Camping guide · Ways to camp
Photo: “DSCN2150 Medlands Beach Campsite” by AlasdairW, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Department of Conservation (DOC) runs more than 320 campsites across New Zealand, from big lakeside grounds near Queenstown to remote bays reachable only on foot or by boat. More than 250 are vehicle accessible, and most of those suit campervans.
DOC campsites are simpler than holiday parks. They're usually cheaper, often in better scenery, and many don't take bookings.
DOC sets facilities and fees by category. The fees below are DOC's typical rates. Individual campsites can differ, so always check the campsite's own page.
| Category | What you get | Typical fee (per night) |
|---|---|---|
| Serviced | Flush toilets, tap water, kitchen or cooking bench, hot showers, rubbish collection, and road access for all vehicles. Some have laundries and BBQs. | Adult $20–28, child $10–14 |
| Standard | Toilets, water (tap, stream or lake), and vehicle or boat access. Some have cold showers, picnic tables, cooking shelters or bins. | Adult $10–20, child $5–10 (also for powered sites, where available) |
| Basic | Very limited: basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Be fully self-sufficient. | Varies |
| Backcountry | Toilets and a water supply (may be a stream). Some have tables, shelters or fireplaces. | Varies |
| Great Walk | Nearly 60 campsites near Great Walk huts, with toilets, sinks and water. | Set by Great Walk pricing |
Children are aged 5–17. Infants (0–4) stay free. Treat or boil untreated water before drinking.
The Milford Track and Paparoa Track are the only Great Walks without campsites.
Bookings are required at:
Each campsite's page says whether it's bookable. If it is, you must book before you arrive, even if you hold a Campsite Pass.
Non-bookable campsites are first come, first served. Pay at the self-registration stand: put the fee in the envelope and display the receipt on your tent or vehicle. You'll usually need cash. Rangers check that fees have been paid. Arrive early and have a back-up plan in case it's full.
Don't hold a site you won't use. If you book or occupy a site you don't stay at, for example by leaving an empty tent, DOC charges a fee equal to two adults.
The Campsite Pass covers most DOC campsites, bookable and non-bookable, for one year from the start date you choose.
| Price | $295 per adult, $147.50 per child (5–17) |
| Valid | 12 months from your chosen start date |
| Limit | Up to 7 nights in any 30 days at one campsite |
| Powered sites | $3 per pass holder per night |
| Not booked? | $10 booking fee if you arrive at a bookable site without a booking |
How to use it:
Is it worth it? At $10–20 a night per adult, the pass pays for itself after roughly 15 to 30 nights at Standard sites. It suits long road trips more than a single week away. Te Araroa walkers should look at the separate Trail Pass from the Te Araroa Trust.
DOC campsiteNorthern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula
A remote DOC backcountry campsite at the very end of the road on the northern Coromandel, and the northern start of the Coromandel Coastal Walkway.
DOC campsiteGlenorchy Road, Lake Wakatipu
A large, first-come first-served DOC campsite on a river delta beside Lake Wakatipu, 12 km from Queenstown. It was the Ithilien Camp location in the Lord of the Rings films.
DOC campsiteAoraki/Mount Cook National Park
A DOC campsite beneath Mt Sefton at the start of the Hooker Valley Track. It is often full all year, so you must book ahead.
Prices, pet rules, closures and road access change. Confirm current details for DOC campsites on the official page before you book or travel.
DOC campsites