Travelling and getting outdoors shouldn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. What better way to soak up the natural beauty in New Zealand than by camping? With a certified self-contained campervan, you can drive to any camping spot, park up, and enjoy million-dollar surroundings at a super low cost!

Here at Mojo Campers, we are all about making it easy for travellers to get out there and make the most of what our beautiful country has to offer. If you’ve got a tight budget for travelling, no worries! Follow this guide to finding Aotearoa’s cheapest campgrounds.

The Secret to Cheap Camping

New Zealand has so many incredible places to explore, and you can find a cheap campsite at almost all of them. Here’s a list of the three main types of campgrounds you will find on your travels:

Holiday parks - typically the most expensive, these cost around $10-15 per person for non-powered sites and $15-40 for powered sites.
DOC campgrounds
Freedom camping

Generally, paid camping spots offer more facilities than free ones, which makes it easier to manage waste. However, some freedom camping sites offer the best of both worlds - great views and the facilities you need!

One of the best ways to find these budget-friendly sites when you’re on the road is through the free app WikiCamps. Instead of having to plan all your campsites ahead of time, through this app, you can decide on your next destination at any time! It also has a really good filter feature - perfect for when you have specific needs such as a freedom camping spot or a place with toilets.

Responsible Freedom Camping

It is everyone’s responsibility to be respectful of the land we live on - even if you are just popping by for a road trip. Aotearoa is a beautiful country with rich and diverse ecosystems, and we want it to stay that way!

If you are planning to go freedom camping, make sure you choose a designated freedom camping area. Leaving grey water, human waste, and litter behind is not okay. Follow these rules to make sure you do freedom camping the right way:

Only camp where freedom camping is allowed.
Don’t leave behind any waste/litter or do any damage to the campsite. Take your rubbish with you and check for waste disposal stations near you.
If your campsite has no toilet, only stay there if you have a certified self-contained vehicle (like a Mojo Sleepervan).
Pay attention to any “no freedom camping” notices.

DOC Campsites

Department of Conservation campsites can be found all around New Zealand. About 50 of them are freedom camping spots, while there are over 160 paid sites with various facilities. Many are out in remote wilderness areas close to walking trails - perfect if you want to feel fully immersed in nature.

Basic DOC sites

Free DOC sites have limited facilities, so make sure you are self-sufficient. Some may have basic toilets and running water, but often the water will not be treated. You will need to either boil it first, use water purification tablets or bring your own water before using it.

Standard DOC sites

These campgrounds have basic toilets and running water (which may be treated or untreated). Depending on the site, they may also provide rubbish bins, shelter for cooking, picnic tables, cold showers, fireplaces, and/or wood barbecues. Unpowered sites will cost you anywhere between $6-15 per person per night.

Serviced DOC sites

Serviced DOC sites, as the name suggests, offer the broadest range of facilities. Costing up to $20 per person per night, they are the most expensive. However, you might wish to indulge if you’re dying for a hot shower! These sites include flush toilets, treated/untreated tap water, cooking benches, showers, and rubbish collection. Depending on the site, you might also get laundry facilities, picnic tables, barbecues, cookers, and a fireplace.

Holiday Parks

While generally pricier than standard DOC campgrounds, sometimes the only place you can find to stay the night is a holiday park. Staying at these places, you can expect better kitchen and bathroom facilities - luxurious if you’ve been on the road for a while!

Many holiday parks also offer dining areas, TV lounges, play areas, swimming pools, barbecues, and trampolines. They are less remote than DOC sites - you will usually find a holiday park close to popular tourist attractions.

Hassle-free Camping

At Mojo Campers, we provide affordable campervan rental without compromising on quality. Our inclusive equipment contains everything you need for a seamless trip - whatever campsite you choose.