Congrats on buying your new caravan! The next step is to plan where to park your caravan and take advantage of the country’s gorgeous natural locations. Check out the comprehensive list of the best caravan and campsites in New Zealand to plan your next road trip.
Far North, North Island
Starting in the northern part of the country, you can never run out of gorgeous volcanic landscapes, subtropical forests, rolling hills, and sandy beaches to explore in New Zealand.
At the northernmost tip of the North Island is the Far North, a perfect haven for beach lovers. It boasts a breathtaking coastline and cultural history. It is the home to Cape Reinga, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea, giant kauri trees, and secluded white sandy beaches that locals call the winterless north.
The best caravan spots in the Far North include:
- Cape Reinga Parking Area – This daytime parking spot provides quick access to the gorgeous Cape Reinga Lighthouse Walk.
- Ninety Mile Beach Lookout – This park features beautiful views of the fabled strip of Ninety Mile Beach.
- Tapotupotu Campsite – The northernmost camping ground of the country features the spellbinding sound of the water crashing on the beach. You can go swimming, snorkelling, or relaxing on a quiet sandy beach.
- Waikato Bay Carpark – This daytime park sits next to the sheltered Maitai Bay Campsite, nestled amongst the beautiful pohutukawa trees.
Coromandel
Coromandel is fast becoming a popular destination for tourists. However, there are still plenty of isolated park spots, especially if you visit outside of summer and school holidays. Some of the best park-up spots include:
- Fletcher Bay Campsite – Located at the northernmost tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, this caravan park features jaw-dropping views and picturesque remote beachside located amongst the farm. This area is perfect for anyone looking to do water sports, swim, or walk along the coastal walkway.
- Hahei Holiday Resort – If beachfront accommodation is what you are after, you should head to Hahei Holiday Resort. Campervans in this caravan spot can sit close to the beach, and with raised terraces, guests overlook the beach, dunes, and the beautiful Mercury Bay.
- Port Jackson Campsite – With beautiful coastal seascapes, this caravan site is both for adventure and relaxation. Located on the beachfront, this camping site can accommodate up to 450 people at a time, so you might want to book in advance, especially if you’re planning to visit during the summer season. The eastern end of the campsite is the Muriwai Coastal Walk, which leads to the Wharekaiatua Pa along the coast, with stunning coastal views.
- Onemana Beach – Located on the eastern side of the Coromandel peninsula, Onemana Beach was a famous beach village in the 1970s. Today, it remains to be a gem of coastal paradise.
Bay of Islands
Locals and tourists love this place for its beaches, hidden gems, and history. If you’re planning to add this location to your itinerary, divide your time between the Paihia and Waitangi camping grounds. Both are waterfront parks that are completely isolated and feature a gorgeous beach to greet you when you wake up the next morning.
- Waitangi Holiday Park – This waterfront caravan spot features a scenic view of the Waitangi River.
- Paihia top 10 Holiday Park – Another waterfront campsite features a beautiful harbour view.
- Bay of Islands, Holiday Park – This one is perfect for you if you’re looking for family and kid-friendly caravan sites. It allows easy and convenient access to explore the Bay of Islands and the Waitangi River. The park will enable you to take a dip in the gorgeous river, enjoy nature’s music, and relax. There are also plenty of activities and amenities on the campsite, from an extensive playground, volleyball and badminton courts, and internet access.
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty is home to many caravan parks and campgrounds for those who want to take advantage of the natural beauty in the area. The Blue Lake Holiday Park is one of the most popular sites to park a caravan because it is a large park with plenty of open space. It is also an award-winning caravan park that is big enough so it never feels overcrowded.
The park is located in Rotorua, which has several picturesque lakes. When you park your caravan in this area, you’ll get to enjoy many water-based activities, such as swimming, fishing, and kayaking. There is also a beach area where you can relax or have a picnic. The caravan park is a 10-minute drive from the heart of Rotorua, which means it is easily accessible.
There is a choice between powered and non-powered campsites in the Blue Lake Holiday Park.
Camp Waipu Cove
Camp Waipu Cove is approximately 2 hours away from Auckland. It is one of the best spots to park your caravan because of the beauty of this secluded area. This caravan park is packed with lush landscapes and pristine waters, giving you plenty to enjoy during your caravan stay.
The campground is close to a local beach. It is also packed with popular tourist attractions, such as the Waipu Caves, the Piroa Falls, the Waipu Museum, and the Mangawhai Cliff Walk. The area can accommodate all types and sizes of caravans. They also offer powered and non-powered sites, so you can choose according to your caravan style. The caravan site does provide access to basic amenities, such as a communal kitchen, BBQ areas, a children’s playground, shower and toilet blocks, a laundry area, and a community room.
There you have it, some of the best campsites to park your caravans in NZ. This list is only scraping the surface because there are more caravan sites to explore in this breathtaking country. If you want to ensure an excellent caravanning experience this would give you great lasting memories. Whether or not you are new to caravan holidays, the list provided above should give you excellent options to embark on a wild adventure in your caravan!