Travel Articles

New Zealand Camping and Holiday Parks Guide

From remote conservation areas in the heart of native bush, to beachside holiday parks where the whole family gets a dose of surf and sand, the camping holiday remains a favourite Kiwi tradition. Fortunately for Kiwis, New Zealand holiday parks and campgrounds are among the best value, well-equipped in the world.

Many offer scenic locations alongside some of the country's best beaches, lakes and rivers. Not only that, you're just a hop, skip and a jump away from the attractions of nearby towns and cities.

Choosing a Camping Ground or Holiday Park

Jasons has over 700 camping and hoilday park listings throughout New Zealand. To see a list of properties, just click on the map, or start typing your preferred destination in the destination box above and select it when it appears. Choose "Accommodation" and "Camping & Holiday Parks" from the boxes on the right, and press GO.

You can refine your search using the filter boxes above the search results.

Common Camping and Holiday Parks Searches

North Island

South Island

 

 

Camping and Holiday Parks Categories

In addition to tent and caravan/campervan sites, many holiday parks and campgrounds feature additional accommodation options ranging from tourist cabins through to motel-style accommodation. Communal kitchens, dining areas and lounges are usually standard. Here is a summary of services:

  • Powered Sites and Tent Sites
    A grassy area, either with or without power, for parking a mobile home or caravan or pitching tents.
  • Onsite Caravan
    A rental caravan on a powered site with cooking facilities and kitchen equipment. Generally sleeps 2-4 adults. Sheets and blankets are not usually provided but are often available for hire from the main office.
  • Standard Cabin
    Basic sleeping accommodation, without separate cooking and bathroom facilities. Standards vary but cabins generally sleep 2-6 persons in single/double beds or bunks. Sheets and blankets are not usually supplied but are often available for hire from the main office. Guests use communal camp cooking and toilet/shower facilities.
  • Kitchen Cabin
    Sleeping accommodation as for a standard cabin, with the additional provision of hot and cold water, cooking facilities and kitchen equipment. Guests use communal toilet/shower facilities. Bedding is not usually supplied but often available for hire from the main office.
  • Ensuite Unit
    As for standard cabin but with the provision of private shower and toilet facilities. Guest use communal cooking facilities and kitchen equipment. Bedding and linen is usually available for hire from the main office.
  • Self-Contained Unit
    A self-catering unit complete with TV, kitchen and cooking facilities, private shower and toilet. Often there is more than one bedroom. Bedding and linen are usually available for hire from the main office.
  • Park Motel
    A unit that is usually self-contained, equipped with TV, kitchen, toilet and shower. Some may not be fully self-catering, and may only provide tea/coffee making facilities. All bedding and linen is provided. Complimentary tea, coffee, sugar and milk are supplied. Units may be serviced daily.
  • Conservation Campsites
    For those who prefer a 'back to nature' type experience, a Department of Conservation (DOC) campground is definitely for you. DOC provides camping options in National and Forest Parks and other conservation areas throughout New Zealand. The difference is, they offer only basic facilities – usually toilets, fresh water and cold showers (often outdoor) – so you need to be prepared to rough it. Most are filled on a 'first come, first served' basis, so booking isn't an option. However, some of the more popular sites may have camp hosts on site during the busy summer season, but be prepared for self-registration during off-peak periods. You can make bookings for 'serviced' sites by contacting the nearest DOC visitor information centre or visit www.doc.govt.nz.

More Information

Read Jasons Camping Tips for essential information on getting the most out of your New Zealand camping holiday.

Leave a comment!
Find New Zealand Accommodation
  • Farrys Motel, Dunedin Motels & Motor Lodges
    Farrys Motel
    Farrys Motel offers quality accommodation in Dunedin and is a Qualmark 4-star Self-contained & Serviced motel. It has 18 fully serviced units: studio unit and 1x3brm unit, off-site self-contained luxury lodge. Play area,...
    read more >
  • Dargaville Campervan Park & Cabins, Dargaville Camping & Holiday Parks
    Dargaville Campervan Park & Cabins
    Central location opposite Woolworths supermarket in the town centre. 11 KP railway carriages converted into ensuite cabins, deluxe studio units sleep 2 (3 new, May 2010), standard sleep up to 5, unlimited hot water, TV, linen...
    read more >
  • Braemar Motor Lodge, Palmerston North Motels & Motor Lodges
    Braemar Motor Lodge
    Braemar Motor Lodge is a Qualmark 4-star plus Self-contained & Serviced motel that offers quality accommodation in Palmerston North. It has 20 superior ground floor studio and 1&2brm suites. Kitchen, microwave, fridge, snack...
    read more >

Discover New Zealand

Scroll up
Swim with dolphins in the Bay of Islands.

Explore geysers, mud pools and fumaroles in Rotorua.

Enjoy Napier’s fruits, Art Deco, wines and heroic history.

Indulge in Wellington’s theatres, galleries and museums.

Sightsee in Christchurch by tram.

Immerse yourself in Hamilton’s cuisine scene, nightlife and culture.

Enjoy the architecture and Scottish heritage of Dunedin.

Visit friendly folks and fill up on oysters in Invercargill.

Get your thrills in Queenstown where adventure activities abound.

Try your hand panning for gold at Greymouth’s Shantytown.

Unwind with an award-winning wine in sunny Nelson.

Hang ten or stop and smell the flowers in New Plymouth.

Don’t miss Auckland’s volcanoes, harbours, and metropolitan lifestyle.

Scroll down
New Zealand Map
Bay of Islands Rotorua Napier Auckland Hamilton Wellington New Plymouth Nelson Christchurch Greymouth Dunedin Queenstown Invervcargill