Camping in New Zealand

From Māori maraes to volcanic landscapes, New Zealand offers some of the most diverse camping in the world.

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Karina

April 2025

4 m Class B

Weekend Trip to Sommerfeldt Farm

Ideal stop over as we left Auckland airport late due to delayed flight. Easy to find. Quiet over night so peaceful sleep. We were up and gone early but saw the sunrise over the paddocks and sheep.

Weekend Trip to Puhoi cottage tearooms

Unfortunately I had to cancel this stay at short notice due to falling sick. Steve the host was very understanding and hopefully can reschedule soon.

2 nights at Beach Front Paradise

Camp site was easy to find. To have running water at the camp was a real bonus. Lovely tranquil setting. Had a good relaxing time. And close to the beach with an awesome view. Best hosts ever. Will definitely visit again.

6 top wheelchair-accessible campgrounds in New Zealand

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Sommerfeldt Farm

1 site · RV, Tent14 acres · Pukekohe

We are a small farm in a beautiful rural village on the outskirts of Auckland. As well as being a lovely village we are close to beaches, forests & bush walks. We are close enough to Auckland for Daytrips if you want to experience the Big Smoke and far enough away to be away from the hub Bub of city life. We are approx halfway between Auckland city and Hamilton City so a great stop off point if travelling North or South

@ The Paddock - free unlimited WIFI

4 sites · RVs2 acres

@ The Paddock – Secure, Pet-Friendly Parkover for Self-Contained Campers – Free Wi-Fi Welcome to “The Paddock”, a privately owned, well-maintained and secure parkover site just minutes from central Napier. It’s perfect for certified self-contained vehicles, offering peace of mind, unlimited free Wi-Fi, and a relaxed stay — all with no host on-site. ✅ Secure and gated with CCTV ✅ Free unlimited Wi-Fi (strong outdoor aerial) ✅ Pets and horses welcome (conditions apply) ✅ Self check-in with gate code ✅ Flat, mowed paddock ✅ Central Napier location The Space “The Paddock” is ideal for campers travelling in a certified self-contained vehicle including a motorhome, campervan, RV, caravan or converted bus. It’s a quiet, flat grassy space, gated and fenced for safety, with no staff on site. You're free to come and go independently using the gate access code provided after booking. No toilets, water, or showers Strictly for self-contained vehicles only Not suitable for tents or permanent camping One vehicle per booking only Guest Access You’ll receive a message with the gate access code after booking. Free parking anywhere in the paddock (please avoid blocking shed roller doors).

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Puhoi cottage tearooms

1 site · Tent1 acre · Silverdale

Space for 5 or 6 tents on bottom of property overlooking puhoi river. Flat ground but elevated from river and with views of a little island and waterfall at low tide. Toilet available 24/7 food available in the teahouse on the property It is the oldest teahouse in New Zealand 300 metres to the famous puhoi pub and general store

Cottage Garden

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Raetihi

I've got under an acre section with a small cottage. The section is pretty flat and fully fenced. Locally in Raetihi we have a walk along our river and within a 30-40 minute drive there are three national parks with plenty of walks and bike tracks. My section is pretty basic, but I've got a doggie so pets are very welcome, and I'm happy to have them hang out in the yard while you go to the non dog friendly activities.

Dune Lakes Retreat

1 site · Lodging37 acres · Helensville

Dune Lakes Retreat and Equine Centre is situated on the beautiful South Kaipara Head Peninsula. The Kaipara South Head is a massive, ancient sand barrier that separates the South Kaipara Harbour from the Tasman Sea. A long line of inter-dune hollows runs up the Kaipara South Head, parallel to the coastline. These inter-dune hollows are lower than the groundwater level so they fill up with groundwater to create fresh water lakes. Lake Ototoa is the largest of these inter-dune lakes. Lake Kereta is another smaller example, as shown in the photo below. To the West The wild coastline and spectacular sunsets over the Tasman Sea and 65 kilometres of Muriwai/Rangatira Beach. To the East The sheltered waters and sunrises over the Kaipara Harbour and Shelly Beach to the east.The Kaipara is the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a pristine and peaceful environment as well as a highly valued recreation area. It is an important feeding ground for marine mammals - orca and dolphins are often seen in the harbour - as well as an internationally significant roosting and feeding area for migratory birds. The keen bird watcher will find Bar-tailed Godwits, Knots, Turnstones, Pacific Golden Plover, Far-Eastern Curlew, Whimrel, New Zealand endemic Fairy Tern, Wrybill, Pied Oystercatcher, Variable Oystercatcher, Banded Dotterel, Pied Stilt, and Caspian Tern. Shelly Beach is a popular recreational beach with a beautiful backdrop of huge old Pohutakawa trees - with a kids play area, and a wharf where fishermen and boating enthusiasts gain access to the Kaipara Harbour. To the North The calm and tranquillity of lagoon at the top of the Peninsula. The wetland is home to mallard, grey duck, black swan, pied shag, pukeko, paradise shelduck. The sacred kingfisher nest around the wetland margins and flitting amongst the pine and native trees are North Island fantail, grey warbler and silvereye.

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Belfast orchard

1 site · RV, Tent16 acres · Whangarei

Belfast orchard Is very quite and very picturesque Lovely spot Walk to local golf course and very handy to town Horse riding available on property too Horse stables available. Just find a lovely spot and park up Fruit and vege shop also on site with barrister coffee. Bring your pet if you want just look after it Come on in and enjoy

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in New Zealand guide

Overview

Ask a Kiwi what defines New Zealand (Aotearoa), and you'll get markedly different answers depending on where they hail from—even if they only grew up hours apart. That may be because New Zealand crams diverse landscapes and experiences into its 268,021 square kilometres. You can sleep at Māori maraes, park your campervan at the foot of active volcanoes, unroll your sleeping bag metres from the sea or deep in the rainforest, or pitch a tent at the foot of snow-capped mountains. Kiwis love road trips thanks to an extensive network of frontcountry, backcountry, and even urban camping areas. Freedom camping in New Zealand is also widespread, with free camping sites sometimes even equipped with flush toilets and hot showers. Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites and holiday parks can be found in even the most remote corners of the country, while local hosts are among the most welcoming you’ll find anywhere in the world.

Where to go

Northland (North Island)

This stretch of land north of Auckland is the birthplace of both Māoridom and modern New Zealand. Campsites in the Bay of Islands offer modern amenities and services, while seaside sites in the relatively unpopulated Far North region do justice to the phrase "winterless north."

Waikato (North Island)

Just south of Auckland, Waikato may be known for its cows, but this is also where you'll find some of the most dynamic camping in the region, including riverbanks and caves lit up at night with glowworms, surf beaches, and the bays and inlets of the Coromandel.

Bay of Plenty & Hawke's Bay (North Island)

Kiwifruits, wineries, and seafood are just part of what makes these two regions so plentiful. In addition to beachfront camping sites, you'll also find farm stays and further inland, camping among the misty mountain peaks of Te Urewera or beside the steaming geysers at Rotorua.

Ruapehu (North Island)

Within the volcanic heart of the North Island, the Ruapehu region also marks the start Whanganui River, with its headwaters in Tongariro National Park. Lava flows have defined this landscape, yet you can also park your motorhome among lush green rainforest.

Tasman/Nelson & Marlborough (South Island)

After a ferry ride from Wellington, you'll arrive to the northern end of the South Island, where these Tasman and Marlborough are known for their gold-hued beaches (especially in the aptly named Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park), plus kayaking, wineries, endless coastline, and native bush.

West Coast (South Island)

New Zealand's West Coast is known for being both wild and wet. It lives up to both descriptions, but it isn't all rain and gloom. Here, you'll find glaciers that nearly touch the sea, native rainforest, windswept beaches, and some of the country's most remote campsites.

Canterbury (South Island)

From the turquoise lakes of Mackenzie Country and the snow-capped peaks of Arthur's Pass to the braided rivers that cross the plains, Canterbury is as big as it is diverse. Want to camp beachside, riverside, oceanside, mountainside, lakeside, or even cityside in Christchurch? Find it all in Canterbury.

Otago (South Island)

Otago's urban centre of Queenstown is known for hustle and bustle, but it's easy to find yourself totally immersed in wilderness after just a short drive. With massive lakes, rushing rivers, and high mountain peaks, there's no shortage of adventure or camping grounds in the country's adrenaline capital.

Fiordland & Stewart Island (South Island)

Fiordland National Park is one of New Zealand's most remote regions—yet it's also one of the most visited. The postcard-perfect Milford Sound is what lures many here, but for those who have time to camp for a few nights, it offers unparalleled wilderness opportunities starting from Te Anau.