Our Summer of 2025 / 2026 never arrived in New Zealand and was replaced by cool windy weather in some cases severe. Commitments kept us close to home before leaving early in March for a shorter than usual intended two month road trip. Our departure coincided with a declaration of war against Iran by Israel and the United States of America. The resulting disruption to the world petroleum trade and distribution has caused worldwide fuel shortages and significant price increases. Faced with potential unavailability or even rationing of diesel we made the decision to return home after only three weeks on the road. This got us thinking about places we had been in our motorhome over the last fourteen years and in particular the campsites we had stayed at starting with the South Island.
These camping locations are not in any particular order and we are sure there will be those who disagree with our choices. This list is not considered to be definitive, merely a collection of camping sites we have especially enjoyed while travelling in our motorhome.
French Pass Campsite DOC (Department Of Conservation). Long winding road access. Swimming, boating, fishing. A short walk to view the impressive tidal flow in the narrow strait between D'Urville Island and the South Island mainland. Charges apply.
Whites Bay DOC campsite, Marlborough. Sheltered bay for walking, swimming, surfing. Charges apply.
Nelson Creek Recreation Reserve, Grey district. Campsite beside Nelson Creek. Swimming, explore historic gold mining relics. Charges apply.
Gentle Annie Seaside accommodation campsite. Beside the Mokihinui River mouth. Quirky camping ground 30 minutes north of Westport. Charges apply.
Iveagh Bay, Lake Brunner. Boating, fishing, swimming. Limited to 10 parks. No charge.
Lake Taylor DOC campsite, Canterbury high country. Boating, fishing, swimming, 4WD and MTB tracks. Rough and dusty gravel road access. Charges apply.
Lake Clearwater campsite, Ashburton Lakes, South Canterbury high country bach community. Fishing, swimming, MTB, walking, windsurfing. Charges apply.
Winchester bridge freedom camping. South Canterbury beside Waihi Stream. No charge.
Lake Poaka DOC campsite, Twizel area Canterbury high country. Large grass area beside lake, gravel access. No charge.
White Horse Hill DOC campsite, Aoraki Mount Cook. Canterbury alpine high country. Walking tracks, spectacular scenery. Charges apply.
Gillespies Beach DOC campsite, West Coast. Rugged beach location, gold mining dredge relics, history, several walks. Winding gravel access road. Charges apply.
Lake Paringa DOC campsite, West Coast. Easy access from SH6, lake side camping. Charges apply.
Moke Lake DOC campsite Queenstown. Steep dusty access road. Swimming, fishing. Charges apply.
Pounawea Motor Camp Catlins Coast, Owaka, Otago. Small quiet motor camp adjacent to estuary. Bush walk full of bird song, beach walking nearby. Charges apply.
Purakaunui Bay DOC campsite, Catlins Coast Otago. Close to Purakaunui Falls. Charges apply.
Mavora Lakes Conservation Park DOC campsite, Southland. Alpine scenery, walking, swimming, MTB, fishing. Long dusty gravel road access, but well worth the effort. Charges apply.
Piano Flat DOC campsite Southland, beside the Waikaia River. Large grassed areas surrounded by beech forest, bush walks. Charges apply.
Cosy Nook Southland. A quaint fishing community in a small rocky cove. Picturesque cribs and fishing boats. Room for about four small campervans. No charge.
Monkey Island Orepuki, Southland. Just ten minutes drive from Cosy Nook. Sheltered beachside free camping. Small rock outcrop becomes an island at high tide, smooth flat beach. Gemstone beach 2.5 km walk along beach. No charge.
Rapahoe Beach Holiday Park, West Coast. New to our favourite campsites. Next to the beach 11 kilometres north from Greymouth. All services, beach walking, sunsets. Charges apply.
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