Camping in New Zealand: a complete guide

I had just returned from a three-week family camping trip around New Zealand with my two-year-old son, and I have to admit that it was a wonderful experience. In this article, I explain everything you need to know about camping in New Zealand: the different camping options, prices, reservations, equipment, and essential camping gear. If you are planning a trip to this large volcanic island nation, take a look at our guide to the cost of traveling around New Zealand!

If you are wondering why we chose a tent and rental car rather than renting a motorhome, the answer is simply that we enjoy this style of travel. It can also be cheaper than renting a motorhome. However, many backpackers on round-the-world trips or Working Holiday Visas choose to explore New Zealand’s natural landscapes in a motorhome or campervan. Some even buy a campervan and keep it for several months. For reliable comparison sites, my advice is to use this link for rental cars and this one for vans and campervans.

In any case, camping remains one of the most economical ways to stay and travel around New Zealand, whether you choose a tent or a motorhome. Personally, I think it is ideal for a road trip through the country’s national parks, fjords, and diverse natural environments. In short, it gives you a great deal of freedom while exploring this remote part of the world, enjoying the remarkable scenery, and meeting other campers along the way.

If you are preparing for your trip, you can compare flights from your departure point using this flight comparison site.

Camping is something of an institution in New Zealand. Generally speaking, the country is very well set up for campers, which makes traveling this way particularly enjoyable. Here are a few useful things to know.

• There are many types of campground, ranging from very basic sites with simple toilets and no showers to fully equipped holiday parks with swimming pools, Wi-Fi, bars, restaurants, and other facilities. Prices can vary considerably depending on the location and the services provided.

• Be careful: every campground has its own rules, and the conditions can vary significantly from one place to another. Some sites are restricted to certified self-contained vehicles, while others do not allow tents.

• Campgrounds can be busy during peak season. Booking ahead may be necessary if you do not want to spend time searching for an available site nearby. During the off-season, when I visited at the end of October, I did not book a single campground during our three-week trip.

• If you want to make reservations while traveling, buying a local SIM card or using an eSIM can make it easier to contact campgrounds and access booking websites. Mobile data is also very useful for checking availability, road conditions, and practical information along the way.

• Several apps are useful for camping in New Zealand. Two of the best known are CamperMate and Rankers. I used both during my trip. CamperMate is still available and includes campground listings, offline maps, reviews, and booking tools. I will cover the different apps for camping in New Zealand in another article, including GPS and navigation options.

Below, I will introduce the main ways to camp around the country. Broadly speaking, you can choose between DOC campgrounds, private campgrounds, overnight stays on private land, and freedom camping. During our road trip, we camped along an itinerary that included Auckland, Tongariro National Park, the Coromandel Peninsula, the Bay of Islands, the road to Cape Reinga, the west coast of the North Island, and many other places. It was my first family camping trip!

DOC is the abbreviation for the Department of Conservation, the government agency responsible for managing and protecting much of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage. It now manages more than 300 campgrounds across the country. You can browse all New Zealand DOC campgrounds online. Here is also the existing DOC campground map, although individual campground pages should always be checked for the latest information.

DOC campgrounds are often among the most affordable ways to travel around New Zealand. The current main categories are Basic, Backcountry, Standard, Serviced, and Great Walk campgrounds. Some sites can be booked online, while others still operate on a first-come, first-served or self-registration basis. Always check the individual campground page, particularly during the busy summer season.

As the name suggests, these are the most basic campgrounds managed by DOC. They have very limited facilities, so campers need to be largely self-sufficient. You will generally find basic toilets, while the available water may come from an untreated tank, stream, or lake and should be boiled before drinking. These sites do not normally provide showers or electricity. They are ideal for travelers looking for a simple place to stay for a night or two. During our trip, we spent several nights at one of these campgrounds and enjoyed the experience.

Be careful during summer, as free campgrounds can become crowded and attract travelers from all over the world. I have also written a complete guide explaining the best time to visit New Zealand.

Backcountry campgrounds are generally remote sites with limited facilities. They usually have toilets and a water supply, which may come from a stream or another untreated source. Some also provide picnic tables, cooking shelters, or fireplaces, but facilities vary considerably from one location to another. There is generally no electricity, and current prices must be checked on each campground’s individual DOC page.

We stayed at this type of campground several times, particularly near Cape Reinga. The facilities were very basic, but the surroundings were beautiful. I will present all the New Zealand campgrounds where we stayed during our road trip in a separate article. At some self-registration sites, payment is made using an envelope placed in a secure box. Even if nobody appears to be checking, make sure you pay the required fee.

Standard campgrounds provide more facilities than Basic or Backcountry sites. They have toilets, a water supply that may be treated or untreated, and access by road or boat. Depending on the location, they may also provide cold showers, picnic tables, cooking shelters, fireplaces, wood-fired barbecues, or rubbish bins. Facilities are not identical at every campground, so check the specific listing before you arrive.

These sites can be a good compromise during warmer months, particularly when cold showers are available. In winter, however, a cold shower may be considerably less appealing! Current standard fees are generally between NZ$10 and NZ$20 per adult and NZ$5 to NZ$10 per child aged 5 to 17, although individual and seasonal prices can vary.

The former “Scenic” category is no longer listed separately in the DOC’s current campground classification. Many particularly beautiful sites are now included within the Standard or individual campground listings. Their facilities vary, but the main attraction is often the setting, with views over a bay, lake, river, forest, or mountain landscape. Powered sites are available at some locations, usually with an additional fee.

This is one of the reasons why traveling in a campervan can still cost considerably more than choosing a tent and rental car, particularly once rental and powered-site costs are included.

A small observation from our trip: at many campgrounds, travelers in motorhomes paid extra for powered sites. Since motorhome rental itself is usually more expensive than renting a standard car, it is worth including all these costs in your calculations.

Serviced campgrounds offer the widest range of DOC facilities. They generally provide flush toilets, a water supply that may be treated or untreated, a kitchen or cooking bench, hot showers, rubbish collection, and road access for different types of vehicles. Some also have laundry facilities, barbecues, fireplaces, cookers, and picnic tables. Current unpowered or tent-site fees are generally NZ$25 per adult and NZ$12.50 per child aged 5 to 17. Powered-site prices generally range from NZ$20 to NZ$28 per adult, with child prices between NZ$10 and NZ$14, although rates can vary by campground.

I have to admit that we mostly stayed at campgrounds of this type. At the end of October, temperatures were still fairly low. Traveling with a two-year-old also encouraged us to choose places with hot showers. When it is only 5 or 6°C outside, a hot shower is very welcome. These campgrounds often have practical cooking areas, although the equipment available varies. They made it much easier for us to prepare meals for ourselves and our son.

That concludes this overview of the main DOC campground categories in New Zealand.

The former discount card has been replaced by the DOC Campsite Pass. As of 2026, the annual pass costs NZ$295 per adult and NZ$147.50 for children and young people aged 5 to 17, while children under five are free. It is valid for one year from the chosen start date and provides access to many bookable and non-bookable DOC campgrounds, although exclusions and date restrictions apply. At a single campground, the pass can be used for a maximum of seven nights within a 30-day period. Bookable sites must still be reserved online in advance. See the current conditions on the DOC website.

Another option, in addition to DOC campgrounds, is to stay at privately operated campgrounds or holiday parks. At most of the private campgrounds we used, the facilities were well maintained and we were rarely disappointed. Prices now vary widely depending on the destination, season, facilities, and whether you choose a powered or unpowered site, so it is best to check each campground directly.

In my opinion, private campgrounds can be a very good alternative to DOC sites. They are often well equipped and carefully maintained. In another article, I will list all the campgrounds we personally tested.

This is a less well-known option in New Zealand, but it is possible to stay overnight on private property through local hosts. One established service is Okay2stay. It is available only to travelers using fully self-contained motorhomes, and caravans, fifth-wheel trailers, and pets are not accepted. The principle is simple: members can stay for one night on the property of a local host, often a producer of wine, beer, cheese, honey, fresh produce, or crafts.

As of 2026, membership costs NZ$50 per vehicle for one year. It gives members access to dozens of participating hosts, and the overnight stay itself is free, subject to the service’s conditions. In return, travelers are encouraged to support their host by purchasing local products. Vehicles must meet the current self-containment requirements, including displaying a green warrant and having a permanently fixed toilet. This is an interesting form of local tourism that allows you to meet New Zealanders and discover local producers away from conventional campgrounds.

The final option is free camping, known locally as “freedom camping.” One point is essential: freedom camping is strictly regulated, and you cannot simply park or pitch a tent anywhere for the night.

Rules vary depending on whether the land is managed by DOC or a local authority, and some areas prohibit camping completely. Other locations allow overnight stays only in certified self-contained vehicles or limit the number of nights and available spaces. From June 7, 2026, vehicles using areas restricted to self-contained vehicles must display the new green self-containment warrant. Portable toilets are no longer sufficient for certification; the toilet must be permanently fixed to the vehicle. Penalties vary depending on the offense and can be considerably higher than the old NZ$200 flat fine.

Before choosing this option, check current restrictions with the relevant local council, DOC visitor center, official signs, or a responsible-camping app. These sources can direct you toward places where freedom camping is legally permitted.

Personally, I found it fairly easy to find affordable campgrounds throughout the country. Depending on the season, your preferences, and your budget, you can choose the most suitable type of site each night. Outside the busiest summer periods, it is often possible to plan only a day or two ahead, although popular DOC and private campgrounds may still require advance reservations.

February 2020 addendum — Below is a list of the South Island campgrounds we tested during our December 2019 and January 2020 camping trip. We arranged them in the order we visited them after leaving Christchurch. We were traveling with our four-year-old son, so we generally chose campgrounds that were reasonably well suited to families. The prices mentioned below are historical prices paid during that trip and should not be treated as current rates.

• Havelock Holiday Park: Our first campground after leaving Christchurch and heading north. It was very well maintained, set back from the main road, quiet, and equipped with a children’s playground. The large kitchen had all the basic equipment needed for cooking. It was ideal for our family.
• Motueka Holiday Park: We received a warm welcome in a pleasant setting. The main drawback was the noise, as the campground lies between two roads. The tent sites were good, and the kitchen had the basic equipment needed for cooking. There was also a playground with a trampoline for children and a lounge with a television and sofas. We probably could have found somewhere better in the area.
• Greymouth Kiwi Holiday Park (NZ$57 for two adults and one child per night in 2020): This campground was also noisy because it was located between two roads. It had a children’s playground and large tent sites. The kitchen was rather small and lacked cooking utensils. There was a small warm indoor area where we could shelter in the evening, which we appreciated. The free Wi-Fi was limited but worked well.
• Mt Cook Glenntanner (NZ$57 for two adults and one child per night in 2020): We spent four nights at this campground. The location was remarkable, with beautiful views. The hot showers were free and very clean, although there was no free Wi-Fi. The kitchen was enormous, with both indoor and outdoor areas, but it became very crowded because we were there over New Year’s. The tent sites were pleasant and natural, and we could choose our own spot.
• Moeraki Boulders Kiwi Park Holiday (NZ$42 per night for two adults and one child in 2020): A pleasant campground, although it was rather far from everything. The kitchen was small and lacked utensils. Showers were limited to six minutes. There was a large grassy field and a trampoline for children. The welcome was friendly, but otherwise the campground was fairly basic.
• Curioscape Camping in the Catlins: The weather was mixed during our stay. The location was attractive, with a real end-of-the-world atmosphere and wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. It was very windy, although the tent sites were partly protected by vegetation. The kitchen was cold and had very few cooking utensils, and the showers were paid.
• Fiordland campground in Te Anau: We stayed in a cabin rather than a tent. The welcome from the owners was fairly average. The kitchen was clean but had almost no utensils, and we had to ask before using the barbecue. The free Wi-Fi was very limited and worked inconsistently. I would not particularly recommend the place.
• Haast Holiday Park: The surroundings were pleasant. There was a very large kitchen with all the necessary equipment, a spacious shared bathroom with free hot showers, a large children’s playground, and 500 MB of free Wi-Fi per device, which worked well.
• Hokitika Holiday Park: We received a very warm welcome. The campground had plenty of space, a beautiful children’s playground, and a very large, clean, well-equipped kitchen. It was our final campground of the trip and one of the best.

For travelers on a limited budget, DOC Basic, Backcountry, and lower-priced Standard campgrounds are generally the best places to start. Accommodation costs can remain relatively low. From time to time, you can alternate these with a Serviced DOC campground or a private holiday park to enjoy a hot shower and more facilities. There are enough campgrounds around New Zealand to make planning fairly straightforward, although booking rules and availability should always be checked in advance.

Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? Take a look at

Our itinerary around New Zealand’s North Island

That brings me to the end of this guide to camping in New Zealand. I hope you have found it useful and now feel better prepared for your trip. If you have already traveled there, which option did you choose? A motorhome, a campervan with sleeping facilities, or a rental van?

See you soon.

Written by Sylvain PONS

Living in French Polynesia at the time, I explored New Zealand from 2017 to 2020 during two road trips of two months each. As a family, we camped and discovered the beauty of these two islands.

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