Car Camping NZ: Where to Camp if Your Campervan is Not Self-Contained

Designated Free Campsites for Non-Self-Contained Vehicles

The most common freedom camping areas are for self-contained vehicles only. However, there are a few free campsites or parking areas with a toilet block that allow camping for non-self-contained vehicles or car camping. When parking up in a free campsite or car park, with the intention of camping, look out for two types of signage:

• A tent-shaped icon without a line crossing through it. This indicates that camping is allowed.
• A tent-shaped icon with a line through it, which indicates that camping is strictly prohibited.

If no signs exist, take a look at the local council website for the area you are in. Their websites should clearly state their freedom camping bylaws, i.e. whether non-self-contained vehicles can legally camp on public land.

To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of council websites’ freedom camping pages in this guide: Freedom Camping Rules in New Zealand: Region by Region.

Council-Run Campsites

Many of New Zealand’s budget campsites are run by local councils. Facilities and maintenance levels of the campsites vary depending on council funding for campsites. However, expect basic facilities, such as:

• A toilet block
• Rubbish bins
• Water

Some campgrounds might even have coin-operated barbecues and cooking shelters.

Price and How to Pay

The price range for council campsites is usually between 0 to NZ$15 per person per night. Payment is made via online bookings through council websites or by cash paid in an honesty box.

Department of Conservation Campsites

The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages more than 200 campsites across New Zealand. These offer another budget camping option for those travelling in a non-self-contained campervan. Locations of Department of Conservation campsites can be found in DOC campsite maps found in most information centres and on the DOC website.

Note that not all DOC campsites have vehicle access, as many are located along hiking trails. Vehicle access is clearly stated on your chosen campsite’s listing on both the DOC website and campsite maps.

There are six types of DOC campsites with different facilities which often determine prices. The types of DOC campsites are as follows:

Serviced Campsites (NZ$20-$23)

Facilities include toilets, water, kitchen bench, hot showers and rubbish collections. Some will have a barbecue, laundry, fireplace, cooker and picnic tables. Prices are as follows:

Unpowered/tent sites:

• Adult (18+ years): $20 per night
• Child (5–17 years): $10 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

Powered sites:

• Adult (18+ years): $23 per night
• Child (5–17 years): $11.50 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

Standard Campsites (NZ$10-$18)

Standard campsites have a more basic toilet (composting or pit) and water supply (tap, stream or lake). They may have cold showers, barbecues, fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins depending on the site. Prices are as follows:

Unpowered/tent sites:

• Adult (18+ years): $10 to $15 per night
• Child (5–17 years): $5 to $7.50 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

Powered sites (rare times where available):

• Adult (18+ years): $13 to $18 per night
• Child (5–17 years): $6.50 to $9 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

Basic Campsites (Free)

Basic campsites are similar to standard campsites, but be prepared to be fully self-sufficient.

Backcountry Campsites

They tend to vary in price and facilities.

Great Walk Campsites

There are around 60 campsites along the Great Walks of New Zealand. However, they are often inaccessible to vehicles so it unlikely that you will use these campsites for car camping. They provide similar facilities to standard and basic campsites but come at a higher price. Check out the DOC website for Great Walk campsite pricing, as they change from year to year and between seasons.

Price and How to Pay

The price for DOC campsites that have vehicle access is between 0 to NZ$23 per person per night. Some serviced campsites may require a booking through the DOC website or through a DOC information centre. However, most DOC campsites are on a first-come-first-served basis. In the latter case, payment is made with cash either in the honesty box or to a campsite warden.

If using multiple DOC campsites on your trip around New Zealand, consider getting a DOC Campsite Pass. More information can be found in DOC Campsite Pass: How it Works & is it Worth it?

Holiday Parks

Holiday parks in New Zealand are commercial operations and are more of your “luxury” option for camping in a non-self-contained car or campervan. While holiday parks offer a wide range of accommodation, the one you will be interested in is either the tent sites, otherwise called “non-powered sites”, or the powered sites.

Tent Sites

Tent sites or non-powered sites are basically a patch of grass designated for vehicles or tents that do not require a power supply.

Powered Sites

Powered sites have a power outlet for campervans with a power supply and campsite power adapter.

Holiday Park Facilities

When using either a tent or powered site, you have access to the holiday park’s communal facilities. These communal facilities usually include:

• A communal kitchen – a large kitchen with cooking hobs, fridge, boiling water dispensers, hot and cold water with sinks. Some holiday parks may have microwaves, kettles, toasters, ovens, freezers and dining areas. Most holiday parks have cooking and dining utensils – but not all – so be aware
• Communal toilets and showers – divided into male and female blocks with hot and cold showers, toilets and sinks. Be aware that some showers are metered so you will need coins or tokens to use them
• Laundry rooms – equipped with coin-operated washing machines and tumble dryers
• Dump station – for campervan waste and sewerage.

Some holiday parks may include extra facilities, such as:

• Facilities for the disabled will have the international symbol of access
• WiFi
• Swimming pool and/or hot pool
• Sauna
• Cafe and/or restaurant
• Gym
• Barbecue
• Children’s playground
• Games room.

Learn more about holiday park facilities in our Accommodation Guide to Holiday Parks in New Zealand.

Price and How to Pay

The price for tent and powered sites in holiday parks often change with the seasons; the lowest prices in winter and the highest in summer. Fees are usually for two people staying on a site unless stated otherwise. More people can be added at an extra cost. Expect to pay anywhere between NZ$15-$50 for two people on a tent site per night and NZ$20-$60 for two people on a powered site per night. We know, prices are all over the place!

Payment is made either through online bookings or at the holiday park reception where they will accept credit/debit cards and cash. See holiday park listings in our Camping & Holiday Parks category.

Hostels

Hostels are an accommodation option that many travellers overlook when looking for somewhere to camp. Many hostels across New Zealand allow travellers to park up in their car parks or pitch a tent in the garden and make use of the hostel facilities.

Hostel facilities include:

• Showers and toilets
• Kitchen
• Laundry
• Lounge

Some hostels may also have:

• Spa pool
• Sauna
• Games rooms

Take a look at What is a Hostel? A Beginner’s Guide to Backpacker Hostels for a complete guide on what to expect in a hostel.

Price and How to Pay

The price to stay in a hostel car park or tent site is around NZ$15 per person. Bookings can often be made in advance and paid via online booking websites or directly with the hostel. (Check out What are the Best Websites to Book Hostels in New Zealand?). Alternatively, nights are paid at the hostel reception on check-in via cash or credit/debit card.

See hostel listings in our Hostels category.