Freedom Camping

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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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Free Camping

457 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 2 of 16.

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Willow Creek

4 Reviews

Please leave the site as you found it, especially take rubbish away and no toilet paper in the bushes.

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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Omokoroa

Cooney Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

4 Reviews

Freedom camping is allowed for campervans and motorhomes with self-containment certification at Cooney Reserve in Omokoroa, 15 minutes north of...

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To get away from the roadside crowds and their literal arsenal of cameras, we walked 1/2 mile and found a lovely little rock for a cheesy yoga pose. (Off in the distance is Mount Cook.)

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking

Southern end of lake

184 Reviews

15 Face-to-Face

Details

Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping

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Doc Visitor centre and Carpark

North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷

North Egmont Carparks

Egmont National Park - Overnight Campervan Parking

41 Reviews

7 Face-to-Face

Details

The visitor centre has displays on the local volcanic history and ecology along with displays of the European and Maori history of the mountain...

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View of harbour from campsite

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Port Ohope Boat Ramp

Overnight Campervan Parking

27 Reviews

This one is a goody

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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Island View Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

18 Reviews

There is a 3 night maximum stay in any 4 week consecutive period at this site. The 4 consecutive weeks begin from the first overnight stay.

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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Kairakau Beach Freedom Camping

17 Reviews

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

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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

West End Carpark, Whakatane

Overnight Campervan Parking

13 Reviews

Camping at West End car park is prohibited between the beginning of the third week of December and 31 March.

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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Forks Hotel

Waihao - Overnight Campervan Parking

5 Reviews

The Waimate District Council allows freedom campers in self-contained vehicles to park here for a maximum of two nights, in the carpark of the...

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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Clifton Road Reserve

Freedom Camping

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...

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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Rays Rest Camping Reserve

Kaiaua

48 Reviews

Rays Rest Reserve in Miranda is located beachside, next to the Taramaire Wildlife Refuge Reserve. The Hauraki District Council allows free-camping...

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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Cust Domain

Overnight Campervan Parking

43 Reviews

Freedom campers are asked to assist by: - removing all rubbish, solid or liquid waste from the camping site when leaving - disposing of rubbish...

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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

Waiomu Domain Beachfront Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

38 Reviews

All freedom campers must be certified self-contained. Maximum stay of two consecutive nights, departure by 9am. Park only between the freedom...

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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Dotterel Point Overnight Campervan Parking

Pukehina

32 Reviews

Freedom camping for self-contained campers at Dotterel Point in Puekehina

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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.

South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷

Kingston Lake Camp

31 Reviews

With Queenstown banning all freedom camping, this is the closest free campsite to the city. Thirty minutes south of Queenstown, along the shores...

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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

The Strand Freedom Camping Area, Reefton

16 Reviews

Welcome to The Strand

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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Island View Esplanade Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

15 Reviews

Free-camping at Island View Esplanade Reserve on Tuna Ave, Waihi Beach

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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Puketapu Domain

Overnight Campervan Parking

10 Reviews

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...

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Haumoana Domain Freedom Camping

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Haumoana Domain

Freedom Camping

31 Reviews

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...

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South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Colac Bay / Oraka Township Overnight Campervan Parking

26 Reviews

Freedom camping is permitted for self-contained and certified campervans, motorhomes and RVs at Colac Bay in Southland. Vehicles can park for...

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Just past the bridge

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Lake Wardell Rest Area Overnight Campervan Parking

Twizel

26 Reviews

Large camping area underneath pine trees

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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷

West End Carpark, Kaikoura

Overnight Campervan Parking

17 Reviews

- Camping for free in a certified self-contained vehicle is allowed for a maximum of 1 night in any four week period. - Vehicles must park within...

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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Beach Road, Kakapotahi

Overnight Campervan Parking

14 Reviews

Self-contained vehicles only No more than 2 consecutive nights No fires If there are more than 15 vehicles at the site then you must go to...

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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Arapuni Landing

Lake Arapuni - Freedom Camping

12 Reviews

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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

McAlister Street Carpark Overnight Campervan Parking

11 Reviews

Self-contained, 48 hours limit, 5 designated car park sites. Maximum possible motor vehicle length: 10 metres. Dog leash area.

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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

Bartlett's Ford Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

5 Reviews

Bartletts Ford is a 0.6250ha reserve with the river running alongside. It is popular for casual summer recreation with river access, swimming...

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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Balls Clearing Roadend Carpark

Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

2 Reviews

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

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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Hauraki Rail Trail Terminus

East Coast Road, Kaiaua - Overnight Campervan Parking

22 Reviews

The Hauraki Rail Trail terminus is just north of the Kaiaua township. Freedom camping is restricted to designated carparks. Self contained...

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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷

Kimberley Reserve, Levin

Overnight Campervan Parking

12 Reviews

- Camping is permitted 1 December - Easter Weekend, subject to availability - There is a toilet/changing block open during this period - A permit...

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South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Alex McKenzie Arboretum, Otautau

Overnight Campervan Parking

9 Reviews

The intrepid Southland explorer can camp for up to four nights at the Alex McKenzie Arboretum & picnic area just outside Otautau. This place...

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