New Zealand is a gorgeous country, but there is definitely something special about our South Island. With so many amazing places to see and things to do, it can be difficult to decide on where the best places are to stay that will suit your needs and ensure you have the best time possible.

Here is our list of 5 of the best campsites on the South Island!

1. Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef.

Perfectly situated between the South Island’s gorgeous Southern Alps, this campsite is a must for anyone checking out Fox Glacier, or New Zealand’s Glacier Country. Their powered and non-powered sites have been spaced out and divided by lush plants to ensure privacy and maximum serenity for those staying. Rainforest Retreat also delivers on having communal spaces, kitchen, and BBQ facilities available to those staying at the campsite to guarantee you have the best time during your stay there. If breathtaking landscapes, staff that go above and beyond as well as a super dog friendly environment are on your ‘must have’ list, Rainforest Retreat is the best option for you.

2. Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creeksyde, Queenstown.

This holiday park boasts the ease of Queenstown’s vibey city centre at its fingertips. You’re only a short walk to Queentown’s centre, with a wide range of cafes to stop by, and countless iconic shops and stops just around the corner, the convenience of this campsite is undeniable. To sweeten the deal, the staff at Creeksyde are extremely friendly and are more than happy to talk in depth about local attractions and activities if you need a bit of inspiration or are just looking for a local’s opinion. While also boasting a great communal space, they even have a fireplace to warm you up when visiting during the colder months. If you’re wanting a campsite in the South Island’s esteemed Queenstown that has great customer service, welcoming communal spaces, dog friendly powered and non-powered sites available and the very essence of the city centre at your doorstep, Creeksyde is the best fit for you.

3. The Camp, Lake Hāwea.

The Camp knows how to run a great campsite, accommodating tourists and campers alike since 1971; they have the allure of simplicity and authenticity down to a T. The Camp is situated on the shores of the breathtaking Lake Hāwea, and it’s just a 20 minute drive to Wanaka, and a 1 hour drive to the bustling city of Queenstown, resulting in the best mix of quiet and serene but also relatively accessible to all that this beautiful region has to offer. You could easily spend your days around The Camp, doing activities such as biking or fishing, both of which they hire out gear for, or even checking out the local hikes or playing some golf! While you can’t take your dogs there over the busy Christmas and New Years period, they do offer a food truck service, selling breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the camping season. The Camp is also environmentally friendly, as they source their plumbing water from water tanks and have an in depth waste disposal and recycle station - don’t be alarmed though as the friendly team working here are more than happy to give you a helping hand if you aren’t sure what waste goes into which bin. The perfect campsite to get away from the hustle and bustle of a larger town while also maintaining a level of convenience as you’re not too far of a drive from a larger city.

4. Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels, Te Anau.

This is the perfect choice for a ‘homebase’ if you’re wanting to do a South Island Fiordland adventure. The spacious lakeside campsite, surrounded by stunning views of the lake as well as the mountains makes for a great backdrop to your travels. Owned by a local Te Anau family, this campsite is a Kiwi gem with great staff that are there for any of your enquiries, and are eager to help you organise your South Island Fiordland adventure, to make sure you have the best time possible. If you need some ideas or inspiration for some activities nearby, they’re also more than happy to offer suggestions too so don’t be afraid to ask the staff what they’d recommend doing! Their powered and non-powered sites are dog friendly as well, so as long as you’re happy to sign a quick pet responsibility form, your best friend is welcome to join you!

5. Moeraki Boulders Holiday Park, Hampden.

This campsite is perfect if you’re eager to experience the simplicity in a smaller camping ground that’s unique, and contains a lot more character than some of the more common holiday parks popping up around the South Island. Camping in their scenic reserve, you have beach access as well as the iconic Moeraki boulders only being a short stroll away in which you can thoroughly enjoy the area’s extensive bird and marine life en route. This quaint and authentic Kiwi campsite has more to it than meets the eye, as it’s a great place to rest after spending your days doing an array of different activities nearby.