Freedom Camping Picton

Located close to the shore of New Zealand’s South Island, you’ll find Picton, which is one of the most popular places for freedom camping. So, if you’re ready to embrace your adventurous side, camp out in the wild and sleep under the stars as you travel the open road in your campervan, we definitely recommend heading here.

But where can you stay when freedom camping in Picton? Below, you’ll find a list of the best freedom camping sites in the Picton area, each with a list of amenities and everything else you need to know before you pull up for the night.

Are you ready? Let’s start our adventure!

Picton Freedom Camping Spots

1. Whatamango Bay
2. Renwick Domain Carpark
3. Alfred Stream Reserve
4. Wynen Street Carpark
5. Cowshed Bay

We should note here that some of these freedom camping sites are pretty remote, and the best way of accessing them is by hiring a campervan. Contact Travellers Autobarn today and we’ll find the best campervan for your Picton road trip adventure.

Whatamango Bay

Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton

Only a 15-minute drive from the Picton Ferry Terminal, Whatamango Bay is a beachside freedom camping site that is perfect for fishing, swimming, water sports, or sunbathing. Here, you’ll find a total of 50 sites, and there is also a booking system in place, so it’s a good choice if you’re concerned about guaranteeing a camping spot.

Self contained vehicles, camper trailers, 4WDs, and tents are allowed to camp here, and amenities include flush toilets and non-drinking water. There are, however, some rules you need to follow, including having at least one member of your group aged over 18 years, and there are “quiet hours” in place between 9:30 pm and 6:30 am. Whatamango Bay doesn’t allow dogs either, so it’s best to avoid this one if you’re travelling with your pooch.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Flush Toilets
• Non-Drinking Water

Renwick Domain Carpark

Renwick, Picton

While not technically a campsite, Renwick Domain Carpark is still a great place to spend the night if you’re unable to find a space elsewhere. There are also twenty generous spaces here and self contained vehicles can spend up to two nights here in any four-week period. However, you should note that entry times are permitted here between 6 pm and 9 am.

As you might expect from a carpark, there are no amenities here to use, and rules also state that no cooking is allowed outside of your vehicle. It is a great place to spend the night if you are confident in self-sufficient camping and need to find somewhere as you head along the road, though.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• No Amenities – Self Contained Vehicle Camping Only

Alfred Stream Reserve

Rai Valley, Picton

Accessible directly from State Highway 6, Alfred Stream Reserve is suitable for self contained vehicles and you can spend one night camping here in a calendar month. This site is also dog friendly and has a 24-hour public toilet and picnic tables to use, although, with only five spaces available it’s best to get here as early as possible.

As a “responsible camping site”, tent camping isn’t permitted, and you must leave everything exactly as you found it. While you can only spend a single night here, it is worth visiting for the beautiful surroundings and wide open spaces that are ideal for family games, mountain biking, or walking. There’s also a nearby stream, from which the site takes its name and is a great place for bird spotting.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Picnic Tables
• 24-Hour Toilets

Wynen Street Carpark

Blenheim, Marlborough

Another great place to stay if you simply need somewhere to spend the night as you make your way along the road, Wynen Street Carpark is a freedom camping spot close to Picton.

There are some important things to note here. Only fully self contained vehicles are allowed to camp here, and you are limited to one night per calendar month. Entry and free camping is also only allowed between 6 pm and 9:30 am, and cooking must be done inside your vehicle.

Unsurprisingly, there aren’t any amenities to use at this site, and it really is best suited for those looking for a place to rest overnight before making their way towards wine country!

FEATURED AMENITIES

• No Amenities – Self Contained Vehicle Camping Only

Cowshed Bay

Pelorus Sound, Marlborough

Cowshed Bay is also a wonderful freedom camping site near Picton and is a particularly good place to stay if you’re heading towards Queen Charlotte Sound. As a Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite, there are certain rules you’ll need to stick to, including no parking in prohibited areas, but there are some great facilities on offer here.

These include sheltered cooking areas, cold showers, flush toilets, and non-drinking water. You can also use a DOC Campsite Pass here, which allows you to extend your stay for up to 30 nights per year.

There are lots of walking tracks to discover here that take you through native bushland, as well as fishing and boating in the surrounding Portage Bay. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed here, but it is still a great place for family adventures.

Picton offers some amazing places for freedom camping, and there’s something for every need, from long walking trails to relaxing days by the ocean. However, to access these sites, you will need to hire a self contained campervan.

Contact the expert team at Travellers Autobarn today to discuss campervan hire in New Zealand, and we’ll help you find the perfect option for your freedom camping trip.

A Quick Note on New Zealand Freedom Camping

While freedom camping in New Zealand is undeniably one of the best ways to see everything this beautiful country has to offer, there are some important things you need to know.

1. Almost all freedom camping sites are only suitable for self contained vehicles, and hiring these can be 10%-40% more expensive compared to non self contained vehicles. This is something you’ll need to think about when planning your budget.
2. Freedom camping sites typically have very limited amenities (some even have none at all), and even during the summer, temperatures can fall as low as 0°C overnight.
3. Most freedom camping sites operate on a first-come-first-served basis, so there can be a certain level of stress when trying to find a space.
4. Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites allow you to extend your stay beyond the usual limit as long you have a DOC Campsite Pass. Many people find these hugely beneficial, and for as little as $95 per person, you can stay for up to 30 nights.