The Lake Waikaremoana track (located in the south-west corner of the 212,673 hectare Te Urewera National Park) is a 46 kilometre 3 to 4 day tramping track which follows the shore of the lake for most of its length. It is one of a network of great walks managed by DOC throughout New Zealand. Before you go you must book huts and campsites for everyone who is intending to do the walk. This includes those children and young people under 18 years who do not have to pay fees. Find out about fees and bookings. The walk traverses a range of terrain with many types of vegetation from the montane beech forest of the Panekire Bluffs to dense rainforest. Podocarp mixed broadleaf forest is dominant in many areas. Bird life in the area is abundant. A moderate tramp, with magnificent scenery and plenty of opportunity for swimming and fishing ensure the walk is well used throughout the year.

Around 1.5 hours drive west of Napier, is a pleasant basic campsite surrounded
by pine trees. Facilities include toilets, BBQ area and cooking shelter, with
water supply from the stream. Please note: logging trucks use the road, so
drive slowly and keep left.

Free to camp here.

Camp beside the beautiful lake in a grassy area. Walk or mountain bike from here, or take a swim in the icy waters.

Located in Lake Sumner Forest Park in the Canterbury region.

Bookings not required - first come, first served.

Loch Katrine huts

There are three huts in the area that can be booked for a fee, managed by the Loch Katrine Association.

Contact: Loch Katrine Association lochkatrinehuts@gmail.com

Small, scenic campsite with great views, popular with sea kayakers and boaties. Catherine Cove Resort and French Pass are nearby.

Bookings not required - first come, first served.

The site of the historic gold-rush town of Lyell, this large, grassed campsite is easily accessible. Explore the gold workings at settlements of Gibbstown (2 hr return), Zalatown and 8 Mile, plus the Alpine Battery site.

Booking Required.

This is a quiet campsite with views of the Eglinton Valley. Fly fish in the river or explore nearby short walks.

Bookings not required - first come, first served.

This is a boat-in only campsite on the Whanganui Journey. There is no drive on access.

Bookings are required during October to end of April.

Located in Whanganui National Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region

Number of tent sites - 21 (15 sites are suitable for campervans) This is a peaceful campsite beside a stream on the edge of the National Park. Explore the park on the Whakapapaiti Track,

This is a boat-in only campsite on the Whanganui Journey. There is no drive on access.

Located in Whanganui National Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region

This is a boat-in only campsite on the Whanganui Journey. There is no drive on access.

Located in Whanganui National Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region.

Mangatutu Hot Springs is a popular camping, picnic and fishing spot, and a starting point for tramping, hunting or day walks up the Mohaka River and further into the Kaweka Forest Park. There are picnic tables and toilets located in secluded clearings among the manuka surrounds, and there are access tracks descending to the Mohaka River. The main feature here is the thermal springs. Thermal water issues from a deep, undercut, steaming hole on the top terrace. The water trickles down a riverside bluff and after a short way is channeled into two pools.

Bookings not required - first come, first served.

Camp in the forest on the flanks of Mount Ruapehu; a good base for exploring Tongariro National Park.

Bookings required.

Located in Tongariro National Park in the Central North Island region.

This is a basic Great Walk campsite on Stewart Island/Rakiura. Situated in a grassy clearing with sand dunes and the beach in front of it.

A track behind the campsite leads to a rusting steam boiler, a relic from the days when Maori Beach supported two sawmills and a school.

There are 4 non-powered camp sites.

Fees: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/southland/places/stewart-island-rakiura/rakiura-national-park/things-to-do/maori-beach-campsite/#fees-and%20bookings

Explore the Lewis Pass area from here. There is a short walk to the sluice box, or follow the Lake Daniell Track. There are natural hot pools on both sides of Lewis Pass.

Bookings Required.

At the southern end of the town shops, look for the ‘Beach Access’ sign and
drive down a short, bumpy, gravel access road to this lovely beach reserve. In
a lovely setting between the sea and the lagoon, on slightly undulating land, is
this popular campground offering a very relaxed style of camping. There are 80
non powered sites, the wringer-plus-tub outdoor laundries are an adventure in
themselves.

Bookings are required.

Additional fees

There is a $3 charge per booking to cover waste disposal.

Matiu/Somes Island Scientific and Historic Reserve is a tranquil retreat for wildlife and visitors alike. Maori have occupied this island for generations. In more recent times, Matiu/Somes Island has served as a human and animal quarantine station, an internment camp, and a military defence position. Thanks to the dedication of numerous individuals, groups and organisations, such as the Lower Hutt branch of Forest and Bird, Matiu/Somes Island Charitable Trust, Friends of Matiu/Somes and Eastbourne Forest Rangers, Matiu/Somes Island once again represents a refuge, this time for wildlife and our cultural heritage.

Mavora Lakes Campsite has two main (standard) camping areas: one alongside South Mavora Lake, and the other between South Mavora Lake and North Mavora Lake.

Look out for robins and falcons. Walk, tramp, mountain bike or go trout fishing.

Number of tent sites - 20 (bookings not required - first come - first served) Easily accessible campsite. Boat, trout fish or swim in the lake.

Along the Milford Road (between Te Anau and The Divide) you can stay at one of ten DOC camping areas. These are in picturesque spots beside bush, rivers and lakes, often with opportunities for bush walks or trout fishing nearby. Most have fire places, picnic tables, toilets and access to river water, and are very reasonably priced (take cash for self registration). Please note that freedom camping (within 200m of the road) is not allowed on the Milford Road.

Picturesque, remote campsite near the head of Mill Arm with well formed flat campsites and stunning views. Good fishing, hunting and tramping nearby.

Bookings not required - first come, first served.

Located in French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves in the Marlborough region.

Picturesque, remote campsite near the head of Mill Arm with well formed flat campsites and stunning views. Good fishing, hunting and tramping nearby.

Free to camp here.

Located in Mount Richmond Forest Park in the Marlborough region.

Forestry operations in the area can close roads into Mount Richmond Forest Park. Check the status of roads into Mount Richmond Forest Park.

Number of tent sites - 40 Between native bush and the lake, this large grassy site is perfect for a range of activities. 1.5 km from Mokau Falls

Molesworth Station is New Zealand's largest farm park.

You can camp near the original cobb homestead built in 1885 close to the Molesworth Farm Park boundary.

Drive or cycle along the road and fish in the river.

Walking and tramping

Reach this beachside campsite on the Abel Tasman Coast Track by private boat. There is no drive-in or walk-in access.

Located in Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region.

The Motuihe campsite is divided into five different areas, or 'pods': Confidence Site (3 tent sites), on the western side of the sealed road, 25m uphill from the toilet block. Parade Ground (28 tent sites), on the headland above wharf road. Follow the timber box steps 100m west of the toilet block. Captain Camping (8 tent sites), located at the end of the sealed road, uphill and to the left (325m). Puriri Ridge (5 tent sites), south of the sealed road amongst the puriri trees. Go uphill and around to the left (250m). Range Site (5 tent sites), south of the water tank tower. Go left off the sealed road (375m).

An island sanctuary for native flora and fauna, the camp is near a Māori historic site and early European settlement.

A quiet campsite on the eastern flank of the Hunter Hills. 3.5 km forest walk from camp to podocarp forest remnant.

Bookings required.

Walk-in or boat-in to this beachside campsite on the Waiharakeke to Whariwharangi section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There is no drive on access.

Bookings required.

Located in Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region.

This attractive campground is set in an old gold mining area full of exploration opportunities. The Nelson Creek village includes a store, hotel and pottery shop on a terrace immediately above the camping and recreation area. The campground is next to the creek, where you can go gold panning and has numerous sheltered campsites.  You will find clean toilets, children's play equipment, including a flying fox, BBQs, picnic tables, running water and a swimming hole. A track leads through a tunnel and over a swing bridge to a number of interesting short bush walks. Worth seeing as it has been intensively mined with tunnels, tailraces and hand-stacked tailings. A wheelchair accessible track is easily reached by road and a gold-panning area is signposted.  

The hotel over the road has showers available.

No Booking Required

The camp operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so no prior booking is necessary.

Nelson Lakes National Park (established in 1956) is situated in the north of New Zealand's South Island. This park protects 102,000 hectares of the northern most Southern Alps. The park offers tranquil beech forest, craggy mountains, clear streams and lakes both big and small. The gateway to the park is St Arnaud, a 1-2 hour drive from Nelson or Blenheim.

This is a boat-in only campsite on the Whanganui Journey. There is no drive on access.

Located in Whanganui National Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region.

Located in Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area in the Marlborough region.

An isolated campsite with water-based activities for those who want to get away from it all.

Bookings not required - first come, first served.

This is a basic Great Walk campsite on Stewart Island/Rakiura. It is a short distance from North Arm Hut and is surrounded by forest.

Located in Stewart Island/Rakiura hunting and Rakiura National Park and Stewart Island/Rakiura in the Southland region.

Located in a sheltered, scenic bay with opportunities for walking, biking and boating.

Located in Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area in the Marlborough region.

Visit this beachside campsite on the Tinline to Anchorage section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.

Located in Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region.

This is a boat-in only campsite on the Whanganui Journey. There is no drive on access.

Located in Whanganui National Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region.

There are two sites to camp on Okahu Road, the road end and the larger mid-Okahu camp (formerly known as Grader Camp). The camps are on grass terraces adjacent to Okahu Stream. The areas kahikatea trees were extensively logged and now podocarp are regenerating. Good picnicking and walking in the forest.

Bookings not required - first come, first served.

Located in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park in the East Coast region.

Number of tent sites - 40 Camp in the Waimana Valley, cycle along the road, swim, fish, walk through the park, or relax beside the river. Access to Otamatuna Core Area. Lots of birds to watch. Take your binoculars.

Camp, swim, fish, or relax beside the river in the Waimana valley. Take your binoculars or camera for birdwatching.

Bookings not required - first come, first served.

Located in Te Urewera in the East Coast region

This campsite is set in a remnant podocarp forest. The start of the Wakamarina tramping track is 8 km away.

Walk-in or boat-in to this beachside campsite on the Mosquito Bay to Awaroa section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There is no drive on access.

Located in Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region.