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Camping in New Zealand · updated 16 Oct 2026
From free campsites to glamping, for less
Find a campsite in your region and budget, see what a night costs for your group, then sort the car, the gear and the packing list in one place.
Plan my camping tripWays to camp ↓Find a campsite
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From DOC’s campsite data (312 campsites, CC BY 4.0). Costs use DOC’s published category fees; some campsites differ, so check the DOC page (and any alerts) before you go.
Camping this weekend?
Ways to camp, cheapest first
DOC standard
$10–20 per adultToilets, water, often a cooking shelter. Kids 5–17 half price.
Find one →Holiday park
Price variesTent and powered sites plus cabins, kitchens and laundries.
Holiday Parks NZ · TOP 10Glamping
About $250–430 a nightFurnished tents, huts and cabins for two (stays we checked, Oct 2026).
Canopy Camping · compare staysOwn tent, hotel first night
Compare pricesArriving late? Stay near the airport, camp from day two.
Compare stays →Private land: farms and marae sometimes welcome campers for a small fee. Always ask the landowner first. Listings on camping.org.nz.
Cheapest car hire
Compare a few sites: the same car can differ by a lot. Book early for summer and long weekends, and check whether a city depot is cheaper than the airport.
- Economybookings #ad
Compares the big rental firms and local NZ companies at most airports and cities. - QEEQ #ad
Another comparison site; worth checking both, prices for the same car often differ.
#ad: we may earn a commission if you book through these two links, at no extra cost to you.
Camping gear deals that ship to NZ
Live from our deals feed, updated several times a day. Prices include an estimate for delivery to NZ where shown.
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Camping checklist
Tick things off as you pack. Your ticks are saved on this device.
Camping guides
- Free campsitesAll 62 free DOC (basic) campsites in New Zealand, by region, with access, dogs and facilities. …
- Dog-friendly campsites48 DOC campsites where dogs are allowed (most on a leash), by region, with fees and access. Fro…
- Beach campsites41 coastal DOC campsites you can reach by car, by region, with fees, dogs and facilities. Updat…
- Family campingSchool holiday camping in NZ: 61 drive-in DOC campsites with flush toilets or showers, by regio…
Camping near
AucklandHamilton and RaglanTaurangaWellingtonNelsonChristchurchDunedinQueenstownWhangāreiThames and the CoromandelRotoruaTaupōGisborneNapier and HastingsNew PlymouthWhanganuiPalmerston NorthBlenheim and MarlboroughKaikōuraGreymouthTimaruWānakaTe AnauInvercargill
By region
AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyCentral North IslandCoromandelEast CoastFiordlandHawke's BayManawatu and WhanganuiMarlboroughNelson and TasmanNorthlandOtagoSouthlandWaikatoWairarapaWellington and KapitiWest Coast
Safety and the rules
- Freedom camping: on council land you usually need a certified self-contained vehicle, and each council sets its own rules. See DOC’s freedom-camping rules.
- Fire: check the fire season on checkitsalright.nz before lighting anything.
- Weather: check MetService on the day. Mountain and coastal weather changes fast.
- Water: boil, filter or treat stream, lake and untreated tap water before drinking.
- Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
- Leave no trace: take all rubbish home and use the toilets provided.
Best time to go
- Summer (December to February): warmest, but the busiest. Book popular campsites and cars early.
- Autumn (March to April): often settled weather, fewer people and cheaper car hire.
- Winter and spring: cold nights; you need a warm sleeping bag. Holiday-park cabins are a good backup.
Questions
Where can I camp for free in New Zealand?
DOC has 62 free basic campsites, and some council areas allow freedom camping (usually only in certified self-contained vehicles). Use the finder above and choose Free only.
How much does a DOC campsite cost?
DOC's published fees: basic campsites are free, standard campsites $10–20 per adult a night, serviced campsites $25 per adult for a tent site. Children 5–17 pay about half and under-5s are free.
Do I need to book a campsite?
Popular DOC campsites and holiday parks fill up in summer and on long weekends, so book ahead then. Basic campsites are usually first come, first served.
Can I light a campfire?
Only when the fire season allows it. Check checkitsalright.nz for the area on the day, and use a gas cooker if in doubt.
What is the cheapest way to get a car for a camping trip?
Compare rental prices across several sites, book early for summer and holidays, and pick up from a city depot rather than the airport if it is cheaper.
More guides: camping guides · all guides