Best New Zealand South Island Camping Spots
If you ask me, there’s no better way to explore New Zealand’s South Island than by camping. Waking up to misty mountains, glacial lakes or the ocean literally outside your camper? It just hits different.
We lived in New Zealand for two years and did two big South Island road trips in a campervan. On our second trip, we camped for over four weeks, which meant everything from epic freedom camping spots to a few places that are memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Along the way, we stumbled across some unreal places to camp, lakeside views, remote beaches, and mountain-backed DOC sites that barely cost a thing.
Whether you’re planning your first South Island road trip or just looking to find a few new favourite spots, I’ve pulled together the camping places I’d go back to in a heartbeat.
Best Camping Spots On The South Island At A Glance
If you’re in a hurry and want to know the best campsites on the South Island, these are my favourite locations!
Map Of Campsites On The South Island
Types Of Campsites In New Zealand
Camping in New Zealand is pretty straightforward, and there are hundreds of campsites dotted all over the island for you to choose from. I honestly don’t think they could make it any easier for us if they tried!
One of the first things I’ll need to point out is that you won’t be able to pitch or park up just anywhere. All types of camping, including freedom camping, will need to be on designated sites, but more on that in a moment!
You don’t usually need to pre-book sites, but if you are travelling in the peak season, especially in December and January, booking in advance is a good idea. Freedom camping isn’t something that you can pre-book, and some of the DOC sites are done on a first come first serve basis.
Below, I have listed the different types of camping spots you’ll come across on the South Island and any rules you need to know about using them.
Paid Campsites & Holiday Parks
If you don’t want to go fully off-grid and still want access to warm water and power, then paid campsites are a great option.
These commercial campsites can vary quite largely in what they have on offer. Some can be tucked away in scenic locations with just a few amenities, and others will be large-scale holiday parks with lots of things to do on-site.
There is usually the option to book powered or non-powered campsites, as well as cabins and sometimes even dorm rooms. Holiday parks will be the most expensive option for camping on your trip.
As much as I liked some of the creature comforts that the private campsites and holiday parks have, they are usually nowhere near as pretty as the DOC and freedom sites.
We would usually stay in a holiday park or private campsite once every few days to make use of the hot showers and laundry services, and to recharge our camera gear before moving on to a DOC or freedom campsite.
DOC Campgrounds
While DOC campsites are still paid campgrounds, they are usually much cheaper and quieter than commercial sites. I personally love staying at DOC campsites! They are almost always in very scenic areas and make you feel like you’re in the heart of nature.
You won’t find many amenities at these sites, and although there is always a toilet, these are often long drop toilets rather than flush. Some sites do have access to water, but you may need to boil it before drinking it.
A few of the DOC campsites do have the option to book powered sites, but this is very few and far between. I recommend checking what facilities each campsite has before booking so you can make sure you have what you need for the night.
If you think you’ll be staying at multiple DOC campsites during your trip, you might want to look into a DOC campsites pass. You can choose between a 30-night pass which is $95, or a 365-night pass which is $195, which may work out cheaper in the long run.
Freedom Camping
It’s not often in life that you can get something for free!
Now, freedom camping on the South Island can be a bit of a mixed bag if I’m honest! Some spots will be in your standard noisy car park, while others will have some of the prettiest views to wake up to. You really do need to do your research with these. We ended up camping at a truck stop one night (totally not complaining as it was free!), but it certainly wasn’t a quiet night’s sleep!
Don’t expect that there will be any amenities at these locations, they often don’t even have toilets.
The first thing to keep in mind with freedom camping is that you need to be in a self-contained vehicle to use them. A self-contained vehicle will have a toilet, fresh water and storage for wastewater also.
When hiring your camper it should be clearly stated whether it is self-contained or not. All self-contained vehicles will have a sticker clearly marked somewhere on the back of the van.
Even though freedom camping is called freedom camping, you are restricted on where you can park up for the night. You can only freedom camp in designated areas, which will usually be signposted or you can find them on the camping apps that I’ll talk about below.
How To Find Campsites
You honestly don’t have to travel far to come across campsites in New Zealand, but there are a few ways that you can easily find them.
There are two apps you can use, Campermate and Rankers. Both apps and websites have great features and list not only campsites but fuel stops, activities, water stations, dump stations and more! Everything you’ll need for camping will be found on these apps.
I personally prefer the layout of Rankers, and I do find it a little more user-friendly.
Another way to find campsites is literally just by looking on Google Maps. If you type campsites into the search function, it will show you the nearby campsites with reviews. This may not be as good if you’re searching for freedom camping spots, but it works well for DOC and holiday parks.
The Best Camp Grounds On The South Island
These camping spots are near some of the best places to visit on the South Island. Below I’ve listed a mixture of DOC sites, holiday parks and freedom camping spots I think you’ll love!
Prices are in NZD and are correct at the time of writing. Check each campsite’s website for current pricing.
1. Totaranui Campground, Golden Bay
Totaranui Campground is found at the top end of Abel Tasman National Park, perfectly placed just across from the beach. Abel Tasman is famous for its untouched beauty and golden beaches that make you feel like you’re on a tropical island.
It’s a great place to pick up one of the many walks through the national park or for some water activities such as snorkelling, kayaking or waterskiing.
2. Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Also found just steps away from the beach, Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, is a great place to camp for the night if you want stunning views but also some creature comforts. Although it’s not actually in the national park, it is just a stone’s throw away.
Here you’ll find a choice of powered and non-powered sites as well as some beachfront cabins.
3. Fox River Campsite, West Coast
Now let me tell you, when I say I loved this campsite, I really loved this campsite!!!
Fox River Freedom Camping is set in a stunning location on the West Coast, next to the mouth of the Fox River where it meets the ocean. The campsite is surrounded by thick, lush forest, and there are a few things to see nearby.
There is a small cave you can explore just across the bridge, and you might be able to spot some penguins at the beach! There is no light pollution here, and we could actually see the Milky Way from the beach when we stayed.
When we visited, there was an awesome guy (and his lovely dog!) who arrived each morning and served coffee and pancakes, which were amazing by the way! I’m not sure if he still does the pancakes, but I’ve seen he still arrives each morning and serves a mean coffee!
There’s a live jam session here every Wednesday and a local market every Sunday, so this is much more than what you usually get at a freedom camping spot!
Bring plenty of insect repellent!
4. Punakaiki Beach Camp, West Coast
This beautiful campground is tucked away in nature, and camp spots to choose from are either nestled next to cliffs covered in native bush or close to the beach.
If you love being outdoors, Punakaiki Beach Camp is in the perfect location to do some exploring as it sits right on the edge of Paparoa National Park.
Nearby attractions include the Truman Track, which takes you to a secluded beach surrounded by sub-tropical rainforest, Pancake Rocks, which are some uniquely shaped rock formations with blow holes and Punakaiki Cavern, which is home to glow worms!
Paddleboarding and kayaking are both popular activities and great ways to explore the Pororari River and the lagoon.
5. Orange Sheep, Franz Josef
This is another one of my favourite camping spots on the South Island (I have a few!!). What I love about Orange Sheep is that you are tucked away in the sub-tropical rainforest with snowy mountains peeking over the tree line.
The campsite itself is just a few minutes walk from the centre of Franz Josef township and is under a 10-minute drive from the Franz Josef Glacier walk. There are other ways to see the glacier though. You can see it from above by helicopter or you can book a guided glacier hike!
6. Gillespie Beach Campsite, West Coast
If you fancy some camping on a beach with a backdrop of snowy mountains (what an awesome contrast!), then you’ll love Gillespie Beach Campsite. It’s actually near an old gold mining settlement, so you’ll spot some very old and rusty equipment scattered near the camp.
On the drive to the campsite, you’ll pass a pretty spectacular viewpoint where you can see the Fox Glacier pouring through the mountains. Lake Matheson is also very close by and is a great place to go for an early morning walk. The lake is like a mirror, and on a clear, calm day, you’ll see the Southern Alps reflected on it perfectly!
Bring plenty of insect repellent here, the sandflies aren’t messing around at this camp spot!
7. Cameron Flat Campsite, Haast Pass
Cameron Flat Campsite is along the Haast Pass, located in Mount Aspiring National Park. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and overlooking the Makarora River, Cameron Flat campsite is a great location to base yourself while exploring the national park.
What makes its location really convenient, though is that it is literally on the other side of the road from the Blue Pools track! This means you can easily visit early before the crowds start rolling in.
8. Klondyke Corner Campsite, Arthurs Pass
As with most other DOC camping spots in New Zealand, Klondyke Corner is no exception to being surrounded by beautiful views. The campsite sits on the edge of a braided river and is surrounded by mountains.
If you visit New Zealand at the right time of year, the river’s edge will be coated in purple and pink lupins, which look pretty incredible against the rugged backdrop!
The campsite is just a 10-minute drive from Arthur’s Pass Village, where you can access various walking trails. The Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall is also just a short walk from the village.
9. Kerr Bay Campsite, Nelson Lakes
Yes! This DOC site actually has some powered sites and hot showers, which I was absolutely buzzing about!
Kerr Bay Campsite is perched on the edge of Lake Rotoiti, which is lined with beech forest and mountains. Nelson Lakes are often overlooked, which is a shame, as this part of the South Island is stunning! There are tons of walking trails for different levels, waterfalls to explore, and you can swim or kayak on the lakes.
The jetty next to the campsite is a great spot to watch the sunset, and you can also see hundreds of eels lurking below the water here!
10. Lakes Edge Holiday Park, Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is probably one of the South Island’s most iconic locations, and Lakes Edge Holiday Park is right on the water’s edge!
The small town of Tekapo is a short but scenic 10-minute walk away or just a 1-minute drive. If you enjoy a good coffee, I really loved the Greedy Cow Cafe, they also serve a really tasty breakfast!
If you want to see the famous lupin bloom at Lake Tekapo, you’ll need to head here between the end of November and early January.
11. Glentanner Park Centre, Lake Pukaki
This is another camping spot that I loved on the South Island. We stayed here a couple of times over both our road trips, as the location and amenities are spot on!
Glentanner Park Centre sits on the shores of Lake Pukaki and is just 18km from Aoraki National Park. The drive here on a clear day is one of my favourites as you can see Mount Cook towering over the top of the milky blue lake.
Here you can also book a range of activities from glacier hikes, helicopter flights, glacier boat trips, mountain biking and stargazing.
12. The Pines, Lake Pukaki
Honestly, I’m shocked that there is a freedom camping spot here as the views are unreal!! You can literally open your window in the morning to views across Lake Pukaki and the Southern Alps. I don’t think I ever enjoyed my morning coffee as much as I did here.
The Pines is at the bottom end of Lake Pukaki, which is at the opposite end of the lake from Aoraki National Park. It takes roughly 40 minutes to drive from one end to the other. In the summer months, a great stop on the drive is Alpine Lavender Farm!
13. White Horse Hill Campground, Aoraki National Park
Now I didn’t actually stay at White Horse Hill overnight, but this is where we parked up and had lunch each time we did the Hooker Valley Track – it’s also the car park for some of the trails during the day.
Honestly, the views here are pretty insane! This is right at the starting point for many of the trails, such as Hooker Valley, Kea Point, Sealy Tarns and Mueller Hutt, so as you can imagine, the scenery is stunning.
14. Lake Hawea Free Camp
Lake Hawea Free Camp is found on the shores of Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka’s neighbour, and has beautiful views across the lake and the mountains. This is a great place to stay the night if you want to be able to freedom camp near Wanaka, which is just a 20-minute drive away.
15. Outlet Camp, Lake Wānaka
Lake Wanaka is another glacial lake on the South Island and is a great addition to any camping trip! Outlet Camp is just a 9-minute drive from the centre of town and overlooks the Clutha River.
Wanaka is a little larger than some of the other towns like Tekapo, and there are lots of awesome places to eat and drink here. Activities include Wanaka Lavender Farm, Roy’s Peak hike (not for the faint-hearted!!!) and a visit to the lakefront to see the iconic Wanaka Tree.
If you like wine, then you should book a free wine tasting session at Rippon Vineyard, which looks over Lake Wanaka!
16. Driftaway, Queenstown
Driftaway Queenstown only opened in 2022, so I haven’t actually stayed here, but I do think this is a better campsite than the one I used, based on what I’ve been told and from checking the reviews.
This isn’t in the heart of Queenstown, but because of this, you’ll be getting amazing views over Lake Wakatipu and you’re super close to the base of the Remarkables. If you don’t want to drive to the centre of Queenstown, lots of buses pass through here, and it’s a short but scenic bus journey along the edge of the lake.
Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, and I recommend staying here for at least a few nights on your South Island camping trip. Skiing, skydiving, jet boats and bungee jumping are just a handful of the exciting activities to do here!
17. Moke Lake Campsite
Just a 20-minute drive out of Queenstown, Moke Lake Campsite is tucked between mountains and is a peaceful spot to camp for the night. Try not to be put off by the long, narrow gravel road to get here, it’s worth it!
There are a few nature walks to do here, the most popular is the 6km loop around the lake itself. Because of the location of the camp, it’s a great place to stargaze, and the stars are super bright on a clear night.
18. Mrs Woolly’s Campground, Glenorchy
Mrs Wooly’s Campground is set in the quaint village of Glenorchy and is surrounded by rugged, snowy mountains.
Glenorchy is a very walkable town, to walk from the campsite to Glenorchy’s iconic little red shed and waterfront is less than 10 minutes! There are plenty of scenic walks to do here, such as the Glenorchy Lagoon Track, and if you drive 20 minutes out of Glenorchy, you’ll arrive in Paradise (yes, this is actually the name of a place!).
I highly recommend Akin Cafe, they do a pretty decent coffee and have freshly baked cakes on offer.
19. Cascade Creek, Milford Sound
Cascade Creek is the closest DOC site to Milford Sound, although it is still a 50-minute drive away! This large campsite is set between two creeks, with mountains and thick forest all around you.
On your drive here, make sure you stop at Eglinton Valley, or once you’ve parked up, enjoy a walk around Lake Gunn.
20. Milford Sound Lodge Campsite
Now have you done a camping trip on the South Island if you haven’t been to Milford Sound?
Milford Sound Lodge is the only campsite in the area, the next closest one is over a 45-minute drive away!
Visiting Milford Sound is at the top of most people’s New Zealand bucket list for good reason! This untouched natural wonder is coated in thick rainforest and really makes you feel like you’re worlds away from civilisation!
One of the best things to do in Milford Sound is a cruise through the fjord itself! Boat trips depart multiple times a day and take you out to see the many waterfalls spilling down the mountains and all the wildlife that flourishes here.
21. Warrington Domain Freedom Camping, Dunedin
This freedom camping spot actually allows campers who are not self-contained ,as well as tents, to stay here! There are separate areas clearly signposted for each type of camper.
This campsite is just across from the beach, so it’s a great place to fall asleep to the sound of waves. Warrington Beach is a good place to learn to surf as the waves here tend to be gentle.
This campsite is just a 25-minute drive from the centre of Dunedin or a 45-minute drive to the Moreaki boulders.
Final Thoughts: Best New Zealand South Island Camping Spots
If you’re planning on camping on the South Island and want to stay in some of the most beautiful locations, then these campsites will have you covered.
Whether you want to be surrounded by dusted mountains, thick rainforests or glistening lakes, there’s no shortage of places to rest your head while listening to the sounds of nature.
New Zealand’s diverse range of campsite options has something for all types of budgets, and if you’re looking to explore the campsites and hikes on the North Island (my favourite is the Pouakai Tarns!), you can easily hop on the ferry at Picton to continue your adventure!
