New Zealanders love the outdoors and as a result you’re never far from a campground.
It’s normally no trouble at all to find at least one campsite within an easy day’s ride, although things are difficult for wild camping aficionados, with most land fenced and plenty of ‘no camping’ signs in the most beautiful spots.
For this reason you’re almost always likely to end up at an official campsite. What kind of campsite you’ll find is an entirely different matter. One day you might arrive at a very basic site run by the local municipality for a few dollars. The next day could bring a fully-serviced caravan park with luxurious extras like hot springs. In towns and cities, you can often pitch your tent on the back lawn of the local hostel. Just stop by and ask if camping isn’t advertised.
Camping prices are also spread over a wide range. Some are free such as domain campgrounds and a few run by the Department of Conservation (check their site for a nice guide to DOC campsites or pick up a leaflet at a NZ tourist bureau). At the other end of the scale, you might pay NZ$20 per person in a resort town or at a posh private campground.
Budget NZ$10-12/pp for a tent site on average. The nice thing for solo cyclists is that campsite fees are usually charged per person and not by site, making camping a very economical way to go for anyone on their own.
Domain Camping – What’s That?
Just about every town and village in New Zealand has a domain – a grassy patch of land for recreation. For the passing cyclist, this is somewhere you can often pitch your tent. Facilities tend towards the rustic end of the scale but prices are low. You might pay nothing at all or for a small charge (around NZ$5) you can occasionally strike lucky with a hot shower and electricity. The hardest thing about domain camping is finding out where they are. They aren’t always signed. Ask at information bureaus or the local shop. The more off the beaten track you are, the more likely you are to find them.
What will you find? Even at the free end of the scale there should always be some source of water (usually from a tap but sometimes from a nearby river) and either pit or flushing toilets. Once you start paying a few dollars, you’ll find showers, often operated with a coin or token, laundry facilities and a kitchen.
The kitchen may not be fully stocked with cooking utensils, pots and pans so bring your own supplies, just in case. In all but the cheapest spots you’ll find a cooker. There will always be a fridge, a sink and often a microwave, a toaster and a kettle. Sometimes you’ll find free tea and coffee.
The most expensive campsites like those run by the Top 10 chain will have extras like a swimming pool, a playground for kids, a games room and internet access. Occasionally these campsites focus on caravan traffic, however, and refuse to take tents!
If you don’t want to pitch a tent, campgrounds also tend to offer cabins and dorm beds – a good option if the rain is pouring down outside. These run about the same price per person as a bed in a backpacker’s dorm – from NZ$15-25 per person. You may have to provide your own linen for the cabins or rent it for a small additional fee.
This map gives a good overview of campsites in New Zealand, including some free sites.
4th January 2013 at 3:18 am #
Hi, do you know where I can get list of Domain campsites for both North and South islands?
Thank you
11th November 2015 at 11:12 am #
A good place in the South Island, Dipton area
Camp Taringatura
Combined hosts Nathan and Rachele, Kiwi and Aussie Hospitality. German language is no problem.
4th January 2014 at 12:30 am #
I’m currently cycling in NZ, and I wouldn’t recommend freedom camping, especially in remote areas. Something that’s become a bit of a problem in NZ (but that NZ tries to keep hushed up) is attacks on tourists. Pay the $20 a night (especially if travelling solo) and stay at a decent campground for (a bit more) peace of mind.
25th February 2014 at 1:53 pm #
Are you able to specify where or the nature of the attacks?
Im plannin on a christhpchurch to queenstown route in mrach and had my heart set on some free camping. Thanks
25th February 2014 at 7:57 pm #
Maybe KF will reply, but from our perspective I wouldn’t worry about it. There have – in the past – also been attacks in campgrounds but I would classify these as isolated incidents. Bad people exist everywhere (and you might meet them even if you stay at home) but in our experience the good far out weighs the bad. Just use your common sense and you will more than likely be fine.
2nd March 2015 at 12:13 pm #
There is a great app for android phones called
Camping NZ. It currently has a VW kombi on the
front cover. It is a fantastic resource for finding places to
stay in NZ. I have just come back from a trip
and it was invaluable. Of course no good if you
don’t have a phone or bandwidth.
22nd March 2015 at 11:18 am #
We sometimes allow people to camp on our land at 157 Old Coach Road in the Tasman Distric .
Email me if you would like to stay.
[email protected]
11th November 2015 at 10:42 am #
New owners, Nathan and Rachele. Try the Kiwi/Aussie hospitality. You cannot beat it.
There are lots of things to do for the travelling: walking, hiking, bird watching, swimming at the Dipton Stream in water holes and the big Oreti River – both of which are right at your door step. Local guides can assist you with fly fishing.
The Camp itself has a 260 m2 pleasant feel main hall comfortably seating 150 guests. There is a piano, microphone and amplifier to use (please apply for, before day of arrival).
The hall has a large serving window and 2 doors connecting our commodious kitchen area and walk-in storage room with everything you need: offering 2 spacious fridges, three ovens, 6 sinks, many cupboards with pots, pans, cutlery, glasses, cups, saucers, plates etc.. There are also washing machines and a dryer for your convenience.
There is plenty of room for indoor activities! There are Couches to sit back with people from all walks of life, Countries and Cultures. Play games and make music – warm yourself and cozy up by the fire.
Camp Taringatura holidays are the best!
http://www.camptaringatura.com/
11th May 2022 at 12:39 am #
In this great design of things you’ll get a B+ for effort. Exactly where you actually misplaced everybody ended up being in your details. You know, it is said, the devil is in the details… And that could not be much more correct here. Having said that, let me inform you precisely what did give good results. Your authoring is actually highly convincing which is probably the reason why I am making an effort in order to comment. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. 2nd, despite the fact that I can see a jumps in reason you make, I am not necessarily convinced of just how you seem to unite the ideas that help to make the conclusion. For now I will yield to your point but hope in the future you link your dots better.
12th October 2022 at 3:44 am #
I enjoy reading through an article that can make people think. Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment.
18th October 2022 at 2:35 am #
I love reading through a post that can make people think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment.
23rd October 2022 at 2:29 pm #
I really liked your post.
25th October 2022 at 3:21 am #
http://www.accountingjobsandcareers.com/myob-accountright-setup
26th October 2022 at 3:58 am #
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Cheers! Exactly where can I find the contact details for questions?
2nd November 2022 at 8:10 pm #
Major thankies for the post. Awesome.
3rd November 2022 at 10:17 pm #
I appreciate you sharing this blog. Keep writing.
3rd November 2022 at 11:18 pm #
I enjoy reading through an article that will make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment.
14th November 2022 at 8:12 pm #
Major thanks for the article. Much obliged.
20th November 2022 at 12:54 pm #
This is a topic which is near to my heart… Thank you! Where can I find the contact details for questions?
8th December 2022 at 8:50 pm #
Your articles are incredibly helpful to me. Thank you! May I request more information?
10th December 2022 at 11:03 am #
Thank you for writing the article. I like the topic too.
10th December 2022 at 9:38 pm #
I would like to know more about this subject if you don’t mind.
10th December 2022 at 10:42 pm #
Thank you for your post. I liked reading it because it addressed my issue. It helped me a lot and I hope it will help others too.
11th December 2022 at 12:30 am #
Thanks for writing this article. It helped me a lot and I love the subject.
11th December 2022 at 2:47 am #
The articles you write help me a lot and I like the topic
11th December 2022 at 6:21 am #
Thank you for your help. I must say you’ve been really helpful to me.
11th December 2022 at 10:35 pm #
Your articles are extremely beneficial to me. May I request more information?
12th December 2022 at 12:20 am #
Thank you for writing about this topic. Your post really helped me and I hope it can help others too.
13th December 2022 at 12:28 am #
Thank you for your post. I really enjoyed reading it, especially because it addressed my issue. It helped me a lot and I hope it will also help others.
13th December 2022 at 1:22 am #
I’ve to say you’ve been really helpful to me. Thank you!
20th December 2022 at 10:53 pm #
Dude these articles were really helpful to me. Thanks a lot.
27th December 2022 at 12:12 am #
Dude these articles are amazing. They helped me a lot.
27th December 2022 at 10:37 pm #
Thank you for your post. I liked reading it because it addressed my issue. It helped me a lot and I hope it will help others too.
28th December 2022 at 1:24 am #
Thank you for writing the article. I like the topic too.
28th December 2022 at 2:38 am #
Thank you for your post. I really enjoyed reading it, especially because it addressed my issue. It helped me a lot and I hope it will help others too.
30th December 2022 at 5:47 am #
I enjoyed reading your piece and it provided me with a lot of value.
30th December 2022 at 6:03 am #
I always find your articles very helpful. Thank you!
31st December 2022 at 4:52 am #
Thank you for writing this article. I appreciate the subject too.
2nd January 2023 at 1:40 am #
Thanks for your help and for writing this post. It’s been great.
3rd May 2023 at 7:43 pm #
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a video game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these second life articles and blogs
3rd May 2023 at 11:57 pm #
#ИМЯ? high blood pressure treatmentivermectin tablets dosage sfr79x
4th May 2023 at 3:35 pm #
CPD,ICF,UKCP AND BACP accredited qualified staff members
14th May 2023 at 3:59 am #
Is anyone able to recommend quality Muay Thai B2B Database with Emails? Thank you 😀
14th May 2023 at 11:07 am #
Papeis de parede animados MelbetMelbet e o aplicativo oficial para Android desenvolvido pela empresa de apostas com o mesmo nome. Com sua ajuda, os usuarios podem fazer apostas em dinheiro em eventos esportivos.Papeis de parede animados Melbet
15th May 2023 at 11:08 am #
Things i have observed in terms of laptop or computer memory is the fact there are specs such as SDRAM, DDR etc, that must go with the specific features of the motherboard. If the personal computer’s motherboard is rather current while there are no computer OS issues, updating the ram literally usually takes under one hour. It’s one of many easiest laptop or computer upgrade types of procedures one can imagine. Thanks for spreading your ideas.
16th May 2023 at 2:14 am #
Appreciate it, A lot of content!fake essay writer us essay writers executive resume writing services chicago
19th May 2023 at 12:10 pm #
plaquenil coupon hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets
20th May 2023 at 6:43 am #
I have really learned new things by means of your blog. One other thing I’d really like to say is the fact newer computer system operating systems have a tendency to allow additional memory to be utilized, but they additionally demand more memory space simply to function. If your computer can not handle far more memory and the newest software package requires that ram increase, it could be the time to shop for a new Laptop. Thanks
22nd May 2023 at 2:46 pm #
hydroxychloroquine covid hydroxychloroquine covid
22nd May 2023 at 6:12 pm #
This mix of an strong, sporty as well as resolute design and style informs us all naturally of the Hublot Full Powerorthe Audemars-Piguet Royal Pine Overseas.
25th May 2023 at 10:21 am #
the ice fishing there are two things that you might experience.
25th May 2023 at 12:47 pm #
What is the difference between Computer Engineering and Computer Science?
30th May 2023 at 12:21 am #
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these sl authors and blogs