8 Great Campsites in NZ

Gore A&P Showgrounds

The Gore A&P Showgrounds is regularly mentioned by our readers as a top spot to stay. Gore is the southern-most Motorhome Friendly Town and the A&P Showgrounds provides enormous, immaculately kept grounds with plenty of shower and toilet facilities. Visitors can stay as long as they choose, and dogs are welcome, plus almost everything in Gore is within easy walking distance.

Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve

Kaiteriteri is known as the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park at the northern tip of the South Island. Kaiteriteri Reserve Camp is right on the beach, making it the perfect place for summer swimming, boating and kayaking. Although the campground does have more than 400 powered campsites, it does get booked up early so plan well ahead for this one!

Camp Glenorchy

Situated at the head of Lake Wakatipu in Glenorchy and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Camp Glenorchy is New Zealand’s first Net Zero Energy accommodation. The campground includes seven cabins, four bunkrooms, and eight powered motorhome sites. Other great features include a massive outdoor fireplace and BBQ, and beautifully maintained facilities including a huge kitchen and dining space, bathrooms, reading room, and laundry.

Top Ten Ohope

Sitting on the shores of beautiful Ohope beach, Ohope Top 10 Holiday Park offers a fantastic range of accommodation including 120 non-powered campsites, 300 powered campsites, plus well-maintained cabins, apartments, motel units, and even glamping sites. Ohope is just 10 minutes’ drive from Whakatane’s town centre and a fantastic spot for a getaway at any time of year.

Matai Bay Doc Campground

Located on the Karikari Peninsula in the Far North, around 40km from Kaitaia, Matai Bay is one of those places that seems miles from anywhere. The campground is the perfect spot for just switching off, putting your feet up, and getting back to basics. There are 100 non-powered sites within the campground, and booking is not required (first come, first served).

Jackson’s Retreat Alpine holiday park

Set on 15 acres within the beautiful Arthur’s Pass region on Otira Highway 73, Jackson’s Retreat campground regularly receives highly rated reviews on sites such as Trip Advisor and Rankers. And little wonder, as it is surrounded by views of the Taramakau River, the snow-capped Southern Alps, and lush native rainforest. A great spot for cycling, bird watching, boating, walking, skiing, and stargazing.

Mavora Lakes

Located between Mossburn and Te Anau, Mavora Lakes is a tourist drawcard, thanks to its Lord of the Rings claim to fame as the location of Nen Hithoel. Access to the campground is via a 39km gravel road, but the destination is absolutely worth going so far out of your way for. Once you arrive, there is plenty to do, with opportunities for fishing, boating, hunting, mountain biking, and more.

Alpine adventure holiday park, Hanmer Springs

Situated just 2.5km outside the Hanmer Springs’ township in a quiet, bush-clad valley at the foot of Jack’s Pass, this lovely spot is surrounded by spectacular views of the mountains and is set on the site of a historic staging post once used by musterers bringing in stock to Molesworth Station. The campsite has powered sites as well as non-powered sites, plus a range of cabins and units.