After months of road tripping, these are my favourite campsites in the South Island

purakaunui bay campground in the south island of new zealand

Camping is one of the best ways to explore the South Island of New Zealand.

Nothing beats waking up to a sunrise glow bathing mountain peaks in pink, or eating dinner with a million dollar view of a lake, beach, or sea of forest.

Travelling in a campervan is an epic experience.

I’ve camped up and down the South Island of New Zealand, mostly in freedom camps and DOC campsites. I prefer campsites that feel wild and remote, rather than holiday parks with full facilities.

I’ll share with you some of my favourite places, and give you the lay of the land in terms of finding campsites.

jump ahead.

A quick heads up that this page contains affiliate links, which means I might make a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you book through those links. Thanks for your support.

If you need a campervan or motorhome for your road trip, you can compare prices on Motorhome Republic
If you need a tent camping checklist, here are all my favourite things to take on a camping trip.

TYPES OF CAMPSITES IN NEW ZEALAND

DOC campsites

DOC campsites are managed and maintained by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

These are easily my favourite type of campsites, and the ones I search for the most often.

DOC is a government agency responsible for protecting and preserving New Zealand's natural and cultural heritage, including national parks, conservation areas, and historic sites.

This means that DOC campgrounds are typically located within or near these protected areas, so they are often very scenic.

Tip | If you plan on using DOC campsites a lot, it’s worth getting a campsite pass. You can choose from 30 days ($95) or one year ($195) which can work out to much better value than paying as you go.

Holiday parks

Commercial campgrounds can vary widely in New Zealand.

They can be small and simple, much like a DOC campground but with the option of hot showers, or they can be sprawling holiday parks with extensive kitchen, bathroom, and laundry facilities.

They typically provide powered and non-powered sites, as well as cabins.

I tend to avoid holiday parks, as I prefer simple campgrounds, but Top 10 Holiday Parks are a great option for families with children, or if you want to access facilities like a washing machine or hair dryer.

Holiday parks tend to operate a bit more like hotels or resorts; you can search and book holiday parks on Booking.com >>

Freedom camping

Wild camping, or freedom camping as it’s known in New Zealand, is allowed but subject to specific regulations and restrictions.

Most of the time, you’ll need to be in a self-contained campervan to be able to freedom camp, and even then you’ll only be able to park up in certain areas.

Violating camping regulations can result in fines (starting from $400), so make sure you don’t try and camp in an area where freedom camping is banned.

I love freedom camping, but you’ll probably want to mix these up with DOC campgrounds or commercial campsites to take advantages of showers, water, and toilets — sometimes freedom camping spots have none of these.

4 TIPS FOR CAMPING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND

You can’t just camp anywhere in New Zealand
Freedom camping is legal in specific places, but these are subject to strict rules and regulations that vary by region. You run the risk of large fines if you try and camp for free in areas where freedom camping isn’t allowed.
The best way to find campsites in New Zealand is through the Rankers or Campermate apps. You can find free and paid campgrounds all around New Zealand (I personally use Rankers, as I like their review system).
The DOC website also lists all of the conservation campsites around the country.
Camping is the cheapest way to travel the South Island. Campsites vary from free to around $30 per person per night. DOC campsites are sometimes free — otherwise, depending on their facilities, they range from $10 to $20 per night. If you plan on doing a lot of camping at DOC campsites, a campsite pass can be a cost effective option.
Holiday parks and commercial campgrounds are the most expensive, and can cost up to $45 a night for a campervan.
You typically don’t need to book campsites — except at New Years
Peak travel season is from December to January. During those months, it’s a good idea to book campsites, especially over the Christmas and New Year period. Outside of these months, you rarely need to book campsites in advance.
Some DOC campsites won’t take bookings and are based on a first come first served system.

The best campgrounds in the South Island

I can’t claim to have been to every campground in the South Island, but I’ve stayed in a fair few of them.

These are my personal favourites.

1. French Pass, Marlborough Sounds

The drive out to French Pass is gnarly. It’s a long, narrow gravel road that feels like it will never end, but persevere and you’ll get to an end-of-the-world feeling campsite right next to a peaceful bay.

Huge black stingrays glide up and down in the water, and a rustic jetty is the perfect vantage point for looking across at the hulk of D’Urville Island and the intimidating swirl of the French Pass waters rushing between the island and the mainland.

2. Pelorus Bridge, Marlborough

The DOC campsite at Pelorus Bridge is surrounded by lush greenery, and sits right next to the emerald Pelorus River.

There are a number of short walks you can choose from and a string of pools where you can go for a refreshing swim in the pristine water.

3. Totaranui Campground, Golden Bay/Abel Tasman National Park

4. Kohaihai Campsite, West Coast

There’s something about reaching the end of the road. Kohaihai is the last stop on the West Coast road heading north.

The campsite here is bordered by a tannin-dark lagoon and a beach of creamy sand.

This is the start/end point of the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.

You can walk the first section of the track to reach deserted beaches fringed by nikau palms, enjoying a stretch of coast that feels truly untouched.

5. Gentle Annie’s Campground, West Coast

Gentle Annie’s Campground is a beautiful, sprawling green space set where the Mokihinui River meets the sea.

The beach here is strewn with driftwood, which is occasionally scraped together for sculptures or bonfires.

Sunsets are spectacular, and if you walk down the beach to Gentle Annie Point you’ll find a clever maze crafted out of trees. If you can find your way through, you’ll emerge to a stunning sunset lookout point.

There’s an adorable cafe in a converted cowshed, and a pizza oven which brings people together in the evening.

The beach is perfect for watching the sun set, or building a bonfire out of driftwood. You’ll almost certainly end up staying longer than planned.

6. Gillespies Beach Campground, West Coast

Gillespies Beach is an epic campsite near Fox Glacier.

From the Fox township, you can head out to Lake Matheson for a beautiful short walk, then keep heading toward the coast to reach Gillespies Beach Campground.

This DOC site is small and remote, set just back from the beach. Walks lead down the coast to the remains of an old gold mining settlement, and further to quiet lagoons.

The sunsets from the pebbled beach are beautiful, but the best part is standing on the beach and looking back toward the mountains, and seeing Fox glacier flowing from the Alps.

7. Okarito Campground, West Coast

Right by the beach is a small, community run campground, the perfect place to spend a night or two.

There is a stunning cliff walk you can do at Okarito, and if the tide is low you can loop back along the beach, spotting Hector’s dolphins along the way.

8. Purakaunui Bay campsite, Dunedin

The Purakaunui Bay campsite is a stunning camping area nestled along the rugged coastline of the South Island near Dunedin.

Located within the Catlins region, this campsite offers campers a unique coastal camping experience. Set amidst native bush and overlooking a beautiful sandy beach, with a backdrop of castle-like cliffs, it’s a magnificent place to spend a night.

The campsite offers basic facilities, including toilets and picnic tables.

9. No More Pines, Lake Pukaki

This freedom camp on the edge of Lake Pukaki is a stunning spot for lakeside views of Aoraki Mount Cook.

10. Driftaway, Queenstown

Driftaway Queenstown
From $45 a night

Driftaway Queenstown is almost brand new - it has only been open since March 2022. That means the facilities are all in great condition.

This holiday park also has a prime location right on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. It’s closer to the centre of Queenstown than the other campgrounds on this list, so if you prefer to be nearby supermarkets and restaurants, this is a great option.

It is more expensive than DOC campgrounds, but you get a lot more for your money. There’s a beautiful modern kitchen and you get to enjoy hot showers - both excellent amenities on cold Queenstown nights.

11. Moke Lake Campground, Queenstown

Moke Lake campground
Cost: $15 a night

If you want to camp near Queenstown, but in a rugged and mountainous area, Moke Lake Campground is a secluded camping spot. Situated beside the tranquil Moke Lake, this campsite is dramatically scenic.

The campground provides basic facilities, including toilets and barbecue areas, making it ideal for a peaceful and rustic camping experience.

12. Crown Range Summit freedom camp, Queenstown

The Crown Range Summit freedom camp is located on the road between Queenstown and Wanaka. Stay the night and you get to wake up to views of golden peaks and clouds.

This freedom campsite offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. However, due to its high-altitude location, it can get very cold overnight.

There are also minimal facilities, so you should have a self-contained vehicle to camp here.

13. White Horse Hill Campground, Aoraki Mount Cook Village

Price | $15 per night ($18 from late December to early February)

White Horse Hill is a DOC campsite in Mount Cook. It’s the best option for outdoorsy travellers, or anyone on a tight budget.

The facilities are pretty basic, and the campground is packed full, so don’t expect a lot of privacy here.

But, it's set in a beautiful location, looking up at glaciers on the mountainsides. I loved hearing them crack overnight.

Plus, it’s right at the start of the Hooker Valley Track.

There are no showers at this campground, and no powered for campervans. If you do want a hot shower, you can find showers in Mount Cook Village, about 2.5 kilometres from the campsite. They cost $2 for 3 minutes.

You can’t beat the views though, so if you want to wake up in an amphitheatre of mountains, you might enjoy this spot.

Thanks for reading this far! I hope you enjoy camping in the South Island.

If you liked my recommendations, you might also find these posts helpful:

17 incredible campgrounds in the South Island, New Zealand