Free camping in New Zealand
Where you can legally park up for the night, how long you can stay, and 13 free and low-cost places near Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown and along the classic routes.
- Places listed
- 13
- Free
- 1
- Checked
- 25 October 2026, against official sources
The sign wins. Councils change rules often. If a site is signed "No camping", don't camp there, whatever this page or an app says.
Where you can sleep in a campervan in New Zealand
Freedom camping in a hire van: the self-contained rule
By default, freedom camping on public land in a vehicle is restricted to vehicles certified self-contained, unless the site has been specifically set up for non-self-contained vehicles. If you stay in a campground, holiday park or on private property, the self-containment requirements do not apply.
Source: Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: Private vehicle ownersGreen warrants replaced blue warrants on 7 June 2026
The national system began on 7 December 2023 with a transition to 6 June 2026. From 7 June 2026 only vehicles with a green warrant are recognised as self-contained; the old blue warrant no longer counts. The green warrant card must be displayed in the vehicle.
Source: Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: Private vehicle ownersWhat 'self-contained' now requires
A vehicle must have a toilet permanently fixed to and usable within the vehicle, plus meet requirements for water supply, wastewater, ventilation, sink and rubbish storage. A portable toilet no longer qualifies. A vehicle's size alone doesn't decide it; each is assessed individually.
Source: Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: Private vehicle ownersRental vans
Rental companies whose customers want to freedom camp must have the van certified self-contained. Before you rely on freedom camping, check the van you are given displays a current green warrant card; if it doesn't, treat it as non-self-contained.
Source: Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: Rental vehicle companiesWhat a non-self-contained van can and can't do
It can stay in holiday parks, DOC campsites and other designated campgrounds, and on private property. It cannot freedom camp on council, DOC or LINZ land unless that site is specifically designated for non-self-contained vehicles. Councils, DOC and LINZ decide where freedom camping is restricted or prohibited and enforce it.
Source: Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: Private vehicle ownersFines
Freedom camping on public land without a green warrant can bring a $400 infringement notice, according to the regulator's June 2026 media release.
Source: Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: media release 3 June 2026Freedom camping on DOC land
You may freedom camp on public conservation land except where it is prohibited or restricted. Scenic and recreation reserves are off-limits unless DOC provides a campsite; some sites are 'self-contained vehicles only' by sign; no freedom camping near Great Walks tracks; no fires; failure to follow rules may mean a fine. Not all restricted areas have a 'No Camping' sign.
Source: DOC: Freedom campingQueenstown Lakes
The district's 2025 bylaw allows freedom camping only in certified self-contained vehicles at 14 designated carpark sites (141 spaces); urban areas and on-road parks are off limits. The council advises vehicles that aren't certified to use serviced holiday parks and DOC campsites.
Source: Queenstown Lakes District Council: Responsible camping FAQsDOC campsite fees
Standard campsites: adults $10-20 per night, children (5-17) $5-10 (some vary seasonally). Serviced campsites: adults $25 unpowered. Basic campsites are free. Most standard campsites need an online booking.
Source: DOC: Campsite categories, facilities and feesSelf-contained-only DOC sites
Some DOC campsites are explicitly for certified self-contained vehicles only, for example Whakaipo Campsite (Taupō), because its facilities aren't adequate for campers who are not self-contained. Look for '(self-contained only)' in the campsite name.
Source: DOC: Whakaipo Campsite13 free and low-cost places in New Zealand
Each one is confirmed on an official page, linked on its card. Prices and limits are as published on 25 October 2026; check the link before you go.
Near Auckland
- 1
Hotoritori Campsite
Kauaeranga Valley, Coromandel (near Thames)
DOC campsite- Price
- $10 per adult per night; $5 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 15 non-powered/tent sites (standard campsite); fees and bookings per DOC page
- Booking
- Online booking required (DOC campsite booking); same-day bookings online until 8 pm if spaces remain; no spaces held for walk-ups (book any Kauaeranga Valley campsite online)
Closest DOC valley camp to Thames on the Coromandel side trip; the Kauaeranga page says you can pay by cash envelope at the visitor centre if you arrive after hours. Dogs on a leash only. Surface of the 14 km valley road not stated.
Official info: DOC: Hotoritori Campsite ↗ - 2
Lake Ōkareka Campsite
Lake Ōkareka, 15 min from Rotorua
DOC campsite- Price
- $18 per adult per night; $9 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 12 non-powered/tent sites (standard campsite)
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Not needed - first come, first served
Pay a camp host by eftpos or use a DOC Campsite Pass. Limited room and not suitable for vehicles over 6 m, so check the length of your hire van. The DOC page says access to the campsite is sealed.
Official info: DOC: Lake Ōkareka Campsite ↗ - 3
Mangahuia Campsite
Off SH47, 6 km east of National Park village (Tongariro)
DOC campsite- Price
- $18 per adult per night; $9 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 21 non-powered/tent sites, 15 suitable for campervans (standard campsite)
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Online booking required (DOC campsite booking); same-day bookings online until 8 pm if spaces remain; no spaces held for walk-ups
Gravel access. Pay online at booking. Good base for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing area. Coordinates are from the DOC page and look slightly north of National Park village, so double-check before using on a map.
Official info: DOC: Mangahuia Campsite ↗
Near Christchurch
- 4
Spencer Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Spencerville, north-east Christchurch
Caravan park- Price
- fee: see source
- Facilities
- Holiday park (amenities block being rebuilt as of May 2025 per the council)
- Access
- 2WD sealed (city holiday park)
- Booking
- See the park
Owned and managed by Christchurch City Council. Non-self-contained freedom camping isn't an option in Christchurch, so a paid park is the straightforward choice. Check the amenities-block rebuild is finished before booking.
Official info: DOC: Spencer Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park ↗ - 5
Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite
SH73, 35 km south of Arthur's Pass village (Craigieburn Forest Park)
DOC campsite- Price
- $15 per adult per night; $7.50 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 20 non-powered/tent sites (standard campsite); no fires
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Online booking required (DOC campsite booking); same-day bookings online until 8 pm if spaces remain; no spaces held for walk-ups
Closest DOC campsite option on the Arthur's Pass road out of Christchurch. Gravel road. Motorised boats banned (wildlife refuge). No dogs.
Official info: DOC: Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite ↗ - 6
Lake Poaka Campsite
Off SH8 near Pukaki Canal, Twizel area
Free- Price
- Free
- Max stay
- 4 nights
- Facilities
- Long drop toilet; 30 non-powered/tent sites (basic campsite); no fires
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Not needed - first come, first served
2.5 km on a private road with loose gravel and corrugated surfaces; DOC says to take extreme care and reduce speed. Only a long drop toilet. The DOC page doesn't mark it self-contained only.
Official info: DOC: Lake Poaka Campsite ↗
Near Queenstown
- 7
Lake Middleton Campsite
Lake Ōhau Road, 17 km from SH6 turn-off south of Twizel
Low cost- Price
- 1 Oct to Easter weekend: $10 per adult per night, $5 per child (5-17), infants free. After Easter to 30 Sep: Free
- Facilities
- Standard campsite 1 Oct to Easter weekend; downgraded to basic (vault toilet only) after Easter weekend to 30 September; no fires
- Booking
- Not needed - first come, first served
Cheap in summer and free in the cooler months, but only a vault toilet then. Reached by Lake Ōhau Road (17 km from SH6); DOC doesn't state the surface.
Official info: DOC: Lake Middleton Campsite ↗ - 8
Twelve Mile Delta Campsite
Glenorchy Road, 12 km west of Queenstown
DOC campsite- Price
- $15 per adult per night; $7.50 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 100 non-powered/tent sites (standard campsite); no fires; dogs on a leash
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Not needed - first come, first served
DOC's fallback when Moke Lake is full. Sealed road to the delta, narrow gravel roads around the campsite. DOC Campsite Pass can't be used here. DOC advises not camping under the trees.
Official info: DOC: Twelve Mile Delta Campsite ↗ - 9
Moke Lake Campsite
Moke Lake Road, off Glenorchy Road 6 km west of Queenstown
DOC campsite- Price
- $18 per adult per night; $9 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 75 non-powered/tent sites (standard campsite); no fires; no tap water May to September
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Booking required (DOC) before you go; camp manager present in summer; DOC says if full, try Twelve Mile Delta
About 7 km of gravel road; DOC says the road can be tricky and 4WD only in winter.
Official info: DOC: Moke Lake Campsite ↗ - 10
Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite
Lake Hāwea, Meads Road, 32 km north of Wānaka
DOC campsite- Price
- $15 per adult per night; $7.50 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 40 non-powered/tent sites (standard campsite); no fires; no tap water in winter
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Online booking required (DOC campsite booking); same-day bookings online until 8 pm if spaces remain; no spaces held for walk-ups
DOC says Meads Road is gravel, narrow and steep in places and not suitable for large campervans. Very busy and often booked out between Boxing Day and early February.
Official info: DOC: Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite ↗ - 11
Henry Creek Campsite
Milford Road, 23 km north of Te Anau (Lake Te Anau)
DOC campsite- Price
- $18 per adult per night; $9 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 30 non-powered/tent sites (standard campsite); campervans comfortably accommodated; no fires
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Online booking required (DOC campsite booking); same-day bookings online until 8 pm if spaces remain; no spaces held for walk-ups
The closest DOC campsite to Te Anau on the Milford Road. Gravel road. No dogs.
Official info: DOC: Henry Creek Campsite ↗ - 12
Walker Creek Campsite
Milford Road, 47 km north of Te Anau (Eglinton River)
DOC campsite- Price
- $18 per adult per night; $9 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 5 non-powered/tent sites (standard campsite); fires only in designated fire places when no fire ban
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Online booking required (DOC campsite booking); same-day bookings online until 8 pm if spaces remain; no spaces held for walk-ups
Tiny (5 sites), so it fills fast. Gravel road access.
Official info: DOC: Walker Creek Campsite ↗ - 13
Cascade Creek Campsite
Milford Road, 71 km north of Te Anau (Lake Gunn)
DOC campsite- Price
- $18 per adult per night; $9 per child (5-17) per night; infants free
- Facilities
- 140 non-powered/tent sites (standard campsite); good for larger vehicles; fires only in designated fire places when no fire ban
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Online booking required (DOC campsite booking); same-day bookings online until 8 pm if spaces remain; no spaces held for walk-ups
Biggest of the Milford Road campsites and the one closest to Milford Sound. Gravel access. Bookings required and no spaces are kept for campers without one.
Official info: DOC: Cascade Creek Campsite ↗
Tips for camping in New Zealand
- Ask your hire company before pick-up whether your van holds a green warrant. If it doesn't, plan every night at holiday parks or DOC campsites, because it cannot use self-contained-only freedom camping sites. Source: Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: Rental vehicle companies
- Book DOC campsites online before you go. DOC says no spaces are kept for campers arriving without a booking, and phone or in-person bookings at a visitor centre cost a $10 service fee. Source: DOC: Cascade Creek Campsite
- Kidds Bush on Lake Hāwea is booked out between Boxing Day and early February and its gravel Meads Road is not suitable for large campervans. Source: DOC: Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite
- Moke Lake's gravel road can be tricky and 4WD only in winter, and tap water is off May to September. Twelve Mile Delta nearby doesn't take reservations. Source: DOC: Moke Lake Campsite
- Check each DOC campsite page for fire and dog rules: several listed here ban fires entirely, and dogs are banned in national parks and at campsites such as Cascade Creek, Henry Creek, Lake Pearson and Moke Lake. Source: DOC: Freedom camping
More on apps, powered sites and keeping your fridge running: free camping vs powered sites.
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