South Island's 14 Best Freedom Camping Sites For Non Self Contained Vehicles
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GAFFL
21st Nov | 7 min read

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    Freedom camping can save backpackers a lot of money in New Zealand. All you have to do is buy or rent an RV/Campervan, stay in one of the many free camping sites around the country, and you can save the money that you would normally be spending on accommodations.

    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.

    However, if you are someone with a non self contained vehicle, there are still many freedom camping options available to you. In this post we list 14 of the best freedom camping sites for non self contained vehicles around New Zealand's South Island. We also list several locations that aren’t free, but they are still very affordable and worth mentioning.

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


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    Awaroa/Godley Head Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Wheelchair accessible

    • Rubbish Bin

    Price: Adult(18+): $15 per night,Child(5-17 years): $7.5 and Infant(0-4 years): Free

    Contact Information: 

    Address: 8081, Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3-379 4082

    Google Review: 4.6/5

    Coes Ford Recreation Reserve

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Large Vehicle Access

    • Picnic Table

    • Handwashing Sink

    • Picnic Table

    Price: Free

    Contact Information: 

    Address: The Lake Road, Springston, Christchurch 7674, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 347 2800

    Google Review: 4.5/5

    Lakeside Domain

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Large Vehicle Access

    • Picnic Table

    • Pet Welcome

    • Boat Ramp

    • Cold Shower

    Price: Free

    Contact Information: 

    Address: Leeston 7683, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3-347 2800

    Google Review: 4.3/5

    Rakaia Huts Campground

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Dump Station

    • Caravan Power

    • Hot Shower

    Price: $15 for a powered site, 2 adults, near the river; $10 for a non-powered site, 2 adults

    Contact Information:

    Address: 107 Pacific Drive, Southbridge 7683, New Zealand

    Phone: +63 3 347 1822

    Google Review: 4.3/5

    Hakatere Reserve

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    Price: $5 per person per night; $20 per week per person

    Contact Information:

    Address: 4/6 Hakatere Drive, Wakanui 7777, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 307 7700

    Google Review: 4/5

    Rangitata River Mouth Camping Ground

    Facilities:

    • Caravan Power

    • Kitchen

    • Hot Shower

    Price: $17 for 2 adults for a powered site; $10 for a non-powered site, 2 adults.

    Contact Information:

    Address: North Bank, Canterbury, NZ 

    Phone: +027 644 5936

    Winchester Motor Camp

    Facilities:

    • Caravan Power

    • Large Vehicle Access

    • Kitchen

    • Hot Shower

    • Drinking Water

    • Septic Tank

    Price: $20 powered site

    Contact Information:

    Address: Lot, 386 Winchester-Orari Highway, Winchester 7985, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 22 411 5125

    Google Review: 4.3/5

    Woodbury Domain 

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Unfiltered Water

    • BBQ

    • Picnic Table

    Price: 10 per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: 538 Woodbury Road, Woodbury 7991, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 274 807 698

    Google Review: 4.7/5

    Waihi Gorge Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Large Vehicle Access

    • Rubbish Bin

    • Picnic Table

    Price: $8 per adult per night; $4 per child per night 

    Contact Information:

    Address: Woodbury 7991, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 379 4082

    Google Review: 4.7/5

    Te Moana Gorge Camp

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Picnic Table

    Price: Free

    Contact Information:

    Address: within 2km of each other alongside the babbling waters of the Hae Hae Te Moana River, NZ

    Phone: +64 3 687 7200

    Pioneer Park Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Picnic Table

    • Handwashing Sink

    Price: $8 per adult per night; $4 per child per night 

    Contact Information:

    Address: 1705722, Broomfield, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 379 4082

    Google Review: 4.3/5

    Lake MacGregor Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Picnic Table

    Price: $8 per adult

    Contact Information:

    Address: Tekapo 7999, New Zealand

    Google Review: 4.2/5

    Ohau Canal Camp

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Wheelchair accessible

    • Boat Ramp

    • Pets by arrangement

    Price: $10 per person per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Glenbrook 7999, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 435 0579

    Google Review: 4.5/5

    Round Bush Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Water From Stream

    • Rubbish Bin

    • Boat Ramp

    Price: Free

    Contact Information:

    Address: Lake Ohau 9412, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 435 0802

    Google Review: 4.8/5

    Temple Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Water From Stream

    Price: Free

    Contact Information:

    Address: Unnamed Road, Hopkins Valley 7999, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 435 0802

    Google Review: 4.8/5

    Ahuriri Bridge Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Water From Stream

    • Large Vehicle Access

    Price: Free

    Contact Information:

    Address: 1695916/2"E State Highway 8, Omarama 9412, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 435 0802

    Google Review: 4.2/5

    Lindis Pass Historic Hotel Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Water From Stream

    Price: Free

    Contact Information:

    Address:  Lindis Valley 9383, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 27 629 1012

    Google Review: 4.4/5

    Bendigo

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Water From Stream

    • Rubbish Bin

    • Boat Ramp

    Price: Free

    Contact Information:

    Address: 1390 Tarras-Cromwell Road, Bendigo 9383, New Zealand

    Phone: 0800 665 463

    Google Review: 4.4/5

    Twelve Mile Delta Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Boat Ramp

    Price: $15 per adult per night; $7.5 per child per night 

    Contact Information:

    Address: Grid reference: NZTM2000, E1249410-N4999902

    Latitude: -45.06744151, Longitude: 168.54651706

    Phone: +64 3 442 7935

    Google Review: 4.7/5

    Moke Lake Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Wheelchair accessible

    • Rubbish Bin

    Price: $15 per adult per night; $7.5 per child per night 

    Contact Information:

    Address: Moke Lake Road, Ben Lomond 9371, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 442 7935

    Google Review: 4.3/5

    Luggate Albion Cricket Club Campsite’

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Hot Shower

    Price: $10 per person per night; Free for children under 12

    Address: 38 Hopkins Street, Wanaka 9383, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 021 292 8805

    Albert Town Campground

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Large Vehicle Access

    • Picnic Table

    • Wheelchair Access

    • Handwashing sink

    Price: $10 per adult per night, $5 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Albert Town;, (mail to PO Box 33, Wanaka), Albert Town 9382, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 443 4545

    Google Review: 4.2/5

    Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Large Vehicle Access

    • Picnic Table

    • Wheelchair Access

    • Boat Ramp

    Price: $8 per adult per night, $4 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Meads Road, Hunter Valley 9382, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3-443 7660

    Google Review: 4.7/5

    Boundary Creek Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Pets by arrangement

    • Wheelchair Access

    Price: $8 per adult per night, $4 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Makarora 9382, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 443 7660

    Google Review: 4.5/5

    Cameron Flat Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Wheelchair Access

    Price: $8 per adult per night, $4 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Haast Pass-Makarora Road, Haast 9382, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 27 629 1012

    Google Review: 4.2/5

    Pleasant Flat Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Wheelchair Access

    Price: $8 per adult per night, $4 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Mount Aspiring National Park 9382, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 442 7935

    Google Review: 4.1/5

    Lake Paringa Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    Price: $15 per adult per night, $7.5 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Paringa 7886, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 750 0809

    Google Review: 4.3/5

    Paringa Salmon Farm Cafe

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    Price: Free

    Contact Information:

    Address: State Highway 6, Paringa 7886, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 751 0837

    Gillespies Beach Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    Price: $8 per adult per night, $4 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Unnamed Road, Westland National Park, 7886, New Zealand; NZTM2000 coordinates: E2253720, N5751320; Latitude: -43.40805133, Longitude: 169.82862366

    Phone: +64 3 752 0360

    Google Review: 4.3/5

    Orange Sheep Campervan Park

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Wheelchair Access

    • Dump Station

    • Hot Shower

    • Picnic Table

    • Laundry

    Price: Non-powered site $12.5 per person per night; Powered site $19 per person per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: 64 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 21 154 7891

    Google Review: 4.5/5

    Lake Ianthe Matahi Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Large Vehicle Access

    • Picnic Table

    • Boat Ramp

    • Rubbish Bin

    Price: $8 per adult per night, $4 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: 3062 State Highway 6, Harihari 7884, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 752 0360

    Google Review: 4.8/5

    Lake Mahinapua Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Cold Shower

    • Wheelchair Access

    Price: $15 per adult per night, $7.5 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: 51B Shanghai Road, Ruatapu 7883, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 731 1895

    Google Review: 4.4/5

    Woodstock Hotel & Brewpub

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    Price: Free for overnight camping

    Contact Information:

    Address: 250 Woodstock-Rimu Road, Woodstock 7883, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 755 8909

    Goldsborough Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Picnic Table

    • Rubbish Bin

    Price: $8 per adult per night, $4 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Stafford Loop Road, Kumara 7882, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 756 9100

    Google Review: 4.5/5

    Coast Road Holiday Park

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Large Vehicle Access

    • Picnic Table

    • Water from Tap

    Price: $10 per adult per night, $5 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: Barrytown 7873, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 731 1826

    Google Review: 4.9/5

    Jack’s Gasthof

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    Price: $10 per person

    Contact Information:

    Address: Little Totara River, State Highway 6, Charleston 7892, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 789 6501

    Berlins Cafe & Bars, Campground & Backpackers

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Large Vehicle Access

    • Hot Shower

    • Picnic Table

    • Wheelchair Access

    Price: $12 per person non powered site

    Contact Information:

    Address: 1205 Lower Buller Gorge Road, Westport 7866, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 789 0295

    Google Review: 4.5/5

    Marble Hill Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Wheelchair Access

    • Picnic Table

    • Drinking Water

    Price: $8 per adult per night, $4 per child per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: 1721323/7"S, State Highway 5, Mangakakahi, Rotorua 3015, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 731 1895

    Google Review: 4.3/5

    Lake Tennyson Campsite

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Water from Stream

    Price: Free 

    Contact Information:

    Address: St James Range 7395, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3 521 1806

    Google Review: 4.6/5

    Chisholm Park Carpark

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    Price: Free (8pm to 8am only)

    Contact Information:

    Address: 27 Chisholm Crescent, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand

    Rutherford Reserve Carpark

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    Price: Free (8pm to 8am only)

    Contact Information:

    Address: 21 Mountain View Road, Culverden

    Hawarden FC site

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    Price: Free (8pm to 8am only)

    Contact Information:

    Address: Hawarden 7385, New Zealand

    Waikari Reserve Campground

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    • Drinking Water

    • Caravan Power

    • Washing Machine

    • Hot Shower

    Price: $10 per person per night

    Contact Information:

    Address: 22 Princes Street, Waikari 7420, New Zealand

    Phone: +64 3-314 4304

    Google Review: 4.6/5

    Glenmark Reserve

    Facilities:

    • Toilets

    Price: Free

    Contact Information:

    Address: 3 Church Road, Waipara

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