Our Best Sustainable Camping Spots In New Zealand

Camping in New Zealand is an experience that you must experience at least once in your lifetime! Looking up at a sky full of stars at night, waking up to beautiful alpine views and seeing native wildlife in close proximities are some of the many amazing experiences of camping in New Zealand! 

There’s no better way to travel New Zealand than by campervan, especially staying at sustainable camping spots and discovering sustainable activities around these destinations. Choosing sustainable camping options when travelling New Zealand will you help minimise the impact on the environment, promote environmental conservation and reduce your carbon footprint. 

Wanting to go camping in New Zealand and keep your trip sustainable? Below are some examples of the best sustainable camping spots for your next road trip! 

Auckland

Here are a couple camping spot locations from the list that you can explore on your next road trip adventure that are near Auckland in New Zealand’s North Island. Starting with… 

Raetea North Side Campsite

The Department of Conservation are a government agency charged with conserving New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage. They have a webpage that shows all their campsites that offer a “back to nature” style camping experience.  

One of those found on their website is the Raetea North Side Campsite. This campsite is campervan friendly, perfect for your Travellers Autobarn Campervan! It is a bit further away from Auckland, being a 4-hour drive to the northern end of the North Island. The best activities there are bird and wildlife watching, and swimming in the Victoria River.   

This is the perfect camping spot for someone wanting a peaceful camping experience underneath a beautiful forest! 

Raglan – Waikato

Raglan is about a 2-hour drive out of Auckland and is a sustainable camping location as the majority of the activities are out in nature and the ocean.   

If you enjoy surfing, then Raglan is the destination for you! Surfing is the main attraction in Raglan and the best locations to surf at are Nagarunui Beach and Manu Bays. Other water activities in Raglan are stand up paddle boarding and kayaking on the still waters, for more of a relaxing experience. There are also many walking tracks to explore in Raglan. An easy difficulty walk is the Bridal Veil/Waireinga Falls Walk, this is a 10-minute walk and is suitable for wheelchairs. A more difficult walk for the adventurous is the Mt. Karioi Summit Track, this is a 3-hour hike with awesome views at the summit!  

You can book a powered or non-powered camping site in the Raglan Holiday Park which is only a 2-minute walk from the beach! You can then leave the campervan in the holiday park while exploring Raglan by foot, to reduce your carbon footprint.   

Want to read more about Wellington and their sustainable camping spots? Read through our Sustainable Camping Spots Near Auckland article. 

Wellington

Here are a couple camping spot locations from the list that you can explore on your next road trip adventure that are near Wellington in New Zealand’s North Island. Starting with… 

Catchpool Valley

Another campsite found on the Department of Conservation website is the Catchpool Valley campsite, which is a 40-minute drive from Wellington, with 19 nonpowered/tent sites available. There are multiple facilities available at this camping site, being cold showers, shelter for cooking, BBQ’s, phones and toilets. 

There are many outdoor activities in Catchpool Valley being: 

• mountain biking 
• Picnicking 
• swimming in the Catchpool Stream 
• walking tracks, two popular ones being the Catchpool Loop Walk and the Nga Taonga Nature Walk.   

Upper Hut

Upper Hut is a 30-minute drive from Wellington. Breathe in the fresh air and explore the great outdoors with up to 50 parks and reserves to stroll around, hiking or biking through the hills and fish in the river.   

The Wellington Kiwi Holiday Park is located just outside the town centre. They are a holiday park with environment focused waste disposing facilities, and they endeavour to use sustainable building materials to move towards a more environmentally friendly holiday park.   

Always wanted to see some of New Zealand’s native animals, the Staglands Wildlife Park is also in Upper Hut. They have multiple conservation and environmental initiatives that they pursue and practise, for a sustainable wildlife reserve.   

Want to read more about Wellington and their sustainable camping spots? Read through our Sustainable Camping Spots Near Wellington article. 

Christchurch

Here are a couple camping spot locations from the list that you can explore on your next road trip adventure that are near Christchurch in New Zealand’s South Island. Starting with…   

Akaroa

Visit Akaroa, the most French town in New Zealand. There are lots of French heritage and colonial architecture to explore throughout the town.   

The Akaroa Top 10 Holiday Park is a 1 hour 20-minute drive from Christchurch. They are committed to sustainable tourism. They have many accommodation options including powered sites for campervans.   

An activity that is eco-friendly is going on a guided kayaking tour with Akaroa Kayaks. Kayaking is the best sustainable activity as there is no noise, no engines, no crowds and no pollution. You’ll be able to witness protected conservations full of native birds and see some of New Zealand’s marine life up close.   

Other activities in Akaroa include hiking, history tours, stargazing, wine tours, the list goes on! 

White Horse Hill

White Horse Hill is a further drive away from Christchurch at 4 hours, however it is a campsite you must visit when travelling the South Island of New Zealand. There are 60 non-powered sites and within the campground there is shelter for cooking, toilets and water from taps.   

Get out amongst nature and explore the many walking tracks and hikes to choose from, starting from the campground. An easy 3-hour return trip walk is the Hooker Valley Track, which is one of the many best hikes in New Zealand. If you walk along the track at dawn, you’ll get a view of the first rays of dun creeping over the Southern Alps, the perfect start to an adventurous morning! 

Want to read more about Christchurch and their sustainable camping spots? Read through our Sustainable Camping Spots Near Christchurch article. 

Want to read more about Christchurch and their sustainable camping spots? Read through our Sustainable Camping Spots Near Christchurch article. 

Are you ready to road trip yet?

If your looking at starting your journey in the North, make sure you check out our deals on campervan hire in Auckland. But if you are looking at starting on the South Island don’t forget to check out the latest deals on the campervan hire in Christchurch, also!

To learn more about sustainable travel in New Zealand, check out our How To Travel New Zealand Sustainably article.