Easter camping in New Zealand: Top spots & hidden gems

Easter in New Zealand is a camper's sweet spot. The peak-season crowds have thinned, the weather is settled and warm, especially in the north, and the autumn light is nothing short of magic.

Whether you're chasing a golden-sand beach on the Coromandel, the turquoise bays of Abel Tasman, or a lakeside pitch with the Southern Alps as your backdrop, the Easter long weekend offers the perfect opportunity to hit the road. The best news? With thousands of custom RV’s ready to hire from locals right across New Zealand on Camplify, hitting the road is easier than ever no matter what your dream Easter camping getaway looks like.

TL;DR: Top camping spots for Easter 2026

• Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato — Hot Water Beach gets the interest; Hahei and Whangapoua get the bookings.

• Bay of Islands, Northland — Paihia and Opua fill up first; Matauri Bay is the local's secret.

• Rotorua & Taupō, Bay of Plenty — Geothermal landscapes and lakeside sites, popular with families wanting something different.

• Abel Tasman, Nelson-Tasman — Motueka is the gateway; Marahau is the full-amenity base for exploring the golden coast.

• Queenstown & Wānaka, Otago — Autumn colours, lakeside pitches, and Frankton's full-amenity parks booking weeks in advance.

• Marlborough Sounds — Remote waterfront spots with the feel of having the whole coast to yourself.

• Hidden gems — Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, the Mackenzie Country, and Golden Bay all spike at Easter and stay blissfully quiet.

1. Coromandel Peninsula — and the beach quietly stealing Hot Water Beach's crown

Hot Water Beach draws the Instagram crowd — and with good reason. But it's Hahei and the surrounding bays that quietly fill up first. Families return year after year for the Cathedral Cove walk, the sheltered swimming, and the relaxed pace that the Peninsula does better than anywhere on the North Island.

Top campgrounds:

• Hahei Holiday Park — Reliably one of the most popular Easter campgrounds in the country. Right next to Hahei Beach and a short walk from the Cathedral Cove trailhead. Big with multi-generational families who book months in advance.

• Whangapoua Campground — A firm favourite for groups. Spacious, family-friendly, and set on one of the most gorgeous (and uncrowded) beaches on the peninsula.

The quieter picks:

• Kauaeranga Valley DOC Campgrounds, Thames — River swimming, shaded bush sites, and a fraction of the competition. A brilliant base for walkers exploring the Coromandel Range.

• Coromandel Shelly Beach Top 10 Holiday Park — On the quieter western side of the peninsula, with calmer water and a more relaxed crowd than the busy eastern beaches.

The perfect RV: A mid-size campervan or family caravan. The Coromandel's roads can be narrow and winding — especially around Hahei and Whangapoua — so a nimble campervan makes navigating car parks and coastal back roads much easier. If you're bringing the family and want more space, a caravan works well at the holiday parks, which have good facilities for setting up and staying put.

Search vans available in the Coromandel →

Read more: Best camping spots in the Coromandel · Coromandel Peninsula van guide

2. Bay of Islands, Northland — subtropical vibes and hidden anchorages

For Aucklanders, Easter means the North. Paihia and the Bay of Islands are the gravitational pull — aquamarine water, dolphin cruises, and that subtropical warmth that the rest of the country envies. But the best camping is often found on the edges, in the DOC campsites and small coastal parks away from the tourist hub.

Top campgrounds:

• Camp Waipu Cove — A standout option for those who want beach access without fighting Bay of Islands prices. Clean, well-run, and sitting right on a gorgeous surf beach.

• Uretiti Beach DOC Campground — A long, windswept stretch of coast just south of Whangarei. Popular with surfers and those who want the Northland feel without the Paihia crowds.

The quieter picks:

• Matauri Bay — A genuinely beautiful bay with a DOC campground that stays surprisingly quiet over Easter. World-class snorkelling on the Cavalli Islands nearby. The locals who know about it tend not to talk about it.

• Whangaroa Harbour — Tucked into the harbour, ringed by jagged volcanic peaks. Fewer facilities, but one of the most dramatic settings in Northland.

The perfect RV: A self-contained campervan. The drive north from Auckland is long and easy on the motorway, but the DOC campsites around Matauri Bay and Whangaroa are best suited to a compact, self-contained rig with fresh water and a toilet on board. Freedom camping laws in Northland are strict, and self-containment opens up far more options.

Search vans available from Auckland→

Read more: North Island road trip complete guide · Best camping spots on the North Island

3. Rotorua & Taupō — geothermal wonders and lakeside escapes

Not every Easter camper wants a beach. Rotorua and Taupō pull a different crowd — families who want the kids to wake up to geothermal steam, cycle trails, and the glassy expanse of Lake Taupō. It's one of the most family-friendly Easter destinations in the country, with enough to fill a week without ever repeating yourself.

Top campgrounds:

• All Seasons Holiday Park, Rotorua — Well-maintained, close to town and the thermal attractions, and popular with families wanting a base for Rotorua's outdoor activities. Full amenities make it a favourite for first-time campers.

• Reids Farm Camping, Taupō — A free DOC-managed site right on the Waikato River with easy access to Huka Falls. One of the best-value Easter camping options in New Zealand. Arrive early — it fills fast.

The quieter picks:

• Lake Ōkareka DOC Campsite, Rotorua — A smaller, calmer alternative to the Rotorua holiday parks. Native bush, a private lake, and almost no crowds.

• Ohakune TOP 10 Holiday Park — For those looking to push south. A gateway to the Tongariro National Park trails, with a relaxed ski-town vibe that suits the Easter shoulder season perfectly.

The perfect RV: A family motorhome with good storage. Rotorua and Taupō are activity-rich destinations — bikes, kayaks, walking gear — so extra storage and a comfortable base to come back to at the end of the day makes a real difference. The roads are easy, the holiday parks well-equipped, and there's no need for anything off-road capable.

Search vans available in Auckland or Bay of Plenty →

Read more: Epic road trip guide through the Taupō & Rotorua regions

4. Abel Tasman, Nelson-Tasman — the golden coast

New Zealand's smallest national park consistently punches far above its weight at Easter. The combination of golden beaches, jade-green water, and the famous Coastal Track makes it one of the country's most coveted camping destinations. The catch: sites (especially inside the park) book out months ahead.

Top campgrounds:

• Marahau Beach Camp — The gateway to Abel Tasman, right across from the water taxi departure point. The most accessible camp for families and first-timers who want the park experience without a long hike in.

• Motueka Top 10 Holiday Park — The full-amenity base camp for Abel Tasman. Just 20 minutes from Marahau on sealed road, with wifi, kitchen, laundry, and all the comforts that make a long Easter weekend feel effortless. Jump on a water taxi from Marahau to explore the park's golden beaches without the commitment of a remote, off-road campsite.

The quieter picks:

• Collingwood Holiday Park, Golden Bay — Around the headland from Abel Tasman, in the quieter Golden Bay. A jumping-off point for Farewell Spit and the Heaphy Track. Minimal competition for sites.

• Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp — Lively, popular, and well-positioned. If Tōtaranui is booked out, this is the next best base for exploring the national park by water taxi.

The perfect RV: A campervan or mid-size motorhome. Marahau and Motueka are easily accessible on sealed roads for any rig, but a smaller campervan gives you more flexibility to explore the Nelson region's back roads and seaside spots between water taxi trips.

Search vans available in Nelson →

Read more: 7 best camping grounds near Abel Tasman National Park · Abel Tasman road trip guide · A traveller's guide to Abel Tasman National Park

5. Queenstown & Wānaka, Otago — Easter in alpine country

Easter coincides with Queenstown and Wānaka's most beautiful season. The poplars turn gold around Lake Wānaka, the summer crowds have gone home, and the campgrounds along the lakeshores are some of the most scenically spectacular in the Southern Hemisphere. It's a long drive from most of the North Island but those who make it won't regret it.

Top campgrounds:

• Driftaway Queenstown (Frankton Arm) — The benchmark Queenstown campground. Lakeside pitches, full amenities, high-speed wifi, and views of The Remarkables. Books out well in advance of Easter.

• Glendhu Bay Motor Camp, Wānaka — Right on the shores of Lake Wānaka, with instant access to the lakeside track into town. The Easter autumn colours around Wānaka are genuinely extraordinary.

The quieter picks:

• Moke Lake DOC Campground, Queenstown — Accessed via 6km of unsealed road, with drop toilets, no phone signal, and a lake that reflects the mountains around it like a mirror. Self-sufficient vans only.

• Lake Hawea Holiday Park — Half an hour from Wānaka, on a different lake with a fraction of the competition. Mountain views, river walks, and a quieter crowd.

The perfect RV: A self-contained motorhome with solar. Queenstown's lakeside holiday parks have full amenities, but if you want to venture out to Moke Lake or spend a night somewhere quieter, a self-contained rig with solar capability gives you the freedom to do both. A motorhome also means you don't need to unhitch to explore — useful when Queenstown's car parks are busy over Easter.

Search vans available in Queenstown →

Read more: 4 best Wānaka camping grounds · Queenstown to Christchurch: 5-day South Island trip · 9-day NZ South Island road trip

6. Marlborough Sounds — the Easter escape for those in the know

This one's an open secret. The Marlborough Sounds are one of New Zealand's most dramatic coastal landscapes — deep, forested inlets, remote bays, and water that sits still and mirror-flat on a calm Easter morning. Most South Islanders drive straight past on the way to or from the ferry. The ones who stop tend to stay much longer than planned.

Top campground:

Havelock Holiday Park — The gateway to the Sounds, and a solid base for kayaking, fishing, and exploring the outer bays by water taxi.

The quieter pick:

Anakiwa DOC Campsite — At the southern end of the Queen Charlotte Track. Basic facilities, extraordinary scenery, and a genuine sense of getting away from it all. Self-contained vans and tents only.

The perfect RV: A compact, self-contained campervan. The roads around Havelock and the Queen Charlotte Drive are scenic but tight in places — a smaller campervan is far easier to manoeuvre than a large motorhome or caravan. Self-containment is also essential if you're planning to push into quieter bays where facilities are minimal.

Search vans available in the Marlborough region →

Read more: Best caravan parks on the South Island · 4-week New Zealand road trip itinerary

The hidden gems: where to escape the crowds

Not every Easter camping holiday is a fight for a site. These regions spike in April but stay well below the radar.

• Hawke's Bay — Wine country, Art Deco architecture, and a coastal character all its own. Easter bookings jump here every year, but it never feels crowded. Te Paerahi Beach is a lesser-known gem with easy beach access and a relaxed atmosphere.

• Taranaki — Mount Taranaki draws hikers; the ring plain around it rewards those who take their time. Easter is one of the best times to tackle the Pouakai Circuit, with settled autumn weather and empty huts.

• Mackenzie Country — Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki glow a colour that looks digitally enhanced. Easter is shoulder season here — busy enough to feel alive, quiet enough to still score a lakeside pitch.

• Golden Bay — Beyond Collingwood, past Farewell Spit, lies one of New Zealand's most beautiful and least-visited coastlines. Easter sees a gentle uptick in visitors, but nothing like the Abel Tasman numbers just over the hill.

• Gisborne & East Cape — The first place in the world to see the Easter sunrise. A long drive from Auckland, but rewarded with largely empty beaches, a strong Māori cultural presence, and some of the warmest water on the North Island.

How New Zealanders are camping this Easter

Easter is peak campervan season in Aotearoa. March and April bring warm, settled weather, especially in the north, without the Christmas and New Year chaos. A few patterns worth knowing about:

• DOC sites fill up fast — and they don't always take bookings. The most popular Department of Conservation campgrounds work on a first-come, first-served basis. Getting there a day early isn't overcautious — it's essential.

• Self-contained is increasingly important. Freedom camping laws have tightened across New Zealand over the past few years. A certified self-contained vehicle opens up far more options, particularly in remote areas. Check the CamperMate or Rankers Camping NZ apps before setting off.

• Autumn colours are a genuine Easter bonus. The South Island in particular, around Wānaka, Queenstown, and the Mackenzie Country, turns gold and amber in April.

• Pets are welcome in more places than you'd think. Some DOC campsites generally allow dogs on leads and many holiday parks have designated pet-friendly areas. Check ahead, and the long weekend becomes as much of a break for your dog as it is for you.

Find your perfect Easter RV before it’s booked out

Easter RV availability moves fast — and it doesn't come back. The campgrounds in this guide fill up weeks before the long weekend, and the best RVs on Camplify go with them. Whether you're after a compact self-contained van for a remote DOC spot in the Sounds, a family motorhome for a Coromandel holiday park, or a solar-powered rig for a lakeside pitch in Wānaka, search now, book today, and spend Easter where you actually want to be.