Best caravan parks on the South Island, New Zealand

The South Island is home to a whole heap of outstanding caravan parks. Whether you’re looking for a camping spot in a large city or a small town, you’re always bound to find a caravan park that is affordable, clean and comfortable.

To help you choose from the best of the bunch, our camping experts have compiled this list of the best caravan parks on the South Island of New Zealand. We’ve chosen our top ten caravan parks based on location, facilities, price and reputation. Plus, we’ve tried to include caravan parks near all the major tourist destinations on the South Island, from the Abel Tasman coast in the north to the southern city of Invercargill.

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re looking for the best caravan parks and some awesome South Island road trip ideas, look no further. Everything you need is right here on Camplify!

10 best caravan parks on the South Island, New Zealand

1. Invercargill Holiday Park

Address: 77 McIvor Road, Waikiwi, Invercargill 9876

Price: From $44 per night (powered site)

The most southerly caravan park in New Zealand lies five minutes’ drive from Invercargill, the southernmost and westernmost city on the South Island. Invercargill Holiday Park is in a peaceful rural setting of colourful gardens and native trees, and next door to the grasslands and ponds of Donovan Park and the landscaped gardens and art displays of Anderson Park.

Sites are either grass or hardstanding and facilities include a communal kitchen and dining area, a laundry room, a barbecue area and free wifi. In Invercargill, you can admire the Victorian and Edwardian heritage buildings that line the streets, drive down Oreti Beach (a coastal highway) or check out the famous E Hayes Motorworks museum.

2. Akaroa TOP 10 Holiday Park

Address: 96 Morgans Road, Akaroa 7542

Price: From $60 per night (powered site)

Stay in the crater of a dormant volcano at Akaroa TOP 10 Holiday Park on Canterbury’s Banks Peninsula, close to Akaroa Beach and harbour. This scenic caravan park has a pool, free wifi, a barbecue area and a communal kitchen among several other facilities, and offers sites with views over the harbour.

This is a beautiful area to stay in: arrange a boat trip around the harbour to swim with Hector dolphins, see the largest Little penguin colony in Australasia or wander into Akaroa town for French-themed eateries and the highly-rated Akaroa Museum.

3. Pelorus Bridge Cafe and Motorcamp

Address: 5949 State Highway 6 7192

Price: From $20 per night (powered site)

One of the best aspects of caravanning in New Zealand is the huge range of campgrounds run by the Department of Conservation (DoC), almost all of which are in stunning locations and cost very little to stay at. TheDoC’s Pelorus Bridge Campground in the Marlborough region is no exception, set on the banks of the Pelorus River among tall kahikatea, beech and rimu trees.

This campground has bonus points for JRR Tolkien fans – the barrel rider scene in Peter Jackson’s film The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was filmed at the river. Facilities at the motorcamp include hot showers, a communal kitchen, bathroom block, laundry, cafe and shop. Bookings are required.

4. Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park

Address: 77 Manapouri-Te Anau Highway, Te Anau 9600

Price: From $63 per night (powered site)

This family-owned caravan park is on the southern shore of the beautiful Lake Te Anau, the biggest lake on the South Island. Most of this southwestern New Zealand lake is within Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site, in a region packed with things to do such as kayaking, hiking, caving and exploring spectacular Milford South.

Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park has free wifi and communal facilities including kitchens, TV lounges, barbecues, a cafe, laundry and modern bathrooms with hot showers.

5. Jackson’s Retreat Alpine Holiday Park

Address: 4464 Otira Highway (SH73), Jacksons 7832

Price: From $52 per night (powered site)

For stays on the West Coast, park up at Jackson’s Retreat Alpine Holiday Park and its Innovation Award-winning covered sites. One of the best caravan parks on the South Island of New Zealand, each of the covered sites is in its own private bay with power, fresh water, a bath and a window to take in the alpine and Taramakau River views.

Around the grounds, set off on the park’s Ngarimu Walking Track to see the nearby waterfall and the 19th-century quartz mine, or access glow worm dells directly within the grounds. Covered sites are suitable for caravans (one vehicle only) but they also offer uncovered sites for slightly less.

6. Riverlands Holiday Park

Address: 45 Doubledays Road, Kaiapoi 7691

Price: From $30 per night (powered site)

Nestled away in the rural outskirts of Christchurch, Riverlands Holiday Park sits amongst lush green grounds on the edge of the Waimakariri River. Pick a flat grassy site and make the most of the park facilities, including a communal kitchen, TV room, bathroom, laundry and dump station. For only $10, you can hire a set of golf clubs from the front desk and play the caravan park’s 9 hole golf course.

And just 15 minutes drive from Christchurch (and the airport), it’s the perfect place to base yourself whilst exploring the city's major attractions. Ride the Christchurch Gondola and TranzAlpine Train, or take the kids to Quake City and the International Antarctic Centre.

7. Queenstown Holiday Park and Motels Creeksyde

Address: 54 Robins Road, Queenstown 9300

Price: From $59 per night (powered site)

The adventure capital of the world, Queenstown, buzzes by day and night. Stay at the Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creeksyde and you’ll be right in the midst of the action, only a few minutes walk from the centre of town.

Facilities at the park include a spa, sauna, modern bathrooms, communal kitchen, BBQ area, lounge, laundry, wifi and storage for your skis and bikes. Speaking of which, why not take a ride around beautiful Lake Wakatipu, shred the nearby Remarkables or simply soak in the Onsen Hot Pools.

8. Dunedin Holiday Park

Address: 41 Victoria Road, St Kilda, Dunedin 9012

Price: From $30 per night (powered site)

Visit the South Island’s equivalent of Edinburgh and stay opposite St Kilda beach at the Dunedin Holiday Park. This family-friendly caravan park has well-maintained grounds and offers free unlimited wifi, a TV room, children’s playground and asphalt roads perfect for bikes and scooters.

You’re perfectly positioned for short day trips to the nearby Otago Peninsula or The Catlins, where sunbathing seals, sea lions and penguins frolic on the beaches. And don’t forget to visit the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross Breeding Centre, followed by high tea at Larnach Castle.

9. Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park

Address: 212 Brownston Street, Wanaka 9305

Price: From $22.50 per night (powered site)

Only 5-minutes walk from the famous Wanaka Tree and Wanaka city centre, you’ll find the highly-rated Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park. Framed between snow capped mountains and the stunning Lake Wanaka, you’ll struggle to find a more scenic caravan park on the South Island.

Facilities at the park include an indoor spa, modern bathrooms, communal kitchens, TV rooms, wifi and a dump station. It’s the perfect base for those planning to snow ski Cardona in winter or water ski Lake Wanaka in summer.

10. Spring Creek Holiday Park Address: 1199 Rapaura Road, Spring Creek 7273

Price: From $44 per night (powered site)

Planning on touring the vineyards around Marlborough and the Abel Tasman coast? You can’t beat the Spring Creek Holiday Park in Blenheim. This shady caravan park sits quietly on the edge of a crystal clear creek and is only 5-minutes drive from the centre of town.

Facilities include a swimming pool, BBQ area, playground, TV room, laundry, modern bathrooms, communal kitchen and free WiFi. Hire bikes from the front office and take a self-guided tour around the 30 nearby vineyards and cellar doors. And don’t miss the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, a state-of-the-art WW1 and WW2 aircraft exhibit created by Sir Peter Jackson.

Hire a caravan on the South Island with Camplify

Home of Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Wanaka, Marlborough, Fiordland and a heap of other gorgeous destinations, Te Waipounamu is the perfect destination for families and adventure lovers alike. And now that you’ve got a list of all the best caravan parks on New Zealand’s South Island, it’s time to arrange your wheels (and accommodation)!

Camplify is a platform that allows holidaymakers to quickly search through privately-owned rentals and find the ideal van for their adventure. Simply enter your pickup location, adjust the optional filters and within seconds, you will find the perfect motorhome, camper or caravan hire on the South Island!

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