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Freedom Camping

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Bay of Islands, Northland

PhotoAlistair Guthrie

Accommodation ▷ Camping 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.

Freedom Camping Locations

Region

All Regions

Overnight Rules

Any rules

Site Cost

Any cost

Page 4 of 17 | 487 locations ranked by score

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

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

Wellingtons Bay, Main Reserve (Whangaumu Reserve)

Overnight Campervan Parking

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...

Tiny

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

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 Island ▷ Bay 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...

Tiny

North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

Raumai Reserve

Overnight campervan parking

4.5 16 reviews

Summer hot spot!

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Tuapiro Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 16 reviews

Tuapiro point

North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

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 Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

Whanganui East Club

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 4 reviews

Available to self-contained campervans only

North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷

Matthews Park, Norsewood

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 4 reviews

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

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Pemberton Park

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 3 reviews

Certified self-contained campervans can stay between 7pm Sunday and 10am Friday only for up to 2 nights per calendar month. Nab your spot early...

South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷

Ocean View Reserve Carpark, Dunedin

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 50 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...

North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷

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 Island ▷ Kaikoura 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 Island ▷ Northland ▷

Ruakaka Beach Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 42 reviews

Self Contained Campsite

Tiny

South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷

Warrington Reserve

Overnight Self Contained Campervans, Tents allowed

4.5 40 reviews

Overnight camping in self-contained vehicles and tents.

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Overnight Parking area + Grassy area in front

North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

Paku Drive, Tairua

Overnight Freedom Parking

4.5 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...

North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷

Castlepoint Carpark

Castlepoint Scenic Reserve - Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 36 reviews

One of the most spectacular sites along the Wairarapa coastline!

The beach out front with Kapiti Island offshore

North Island ▷ Wellington 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 Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Hanmer Springs River Reserve, Hanmer Springs

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 32 reviews

*** Currently closed due to flooding*** - 9 July 2026 Freedom camping is only permitted in the signposted area. Freedom camping is prohibited...

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

Colac Bay / Oraka Township Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 29 reviews

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

Park on up

South Island ▷ West 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...

Snells Beach view from carpark

North Island ▷ Auckland 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 Island ▷ Kaikoura 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 Island ▷ Bay 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 Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷

Arataki Visitor Centre Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 3 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 Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷

Chinamans Bluff

Mount / Mt Aspiring National Park - Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 3 reviews

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷

Waihi Beach Community Centre

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.5 2 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.

North Island ▷ Hawkes 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 Island ▷ Central Otago ▷

Lowburn Harbour

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.4 119 reviews

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

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

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 Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

Waiomu Domain Beachfront Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.4 49 reviews

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