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.

486 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 4 of 17.

South IslandCentral Otago

Champagne Gully

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 21 reviews

These camping areas are free for everyone to enjoy, if they follow some simple guidelines. These include: not lighting fires using the rubbish...

North IslandHawkes Bay

(Clive Ski Reserve)

Evers-Swindell Reserve

Freedom Camping

4.5 19 reviews

Evers-Swindell Reserve (previously Clive Ski Reserve) on the Clive River is a designated free-camping area for certified self-contained motorhomes...

North IslandBay of Plenty

Rotary Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 18 reviews

Certified self-contained campervans can stay for up to 2 nights per calendar month. Nab your spot early - only 3 vehicles per night, so it's first...

North IslandCoromandel

Little Waikawau Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 16 reviews

All freedom campers must be certified self-contained. Maximum stay of two consecutive nights, departure by 9am. Park only between the freedom...

South IslandSouthland

Thornbury Bridge Picnic Area

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 6 reviews

North IslandBay of Plenty

Omokoroa

Cooney Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 5 reviews

Freedom camping is allowed for campervans and motorhomes with self-containment certification at Cooney Reserve in Omokoroa, 15 minutes north of...

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

Matthews Park, Norsewood

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 4 reviews

$5 per person, self contained vehicles only, max 2 nights

South IslandCentral Otago

4.5 1 review

Free Campsite on the edge of the water above the Clyde Dam. 15 spaces for Self-Contained vehicles only. Maximum of 3 consecutive nights stay.

South IslandMount Cook - MacKenzie

4.5 215 reviews

Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping

Tiny

South IslandCoastal Otago

Brighton Domain

Overnight Self-contained Campervan Parking

4.5 70 reviews

Brighton Domain is open only to self-contained campers, and they can stay a maximum of 2 days there, out by 8.30am.

North IslandRuapehu

National Army Museum

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 45 reviews

Park at the back of the Museum in the last bay of the car park closest to the old Headquarters building - this location provides a bigger area...

South IslandCoastal Otago

Ocean View Reserve Carpark, Dunedin

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 43 reviews

If you are in a vehicle then you are welcome here. Please make sure you adhere to the area permitted which is shown on the maps onsite and with...

South IslandKaikoura Region

Jimmy Armers Beach, Kaikoura

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 43 reviews

- Camping for free in a certified self-contained vehicle is allowed for a maximum of 1 night in any four week period. - Vehicles must park within...

North IslandNorthland

Ruakaka Beach Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 40 reviews

Self Contained Campsite

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South IslandCoastal Otago

Warrington Reserve

Overnight Self Contained Campervans, Tents allowed

4.5 38 reviews

Overnight camping in self-contained vehicles and tents.

South IslandWest Coast

4.5 32 reviews

Welcome to Fox River/Potikohua

Timona Park

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

Timona Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 30 reviews

Large open park beside the river.

View from the parking area

North IslandTaranaki

Dawson Falls Carparks

Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki - Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 24 reviews

Explore the Dawson Falls area from this great base. A feature is one of New Zealand's oldest operational power generators.

North IslandNorthland

4.5 19 reviews

Closed to campers between 18 December and 8 February inclusive each year. Open to day trippers only during that period. ABSOLUTELY NO TENTS...

Tiny

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

Raumai Reserve

Overnight campervan parking

4.5 15 reviews

Summer hot spot!

Fergusson Park. Right by the sea.

North IslandBay of Plenty

Fergusson Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 15 reviews

Certified self-contained campervans can stay between Sunday and Thursday for up to 2 nights per calendar month in the internal carpark of Fergusson...

Snells Beach view from carpark

North IslandAuckland Region

Whisper Cove, Snells Beach

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 15 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...

North IslandCoromandel

Whangamata isite Carpark

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 12 reviews

All freedom campers must be certified self-contained. Maximum stay of two consecutive nights, departure by 9am. Area only available for...

North IslandTaranaki

Aotea Rotary Park, Waverley

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 6 reviews

Self-contained campervans can stay 1 night in summer (daylight saving), 2 nights in winter (non-daylight saving) Max 8 vehicles $16 per...

South IslandCentral Otago

Lowburn Harbour

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.4 116 reviews

Self-contained campers only, 3 night stay maximum These camping areas are free for everyone to enjoy, if you follow some simple guidelines...

Go Mot!!

South IslandNelson Region

Port Motueka Beach Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.4 104 reviews

What a score! This site is right next to the Salt Baths in Motueka, these baths are refilled every high tide and are a great place for a dip...

North IslandWaikato

Little Waipa Reserve

Lake Karapiro

4.4 58 reviews

Little Waipa reserve is on the banks of Lake Karapiro and accessed via Horahora road, it’s a popular spot for day-trippers. It is slightly elevated...

North IslandTaranaki

Lake Rotomanu, New Plymouth

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.4 52 reviews

Tents and other temporary structures are banned from freedom camping in New Plymouth District. People freedom camping in non-self-contained...

Overnight Parking area + Grassy area in front

North IslandCoromandel

Paku Drive, Tairua

Overnight Freedom Parking

4.4 38 reviews

Freedom Camping at Tairua, Paku Drive opposite the surf club. Site to be vacated by 9am. All freedom campers must be certified self-contained...