Queenstown holiday parks: top 10 campgrounds guide

Nestled beneath the Remarkables mountain range on the shores of Lake Wakatipu’s turquoise waters, Queenstown’s breathtaking scenery and vibrant spirit create the ultimate setting for a van life adventure.

Take the leap and discover why Queenstown is a thrill-seekers paradise. Whether you want to go bungee jumping, skydiving, skiing, white water rafting or jet boating, there’s an adrenaline rush around every corner. And although renowned for being New Zealand’s action-packed playground, the region’s welcoming locals, upbeat vibes and natural beauty make it a fantastic camping spot for your next family holiday, too. From its steamship cruises and picturesque bike trails to farm tours and underwater observatory, families young and old will fall in love with Queenstown.

With so many activities to choose from, deciding where to set up camp is a whole other kettle of fish you mightn’t have time for. So it’s a good thing we’ve sussed the best holiday parks and campgrounds in Queenstown and its surrounding regions for you.

Check out our top ten camping recommendations below!

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.

Queenstown Lake View Holiday Park

Queenstown 100m from the city centre

Photo credit: Tourism New Zealand

The central yet peaceful location of Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park is hard to beat. This gem of a camping spot sits right in the middle of Queenstown city, just 500m from the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Only a stone’s throw away from the lively bustle of Queenstown’s food and drink scene, you’ll also find all sorts of outdoor adventures on your doorstep. Whether you go for a bungee jump, a mountain hike, or a ski down the slopes of the Southern Alps, there’s nothing like ending your day with a BBQ against the backdrop of crystal clear water and snow-capped mountains.

Features: Powered and unpowered sites, kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, BBQs, WiFi, a TV room and a playground

Price per night: Powered sites from $50, unpowered sites from $54

Website: www.holidaypark.net.nz

Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creeksyde

Queenstown 750m from the city centre

Photo credit: AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand

Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creeksyde is another great option if you want to spend a few nights in the city - Queenstown city centre and all of its activities are only a four-minute stroll away. Spread across lush green land beside Horne Creek, this campsite is full of character with recycled art pieces peppered throughout its quirky gardens.

But the coolest thing about this place? It is the world's first environmentally-certified EarthCheck Holiday Park. In 2018, the property was awarded EarthCheck's highest accolade of Master Certification for its dedication to first-rate green initiatives (now there’s a way to reduce that eco-footprint when you’re on the go).

Features: Powered and unpowered sites, kitchen and laundry facilities, WiFi, ski storage, unique Trompe L'oeil bathrooms and heaps of wacky artwork!

Price per night: From $55

Website: www.camp.co.nz

Arrowtown Born of Gold Holiday Park

Arrowtown 20km from Queenstown

Photo credit: @petrblair via Unsplash.com

An easy 20-minute drive from Queenstown, Arrowtown is a must visit for anyone exploring New Zealand. Once a thriving gold-mining hub, this charming town is steeped in fascinating heritage and surrounded by stunning scenery.

Resting right by the Arrow River, the tranquillity of Arrowtown Holiday Park offers a quiet getaway just minutes from local attractions. Check out the ruins of an old Chinese miners village, test your luck with some gold panning in the river or wander around one boutique shop after another. And when you’re ready to unwind with a glass of local wine, hire a bike and cycle straight from the holiday park to a variety of vineyards.

Features: Powered and unpowered sites, a kitchen with under-floor heating (!), BBQs, laundry and bathroom facilities, WiFi, a playground and tennis courts

Price per night: From $45

Website: www.arrowtownholidaypark.co.nz

Lake Hawea Holiday Park

Lake Hawea

80km from Queenstown

Photo credit: @zetaplusae via Unsplash.com

With incredible views of the watery depths and towering peaks, Lake Hawea Holiday Park is a blissful base for outdoor adventures. The days will fly by as you boat, windsurf and kite surf on Lake Hawea. You can also get your blood pumping with nearby skydiving, bungee jumping, jet-boating and mountain biking. And if you’d prefer a more relaxing holiday, the beautiful surroundings and their wonderful walking trails are perfect for families, couples and friends to chill out and enjoy the Central Otago weather.

Features: Powered and unpowered sites, kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities, a playground, a boat ramp and bike hire

Price per night: Powered sites from $19 per adult, unpowered sites from $15 per adult

Website: www.haweaholidaypark.co.nz

Cameron Flat Campsite

Mount Aspiring National Park

140km from Queenstown

Photo credit: Small World Productions, Tourism NZ

Cruise for two hours and you’ll reach Mount Aspiring National Park, which is home to one of the country’s highest peaks, as well as a mosaic of glaciers, lakes and river valleys.

Park your RV at Cameron Flat campsite, which sits right by the Makarora River. Then head out for a long hike in the great outdoors, traversing mountain ridges and deep valleys. Our favourites are the Routeburn and Wilkin Valley tracks, or the Greenstone-Caples circuit. For a more leisurely stroll, don’t miss the 1.5km Blue Pools Walk. This kid-friendly loop will take you through scenic beech forest before opening up to icy pools of crystal clear glacial water. The serenity of this magical spot is worth the camping trip all in itself.

Features: Unpowered sites , flushing toilets, running water and a sheltered cooking area

Price per night: $8 per adult, $4 per child

Website: www.doc.govt.nz

Moke Lake Campsite

Closeburn 15km from Queenstown

Photo credit: @aleksdahlberg via Unsplash.com

Tucked away in a ring of tussock-blanketed mountains, Moke Lake is a true gem when it comes to camping in the great outdoors. You can set up camp right on the shores of its calm waters, enjoying unobstructed views of Ben Lomond, Ben More and Mount Hanley peaks. Swim, fish and boat by day; stargaze at the otherworldly skies by night. This is also a Queenstown hotspot for mountain biking, with undulating trails for all skill levels looping the lake.

Just note that while Glenorchy road is a holidayer’s dream (keep your camera handy!), it is only suited to 4WD when tricky winter conditions set in.

Features: Unpowered sites, bathroom facilities and a sheltered cooking area

Price per night: $13 per adult, $6.50 per child

Website: www.doc.govt.nz

Glendhu Bay Motor Camp

Lake Wanaka

80km from Queenstown

Photo credit: @mischievous_penguins via Unsplash.com

Sitting on the doorstep of Mount Aspiring National Park, Glendhu Bay Motor Camp is the only holiday park on Lake Wanaka’s shoreline. Find it hidden away in a scenic bay, just a ten-minute drive from the restaurants and bars of Wanaka town. While away the day with a wine tasting at the local vineyards or sip some whiskey at the Cardrona Distillery. Alternatively, discover the many fishing and boating opportunities around Glendhu Bay or wander over to Matukituki River for a thrilling jet boat ride. For a summertime adventure, try out awesome rock climbing spots such as Hospital Flat and Riverside or embark on the Roys Peak walking track. And when winter rolls in, you’ll only be a short drive from two stellar ski fields: Treble Cone and Cardrona. We think it’s safe to say that this one has it all.

Features: Powered and unpowered sites, kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities, WiFi, a boat ramp, a playground and even a hot tub!

Price per night: From $18

Website: www.glendhubaymotorcamp.co.nz

Getaway Te Anau Holiday Park

Te Anau Lake

170km from Queenstown

Photo credit: Rob Suisted, Milford Lodge

Situated on the fringe of Fiordland National Park, Getaway Te Anau Holiday Park offers plenty of exciting activities for every type of traveller. Renowned as the walking capital of New Zealand, this jaw-dropping landscape is home to iconic walking trails like the Kepler Track and Routeburn Track. If you’d rather rest your feet, take a horse trek through mountain ranges, townships and farmland, marvelling at panoramic views of Lake Te Anau. And what lies below the peaks by Lake Te Anau’s western edge is just as magnificent as the world above - Venture underground to discover the maze of limestone caverns illuminated by a galaxy of glowworms.

Features: Powered and unpowered sites, BBQ, kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities, WiFi, a playground, and a hot tub and sauna

Price per night: Powered site from $44, unpowered site from $40

Website: www.getawayteanau.co.nz

Rainforest Campervan Park at Milford Sound Lodge

Milford Sound

285km from Queenstown

Photo credit: Tourism New Zealand

Milford Sound is an unmissable leg of any New Zealand road trip. Tucked between the sky-high Darran Mountains in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound Lodge allows you to get up close and personal with the unparalleled beauty of this natural wonder.

Hike the Milford Track, explore the shores by kayak or sightsee on a guided cruise of the fiord. For a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site from the clouds with a scenic flight tour, soaring over surging waterfalls and giant glaciers. And to get another unique perspective of this amazing landscape, discover New Zealand’s coral capital with a thrilling dive in its deep waters. Whatever you decide to do, follow it up with an unforgettable night at the Rainforest Campervan Park.

Features: Powered sites, kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities, dining lodge, WiFi

Price per night: $30 per adult, $15 per child

Website: www.milfordlodge.com

The Pines, Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping

Lake Pukaki

210km from Queenstown

Photo credit: Jackhynes via Wikimedia Commons

Okay, so this isn’t technically a holiday park or a campground… But we just couldn’t resist giving this epic camping spot a shout out! The Mackenzie District Council has kindly set aside a large reserve bang on the lake shore so that respectful visitors like yourself can freedom camp in one of New Zealand’s most remarkable locations.

Set far back from the main road, you can spend the day exploring this stunning aqua lake (which is so blue, it’s almost luminous!). Go for an icy dip in nature’s giant plunge pool, taking in the incredible views of rugged mountains and rolling hills. Lake Pukaki is also an excellent place to camp if you’re looking to visit Mount Cook, which is just a brief and beautiful drive away. When the sun sets, settle down for a starry evening under the Milky Way - And perhaps even the Aurora Australis.

Features: Unpowered sites for self-contained vehicles , bathroom facilities and a priceless backdrop

Price per night: Free

Website: www.mackenzienz.com

So what is Camplify?

We are Australia’s largest 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 Photo Credit: AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand