As the gateway to Fiordland National Park and the World Heritage Sites of Milford Scloound and Doubtful Sound, picturesque Te Anau is a popular entry point to the heart-lifting and dramatic beauty of the Southland region. Set on the gentle eastern shore of Lake Te Anau and only a two-hour drive from Queenstown, this pretty town is enveloped by pristine wilderness and sheltered by soaring, snow-tipped peaks. It also offers easy access to three of the country’s bucket-list walks, Milford Track, Kepler Track and Routebourn Track.
Unsurprisingly, this makes Te Anau a well-pinned route on many South Island adventures. But before you hire your Traveller Autobarn vehicle (all of which come with free unlimited kilometres) and set your GPS to Fiordland, make sure you’re across all there is to know about camping in and around Te Anau and the best places to camp within one hour of town.
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Why Hiring a Campervan to visit Te Anau is a Great Idea – Expert Advice
“It’s impossible not to be gob smacked by Milford Sound’s awe inspiring, glacial beauty and breath snatching scale. From shimmering cascades that flow from sheer cliffs to mist-shrouded peaks, it’s little wonder it’s often referred to the Eighth Wonder of the world. I think one of the best ways to deepdive into this landscape is on a kayaking tour. Slipping through the glassy waters is one of the most serene experiences you’ll ever have to pleasure to enjoy.” – Harrison Greig, Social Media and Marketing Content Manager
DOC campsites in Te Anau (within 1 hour drive)
The Department of Conservation has seven campsites along Milford Road, costing $9 per night, per child and $18 per night, per adult, making them an affordable option in lieu of any freedom campsites (see below). These are all within one hour’s drive of Te Anau, staring at just 20 minutes away from town.
1. Henry Creek Campsite is the closest at 24km from Te Anau on the Milford Road.
2. Walker Creek Campsite is 47.5km
3. Totara Campsite is 50km
4. Deer Flat Campsite is 62km
5. Kiosk Creek Campsite is 63km
6. Upper Eglinton Campsite is 68km
7. The farthest from town is Cascade Creek Campsite at 71km, right on an hour away.
If you’re travelling around New Zealand for an extended period and looking to camp at DOC campsites, it might be worth purchasing a DOC Campsite Pass, which includes many bookable and non-bookable sites for a full year. Passes cost $295 per adult, but keep in mind, there are some exclusions.
Is freedom camping allowed in Te Anau?
To maintain the unspoilt beauty of Te Anau and the Fiordland region, camping here is heavily restricted by the DOC (Department of Conservation), which means freedom camping is largely prohibited in the town and its surrounds. However, an affordable option are the above DOC-managed campsites, many of which are located along the road to Milford Sound (SH94).
Henry Creek Campsite – Lake Te Anau
The closest DOC campsite to Te Anau, Henry Creek Campsite is tucked into beechwood forest on the edge of tranquil Lake Te Anau. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a spot nearby to the amenities of town. Unfortunately for fur friends, no dogs or fires are permitted.
Featured amenities at Henry Creek Campsite
- 30 unpowered sites
- Toilets
- Fresh water from stream
- Wheelchair accessible with assistance
Cascade Creek DOC Campsite – Eglinton Valley
This spacious northern Fiordland site is well-suited to larger vehicles and those who like to cast out a line, as it’s close to the Eglinton and Cascade rivers for fly fishing. The Lake Gunn Nature Walk also starts here. No dogs allowed.
Featured amenities at Cascade Creek campsite
- 140 non-powered sites
- Fire pit
- Toilets
- Shelter for cooking
- Fresh water from stream
- Wheelchair accessible
Totara DOC Campsite – Te Anau Downs
Another DOC campsite that is good for larger vehicles, Totara in Te Anau Downs is sheltered within a beech forest and set in a large field by the Elington River. Bookings are required for this site. No dogs allowed.
Featured amenities at Totara campsite
- 20 non-powered sites
- Fire pit
- Toilets
- Fresh water from stream
Picking the right campsite for your Milford Sound drive
When it comes to plotting your route along Milford Sound drive, begin by plotting your journey and deciding what type of amenities you’ll need and how far you’d like to travel each day. From there, you can cherry-pick from DOC campsites and privately owned campsites around Te Anau.
Convenience camping
If it’s been a while since you’ve enjoyed hot, running water, you might want to pull into Eglinton Valley Camp at Knobs Flat. Here you can enjoy shower and toilet facilities, shared kitchen, rubbish and recycling, token laundry and even cabins, if you wanted to stretch out for the night. As a privately owned campsite, the cost will be much greater than a DOC campsite and you’ll need to book months in advance.
Camping in town
Te Anau TOP 10 Holiday Park is a family-friendly option in town, located just across the road from shops and restaurants and only a 7-minute walk to the lake. Here you’ll find powered campervan sites, tent camping, cabins and motels. Facilities include a kids’ playground, jumping pillow, hot tubs, free WiFi, camp kitchen, laundry, BBQ area, and a dump station.
Drive time
Think about where you want to break your journey. If you’re heading to Milford Sound early, camping further up the road at Cascade Creek or Upper Eglinton puts you closest to the Sound to beat the crowds.
When to go
Keep in mind that when you’re travelling will impact where you anchor for the night. During summer, the road to Milford Sound is busy and DOC campsites fill up fast. While some can be booked, others work on a first in, best dressed scenario with arriving in the early afternoon a better bet for grabbing a spot. If you run out of options, you could try booking at one of the privately owned campgrounds in town.
What you need to know before freedom camping near Te Anau
The first thing to know about freedom camping in Te Anau and Milford Sound is that there isn’t any – it’s highly restricted. The fines for camping illegally start at $400 and increase from there, so be sure to know the rules. The nearest option to freedom camping in the area is to park yourself at one of the DOC campsites, for less than $20 per person, per night.
Another thing to keep in mind while camping in the area is sandflies. Yes, they’re a real problem and you don’t want to get caught without protection – so pack that bug spray!
Explore other popular freedom camping spots on the South Island
While freedom camping is tricky around Te Anau and Milford Sound, other areas on the South Island offer plenty of places where you can set yourself up for a night or a few – free-of-charge. Always be sure to check the types of vehicles that are allowed into these sites, as some do require you to be in a certified self-contained vehicle.
- Check out Freedom Camping Sites in Otago
- Check out Freedom Camping Sites in Picton
- Check out Freedom Camping Sites in Blenheim
- Check out Freedom Camping Sites in Canterbury
- Check out Freedom Camping Sites in Christchurch
Discover more freedom camping in New Zealand’s South Island.
Find the best campervan hire rates with Travellers Autobarn
Freedom camping makes a New Zealand roadtrip a wonderfully immersive and affordable way to travel through the country, from north to south. Add to that cheap campervan hire and free, unlimited kilometres and you’re all set for an unforgettable adventure on a budget.
FAQs
Unfortunately, freedom camping is not available in Te Anau. While the Southland District Council, which manages local authority land in the region, lists over 20 designated freedom camping locations across the region, Te Anau isn’t among them. Additionally, DOC has prohibited freedom camping at multiple conservation areas in and around Te Anau, including the Te Anau Area Office carparks, Te Anau Downs, and nearby conservation areas such as Upukerora, Eweburn, and Margin Forest. Your best budget bet is one of the paid DOC campsites along the Milford Road (SH94) north of Te Anau.
Not necessarily, but it does depend on the site. Because many DOC campsites provide at least basic amenities, such as long drop toilets, you don’t need a self-contained vehicle. But do check the signs before entering, as some smaller sites require you to be certified self-contained. The standard DOC scenic campsites along the Milford Road (such as Henry Creek, Totara, and Deer Flat) all have drop toilets on site, which means non-self-contained campervans are fine to spend the night there.
The lakeside Henry Creek Campsite is the closest DOC campsite to Te Anau on the popular and stunning drive to Milford Sound, located on Milford Road approximately 24km north of Te Anau. Here you’ll find small private sites in set snugly into the beech forest. Bookings are required online, and the DOC Campsite Pass is accepted.
Largely, yes. The Milford Road (SH94), which provides access to all the DOC campsites between Te Anau and Milford Sound, is a sealed road for the full journey from Te Anau. However, each individual campsite has a short gravel turn-off from the highway. For the most part, these are brief and manageable for most campervans – but do note that Henry Creek has a maximum vehicle length of 7 metres.
That all depends on the type of weather and scenery you’re keen to experience here. Summer is a stunning time of year in the Fiordland with the warmest days of the year enjoyed between December and February. Temperatures reaching up to 30°C, although wind and rain are still common. If you’d prefer to skip the summer crowds, autumn (March to May) sees far fewer people, but tracks are still open with plenty of daylight hours to explore. March is still fairly warm with the cooler weather taking hold around April. In winter, the daylight hours are much shorter, but you’re less likely to encounter unpredictable weather. If you can handle the cold, you’ll be rewarded with snow on the mountains and good opportunities to spot the aurora Australis. And while beautiful with daffodil blooms and cherry blossoms, spring in Fiordland often brings more rain and the odd storm.
Yes, both are well catered for. There is a public dump station at Knobs Flat on SH94 and another in Manapouri. For putting on a load of laundry, Te Anau’s holiday parks are your best bet. The Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park, Te Anau Tasman Holiday Park, and Te Anau Top 10 Holiday Park all offer dump stations and laundry facilities. The Top 10 also features a spa, jumping pillow, and free WiFi.
Discover more freedom camping in New Zealand
Unfurl New Zealand’s extraordinarily diverse landscapes and fascinating culture on a road trip from the North Island to the South Island. Plan your escape route with our guide to freedom camping in New Zealand.
Freedom Camping in New Zealand – Important Information
We’re confident that you’ll have a blast freedom camping around Northland. But, before you head out, there are some details you need to know about responsible freedom camping in New Zealand:
- Amenities at freedom camping areas are usually limited, so while some might have access to bathrooms and running water, others may not
- Most freedom campsites don’t operate on a booking system; instead, they follow a first-come, first-served basis. So, try to get to sites early so you can get the best spot
Department of Conservation (DOC) campgrounds are generally the most affordable sites to stay at, apart from freedom camping, offering over 150 campgrounds in New Zealand. Some of them operate on a booking system, while others use a first-come, first-served basis. If you have a DOC Campsite Pass, you can get access to parks year-round
DISCLAIMER: All information provided, including prices, availability, and site details, is correct at the time of publishing. We recommend contacting campsites or caravan parks directly to confirm the latest details before planning your visit. Please review our Terms and Conditions for additional information.
SEE OUR CAMPERVANSAbout the Author
Harrison Greig
Harrison is the Social Media & Marketing Content Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Bachelor of Business (International Tourism). He has 5+ years experience in the tourism industry, enjoys capturing and showcasing the beauty of the world we live in!
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