Published 6 Apr 2026
Camping is a big part of New Zealand’s tourism industry and offers domestic and international visitors a range of options. With nearly 10 million guest nights a year, a mix of budget and luxury camping and an increasing focus on sustainability, New Zealand’s camping industry is expected to continue growing.
How Many Campsites Are There in New Zealand?
New Zealand has a huge network of camping facilities, holiday parks and Department of Conservation (DOC) sites.
- There are 399 licensed campsites (commercial holiday parks and larger campsites) in New Zealand as of 2024.
- DOC manages over 300 campsites (low-cost and nature-based) nationwide.
- The number of campsites has remained relatively steady since 2010, with 380-400 sites in 2010, 410 in 2018 and 399 in 2024.
How Popular is Camping in New Zealand?
9.44 million guest nights were spent at New Zealand campsites in 2023.
- 31% of all commercial guest nights were recorded in holiday parks in recent years. This makes holiday parks the third-largest accommodation type after hotels and motels.
- Domestic visitors account for around 65% of all holiday park stays.
How Much Does Camping Cost in New Zealand?
Camping in New Zealand offers a range of pricing options (free to premium).
- Freedom camping is free. This is only allowed in designated areas for self-contained vehicles.
- DOC campsite fees range from free to NZ$23 per night:
- Basic DOC campsites: Free - NZ$10 per night
- Standard DOC campsites: NZ$10-NZ$15 per night
- Serviced DOC campsites: NZ$20-NZ$23 per night
- Holiday park fees vary depending on the facilities:
- Unpowered tent sites: NZ$25-NZ$35 per night
- Powered campervan sites: NZ$35-NZ$50 per night
- Premium sites (such as Queenstown and Auckland): NZ$50-NZ$60+ per night
| Campsite Type | Average Cost per Night (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Basic DOC Campsite | Free - $10 |
| Standard DOC Campsite | $10-$15 |
| Serviced DOC Campsite | $20-$23 |
| Unpowered Holiday Park | $25-$35 |
| Powered Holiday Park | $35-$50 |
| Premium Holiday Park | $50-$60+ |
| Freedom Camping | Free |
Which Regions Have the Most Campsites?
Northland has 42 holiday parks and campgrounds (the highest number of campsites).
- Other popular regions: Coromandel (28 campsites), West Coast (27 campsites), Canterbury (24 campsites), Bay of Plenty and Nelson Tasman (22 campsites each) and Waikato (18 campsites).
- The North Island has slightly more campsites than the South Island because of its higher population density and coastal areas.
| Regional tourism organisation | Number of establishments |
|---|---|
| Northland | 42 |
| Coromandel | 28 |
| West Coast | 27 |
| Canterbury | 24 |
| Bay of Plenty | 22 |
| Nelson Tasman | 22 |
| Waikato | 18 |
| Taranaki | 17 |
| Auckland | 15 |
| Tairāwhiti | 13 |
| Hawke's Bay | 13 |
| Marlborough | 12 |
| Clutha | 11 |
| Lake Taupō | 10 |
| Rotorua | 10 |
| Southland | 9 |
| Waitaki | 9 |
| Central Otago | 8 |
| Hurunui | 8 |
| Queenstown | 8 |
| Fiordland | 7 |
| Timaru | 7 |
| Wairarapa | 7 |
| Lake Wanaka | 6 |
| Wellington | 6 |
| Kaikōura | 5 |
| Mackenzie | 5 |
| Ruapehu | 5 |
| Dunedin | 4 |
| Manawatū | 4 |
| Whanganui | 3 |
| Others | 14 |
| Total | 399 |
How Many People Stay at Campsites Each Year?
New Zealand’s campsites host millions of visitors annually.
- 8 million guest nights at holiday parks in 2019.
- 7.7 million guest nights due to high domestic travel in 2021 despite the pandemic.
- 9.44 million guest nights in 2023, reflecting strong international and domestic demand.
What Facilities and Amenities Do Campsites Offer?
- 100% of campsites provide toilets.
- 80% or more of holiday parks offer hot showers and powered sites.
- 70% of holiday parks provide Wi-Fi.
- 50% of campsites are pet-friendly, depending on the season.
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are now available at 10% of campsites with plans for expansion.
How Did COVID-19 Impact Campsites?
- As New Zealanders turned to local travel, domestic guest nights increased to 7.7 million in 2021.
- International visitor camping declined from 3 million guest nights in 2019 to a negligible level in 2021 due to the pandemic.
- International tourists returned in 2023. Nearly 10 million guest nights were recorded that year.
How Many Campsites Are Fully Booked During Peak Seasons?
- During summer (December-January), most holiday parks and DOC sites reach full capacity.
- Popular regions like Northland, Coromandel, and Queenstown report 100% occupancy, while Bay of Plenty and Nelson/Tasman reach 95% occupancy, over the Christmas-New Year period.
| Region | % of Campsites Fully Booked in summer |
|---|---|
| Northland | 100% |
| Coromandel | 100% |
| Bay of Plenty | 95% |
| Queenstown | 100% |
| Nelson/Tasman | 95% |
| West Coast | 80% |
Other Resources
How Has Technology Changed Campsite Bookings?
- 85% of campsites accept online bookings, allowing campers to book ahead of time.
- Mobile apps like CamperMate and Rankers Camping NZ show real-time campsite availability.
- Social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook may influence demand for popular camping spots.
What is the Economic Impact of Campsites?
- The holiday park sector generates over NZ$1 billion annually.
- Domestic travellers contribute around 60% of campsite revenue, while international visitors account for around 40%.
- Campsites support over 2,500 jobs nationwide.
Campervan hire in New Zealand
- Auckland campervan rental
- Auckland to Christchurch campervan hire
- Auckland to Wellington campervan hire
- Campervan hire in Christchurch
- Christchurch to Queenstown campervan hire
- Picton campervan rental
- Campervan hire in Queenstown
- Queenstown to Christchurch
- Wellington campervan rental
- Wellington to Auckland
References
- Department of Conservation — campsite numbers and details · doc.govt.nz
- Stats NZ — official tourism statistics · stats.govt.nz
- MBIE — tourism data releases · mbie.govt.nz
- Figure.NZ — number of licensed campgrounds in New Zealand · figure.nz
- Tourism Ticker — total guest nights close in on pre-COVID to hit 39 million in 2023 · tourismticker.com
- Holiday Parks NZ — market share and domestic camping trends · members.holidayparks.co.nz
- Spaceships Rentals — DOC campsites in New Zealand (fees and pricing) · spaceshipsrentals.co.nz
- Camplify NZ — how much does it cost to park a motorhome · camplify.co.nz
- Leading the Charge — Holiday Parks NZ installing EV charge points · leadingthecharge.org.nz
- CamperMate — real-time campsite availability · campermate.co.nz
