Top 10 Campsites in New Zealand
The Department of Conservation (DOC) operates around 200 campsites across New Zealand's national parks, conservation areas, and scenic reserves. They range from basic sites with a long-drop toilet and a water tap to serviced sites with hot showers and powered pitches. Fees are payable online through the DOC booking system or on arrival at self-registration sites. These ten campsites represent the best of the DOC network and the holiday park options that complement it.
1. Totaranui, Abel Tasman National Park
At the northern end of the Abel Tasman coast track, Totaranui is the most scenic DOC campsite in the South Island. Tent and campervan pitches beside a golden sand bay, basic cooking shelters, flush toilets, and cold showers. The Abel Tasman coast walk connects Totaranui to Marahau over three to five days. Book months ahead for summer — the site fills its booking quota in January.
2. White Horse Hill, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
At the foot of the Hooker Valley track, with the summit of Aoraki (3,724 m) directly above. A basic DOC site with tent platforms, flush toilets, and cold water. The Hooker Valley walk to the terminal glacier viewpoint takes 90 minutes return. The Milky Way, viewed from this altitude and latitude, is among the best night sky experiences in the Southern Hemisphere. No powered sites; generator hours are restricted.
3. Mavora Lakes, Southland
In the remote Mararoa River valley at the edge of Fiordland, Mavora Lakes campsite sits between two long tawny tussock lakes that provided landscape for the Lord of the Rings films. Basic DOC site with toilet and water. The drive in on a gravel road requires a vehicle with reasonable clearance. The Mavora Walkway links the lakes over 20 km of river flat and tussock. One of New Zealand's least-visited major natural areas.
4. Mangahuia, Tongariro National Park
Near the base of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing — New Zealand's most-walked day track — Mangahuia campsite provides a basic DOC option for those wanting to start the crossing at dawn and camp close rather than staying in Ohakune or Turangi. Toilet, water, basic shelters. The crossing itself takes six to eight hours and requires good weather; the site's position at the western end is well-placed for an early start.
5. Lake Pearson / Moana Rua, Canterbury
A small DOC campsite on the shore of Lake Pearson in the Waimakariri River basin, between Christchurch and Arthur's Pass. Basic facilities — toilet, water, no powered sites — but the reflections of the Craigieburn range in the lake on calm mornings are one of Canterbury's signature landscapes. The Arthur's Pass township and national park hiking are 45 minutes west.
6. Whatipu, Waitakere Ranges, Auckland
A remote DOC campsite at the southern end of the Manukau Harbour entrance, accessible by an unsealed road through the Waitakere Ranges. Black sand beach, rugged coast, and the remains of the old kauri timber industry. Basic facilities. One of the few genuinely remote camping options within an hour of central Auckland.
7. Anchorage, Abel Tasman National Park
A mid-point camp on the Abel Tasman coast track, accessible by water taxi from Kaiteriteri or on foot from the south. One of the most popular DOC campsite bookings in New Zealand; summer places release and sell out within minutes. Sandy beach, clear water, good swimming, flush toilets and basic kitchen shelters. The sea kayak route connects Anchorage to Torrent Bay and Bark Bay as a three-day circuit.
8. Glenorchy Holiday Park, Queenstown Lakes
At the head of Lake Wakatipu, 45 km from Queenstown, Glenorchy Holiday Park is a commercial holiday park — powered and unpowered sites, good facilities — in a position that rivals anything DOC operates. The Dart and Rees river valleys above Glenorchy are Fiordland approaches; the Routeburn Track starts 30 km north. Mountains on three sides, a mirror lake at the door.
9. Tapotupotu, Cape Reinga, Northland
The most northerly DOC campsite of consequence, in a sheltered bay 5 km east of Cape Reinga on the Te Araroa trail. Basic facilities — toilet, water, no powered pitches. The beach is swimmable and largely empty. The Cape Reinga lighthouse, where Maori tradition holds the spirits of the dead depart for Hawaiki, is a short drive or a 90-minute coastal walk from camp.
10. Purakaunui Bay, Catlins, Otago
On the wild Catlins coast in the southeastern corner of the South Island, Purakaunui Bay DOC campsite sits above a remote bay accessible by an unsealed road from Owaka. Basic facilities. The Purakaunui Falls — tiered limestone waterfalls through podocarp forest — are 10 km inland. Yellow-eyed penguins come ashore at dusk at nearby Nugget Point.
DOC campsite booking
The DOC booking system operates at doc.govt.nz. Serviced and standard sites require booking; basic sites are typically self-registration with an honesty box. Fees range from free (some basic sites) to around NZ$20 per adult per night at serviced sites. The DOC app has an offline campsite finder useful for travel in areas with poor signal.
Find New Zealand campsites on the map
The map covers DOC campsites and holiday parks across both islands. Use it to plan the island legs of a South or North Island circuit and identify distance gaps between sites.