomes at Aramoana Beach in Southern Hawkes Bay

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All the great camping sites on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.

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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Perfume Point Carpark, Napier

Overnight Campervan Parking

81%

24 Reviews

 Details

A maximum of 2 nights stay. Vehicles must have a current self-containment certificate. A maximum of four vehicles are allowed here at any...

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Maraetotara Falls Reserve

Freedom Camping

78%

7 Reviews

4 Face-to-Face

Details

At the Maraetotara Falls Reserve, certified self-contained campervans and motorhomes can freedom camp for a maximum of two nights. Short bush...

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Shine Falls

Overnight Campervan Parking

78%

3 Reviews

 Details

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Westshore Beach Reserve Carpark

Napier - Overnight Campervan Parking

75%

9 Reviews

 Details

From as early as 2014, Council have received a large number of complaints each year from local residents about people using the site in breach...

Overnight parking area.

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Pakowhai Country Park

Freedom Camping

73%

5 Reviews

 Details

Courtesy of the Hastings District Council, certified self-contained campervans and motorhomes can stay up to two nights here. Situated by the...

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Mohi Bush Picnic Area

Mohi Bush Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

67%

5 Reviews

 Details

Mohi Bush is considered the best reserve on the Maraetotara Plateau for people to explore.

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Tangoio Falls

Overnight Campervan Parking

67%

1 Review

 Details

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

White Pine Bush Picnic Area

White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

67%

1 Review

 Details

White Pine Bush is a great place to visit and experience a piece of New Zealand native forest.

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Elsthorpe Carpark

Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

67%

1 Review

 Details

Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve is made up of two blocks of mature lowland podocarp forest with excellent examples of kahikatea, matai, miro and totara...

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Dartmoor Bridge Reserve

Freedom Camping

59%

1 Review

 Details

Dartmoor Bridge Reserve, in the Dartmoor Valley about 30 minutes inland from Napier, is a designated free-camping area for certified self-contained...