Freedom Camping

Bay of Islands, Northland

PhotoAlistair Guthrie

AccommodationCamping Grounds

Freedom Camping Locations

Expect no facilities. Generally for self contained vehicles only.

A few unprepared freedom campers have affected Aotearoa, socially and environmentally. New Zealanders are very aware of this, and some now see freedom campers as a threat to the environment and our collective ability to enjoy it.

We don’t want you to be seen in this light. Please be respectful of the environment and the local people. These freedom camping tips will show the way.

483 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 14 of 17.

Parking in the yellow area

South IslandWanaka Region

Camp Hill road Carpark, Hawea

Overnight Campervan parking

3.7 1 review

There are 10 marked spaces available for certified self-contained vehicles, between the hours of 5pm and 10am. Maximum 2 night stay in and...

North IslandTaupo Region

Umukarikari Carpark

Kaimanawa Forest Park - Overnight Campervan Parking

3.7 1 review

A beautiful, small area surrounded by large native trees. It is at the start of the tramping track. There is room for 2-3 vehicles max.

North IslandNorthland

Onerahi Beach Road Reserve

Overnight CampervanParking

3.6 13 reviews

ABSOLUTELY NO TENTS ALLOWED One night maximum. Vehicles must be self contained. You must park in the designated site that is indicated by...

North IslandTairāwhiti Gisborne

Clyde Court Carpark, Wairoa

Freedom Camping Site

3.6 3 reviews

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

Castlecliff Beach

Overnight Campervan Parking

3.6 2 reviews

Certified Self-contained campers can park here for a maximum of 4 nights.

North IslandHawkes Bay

Dartmoor Bridge Reserve

Freedom Camping

3.6 2 reviews

Dartmoor Bridge Reserve, in the Dartmoor Valley about 30 minutes inland from Napier, is a designated free-camping area for certified self-contained...

The gravel park up spot

South IslandSouthland

3.6 2 reviews

Overnight freedom camping is permitted by the council in the Southland town of Nightcaps. Kick back and enjoy a bit of real, live, Kiwi small...

North IslandRuapehu

Dominion Road Carpark

Tongariro Conservation Area - Overnight Campervan Parking

3.6 2 reviews

Four nights maximum in a single calendar month.

North IslandTairāwhiti Gisborne

War Memorial Park, Wairoa

Freedom Camping Site

3.6 5 reviews

South IslandCanterbury

Marine Parade Laybys

City Coastal Freedom Camping Restricted Zone

3.6 5 reviews

Certified self-contained campervans

Parking in blue area

North IslandAuckland Region

Wingate Reserve, Avondale

Overnight campervan Parking

3.6 4 reviews

A maximum of two freedom camping vehicles may stay overnight in the area A person wishing to stay overnight must – (1) use a certified self...

South IslandKaikoura Region

3.6 3 reviews

8pm - 8am - 2 spaces only.

South IslandMarlborough

Lansdowne Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

3.6 2 reviews

Lansdowne Park is located on the north east side of Blenheim. The responsible camping area at the Park is in the south west corner of the main...

South IslandWest Coast

Atarau Road

Overnight Campervan Parking

3.6 1 review

Self-contained vehicles only All freedom campers are limited to three nights in any one location and ten nights overall in any calendar month

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South IslandQueenstown Region

Greenstone River Carpark

Overnight Campervan Parking

3.6 1 review

North IslandBay of Plenty

Morgan Park Carpark, Waihi

Overnight Campervan Parking

3.6 1 review

Freedom camping is restricted to self-contained vehicles and to designated carparks. 2 nights maximum Self-contained vehicles only

North IslandWaikato

3.5 6 reviews

The carpark on St Stephens Ave in Tuakau is a free-camping zone. All campervans and motorhomes camping here need a self-containment certificate...

North IslandTaupo Region

Waituhi Viewpoint

Pureora Forest - Overnight Campervan Parking

3.5 5 reviews

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

3.5 2 reviews

2 campers per night. Stay max. 3 nights per month. Dogs allowed Great range of tracks, boardwalks and bushwalks. 4 km walk around lakes...

South IslandNelson Region

Alexander Bluff Road Reserve, Ngatimoti

Overnight Campervan Parking

3.4 20 reviews

Maximum 40 vehicles allowed Self contained vehicles only

Closed due to flooding

North IslandHawkes Bay

Tangoio Falls

Overnight Campervan Parking

3.4 1 review

North IslandBay of Plenty

Maramatanga Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

3.4 1 review

Campervans and motorhomes can freedom camp at Te Puna's Maramatanga Reserve for up to three nights

North IslandNorthland

3.4 1 review

You can park overnight at Bradeys Bay Park around Paremata Road, giving you uninterrupted views of the inlet. The park has space for 3 motorhome...

North IslandHawkes Bay

Elsthorpe Carpark

Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

3.4 1 review

Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve is made up of two blocks of mature lowland podocarp forest with excellent examples of kahikatea, matai, miro and totara...

North IslandBay of Plenty

MacMillan Reserve

Katikati - Overnight Campervan Parking

3.1 7 reviews

Campervans and motorhomes with self-containment certification can free camp for up to three nights at the MacMillan Reserve on the Katikati foreshore...

North IslandHawkes Bay

Mohi Bush Picnic Area

Mohi Bush Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

3.1 5 reviews

Mohi Bush is considered the best reserve on the Maraetotara Plateau for people to explore.

McLeans Recreation Area

South IslandNelson Region

3 28 reviews

Large area, very sheltered with loads of space underneath the trees for camping and positioned right next to the Motueka River. Good swimming...

Overnight parking in blue area

North IslandAuckland Region

Wellsford Community Centre

Overnight Campervan Parking

2.9 1 review

A maximum of five freedom camping vehicles may stay overnight in the area A person wishing to stay overnight must – (1) use a certified self...

North IslandBay of Plenty

(Overnight Campervan Parking)

Te Puna Station Road Reserve

2.9 1 review

Self-contained vehicles only. Maximum 3 night stay in any 4 week consecutive period (beginning on the first night).

North IslandBay of Plenty

Cambridge Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

2.9 4 reviews

Certified self-contained campervans for up to 2 nights per calendar month. Nab your spot early - only 2 vehicles per night, so it's first-come...