Camping guides
Where can you park a caravan overnight?
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There’s nothing better than renting out a caravan and heading out onto the open road to explore everything New Zealand has to offer! While you don’t have to worry about where you’ll be resting your head each night, camping is all about finding the right spot to set up camp. But where can you park a caravan overnight?
New Zealand offers up a number of different overnight parking options for caravans, from resort-style holiday parks to quiet freedom camping areas with little to no facilities. Below, we share the different places you can consider when it comes to parking your caravan overnight while travelling New Zealand.
What to consider when deciding where to park a caravan overnight
When it comes to finding a place to park your caravan overnight, there are a few things you need to consider:
What is my budget?
If you have the budget, then it’s worth looking into the more expensive options that come with all the facilities that might make you more comfortable for your trip.
Do I need power?
You can last a night without power, as long as you avoid or limit the use of devices such as microwaves, TVs outlets and so on. You might be happy doing this for the odd night here and there. Otherwise, it helps to opt for a powered site for a little more comfort!
Where can I stay?
In New Zealand, you have three options when it comes to where to park your caravan overnight:
Holiday parks
Department of Conservation campsites
Freedom camping
We take you through each of the options below, offering up more details of the pros and cons of each option so you can make the best decision for your needs!
Where can you park a caravan overnight in New Zealand?
Holiday parks
Once you sort out caravan hire, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to holiday parks to stay at during your trip. Offering all the modern amenities that can make camping so convenient, this option comes at a relatively higher cost.
It’s the price you pay for comfort and prime views, which for many is well worth it! You not only gain access to electricity and running water, but a powered site also allows you to recharge your caravan battery (while giving your car a rest) ready for the next leg of the journey. Even the most basic caravan parks offer up toilets, showers, laundries, and camp kitchens for you to enjoy.
Some of the fancier options also include swimming pools, parks, tennis courts and even spas for you to relax and unwind. If you have little ones, this makes the perfect option, and you can even make the most of kids’ clubs in some locations!
Caravan parks tend to range from NZ$30-$50 depending on what amenities are on offer, and whether you choose a powered or unpowered site. As you might expect, caravan parks can fill up quickly, depending on the time of year you choose to travel (think school holidays). Be sure to book ahead!
Our team at Camplify has done a heap of research to find the best holiday parks and campgrounds around New Zealand:
Department of Conservation campsites
If you really want to immerse yourself in some wild camping experiences, then go on the hunt for some Department of Conservation (DoC) campsites.
There are more than 200 of these sites scattered throughout New Zealand, located in national parks and on Government-owned land. Costs will vary depending on what sort of campsite you take advantage of.
Serviced campsites have toilets, basic camp kitchens, hot showers and, occasionally, laundry facilities. Costs tend to be about NZ$15 per night for adults and NZ$7.50 for children.
Scenic campsites, as the name suggests, are in some amazing locations, which makes them much more popular. But they also come with fewer amenities. You can expect to find toilets and tap water, then perhaps a cold shower and a cooking shelter. Costs are generally around NZ$10 per night for adults and NZ$5 for children.
Ready to book? Head to their website and start searching for the campsite of your choice.
Freedom camping
A lot of holidaymakers in New Zealand enjoy the beauty of freedom camping! You can park your caravan on public land with minimal or no facilities - provided it is self-contained and in a designated freedom camping area within 200 metres of vehicle access, the coast or a Great Walks Track.
While camping is free, you need to be responsible and respectful of the land you’re on, which is why there are rules:
Dispose of rubbish responsibly: take away all your waste and leave the area just as you found it.
Keep it clean: try and opt for a public bathroom if possible. Apps such as Camper Mate can help you find the nearest toilets.
Recycle: use recycling facilities when they are available.
Waste disposal station: empty your water and wastewater at the designated dump station.
Every council will have its own rules, so it helps to do your research beforehand. Some will not let you freedom camp within one kilometre of town, or will only let you stay for one night.
You can receive a NZ$200 fine for ignoring any signs forbidding freedom camping.
You can also freedom camp on DoC land (separate from the actual campsites outlined above), with exceptions in place. For example, if the site has special value or is a Maori burial site, or a protected plant or animal is there. So make sure you are permitted to do so before setting up your caravan for the night.
Learn more about where can you camp for free in NZ.
Travelling New Zealand in a caravan
It’s no secret that New Zealand is full of a number of hidden gems off the beaten road for you to explore, making a caravan a great way to get around the islands. So organise caravan hire on the North Island or caravan hire on the South Island and get touring!
The cost to rent a caravan is well and truly paid off thanks to the affordable and scenic camping options you can take advantage of! All it takes is a little research and some pre-booking to secure a great place where you can park a caravan overnight.
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