Destinations
New Zealand unique campsites: 10 best scenic spots
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You’ve just pulled up at one of the best campsites in New Zealand. Your camper is set up, the sun is setting behind snow-capped mountains and you take a deep breath of fresh air as you look out over the dark lake. Life doesn’t get any better than this. But where exactly is this blessed place?
Well, it could be almost any campsite in New Zealand! This country is blessed with some of the best camping spots in the world, thanks to the hard work of the DoC, local councils and holiday park owners. But amongst all the outstanding campgrounds in New Zealand, a few stand above the rest.
In this article, our team of camping experts have set out to list the best campsites in NZ for 2022. We’ve chosen our top ten campsites based on location, facilities, price and reputation. Plus, we’ve chosen a mix of public DoC campsites and privately-run campgrounds.
If you think that the luxuries of a caravan park are more your style, however, don’t forget to also check out our list of the best caravan parks on the South Island of New Zealand. Alternatively, if you’re heading north, have a look at our list of the best caravan parks on the North Island of New Zealand.
The 10 best campsites in New Zealand
1. Milford Sound Lodge - Fiordland
Address: State Highway 94 Milford Sound, Southland 9679
Price: From $30 per night (powered site in low season)
Cementing itself as one of the best campsites in New Zealand, the Rainforest Campervan Park at Milford Sound Lodge is actually the only campervan park inside of Milford Sound. Nestled in the heart of the world-heritage Fiordlands rainforest, it offers hardstand powered sites surrounded by wilderness, wildlife and waterfalls.
The park is located only a 2-minute drive from the Milford Sound visitor centre and lookout. From here, you can admire Bowen Falls, start a hike around the shoreline or board one of the many scenic cruises to the base of Mitre Peak.
Facilities at the campsite include a 24-hour kitchen, guest lounge and laundry. However, only self-contained vehicles are allowed and trailers and caravans are not permitted.
2. White Horse Hill Campground – Mount Cook
Address: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park 227 Hooker Valley Road, Canterbury 7999
Price: From $15 per night (non-powered site)
Sleep beneath magnificent mountains in the heart of Mount Cook National Park. The White Horse Hill Campground is one of the best Department of Conservation campsites in New Zealand.
With Aoraki, New Zealand's tallest mountain right on your doorstep, and a variety of hikes in the area, you will need to schedule in a few days to soak up all the goodness in this epic national park. The Hooker Valley Track and Tasman Glacier short walk are must-do’s. Or give your feet a rest and visit the Edmund Hillary exhibition in the Hermitage Hotel to learn more about the history of the area.
Facilities at this campsite include a shelter for cooking, flush toilets and drinking water. Hot showers can be found at the public shelter in the village (2.5km away). Book and pay online or simply rock up and fill out the form at the entrance.
Rainforest Retreat – West Coast South Island
Address: 46 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7856
Price: From $22 per night (powered site in low season)
You will find this rainforest campervan haven nestled snugly amongst the Southern Alps. In the heart of the quaint Franz Josef township, The Rainforest Retreat provides hardstand-powered campervan sites surrounded by lush greenery.
Located just a 10-minute drive from the famous Franz Josef glacier walk and a 30-minute drive from Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson, you’ll be able to tick off most of the wild West Coast’s bucket list items whilst you’re there.
The campsite’s facilities include an onsite bar, restaurant, communal sauna and spa pool, playground, BBQ area, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, TV lounge and complimentary WiFi.
4. Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) Campsite - Cape Reinga
Address: Spirits Bay Road, Northland 0484
Price: From $15 per night (non-powered site)
If you are keen to add a little adventure to your road trip, then Spirits Bay at the top of the North Island is for you. Think long sandy beaches, lush forests, and the ocean right on your doorstep.
This campsite is the perfect place to pull up for a few days, switch off and enjoy your natural surroundings. The far north is renowned for surf breaks and Kapowairua can turn it on when the swell is right. Take a hike, stroll the beach or simply kick back and listen to the waves.
As a Department of Conservation site, this spot only has basic facilities: flush toilets, cold showers and non-treated tap water. It’s best to stock up on everything you need before departing the main highway. And be aware that you’ll need a vehicle capable of handling the 16km of gravel road to the campsite.
5. Curio Bay Campground - The Catlins
Address: 590 Waikawa-Curio Bay Road, Curio Bay 9884
Price: From $55 per night (powered site)
The perfect place to start a road trip along the Southern Scenic Route is Curio Bay Campground, a 20-minute drive from the most southern point of mainland New Zealand. Venture around this quiet but ecologically remarkable corner of the country, famed for hosting Catlins Forest Park (a 35-minute drive from Curio Bay). This is easily one of the best campsites in NZ!
Spend one day driving or hiking around the Catlins coastline, where you’ll spot hordes of sunbathing seals, sea lions and penguins lining the beaches. Another day can be spent tackling the 5-hour Catlins River Track. Or simply kick back and throw a line in at one of the great fishing spots nearby.
Curioscape Campground offers a range of coastal campsites of different sizes. It sits on the swimming beach at Porpoise Bay, where penguins and Hector dolphins are often found frolicking. Facilities at the campsite include paid showers, a communal bathroom and a kitchen.
6. Wharariki Beach Holiday Park - Nelson Tasman
Address: 560 Wharariki Road, Pūponga 7073
Price: From $25 per night (powered site)
Grab a campsite at Wharariki Beach Holiday Park and stay within easy walking distance of the beach made world-famous as a Windows 10 screensaver. Located within the Nelson Tasman region, about 1.5 hours drive north of Abel Tasman National Park, Wharariki Beach is perfect for those wanting a quiet but scenically stunning destination.
The whole family can take on the Wharariki Beach walk, an easy hike (2km) that runs the length of the beach and takes you past cave systems, sand dunes and farmland. Then venture a little further on a guided horse riding tour to Puponga Beach or the rugged Old Man’s Range.
Wharariki Beach Holiday Park offers a range of powered and unpowered campsites. Facilities include a communal bathroom (paid hot showers), kitchen, laundry, BBQ area, playground, paid internet and onsite cafe.
7. Piha Domain Motor Camp – Auckland
Address: 21 Seaview Road, Piha 0772
Price: From $44 per night (powered site)
If you love sand and the sea, you will want to stay at Piha Domain Motor Camp on the dramatic black-sands of Piha Beach. Drive an hour west of Auckland through the Waitākere ranges and you’ll arrive at one of the best campsites for surfers on the North Island.
Piha Beach is one of the few unspoiled black sand beaches in New Zealand. It’s host to an array of waterfalls, forest and bush walks, plus epic lookouts and a rock that is famously known as Lion Rock (take a hike to see why). Whilst you’re at it, don’t forget to also check out Kite Kite falls.
Grab a beachfront campsite and make the most of the fantastic facilities, including modern bathroom blocks, a communal kitchen, kids playground, free boogie board hire, basketball court, skateboard ramp, football field, tennis court and nearby bowling green.
8. Matauri Bay Holiday Park - Bay of Islands
Address: Matauri Bay Road, Matauri Bay 0478
Price: From $24 per night (powered site in low season)
If you want to stay at this iconic campsite, get in quick - Matauri Bay Holiday Park is one of the most popular campgrounds in New Zealand. Located 30km North-East of Kerikeri, it’s perfectly situated for those wanting to explore the Bay of Islands.
This region is a gateway to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga. Plus, it’s less than an hour's drive to historical sites like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Russell. And if you’re a scuba diver, don’t miss your chance to dive the Rainbow Warrior wreck launching from Matauri Bay itself.
Matauri Bay Holiday Park has a massive range of powered and non-powered beachfront campsites, even offering annexes for those in motorhomes, campervans and caravans. Facilities at the park include a general store, petrol and diesel pumps, a communal bathroom block, kitchen, fishing station, takeaway, BBQ area and laundry.
9. Okarito Campground – West Coast South Island
Address: 7886/3 Russell Street, Ōkārito 7886
Price: From $15 per night (non-powered site)
Sitting on a small sand spit near the Tasman Sea and sheltered by rainforest and the Southern Alps, Okarito Campground offers an idyllic escape from reality. It is run by a tiny community of local residents and sits upon DoC land. The site aims to give visitors the old-school camping experience - where being amongst nature comes first and foremost!
Hire a kayak and explore the Okarito Lagoon, which is New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland. Or take a nocturnal bush walk along one of the many beach or rainforest paths for your chance to spot the Rowi - the rarest kiwi bird in the country. Plus, you’re only a 30-minute drive from Franz Josef glacier.
Although there are no powered campsites, visitors rave about the friendly feel and awesome facilities at Okarito, including communal bathroom blocks (paid showers), kitchen, laundry and free WiFi!
10. Moke Lake Campsite – Queenstown
Address: Moke Lake Road, Ben Lomond 9371
Price: From $15 per night (powered site)
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts. The scenic Moke Lake Campsite is just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown and offers a peaceful retreat from the adventure capital. Positioned perfectly under the mountains on the edge of Moke Lake, you can spend your time boating, swimming, kayaking, fishing, hiking, mountain biking - and whatever else you like doing!
Moke Lake Campsite is a DoC campground. It offers 50 non-powered sites on a first-come, first-serve basis - so be sure to get there early. Facilities include non-flush toilets, a cooking shelter, and an untreated water tap.
Hire a van to visit the best campsites in NZ
Now that you’ve got a list of all the best campsites in New Zealand, it’s time to arrange your wheels (and accommodation)!
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