Where can I camp?
New Zealand is a wonderful country for camping. With beautiful scenery, wide open spaces and harmless wildlife (no snakes!), there are amazing camping experiences for all types of people.
| Where can you camp? | Fully Self
Contained
| Non Self Contained
(no toilet, shower
or grey water storage)
|
1. DOC Campsites
| Yes | Yes |
2. Holiday Parks
| Yes | Yes |
3. Designated camping sites with a toilet
| Yes | Yes |
4. Designated camping sites without a toilet
| Yes | No |
Freedom camping
Free camping is not permitted in some parts of New Zealand. We recommend you check with the local council or information centre prior to free camping. If in doubt, assume nothing - always ask here:
www.camping.org.nz.
On 17 August 2011, the New Zealand Government passed the Freedom Camping Bill in order to prevent polluting and dumping of waste. While there are some areas where freedom camping is not permitted, with KEA vehicles there are still plenty of options. You can choose to stay at the local camping grounds and Department of Conservation sites, and because our vehicles are certified self-contained, our guests are welcome to stay in areas that allow freedom camping.
It is important to understand the responsibilities of freedom camping, so please read this brochure provided by the Department of Conservation, and if you are unsure then ask at a local ISite, DOC Visitors Centre or DOC office. Instant fines can be given out to campers who: Camp overnight within 200m of a sign that designates ‘no freedom camping’; Camp overnight with a non-self-contained vehicle within 200m of a sign that designates ‘freedom camping only for self-contained vehicles’; Deposit waste while freedom camping.
Because fines are issued to the vehicle, all rental operators are allowed to recover freedom camping infringement fines from the hirer’s credit card in the same way they can with traffic infringements.
KEA is a proud member of the New Zealand Freedom Camping Forum (NZFCF), a group of organisations from the New Zealand Tourism Industry dedicated to minimising the impact of freedom camping throughout New Zealand.
