Bay of Islands, Northland

PhotoAlistair Guthrie

AccommodationCamping Grounds

Freedom Camping Sites

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 IslandQueenstown Region

4.5 46 reviews

With Queenstown banning all freedom camping, this is the closest free campsite to the city. Thirty minutes south of Queenstown, along the shores...

Timona Park

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

Timona Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 31 reviews

Large open park beside the river.

Tiny

South IslandCanterbury

West Oxford Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 20 reviews

Freedom campers are asked to assist by: - removing all rubbish, solid or liquid waste from the camping site when leaving - disposing of rubbish...

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

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...

South IslandWest Coast

Blaketown Tiphead

Overnight Camping

4.5 12 reviews

Overnight Camping for Self Contained vehicles only. Camping outside of designated Responsible Camping Areas is prohibited.

South IslandCanterbury

Orari River Mouth

Overnight Campervan parking

4.5 5 reviews

We have some of the most beautiful camping sites in the country and invite all visitors and locals to camp responsibly and to enjoy the best of...

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

Whanganui East Club

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 4 reviews

Available to self-contained campervans only

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

Matthews Park, Norsewood

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 4 reviews

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

South IslandSouthland

Lumsden Dipton Highway, Dipton

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 3 reviews

You may freedom camp in the designated area for a maximum of 7 nights in any 30 day period. You must be self-contained.

North IslandHawkes Bay

Balls Clearing Roadend Carpark

Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 2 reviews

This reserve is the best place in Hawke’s Bay to experience a lowland podocarp forest.

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.

North IslandCoromandel

Waiomu Domain Beachfront Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 48 reviews

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

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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...

Jimmy Armers

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 42 reviews

Self Contained Campsite

Tiny

South IslandCoastal Otago

Warrington Reserve

Overnight Self Contained Campervans, Tents allowed

4.5 40 reviews

Overnight camping in self-contained vehicles and tents.

The beach out front with Kapiti Island offshore

North IslandWellington Region

Waikanae River Mouth

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 32 reviews

Stay near a river estuary, with beach and river walk options. Overnight parking for up to 4 self contained campervans that can stay a maximum...

South IslandWest Coast

4.5 32 reviews

Welcome to Fox River/Potikohua

Freedom camping is permitted for self-contained and certified campervans, motorhomes and RVs at Colac Bay in Southland. Vehicles can park for...

Tiny

North IslandTaranaki

Wairoa Reserve

Long Beach/Cave Beach Access, Waverley - Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 23 reviews

Park on up

South IslandWest Coast

Grey River

Greymouth - Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 21 reviews

On the north side of the river just off SH6, just down from the main bridge off Nelson Quay on the left hand side of the road. Quite an exposed...

North IslandNorthland

4.5 20 reviews

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

North IslandBay of Plenty

Island View Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 20 reviews

There is a 3 night maximum stay in any 4 week consecutive period at this site. The 4 consecutive weeks begin from the first overnight stay.

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...

South IslandKaikoura Region

Paparoa Point

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 13 reviews

Camp amongst the seals! Be careful when walking around as what you thought may be a rock could actually be a snoozing seal and they are pretty...

North IslandRotorua Region

4.5 5 reviews

Prideaux Park is the most widely used site because of its central location. It is a short stroll to town, the Kawerau i-SITE and also Kawerau...

North IslandTairāwhiti Gisborne

4.5 4 reviews

Regarded as the most comprehensive collection of Northern Hemisphere trees south of the equator.

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