Bay of Islands, Northland

PhotoAlistair Guthrie

With great freedom comes equal responsibility.

Here's my insights from Freedom Camping for more than 20 years.

View great campsites in NZ on our Camping NZ map.

CC
Cymen Crick's avatar
Drag

AccommodationCamping 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.

483 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 4 of 17.

rankers

The Cook Strait Ferry

Save 10% when you use promo code rankers and show your free Rankers digital membership card at check in. Learn more

Save 10%

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

Tararua Club, Pahiatua

Overnight Campervan Parking

North IslandTaranaki

Opunake Lake Carpark, Opunake

Overnight Campervan Parking

South IslandCoastal Otago

An unofficial freedom camping spot with toilets by the sports fields. Right on the beach.

North IslandRuapehu

National Army Museum

Overnight Campervan Parking

Park at the back of the Museum in the last bay of the car park closest to the old Headquarters building - this location provides a bigger area...

South IslandCoastal Otago

Ocean View Reserve Carpark, Dunedin

Overnight Campervan Parking

If you are in a vehicle then you are welcome here. Please make sure you adhere to the area permitted which is shown on the maps onsite and with...

South IslandWest Coast

Iveagh Bay

Overnight Campervan Parking

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

Welcome to Fox River/Potikohua

rankers

The Cook Strait Ferry

Save 10% when you use promo code rankers and show your free Rankers digital membership card at check in. Learn more

Save 10%

North IslandNorthland

Closed to campers between 18 December and 8 February inclusive each year. Open to day trippers only during that period. ABSOLUTELY NO TENTS...

North IslandHawkes Bay

(Clive Ski Reserve)

Evers-Swindell Reserve

Freedom Camping

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

South IslandCentral Otago

Champagne Gully

Overnight Campervan Parking

These camping areas are free for everyone to enjoy, if they follow some simple guidelines. These include: not lighting fires using the rubbish...

North IslandBay of Plenty

Rotary Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

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...

South IslandSouthland

Winton

Overnight Campervan Parking

Self-contained vehicles only. Self-contained camping up to 7 nights in any 30 day period.

South IslandCanterbury

Waihao Box, Willowbridge

Overnight Campervan Parking

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...

Overnight parking in blue area

North IslandAuckland Region

Whisper Cove, Snells Beach

Overnight Campervan Parking

A maximum of two freedom camping vehicles may stay overnight in the area A person wishing to stay overnight must – (1) use a certified self...

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 IslandBay of Plenty

Otamarakau Beach Access

Overnight Campervan Parking

A private, beachside parking spot for self contained vehicles. There is a 3 night maximum stay in any 4 week consecutive period at this site...

The carpark area is behind the Council building. Freedom camping is restricted to designatedcarparks. Note: Freedom camping is not permitted on...

South IslandCanterbury

Black Hole, Waihao Downs

Overnight Campervan Parking

This is a Waimate District Council designated freedom camping spot for self-contained vehicles. You can park for up to two nights close to the...

Self-contained campervans can stay 1 night in summer (daylight saving), 2 nights in winter (non-daylight saving) Max 8 vehicles $16 per...

North IslandWaikato

Horahora Domain

Overnight Campervan Parking

Wairau Diversion is a worth a diversion.

South IslandMarlborough

Wairau Diversion Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

Overnight Freedom Camping on the coast at Wairau Diversion Reserve. Great fishing and white-baiting spot. Good surfing too when there's an easterly...

North IslandWaikato

Te Kauwhata Domain

Overnight Campervan Parking

Stay for a maximum of three nights. Suitable for non self-contained vehicles to stay here.

North IslandTaranaki

Lake Rotomanu, New Plymouth

Overnight Campervan Parking

Tents and other temporary structures are banned from freedom camping in New Plymouth District. People freedom camping in non-self-contained...

rankers

The Cook Strait Ferry

Save 10% when you use promo code rankers and show your free Rankers digital membership card at check in. Learn more

Save 10%

North IslandNorthland

Ruakaka Beach Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

Self Contained Campsite

North IslandNorthland

Parua Bay

Overnight Campervan Parking

Beachside reserve with large flat grassy area and boat ramp access. You must park in the designated site that is indicated by signage. If...

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

Timona Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

Large open park beside the river.

Just past the bridge

Large camping area underneath pine trees

South IslandMarlborough

Renwick Domain Carpark

Freedom Camping

Freedom Camping in Wine Country

Renwick Domain, Renwick, Marlborough...

North IslandTaranaki

Dawson Falls Carparks

Egmont National Park - Overnight Campervan Parking

Explore the Dawson Falls area from this great base. A feature is one of New Zealand's oldest operational power generators.

North IslandWellington Region

Garden Rd Carpark

Raumati Beach - Overnight Campervan Parking

This carpark is well situated being right on the beach and very close to local Raumati Village shops. Overnight parking for up to 3 self contained...

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...

rankers

The Cook Strait Ferry

Save 10% when you use promo code rankers and show your free Rankers digital membership card at check in. Learn more

Save 10%