Camping guides
Where can I park my campervan in New Zealand guide?
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This beautiful country is made for # vanlife holidays, with wilderness and adventure at every turn. But you might be wondering where you can set up camp each night. In New Zealand, you can park your campervan in any of the following areas:
Freedom Camping Sites (where signage indicates that camping is permitted)
Department of Conservation Campgrounds
Holiday Parks and Private Campgrounds
Below, you will find more details about where you can park your campervan in New Zealand. You can also learn about the facilities, fees and rules that apply at each type of campground.
If you are planning a road trip around North or South Island, Camplify is here to help you find and hire the perfect campervan for your travel needs. Plus, our guide to New Zealand road trips in a campervan makes it easy to plan an unforgettable journey.
Freedom Camping
In New Zealand, you can park your campervan and sleep overnight on certain public lands for free. However, this does not mean that you can camp wherever you like. Each region clearly signposts areas where freedom camping is allowed.
There are two types of Freedom Camping sites in New Zealand:
Department of Conservation (DOC) Sites
Local Council Sites
Of the 168 DOC campsites in New Zealand, about 50 are free to camp at. However, there are some DOC lands where you can not camp because the site is reserved for a special reason (cultural or natural). Only park your campervan at DOC campsites where there are signs permitting camping.
As you road trip around New Zealand, you will also come across numerous free local council campsites. Each regional council is different in terms of the number of free campsites it offers and the regulations that apply. Often, these sites are located at least 1km from the closest township and you will only be allowed to park your campervan there for a few nights (usually 1-3).
Many of New Zealand’s best freedom camping sites are located in scenic locations. However, at most freedom camping sites, you will only have access to very basic amenities such as:
Drop Toilets
Water from a tank, stream or lake.
To camp at a freedom site, your vehicle must meet the Caravan Self Containment Certification standard and display the relevant blue and white sticker. A self-contained vehicle is one that “you are able to live in for three days without getting more water or dumping waste”. Onboard your campervan, you must have:
A toilet;
Freshwater storage;
Wastewater storage; and
A rubbish bin with a lid.
If you choose to park your campervan at a freedom camping site, you are required by law and local regulations to leave the site in the same condition that you found it in. All freedom camping sites require to follow four responsible camping rules:
Take away all waste and rubbish
Always use the public toilets provided or a toilet in your campervan
Use recycling facilities whenever they are available
Only empty your sewage and wastewater at designated dump stations.
Under New Zealand’s Freedom Camping Act 2011, you can receive a $200 on the spot fine if you:
Park your campervan overnight where there is a ‘no camping’ sign.
Park your campervan (if it is not approved as a self-contained vehicle) overnight where there is a “self-contained” sign.
Deposit waste while freedom camping.
National Parks and Department of Conservation (DOC) Campgrounds
National parks and many other reserves around New Zealand are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). You can park your campervan and camp overnight at the majority of DOC sites (where signage says camping is permitted).
DOC campsites are classified by the amenities available:
Basic Campsites (Free) - Basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Campervan must be fully self-sufficient to stay overnight.
Backcountry Campsites (fees vary) - Toilets, water supply, picnic tables, cooking shelters and fireplaces may be provided.
Standard Campsites ($8 per adult) - Toilets, water supply, vehicle/boat access, picnic tables, BBQs, fireplaces, cold showers, cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided. Some standard campsites might offer powered sites for an additional $3 per adult.
Scenic Campsites ($15 per adult) - Same as standard campsites but in more popular scenic areas. Some scenic campsites might offer powered sites for an additional $3 per adult.
Serviced Campsites ($20 per adult) - Flush toilets, hot showers, tap water, cooking benches, rubbish collection, laundry facilities and more may be provided. Some serviced campsites might offer powered sites for an additional $3 per adult.
Bookings are sometimes required if you want to park your campervan at DOC campgrounds.
Holiday Parks and Private Campgrounds
If you want access to a full range of modern amenities, you can park your campervan at holiday parks and private campsites all around New Zealand.
Almost all holiday parks around New Zealand provide access to hot showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, lounge areas and communal kitchens.
On average, it will cost you about NZ$35-40 per night (for 2 adults) to park your campervan at a powered holiday park site. Comparatively, it will cost you about NZ$25-35 per night (for 2 adults) to park at an unpowered holiday park site.
Our team at Camplify has done a heap of research to find the best holiday parks and campgrounds around New Zealand:
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