Back

Freedom Camping

View Map
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.

Filter by Region

All Regions

Filter by Overnight Stay Rules

Any rules

Filter by Overnight Camping Site Cost

Any cost

487 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 3 of 17.

Tiny

North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷

Owhiro Bay Overnight Campervan Parking

92%

85 Reviews

 Analysis

Beachfront Freedom Camping away from the city

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

Kowharewa Bay

Overnight Campervan Parking

92%

35 Reviews

 Analysis

Absolutely no tents are allowed

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Dotterel Point Overnight Campervan Parking

Pukehina

92%

32 Reviews

 Analysis

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

South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷

West End Carpark, Kaikoura

Overnight Campervan Parking

92%

22 Reviews

 Analysis

- 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...

North Island ▷ Tairāwhiti Gisborne ▷

Makorori Carpark, Gisborne

Overnight Campervan Parking

92%

18 Reviews

 Analysis

Certified self-contained vehicles only. Parks within painted blue lines. 3 nights maximum stay only.

North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷

Orakei Korako Geyserland Resort

Overnight Campervan Parking

92%

18 Reviews

 Analysis

Awesome view of the lake.

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

O'Neills Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

92%

16 Reviews

 Analysis

This is a Timaru District Council designated freedom camping spot. Please respect the freedom camping etiquette and leave things how you find...

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Brighton Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

92%

13 Reviews

 Analysis

Freedom Camping is prohibited from the third week of December to 10th February. There is a 3 night maximum stay in any 4 week consecutive period...

Waimea Road Carpark

North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷

Waimea Road Beach Carpark

Overnight Campervan Parking

92%

13 Reviews

 Analysis

Overnight parking for up to 2 self contained campervans that can stay a maximum 1 night at Waimea Road Beach Carpark.

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking

Southern end of lake

91%

209 Reviews

15 Face-to-Face

Analysis

Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Cobden Beachfront, Greymouth

Overnight Campervan Parking

91%

113 Reviews

 Analysis

Self-contained vehicles only All freedom campers are limited to three nights in any one location and ten nights overall in any calendar month

South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷

Kingston Lake Camp

91%

40 Reviews

 Analysis

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

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

Iveagh Bay

Overnight Campervan Parking

91%

39 Reviews

4 Face-to-Face

Analysis

CERTIFIED SELF CONTAINED ONLY All freedom campers are limited to three nights in any one location and ten nights overall in any calendar month...

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Colac Bay / Oraka Township Overnight Campervan Parking

91%

27 Reviews

 Analysis

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

Camping NZ App Icon

Camping NZ App

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.

Download from the App Store Download Android app on Google Play

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Hauraki Rail Trail Terminus

East Coast Road, Kaiaua - Overnight Campervan Parking

91%

26 Reviews

 Analysis

The Hauraki Rail Trail terminus is just north of the Kaiaua township. Freedom camping is restricted to designated carparks. Camping in non...

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

Lake Ruataniwha Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

91%

16 Reviews

 Analysis

The MacKenzie District Council has allowed freedom camping along the shores of Lake Ruataniwha. Camping not permitted between 23 December and...

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

Wakapuaka Reserve Carpark

Overnight Campervan Parking

91%

11 Reviews

 Analysis

Certified self-contained vehicles only Maximum 3 vehicles Council enforces the vehicle limit under their Bylaw and a $200 infringement fine...

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

Boyd Park freedom camping area

91%

9 Reviews

 Analysis

Freedom camping at Boyd Park in Te Aroha

North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷

Te Maire Carpark

Overnight Campervan Parking

91%

7 Reviews

 Analysis

North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

Whanganui East Club

Overnight Campervan Parking

91%

4 Reviews

 Analysis

Available to self-contained campervans only

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Balls Clearing Roadend Carpark

Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

91%

2 Reviews

 Analysis

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

South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷

Burton Creek Recreation Reserve

Overnight Camping

91%

1 Review

 Analysis

Free Campsite on the edge of the water above the Clyde Dam. 15 spaces for Self-Contained vehicles only. Maximum of 3 consecutive nights stay.

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

Clifton Road Reserve

Freedom Camping

90%

96 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Analysis

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 ▷ Coromandel ▷

Waiomu Domain Beachfront Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

90%

45 Reviews

 Analysis

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

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

Ocean Beach Carpark, Whangarei

Overnight Campervan Parking

90%

32 Reviews

 Analysis

ABSOLUTELY NO TENTS ALLOWED One night maximum. You must park in the designated site that is indicated by signage. If the site is full, you...

South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷

Katiki Beach North Reserve Rest Stop

90%

23 Reviews

 Analysis

The small reserve at the north end of Katiki beach is available for overnight parking for self-contained vans. There is room for large vans, but...

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷

(Clive Ski Reserve)

Evers-Swindell Reserve

Freedom Camping

90%

19 Reviews

 Analysis

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

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Rotary Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

90%

18 Reviews

 Analysis

Certified self-contained campervans can stay for up to 2 nights per calendar month. Nab your spot early - only 3 vehicles per night, so it's first...

Tiny

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Waihao Box, Willowbridge

Overnight Campervan Parking

90%

16 Reviews

 Analysis

Park up close to the coast and watch the sun rise. The Waimate District Council has OK-ed this area for the use of self-contained campers for...

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Thornbury Bridge Picnic Area

Overnight Campervan Parking

90%

6 Reviews

 Analysis