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Pack your swimwear, grab the chilly bin, and hit the road—these lakeside camps are pure magic.
New Zealand is full of dreamy lakes where you can park your campervan, pitch a tent, or just chill out with a killer view.
Whether you’re road tripping the South Island or cruising around the North, these spots are totally worth the drive.
- Here are the top lakeside camps you need on your road trip bucket list:
🌿 North Island Lakeside Camps
1. Whakaipō Bay, Lake Taupō
📍 10 mins from Taupō town, Acacia Bay Road
🌐 DOC Info
💰 Free and only available for self-contained vans
This is one of the chillest free camps in the North Island. Park up right next to the lake, cook some dinner with a view, and enjoy the quiet.
Why it’s awesome:
- Big grassy area, flat and easy to park
- Calm water = good for swimming & kayaking
- Epic sunsets over the lake
- You’ll probably see more ducks than people
🚐 Get there before dark to grab a good spot—this place is popular with vanlifers.
2. Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools Camp
📍 Bay of Plenty, near Rotorua – boat access only!
🌐 Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools
💰 Paid (includes hot pool access)
This one’s special—you can only get there by boat or water taxi. It’s remote, peaceful, and the hot pools are dreamy after a long day on the road.
Cool stuff:
- Stay in cabins or book a camp spot
- Chill in natural geothermal pools under the stars
- Great for swimming and paddleboarding
- Feels like a secret hideaway
🛶 You can book a water taxi from Okawa Bay—easy and fun!
3. Lake Waikaremoana DOC Camps
📍 Te Urewera – 3.5 hrs from Rotorua or Gisborne
🌐 DOC Camps Info
💰 From $10–15/night
If you like wild places, this lake is for you. It’s deep in the bush, quiet, and full of bird songs. No shops, no phone signal—just nature.
Why you’ll love it:
- Multiple DOC camps around the lake
- Great for hiking (start of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk)
- Good trout fishing
- Real off-grid vibes
🎒 Stock up on food and fuel in Wairoa or Rotorua before heading in—services are minimal once you’re there.
📌 Discover more places and campgrounds in the North Island in the following guide: 12 Best Campgrounds in The North Island
🌿 South Island Lakeside Camps
1. Lake Pukaki Freedom Camp
📍 Hayman Road, near Twizel (Canterbury)
🌐 More info & How to get here
💰 Free (self-contained only)
The water is bright turquoise. Mount Cook is in the background. And the stars? Unreal. This is freedom camping at its finest.
Why it’s a must-stop:
- Wide open space to park
- Killer sunrise and sunset views
- Free toilets
- Super quiet at night
🌠 This is a dark sky reserve—so bring your tripod for some epic night shots!
2. Moke Lake DOC Camp
📍 20 mins from Queenstown – down a gravel road
🌐 Moke Lake DOC Site
💰 $15 per adult/night
Tucked away in a valley of golden hills, Moke Lake is the kind of place where you stay “just one more night.” It’s peaceful and insanely pretty.
What’s cool here:
- Paddleboarding heaven
- Loop track around the lake
- Starry skies, no light pollution
- Dogs allowed (on leash)
⛰️ The gravel road is bumpy but doable for campervans—just take it slow.
3. Lake Ōhau Freedom Camp
📍 25 mins from Twizel, via Lake Ohau Road
🌐 Lake Ohau Info
💰 Free (for certified self-contained vans only)
If you’re after epic alpine views without the crowds, Lake Ōhau is your spot. It’s peaceful, raw, and perfect for an off-grid overnight stay. Just you, the lake, and the mountains.
Why it’s special:
- Unreal mountain reflections on calm mornings. Quiet spot – less touristy than Lake Pukaki
- Great for fishing, kayaking, or reading a book in total silence
- Near Ohau Snow Fields if you’re winter-tripping
🌠 Bring a blanket, lie on the ground, and watch the Milky Way do its thing. No light pollution here.
📌 Find more places and campgrounds in the North Island in the following guide: 12 Best Campgrounds in The South Island
🧑💻 FAQs about Lakeside Camps in New Zealand
Yes, most of the time. Many lakeside camps (especially the free ones) require you to have a certified self-contained vehicle—that means your van must have a toilet, greywater tank, and be certified under NZ regulations.
It depends on the site:
DOC campsites often have basic long-drop toilets
Some premium lakeside camps (like Kerr Bay) offer hot showers, kitchens, and flush toilets
Freedom camping spots usually have no facilities at all—come prepared
No—open fires are usually banned in most places due to wildfire risk.
But you can use a gas cooker or BBQ, especially at DOC camps.
Yes! Most lakes are clean, swimmable, and great for fishing (especially in the South Island).
Yes, but not everywhere. Some freedom camps are vehicle-only, while DOC camps usually have space for tents.
