A beginner’s guide to Freedom Camping in New Zealand

New Zealand is a freedom camper’s dream location. With so much wilderness to explore and myriad hidden gems to park-up and stay for a weekend outdoors, with nothing but the birdsong and a campfire to keep you company, it’s not surprising that freedom camping is part of the classic kiwi road trip.

Freedom camping is the ultimate way to disconnect from the buzz and noise of modern life, especially for more budget-conscious travellers but what exactly is it? Freedom camping basically means camping in a motorhome for free in a designated freedom camping spot or zone. It’s a fantastic way to get off-grid, have an adventure or just relax and reconnect with friends and family without any distractions.

As a holidaymaker, Camplify helps you find an RV that is perfect for you so you can experience the joys of caravanning - without having to own one yourself.

Interested? Learn more about Camplify here.

There are a few key things to remember when hitting the road in search of freedom that will make your camping experience smooth and stress-free. These are our top tips for freedom campers in New Zealand:

1. Do your research

Image credit: Rebecca Cook & Jono Boyd

Different councils across New Zealand have different rules when it comes to freedom camping. The best way to find out where freedom camping is permitted is by using the New Zealand Tourism website or by downloading WikiCamps - a great little tool which has the location of different freedom campsites all over the north and south islands of New Zealand as well as comments, photos and additional information. Some areas in the country are more welcoming of freedom campers than others. In popular places like the Coromandel, freedom camping spaces are limited to 8 per campsite with time restrictions of when you have to leave and how many nights you can stay in a row.

Further south, in places like Westport, Haast and Karamea, freedom camping is encouraged and there are plenty of places that have clear signage signalling to campers they are welcome in the area. It’s essential that you don’t camp anywhere where freedom camping is prohibited. There are local enforcement authorities that will issue fines of up to $200 on the spot for camping in prohibited areas - so be sure to double check before parking up the for the night!

2. Make sure your camper is certified self-contained

Freedom Campsites for camper vans require that your vehicle is certified self-contained. This means that your camper has a self-contained toilet (or port-a-potty) and all waste is contained within the vehicle and you will take it away with you when you leave to be disposed of at a dump station. Vehicles and campers need to obtain a self-containment sticker to be displayed prominently on the vehicle whenever you’re planning to freedom camp.

3. Always keep emergency water with you

Freedom camping spots can be remote. Although some will have water refill facilities many do not. There’s nothing worse than getting comfortable in a prime spot with a killer sunset view for a few days only to find you’ve run out of water and need to head back into civilisation to refill. Always take more water than you think you’ll need. It’s a good idea to pick up a 10L can of drinking water en route to your chosen freedom campsite so you definitely know you’ll be stocked up and can frolic out in nature for as long as the water flows!

4. Take a hike!

Image credit: Rebecca Cook & Jono Boyd

As far and as often when you can. Lots of freedom camping spots are on designated Department of Conservation tramping and hiking routes with huts provided along the way for multi-day hikes. New Zealand’s great outdoors is truly that, and it is beautiful year round, with abundant beaches during the summer and snow-capped mountains in winter. Freedom camping gets you right into the heart of some of the most rewarding scenery on the planet, all you have to do is pull on your hiking boots and step outside!

5. Leave only footprints, take only memories

Image credit: Rebecca Cook & Jono Boyd

Finally, New Zealand’s pristine environments are important ecosystems that are beautiful but also vulnerable. To protect them and the native plant, insect and animal biodiversity it is vital that you don’t litter wherever you’re camping, take all rubbish with you and, if you’re having a campfire, be sure to adhere to local fire safety guidelines so that you don’t damage the surrounding area. Seeing New Zealand is a truly once in a lifetime experience that everyone should be able to enjoy. Make sure you do your bit to protect and preserve the wilderness for campers who come after you.

So what is Camplify?

We are Australia’s largest & New Zealand's newest caravan hire and RV sharing community, helping connect thousands of holidaymakers with RV owners.

What does that mean?

Essentially, we provide a unique sharing service where owners of caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, and campervans list their RV for hire while not in use. As an owner, this enables you to earn over $10,000 each year instead of having your RV just sitting around while you’re not using it.

As a holidaymaker, Camplify helps you find an RV that is perfect for you so you can experience the joys of caravanning - without having to own one yourself.

Interested? Learn more about Camplify here.

Feature Image credit: Rebecca Cook & Jono Boyd