Destinations
7 best Invercargill camping grounds
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Set on the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, Invercargill is a mecca for hikers and foodies alike. With amazing walks like the Rakiura Track on Stewart Island on its doorstep, as well as a lively centre brimming with world-class restaurants, this Southland city is sure to impress. And Invercargill camping grounds are just as incredible!
Looking for the perfect place to sleep under the stars? Check out our guide to the best Invercargill camping grounds right here. Below, we include the price, location, features, nearby attractions and more for each recommended campground, so that you can pick the perfect base for your Southland road trip.
Top campgrounds near Invercargill
1. Invercargill Holiday Park & Motels
77 McIvor Road, Waikiwi, Invercargill 9876, New Zealand | From $44 per night
This family-owned Invercargill camping ground is tucked away at the northern end of town. A gorgeous rural escape just outside of the city, you can unwind in nature or discover plenty to see and do in the local area.
Check out the amazing Transport Museum and Motorcycle Mecca collection, take a waterfront stroll along the Invercargill Estuary Walkway, or head over to Stewart Island for even more adventures!
This campsite has some great facilities for you to use, including a BBQ area and pizza oven, so you can cook up a storm. There is also a recreation room with a kitchen and communal bathrooms complete with showers.
2. Central City Camping Park
209 Tweed Street, Appleby, Invercargill 9812, New Zealand | From $37 per night
Enjoy this peaceful Invercargill camping ground just a few hundred metres from the centre of town. There’s even a bus stop right outside, so you can jump aboard and get exploring!
If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, be sure to stop in at E Hayes and Sons, which is a hardware, giftware and engineering store like no other, with a private collection of classic motorcycles and engines. Then head to Oreti Beach, which was a key location for the film, ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’, that tells the story of the motorcycling hero Burt Monro. Even if motorcycles aren’t your thing, this beautiful stretch of sand will blow you away.
The campsite is well equipped with a spacious kitchen, dining and lounge area with a TV, showers and toilets, plus a coin-operated laundry.
3. Lorneville Holiday Park
352 Lorne-Dacre Road, Lorneville, Invercargill 9876, New Zealand | Enquire here
Holiday in the country at this gorgeous Invercargill camping ground, just a 10-minute drive from Invercargill city centre. Resting in the vast New Zealand fields with powered sites, it’s the perfect getaway in the great outdoors.
Venture out during the day to enjoy everything Invercargill has to offer, checking out the local museum, sampling local delicacies at the many restaurants, or wander through Queens Park and its beautiful flower beds.
Back at camp, make use of the shared kitchen facilities, along with a shared bathroom. You can also enjoy feeding the resident animals, or simply taking a wander through the grounds to unwind after a busy day.
4. Beach Road Holiday Park
375 Dunns Road, Oreti Beach 9879, New Zealand | From $30 per night
This Invercargill camping ground is set on 15 acres of land, with plenty of space. If you’re after a non-powered site, then simply turn up, no booking needed. It’s the perfect spot to rest your head to the sound of waves.
Situated nice and close to Oreti Beach, you can take a stroll in the evening and catch a stunning sunset. You can even hit the Oreti River during the day for some whitebaiting or trout fishing. Fulfil your sense of adventure with a local horse trek tour, or head off on a nearby bush walk and spot some native birds.
There’s plenty of facilities to take advantage of during your stay, including a large kitchen, TV lounge, laundry and dump station. Kids can also have plenty of fun at the children’s playground area with a flying fox.
5. Amble On Inn Holiday Park
145 Chesney Street, Kingswell, Invercargill 9812, New Zealand | From $45 for 2 adults, per night
Mike and Steph have created a truly warm atmosphere at this Invercargill camping ground. With powered sites surrounded by nature, you can settle back in serenity just five minutes from the city centre.
Head down the road to check out many nearby attractions, including Dig This Invercargill, New Zealand’s only heavy machinery playground where kids (and big kids) can have fun operating diggers, bulldozers and more. You can also visit Stead Street Wharf, where you’ll find a replica boat for the little ones to play in. Alternatively, simply enjoy a walk through the city centre and admire its historic architecture.
Plus, the campsite is pet-friendly, so you can bring your pup along for the trip! It’s also well-equipped with a BBQ, laundry facilities, kitchen and dump station.
6. Mokotua Scout Camp
68 Waituna Road, Kapuka 9871, New Zealand | From $10 per person, per night
Run and maintained by volunteers, this Invercargill camping ground is the perfect spot to base yourself to see the sights of Invercargill. It’s a little further out than the other camps, taking a 20-minute drive to reach the city centre - but we promise it’s worth it!
During your stay, make the trip to Demolition World, where you’ll find a historic village created out of old buildings - from a haunted theatre to resident alpacas, there’s something for everyone at this hidden gem. Further afield (28 minutes to be exact), summon up all your bravery and visit Shark Experience, the only place in New Zealand where you can go cage diving with great whites!
At the campsite, you can make use of their facilities, including showers and toilets, a kitchen and dining room and a recreation area for the kids.
7. Lignite Pit Camping
15 Ashers Road, New Zealand | From $10 per person, per night
Just 20km away from Invercargill, you will find The Lignite Pit Cafe and Secret Garden. This Invercargill camping ground has been transformed into a tranquil garden where you can truly enjoy a home away from home.
Spend your days checking out the garden with a number of different paths that wind themselves around the lake. You can then stop off at the cafe for a morning coffee and bite to eat before heading to check out Invercargill.
The site offers up four powered spots and a number of non-powered spots for your stay. There’s a toilet and a little kitchenette, with plans to add showers in the future!
Book now.
Hire a van for your Invercargill camping trip
New Zealand’s southernmost city, Invercargill is renowned for its charm and surrounding wilderness. From Queens Park to Oreti Beach, there’s something for everyone! After exploring the sights, settle back at one of the best Invercargill camping grounds to relax and recharge for tomorrow’s adventures. To get your holiday underway, sort out campervan hire in Invercargill - or Christchurch and set off on the ultimate Christchurch to Invercargill road trip!
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