Make the most of the school holidays and plan a camping trip to one of the fantastic DOC conservation campsites. Reasonably priced and located in beautiful settings, they’re a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors before winter sets in.
There are more than 200 conservation campsites dotted in scenic locations throughout New Zealand and we’ve picked some of our favourites for you to check out.
What you need to know about DOC campsites
Some of the most popular campsites get booked out quickly and online bookings are essential. Click on the links below to find out each campsite’s available facilities, water quality for drinking, how to pay, accessibility (some are boat access only for example), activities, etc.
There are different types of DOC campsites: Serviced, Scenic, Standard, and Basic.
Serviced campsites
Serviced sites generally includes flush toilets, tap water (treated or untreated), kitchen/cooking bench, hot showers, rubbish collection and road access for all types of vehicles. Prices range from $20/night for adults and $10 for children 5-17 years while under 5 are free for an unpowered/tent site. Powered are a little more.
Scenic and Standard campsites
These campsites offer toilets, a water supply (either treated or untreated tap water), and vehicle or boat access. Some may have a wood BBQ, fireplace, cold showers, picnic tables, cooking shelter and rubbish bins. The ‘Scenic’ sites are priced higher than ‘Standard’ because of their location and popularity. Adults are $15/night for unpowered (powered also available) and children (5-17 years) $7.50 where as standard are just $8 and $4 respectively.
Basic campsites
If you are heading to a basic campsite you will need to be fully self-sufficient. Access may be by boat or road and any water supply will need to be boiled to ensure it’s safe. There may be basic toilets.
So now it’s time to dig out the camping gear and explore!
Northland
Urupukapuka Bay Campsite
“Scenic” category
Boat access only
60 non-powered/tent sites
A stunning coastal campsite located in the Urupukapuka Island Recreation Reserve and perfect for beach activities, swimming, fishing, kayaking and exploring walking tracks. The island is accessible by water taxi, passenger ferry, or private boat.
Puriri Bay (Whangaruru North Head) Campsite
“Scenic” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
90 non-powered/tent sites
Overlooking the mouth of Whangaruru Harbour, this campsite has sheltered waters for swimming and boating activities, and a series of interconnected walks.
Uretiti Beach Campsite
“Scenic” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
300 non-powered/tent sites
Tucked in behind the Uretiti Beach sand dunes this campsite is ideally located for making the most of the sandy beach which is suitable for fishing, surfing and swimming. Hot showers, non-flush toilets, treated drinking water, and wheelchair accessible.
Auckland
Great Barrier Island/Aotea Campsites
6 “Scenic” category campsites
Island accessible by passenger or car ferry, or by air. Campsite access by gravel roads.
A range of non-powered/tent sites
Dotted around Great Barrier Island/Aotea are 6 “Scenic” category campsites and so if you prefer sheltered water or a surf beach, isolated or accessible by road, you will be able to find the perfect holiday spot. Surfing, snorkeling, walking, swimming, kayaking, SUP, are all popular activities.
Home Bay, Motutapu Island Campsite
“Standard” category
Boat access only
152 non-powered/tent sites
Located at Home Bay on Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf, this idyllic campsite right by the beach is ideal to explore the island’s walkways, stunning coastline, replanted native bush and ever-increasing wildlife. Fishing, diving and snorkelling are also popular activities.
Waikato
Kauaeranga Valley Campsites, Coromandel
8 “Standard” campsites accessible by vehicle
3 campsites accessible only by foot
A range of non-powered/tent sites
Kauaeranga River in Coromandel Forest Park is a popular holiday and tramping destination. This area is known for panoramic views of the bush, mountains and coastline of the southern Coromandel. If you are tramping there are 3 campsites only accessible by foot – the other sites listed here are accessible by car/campervan.
Arohena Campsite
“Standard” category
Gravel access road, care to be taken by vehicles, also by boat
50 non-powered/tent sites
Located on the western shores of the Waikato River, Arohena Campsite is perfect for swimming, picnics, fishing and water sports.
Bay of Plenty
Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Road Campsite
“Standard” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
51 non-powered/tent sites
Tucked away at the head of a bay in Lake Rerewhakaaitu, this quiet campsite is ideal for watching water birds from. You can also launch your boat and explore the bay from here.
Rerewhakaaitu, Brett Road Campsite
“Standard” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
25 non-powered/tent sites
Also located on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu, this campsite has good fishing, swimming and walking nearby. You can launch your boat from here too.
Wellington / Kapiti
Catchpool Valley Campsite
“Scenic” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
150 non-powered/tent sites
Located in the Remutaka Forest Park and beside the Catchpool Stream, this campsite is ideally located for walks in the Orongorongo Valley. Hot showers and flush loos plus a BBQ and shelter for cooking.
Marlborough
Momorangi Bay Campground, Queen Charlotte Sound
“Serviced” category
Access suitable for all vehicles and by boat
100 powered, 36 non-powered/tent sites & 2 cabins
A popular north-facing serviced family campsite beside a sheltered bay, popular for swimming, boating and fishing. There is a glow-worm grotto on site as well as hot showers, flush toilets, a jetty and treated drinking water.
Pelorus Bridge (Kahikatea Flat) Campground
“Serviced” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
14 powered & 40 non-powered/tent sites
Picturesque camp on the banks of the Te Hoiere/Pelorus River amongst towering kahikatea, beech and rimu trees. Walk, swim in the beautiful clean river, fish, kayak, relax and also enjoy the hot showers, flush toilets, treated drinking water and cooking facilities.
Nelson Lakes
Kerr Bay Campsite
“Serviced” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
10 powered & 15 non-powered/tent sites
This small campground is next to Lake Rotoiti, surrounded by beech forest, with a boat launching ramp nearby. Enjoy walks, fishing, swimming, hot showers, toilets and cooking facilities.
West Bay Campsite
“Scenic” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
40 non-powered/tent sites
Open from mid-December to the end of April each year, this Lake Rotoiti campsite is handily located for walking, fishing , boating, and swimming.
Canterbury
White Horse Hill Campground
“Scenic” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
60 non-powered/tent sites
Just a couple of kilometres from Aoraki/Mt Cook Village at the end of Hooker Valley Rd, this peaceful campsite is surrounded by stunning scenery including Mount Sefton and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Peel Forest Campground
“Serviced” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
34 powered, 47 non-powered/tent sites, 4 cabins
This large campground is tucked away in Peel Forest, a remnant of a magnificent podocarp forest that once covered this area. Good hot showers, large communal kitchen with a shared fridge/freezer. Campground is closed from May to mid-Sep each year. Adjoining Clarke Flat is opened as a Standard campsite during this period.
Awaroa/Godley Head Campsite
“Scenic” category
Access suitable for all vehicles via a narrow windy road
25 non-powered/tent sites
Perched on the top of Awaroa/Godley Head, in the middle of a WWII defence battery site, this campsite has great ocean views and a range of scenic walks. Your booking confirmation will include a gate code for entry to the site.
West Coast
Lake Mahinapua Campsite
“Scenic” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
100 non-powered/tent sites
Beside a lake and hugging a forest, boating, water sports, walks, and fishing are popular activities here. Historically, Lake Mahināpua was a main access waterway up and down the coast using paddle steamers. Flush toilets and communal covered areas for cooking.
Otago / Southland
Boundary Creek Campsite, Wānaka
“Standard” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
23 non-powered/tent sites
On the eastern side of Lake Wānaka lies this small and popular campsite. Flush toilet and a shelter for cooking under. Perfect location for boating, water sports, and fishing. Dogs on a leash welcome. Book ahead!
Cascade Creek Campsite, Fiordland
“Scenic” category
Gravel road access, suitable for all vehicles
120 non-powered/tent sites
If you like to fly-fish or take a nature walk, this is a great spot for you. There is a lovely swimming hole, toilets, and nice spots to camp in.
Henry Creek Campsite, Fiordland
“Scenic” category
Gravel road access, suitable for all vehicles
50 non-powered/tent sites
On the road to Milford Sound and beside the picturesque Lake Te Anau. Private tent sites tucked away next to regnerating beech forest and also good parking spots for campervans,
Piano Flat Campsite, Southland
“Standard” category
Access suitable for all vehicles
50 non-powered/tent sites
Relaxed riverside site in farmland area. Walks, horse riding, biking, hunting and 4WD trips are all popular from this site. Dogs on a leash welcome.
Explore further
- Mini Itinerary: 4 Days On South Island’s West Coast
- Māori Cultural Experiences Around Aotearoa New Zealand
- New Zealand Bucket List: Have You Been Everywhere?
Written by Kidspot NZ in partnership with Tourism New Zealand.
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.