New Zealand is a great country for camping and campervans. With incredible scenery, easy driving, wide open spaces and a safe environment it can cater for campers of any age and experience.

New Zealand has three main types of camping on offer:

Holiday Parks and Camping Grounds
Holiday Parks and Camping Grounds are designed to accommodate a wide range of people at a low cost. They are usually located in an attractive setting (often beside a beach or lake) they provide camping sites for tents, caravans and campervans. You will be able to park your campervan or motorhome at a powered or non-powered site. There will be easy to access shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, and often also access to a dining area, TV lounge and games room. Many Holiday Parks have play areas, heated swimming pools, trampolines and barbecues which is ideal for families.

Holiday Accommodation Parks of New Zealand
HAPNZ (Holiday Accommodation Parks of New Zealand) website contains details of 290 holiday parks throughout New Zealand.  

Top 10 Holiday Parks
Top 10 Holiday Parks are the leading providers of good quality holiday parks and campgrounds throughout New Zealand.

The New Zealand Camping Guide
A comprehensive Camping Guide with campground listings nationwide.

Department of Conservation camp sites
The Department of Conservation (DoC) is in charge of maintaining and conserving New Zealand’s natural and historic sites. DoC provides campsites in many locations throughout New Zealand. The campsites are usually quite simple, offering basic style accommodation and facilities. A full list of camp sites can be found on the DoC website.

Freedom camping
Each district in New Zealand has a different set of rules around where freedom camping and parking of campervans/motorhomes is permitted and where it is not. We suggest that you contact the nearest i-SITE Visitor Centre to find out more about camping in permitted locations. We do not recommend freedom camping in New Zealand due to the enviromental impacts as well as concerns for safety. Please note that only fully self-contained motorhomes and campervans should be used for freedom camping.

Waste Disposal

Campervan and motorhome toilet and waste water must be emptied at approved dump stations.