North Island's 22 Best Freedom Camping Sites For Non Self Contained Vehicles
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GAFFL
23rd Nov | 5 min read

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    Freedom camping is something every budget backpacker in New Zealand should consider. It’s pretty simple, you buy or rent an RV/campervan, stay in one of the many free camping sites around the country, and you can save the money you would normally be spending on hotels/hostels. 

    Freedom camping means camping without leaving any waste behind, and naturally because of this most freedom camping sites around New Zealand exclusively accommodate self contained motorhomes. That means your RV or camper has to include a toilet and a water container that holds water from your sink and shower, as well as septic waste.

    With this being said, there are still many freedom camping options still available to you even If your motorhome isn’t entirely self contained. In this post we list the 21 best freedom camping sites for non self contained vehicles around New Zealand's North Island. We also list a variety of locations that aren’t free, but they are still very affordable and worth mentioning.

    Also be sure to check out our list of South Island's 22 best freedom camping sites.  


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    Te Kauwhata Domain

    Facilities: 

    • Drinking Water

    • Rubbish Bin

    • Dump Station

    • Toilets

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: Te Kauwhata 3710, New Zealand

    Reviews:

    (4.6/5) 61 Google reviews

    Oparau Roadhouse

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Petrol Station

    • Free Wifi

    • Drinking Water

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: Oparau 3878, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7-871 0683

    Website: http://www.oparauroadhouse.com/

    Reviews:

    (4.4/5) 253 Google reviews 

    Pirongia Travellers

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Cafe

    • Showers

    Price: $6 per person, $6 for shower.

    Contact Information:

    Address: 1050 Franklin Street, Pirongia 3802

    Phone: +64 7 871 9288

    Reviews:

    (4/5) 3 Google reviews 

    Te Kuiti Holiday Park

    Facilities

    • Free Wifi

    • Kitchen

    • Hot Shower

    • Washing Machine

    • Dryer

    • Cooking Shelter

    • Toilets

    Price: $20 per vehicle (up to 4 people per vehicle)

    Contact Information:

    Address: SH 3, 47A Te Kumi Road, Te Kuiti 3910, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7-878 0800

    Reviews:

    (5/5) 1 Google Review

    Tui Park- Piopio

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Restaurant Nearby

    • Hot Shower

    • Cooking Shelter

    Price: $5 Per Vehicle per night, $2 for a 5 min shower.

    Contact Information:

    Address: 260 Anderson Rd, RD 2, Rotorua 3072 New Zealand

    Website: https://www.piopio.net.nz/accommodation-item/tui-park

    Reviews:

    (4.5/5) 6 Tripadvisor Reviews

    Piropiro Campsite

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: Manawatu-Wanganui 3997, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7-878 1080

    Reviews:

    (4.5/5) 37 Google reviews

    Whangamomona Camping

    Facilities

    Toilets

    Hot Shower

    Drinking Water 

    Price: $10 per non powered camping site

    Contact Information

    Address: 59 Whangamomona Road, Whangamomona 4396, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 6-762 5881

    Reviews:

    (4.2/5) 37 Google reviews

    Halse Place Opunake

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Waterfront

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: Between Heaphy and Longfellow Roads, opposite the Opunake Recreation Grounds.

    Lake Rotokare Scenic Reserve

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Cold Shower

    • Waterfront

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: 365 Sangster Road, Rawhitiroa 4398, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 6-764 8500

    Reviews

    (4.8/5) 175 Google reviews

    Mana Bay, Patea Beach

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Waterfront

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information

    Address: 6 Beach Road, Patea 4520, New Zealand

    Reviews:

    (4.4/5) 97 Google reviews

    Ruatiti Domain

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • BBQ

    • Waterfront

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information

    Address: Ruatiti 4696, New Zealand

    Reviews:

    (4.8/5) 49 Google reviews

    Koitiata Motor Camp

    Facilities

    • Dump Station

    • Wifi

    • Hot Shower

    • Picnic Table

    • Washing Machine

    • Toilet

    • Handwashing Sink

    Price: $6 non powered site. $2 For Extra Person. $2 For Coin Operated shower 

    Contact Information:

    Address: 339/389 Turakina Beach Road, Turakina 4581, New Zealand

    Reviews:

    (4.5/5) 48 Google reviews

    Kimberley Reserve

    Facilities

    • Toilet

    • Drinking Water

    • Rubbish

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: Unnamed Road, Levin 5571, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 6 366 0999

    Reviews:

    (4.2/5) 45 Google reviews

    Waikawa Campsite

    Facilities: 

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Rubbish Bin

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information

    Address: Manakau 5573, New Zealand

    Reviews:

    (4.5/5) 23 Google reviews

    Otaki Forks Campsite

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Rubbish Bin

    Price: $8 per person

    Contact Information:

    Address: Otaki Gorge Road, Hautere 5582, New Zealand

    Reviews:

    (4.7/5) 126 Google reviews

    Battle Hill Farm Forest Park

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Kitchen

    • Picnic Table

    • Handwashing Sink

    Price: $8 per person

    Contact Information:

    Address: 3776105, Pauatahanui, Porirua 5381, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 800 496 734

    Reviews:

    (4.7/5) 110 Google reviews

    Belmont Regional Park

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Picnic Table

    • Handwashing Sink

    Price: $8 per person

    Contact Information:

    Address: Takapu Valley, Wellington 5010, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 800 496 734

    Reviews:

    (4.6/5) 402 Google reviews

    Bucks Road Campsite

    Facilities

    Toilets

    Drinking Water

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: Bucks Road, Wellington 5773, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 4-384 7770

    Reviews:

    (4.5/5) 68 Google reviews

    Eketahuna Campground

    Facilities

    • Recycling Bin

    • Hot Shower

    • Rubbish Bin

    • Nearby Restaurant 

    • Kitchen

    • BBQ

    • Picnic Table

    • Washing Machine

    • Drinking Water

    • Cooking Shelter

    • Toilets

    • Handwashing Sink

    • Outdoor Fireplace

    Price: $7 for an unpowered site

    Contact Information:

    Address: Stout Street, Eketahuna 4900, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 6-375 8677

    Reviews:

    (4.7/5) 104 Google reviews

    Alfredton Community Centre & Domain

    Facilities:

    • Toilet

    • Drinking Water

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Phone: +64 6 375 8545

    Pongaroa Camping Ground & Domain

    Facilities

    • Drinking Water

    • Hot Shower

    • Toilets

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: 1754528/4 State Highway 1, Foxton 4814, New Zealand

    Reviews:

    (4.4/5) 57 Google reviews

    Woodville Ferry Reserve

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Waterfront

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: 31 Gorge Road, Ballance 4983, New Zealand

    Reviews:

    (4.6/5) 85 Google reviews

    Te Paerahi Beach

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: 27 Te Paerahi Road, Porangahau 4293, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 6 857 8060

    Reviews:

    (4.6/5) 82 Google reviews

    Kuripapango Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Waterfront

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: Hawke's Bay 4179, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 6 834 3111

    Reviews:

    (4.8/5) 21 Google reviews

    Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Thermal Springs

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: Makahu Road, Puketitiri 4184, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 6-835 9101

    Reviews:

    (4.8/5) 74 Google reviews

    Clements Clearing Campsite

    Facilities

    • Drinking Water

    • Toilets

    • Rubbish Bin

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: -94744981, 176.18449551, 38 New Zealand Road, Seabrook, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7-384 7106

    Reviews:

    (4.1/5) 18 Google reviews

    Urchin Campsite

    Facilities

    • Drinking Water

    • Toilets

    • Rubbish Bin

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: Unnamed Road, 3382, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7 384 7106

    Reviews:

    (4.2/5) 50 Google reviews

    Kakapo Campsite

    Facilities

    • Drinking Water

    • Toilets

    • Rubbish Bins

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: 202 Clements Mill Road, Waikato 3382, New Zealand

    Whitikau Campsite

    Facilities

    • Drinking Water

    • Toilets

    • Rubbish Bin

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: 802 Takaputahi Road, Toatoa 3197, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7 307 2770

    Reviews:

    (4.8/5) 9 Google reviews

    Aniwhenua Reserve

    Facilities

    • Drinking Water

    • Cooking Shelter

    • Toilets

    • Waterfront

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Address: 71 Black Road, Galatea 3079, New Zealand

    Reviews:

    (4.4/5) 114 Google reviews

    Beach Grove Holiday Park

    Facilities

    • Dump Station

    • Wifi

    • Hot Shower

    • Laundry

    • Drinking Water

    • Toilets

    Price: $12.50 per person

    Contact Information:

    Address: 386 Papamoa Beach Road, Papamoa Beach, Papamoa 3118, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7-572 1337

    Reviews:

    (4.1/5) 100 Google reviews

    Matata Campsite

    Facilities

    • Toilets

    • Hot Shower

    • Rubbish Bin

    • Waterfront

    Price: $8 per person

    Contact Information:

    Address: Matata, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7-322 2327

    Reviews:

    (4.4/5) 78 Google reviews

    Lake Okaro

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Rubbish Bin

    • BBQ

    • Boat Ramp

    • Waterfront

    Price: $8 per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: 699/859 Okaro Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3073, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7-348 4199

    Reviews:

    (4.3/5) 90 Google reviews

    Riverglen Holiday Park

    Facilities:

    • Free Wifi

    • Dump Station

    • Hot Shower

    • BBQ

    • Washing Machine

    • Dryer

    • Drinking Water 

    • Cooking Shelter

    • Toilets

    Price: $12 per person

    Contact Information:

    Address: Tapu Coroglen Road, Whenuakite 2850, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7-866 3130

    Reviews:

    (4.4/5) 99 Google reviews

    Paeroa RV Centre

    Facilities:

    • Free Wifi

    • Dump Station

    • Hot Shower

    • BBQ

    • Washing Machine

    • Dryer

    • Drinking Water

    • Handwashing Sink

    • Toilets

    Price: $12 per person

    Contact Information:

    Address: 10 Coronation Street, Paeroa 3600, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 7-862 6215

    Reviews:

    (4.7/5) 39 Google reviews

    Rosie Bay Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilet

    • Drinking Water

    • Rubbish Bin

    • Boat Ramp

    • Waterfront

    Price: FREE

    Contact Information:

    Phone: 64 6 837 3803

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