New Zealand’s South Island has snowy mountains, glaciers, beaches, forests, vineyards and coastlines. It’s rugged, beautiful and oh-so-postcard-worthy. And road-tripping gives you the ultimate freedom to see as much as you like. So in case you are wondering where to start? We have created a list of the best South Island campsites we’ve stayed in. All 25 of them to be precise!
It doesn’t matter where you start your roadtrip from. The South Island is perfectly shaped with roads that loop and can be navigated easily and independently.
So regardless of how long you are travelling for, whichever route you choose and whatever your budget and travel style. A road trip in the South Island is an epic adventure.
Table of contents
- Our South Island itinerary
- Freedom camping in New Zealand
- Alternatives to freedom camping
- Finding free and DoC South Island campsites
- How long are you travelling for?
- 25 South Island campsites
- Top 3 South Island experiences
Here is our ultimate guide to the best New Zealand South Island campsites.
NZ’S South Island; Quickly
- Land area: 150,437 square kilometres (58,084 sq mi)
- Length: 840 km (522 mi)
- Population: 1,155,400 (June 2019)
- Climate: Temperate. Average annual temperature of 8 °C (46 °F).
- Weather: South Island weather can change quickly. Average rainfall is higher in the winter but expect it year round, especially on the West Coast.
- Landscape: Mountains, glaciers, lakes and coastal scenery.
Our South Island route
The list of towns we visited on our route through the South Island looks enormous!
We spent time in each of the five regions of the South Island:
- Nelson-Marlborough
- West Coast
- Canterbury
- Otago and
- Southland
We even passed through each of the sixteen districts of the South Island!
Here is the route we took through each region starting from Picton where we arrived by ferry from Wellington in the North Island:
Nelson Marlborough > Picton, Nelson, Mapua, Motueka
West Coast > Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, Haast, Jackson Bay
Otago > Albertown, Wanaka, Queenstown
Southland > Te Anau, Milford Sound, Invercargill, Bluff, the Catlins
Otago > Dunedin, Oamaru
Canterbury > Twizel, Mt Cook, Tekapo, Ashburton, Christchurch, Akaroa, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura
Nelson/Marlborough > Blenheim, Nelson Lake District, Picton
Here is a map of our South Island campsites and route:
Freedom camping in New Zealand
In New Zealand freedom camping is when you camp on public land that isn’t a recognised camping ground or holiday park.
You can freedom camp on council land or DOC (Department of Conservation) land.
Some places are literally car parks. Others are designated freedom camping areas on reserved DOC land.
There are different restrictions in each area and region. And these dictate whether your vehicle needs to be self-contained in order to freedom camp in certain areas.
It is important to make sure you’re following the bylaws for the area. You can check online or with the local Council office, DOC visitor centre or i-Site visitor centre.
Look out for signs that tell you what is allowed, and remember:
- don’t camp on private land
- don’t leave behind rubbish or toilet waste
- use public toilets if you don’t have a self-contained vehicle.
Finding freedom camping and DOC sites
For more information on responsible camping and campsites available in New Zealand, check out:
We found this app amazing! It shows you locations of public toilets, rubbish bins, campsites, dump stations and more. CamperMate is easy to use and allows you to select different categories (eg. free campsites, DOC sites).
Extensive website search engines to find DOC campsites and facilities for camping all over New Zealand.
Useful guides and maps to help you plan in advance for your New Zealand roadtrip.
We joined the NZMCA for our roadtrip, as we were away for over a month.
As Motor Caravan Association members we were entitled to discounts at participating Holiday Parks and also received a discount of over $100 for our ferry trip with Interislander. (The rate is proportionate to the booking fee, based on the length of our vehicle).
Alternatives to freedom camping
We also used paid and private campgrounds in different districts of the South Island.
However, many of these South Island campsites are not cheap. This was usually if we (a) had no other option. Or (b), needed to do laundry!
- Top 10 Holiday Parks North and South Island campsites renowned for the high standards of approved campgrounds and facilities.
The high standards however is reflected in the price to stay. Depending on the length of your trip it may be worth joining the Top 10 Members Club to receive a discount at each campground.
Parking overnight plus a powered campsite at the Top 10 Holidays Parks cost $70-90 NZD per night.
- New Zealand Holiday Parks Another big chain with North and South Island campsites that can be found in most major destination towns around New Zealand.
A powered campsite costs between $50-70 NZD per night.
- Private holiday parks and campgrounds are another good alternative to freedom camping in the South Island.
We found some of the campsites were associated with the NZMCA and offered a discount.
A powered campsite at a private holiday park or campground is around $30-60 NZD per night.
How long are you traveling for?
The spread of South Island towns and scenic destinations offers opportunity for a variety of different road trips.
Normally, we are based in the North Island of New Zealand (right up the north of the North Island). But we’ve made three trips to the South Island as a family.
We have done a five day roadtrip, a one-week campervan trip and a one month epic roadtrip by campervan.
- With five days in the South Island we flew in and out of Queenstown and drove around Arrowtown, Cardrona, and visited Wanaka.
- On our one week campervan adventure we flew in and out of Christchurch and drove over the Arthurs Pass to the West Coast.
We stayed in Hokitika and Greymouth and and drove back to Christchurch over the Lewis Pass, via Hanmer Springs.
- With one month in the South Island it’s possible to visit all of the major sites as well as enjoy plenty of downtime to find lesser known areas.
We loved every opportunity for road tripping in the South Island and wouldn’t hesitate to go back again if we could.
WHERE WE STAYED – 25 SOUTH ISLAND CAMPSITES WE RECOMMEND
The following is a list of 25 South Island campsites we have officially stayed in and can recommend for your road trip.
West Coast region – South Island campsites
These are the West Coast region South Island campsites we recommend.
WESTPORT: Kawatiri Beach Reserve (Freedom Camping Site)
- Location: End of Derby Street, Westport
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Toilets, picnic area.
About: There is also a NZMCA members parking area adjacent. This is one of the best free South Island campsites we found.
HOKITIKA: Lake Mahinapua Campsite (DOC South Island Campsite)
- Location: 51B Shanghai Road, Ruatapu 7883
- Getting there: 10 km south of Hokitika. Turn off SH6 into Lake Mahinapua Access Road, opposite the hotel. 300m to road end.
- Cost: $6.50 – $13 pp p/night.
- Facilities: Flushing toilets, cooking shelter.
About: Boat ramp, jetty, short walks in the area.
GREYMOUTH: Cobden Beach Carpark (Freedom Camping Site)
- Location: Nelson Quay, Cobden, Greymouth 7802
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Public toilets
About: Designated freedom camping spot on the Cobden Beach waterfront.
FRANZ JOSEF: Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park
- Location: 2902 Franz Josef Highway, Franz Josef Glacier
- Cost: Powered sites from $48 p/n.
About: Amazing facilities. Great base for exploring Franz Josef. Big playground and jumping pillow. Friendly staff.
FOX GLACIER: Fox Glacier Top 10 Holiday Park
- Location: Kerr Road, Fox Glacier 7886
- Cost: Powered site from $48 per night
About: All the Top 10 Holiday Park facilities and great location to explore Fox Glacier as a day trip.
HAAST: Haast River Motels/Holiday Park
- Location: 52 Haast Pass Highway, State Highway 6
- Cost: From $44 NZD p/n
Facilities: Communal kitchen and dining area. Toilets and hot showers. Note: NO pots, plates or utensils supplied. Free Wifi (500 mb per device).
Highly recommend visiting Jackson Bay while staying in Haast. We saw dolphins in the bay!
Otago Region – South Island campsites
These are the Otago Region South Island campsites we recommend.
WANAKA: Albertown Campground
- Location: Directly off State Highway 6, Albertown.
- Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child.
- Facilities: Flush toilets.
About: Large reserve adjoining the Hawea River. A cheap alternative to staying in Wanaka.
Basic facilities but the perfect location to use as a base to hike the Roys Peak Track. (We did it with the kids).
- Read how to hike the Roys Peak Track in Wanaka here.
QUEENSTOWN: Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park
- Location: 70 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown
- Cost: Powered site from $50 p/n (50% off for second night)
About: Amazing facilities; spa pool, drying room, laundry. Kids loved the big jumping pillow and playground.
DUNEDIN: Aaron Lodge Holiday Park
- Location: 162 Kaikorai Valley Road, Glenross, Dunedin 9011
- Cost: Powered site from $50 p/n
About: An ex-Top 10 South Island Campsite. Dated, but with adequate bathroom and laundry facilities. Easy to find.
Southland Region – South Island campsites
These are the Southland Region South Island campsites we recommend.
TE ANAU: Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park
- Location: 77 Manapouri-Te Anau Highway, Te Anau Lakefront
- Cost: Sites from $18pp.
About: Awesome kids playground. Great bathroom facilities. Very friendly staff. This was the perfect base for a day trip to Milford Sound.
BLUFF: Bluff Camping Ground
- Location: 21 Gregory St (off Marine Pde), Bluff.
- Cost: Powered site $50 (2 adults, 2 kids)
About: Basic campground setup. Handy location to check out the township of Bluff, with everything you need onsite.
THE CATLINS: Curio Bay Campground (Tuma Toka)
- Location: 590 Waikawa-Curio Bay Road, Curio Bay
- Cost: Powered site from $40 p/n.
About: Beautiful location with parking sites hidden in behind flax alleys of flax. Great location to visit Slope Point and the petrified forest at Curio Bay.
Canterbury Region – South Island campsites
These are the Canterbury Region South Island campsites we recommend.
TWIZEL: Lake Poaka Campsite (DOC Campsite)
- Location: Turn off SH 8 (Tekapo Twizel Road) on to the private road on the north side of Pukaki Canal. Follow the road for 2.5 km to the campsite entrance.
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Long drop toilet.
About: Great base for day trips to Mount Cook National Park.
TWIZEL: Twizel Holiday Park
- Location: 122 Mackenzie Drive, Twizel
- Cost: From $30 per night with NZMCA membership
About: Easy to find, on the scenic route from Christchurch to Queenstown. An ideal stopover when visiting Aoraki/Mt Cook.
LAKE TEKAPO: Lake Tekapo Holiday Park
- Location: 2 Lakeside Drive, Canterbury 7999
- Cost: Lakeview, powered sites from $50 p/n.
About:Handy to the Lake Tekapo township and walking distance to the hot pools. All the facilities available. (Expensive: Cost our family $65 for the night).
- TIMARU: Caroline Bay (Freedom Camping site)
- Location: Marine Parade, Timaru Port
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Public toilets
About: Literally a public carpark. The camp site is right on the edge of the beach. Ideal for an evening’s stroll along the boardwalks or the beach itself.
CHRISTCHURCH: Christchurch Top 10 Holiday Park
- Location: 39 Meadow Street, Papanui, Christchurch 8542
- Cost: Powered site from $70
Facilities: Modern facilities but this was the most expensive South Island campsite of our entire trip.
AKAROA: Akaroa Recreation Ground (Freedom Camping site)
- Location: Carpark on Rue Brittan, Akaroa
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Public toilets 200m away.
About: Literally a public carpark during the day. Certified self-contained vehicles only. 18 parking spaces available. Can stay for up to two nights in any 30 day period.
KAIKOURA: Point Kean (Freedom Camping site)
- Location: 40 Fyffe Quay, by Jimmy Armers Public Toilets, Kaikoura
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Public toilets
About: Only space for 6 vehicles to park overnight. Beautiful, beach front spot and probably the most convenient of South Island campsites. It is right next to the Kaikoura Seafood BBQ Kiosk. (Try the whitebait fritter!).
Nelson/Marlborough Region – South Island campsites
Nelson and Marlborough Region South Island campsites we recommend.
BLENHEIM: Wairau Diversion Reserve, Cloudy Bay (Freedom Camping Site)
- Location: 246 Neal Road, Spring Creek, Blenheim 7273
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Basic long drop toilets.
About: Beautiful waterfront day parks 150m from the designated free parking area.
We parked there for dinner and moved back to the freedom camping sites at dark. This was one of the most beautiful free South Island campsites we found.
BLENHEIM: Robin Hood Bay (DOC Campsite)
- Location: 8km north of Blenheim. Windy and gravel road from Whites Bay.
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Basic long drop toilets.
About: Be careful of the drive out there! A beautiful location for the campsite, but take care driving the narrow, windy gravel road from Whites Bay to Robin Hood Bay – especially in winter.
The site has 10 non-powered/tent sites across from beach.
BLENHEIM: Whites Bay Camping Area (DOC Campsite)
- Location: Port Underwood Road, Waikawa 7281
- Cost: Adult $8 per night; child $4 per night
- Facilities: Flush toilets, cold showers.
About: Pay cash on arrival at the self-registration stand at the campsite. Beautiful location for campsite. Short walk to glow-worm grotto that is easy to access with the kids at night.
BLENHEIM: Riverlands Roadhouse (Truckstop)
- Location: 3535 State Highway 1, Riverlands, Blenheim
- Cost: $2 coin for hot shower
About: Make note of this one! The only truck stop we found. Modern, coin-operated Ablution Block, laundry facilities and Café. You don’t even have to stay the night but can call in for a hot shower or to recharge the battery.
MAPUA: Mapua Leisure Park
- Location: 33 Toru Street, Mapua 7005
- Cost: Powered campsite $40 per night
About: Beautiful location on the shore of the Mapua channel. Walking distance to Mapua village, waterfront and wharf.
NELSON LAKES: Lake Rotoroa Campsite (DOC Campsite)
- Location: Off SH6, east of Murchison. Follow Gowan Valley Road to end.
- Cost: $8 per adult, $4 per child.
- Facilities: Flush toilets
About: Camping near the lake edge, surrounded by native bush. A beautiful spot to explore the Nelson Lakes area.
Our top three South Island experiences…
This is tricky to narrow down! But if we had to choose…
- Milford Sound – we travel the world for sights like this!
You can’t visit New Zealand and not see Milford Sound. It’s visitable on a day trip from Queenstown, but if you have time it’s worth staying overnight in Te Anau to enjoy a day in Milford Sound at leisure.
- Hiking Roys Peak – this is one of New Zealand most scenic day hikes with breathtaking views out over the lakes and hills of surrounding Wanaka.
Hiking up the 1300m of Roys Peak with the kids was the most rewarding hike we have ever done; period.
- Hooker Valley Track – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park is incredible.
The track to Hooker Valley is a brilliant half day hike and an easy walk. Suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Enjoy your adventure
Let us know if you stay in some of these South Island campsites and park-ups and tell us what you think.
Enjoy the South Island!
More about travel planning for New Zealand and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).