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1. Why Camping in Summer?
New Zealand has good weather and pleasant temperatures, ideal for outdoor activities. Also, the daylight times are longer.
National reserves and parks are abundant wherever you go. If you like walking, hiking, and taking the best photo shoots, then you have an ideal combination for a unique experience.
In terms of facilities and camping, New Zealand has good amenities for all types of travelers, regardless you like to be alone in the forest or in a campground with more comfort, there is always a spot to go!
Let’s check out spots, tips and considerations you should consider when traveling in New Zealand.
2. Best Summer Spots for Camping in The North Island
The North Island of New Zealand offers warmer temperatures than the South Island, here we propose a list of the best places you can visit.
- Coromandel Peninsula: Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove
- Bay of Islands: Paihia, Russell
- Lake Taupo: Lakefront Campgrounds, Tongariro National Park
- Northland: Cape Reinga, Matauri Bay
- Waikato: Raglan, Bridal Veil Falls
- East Cape: Anaura Bay, Tolaga Bay
- Taranaki: Egmont National Park, Opunake Beach
- Wellington Region: Kapiti Coast, Martinborough
- Rotorua: Lake Tarawera, Blue Lake
- Hawke’s Bay: Te Awanga, Lake Waikaremoana
🏞 For more information about camping spots, we have created the following article: The Best 12 Campgrounds in the North Island, NZ
3. Best Summer Spots for Camping in The South Island
From the incredible fjords and tranquil lakes to national parks and beautiful beaches, the South Island provides fantastic spots for an unforgettable camping experience.
These are the best spots for camping in the South Island:
- Fiordland: Milford Sound, Te Anau
- Queenstown: Glenorchy, Lake Wakatipu
- Otago: Wanaka, Mount Aspiring National Park
- Canterbury: Lake Tekapo, Arthur’s Pass
- West Coast: Franz Josef Glacier, Punakaiki
- Nelson: Abel Tasman, Golden Bay
- Marlborough: Marlborough Sounds, Queen Charlotte Track
- Southland: Catlins, Stewart Island
- Kaikoura: Kaikoura Peninsula, Goose Bay
- Banks Peninsula: Akaroa, Okains Bay
🏞 More information about campgrounds and holiday parks in the South Island can be found here: The 12 Best Campgrounds in the South Island, NZ
4. Best Tips for Travel in Summer
When it comes to travel, there are many different tips for different situations. In this post, we will explore the main aspects: accommodation, activities and ways of transport.
🛖 Accommodation
Accommodation plays an important role when travelling, it can be really expensive depending on where you stay, also prices are quite high during summer as is the high season.
Cities like Queenstown can be fully booked for weeks, so it is highly recommended that you book a place well in advance.
Booking.com offers all types of accommodations, from campgrounds to luxury resorts, and is the most popular site for booking the ideal night.
If you are backpacking in New Zealand, consider checking out HostelWorld, a platform for booking accommodation in backpacker hostels; on this platform, you’ll find the cheapest accommodation available.
🚐 Buying a Campervan
Suppose you are coming to New Zealand and planning to buy a campervan. In that case, you can check marketplaces like Travel Cars NZ and Facebook Groups where backpackers sell their cars.
During summer, prices are also pretty expensive, and stock is very limited, so plan to spend a bit of time on your arrival to find the right vehicle.
🔍 For more information, you can check the following post: 12 Tips for Buying a Campervan in New Zealand
🚌 Renting a Campervan or Motorhome
While renting a campervan in New Zealand can be a great idea, it should be sorted in advance too, especially when you are planning to travel in summer, which is a high season for everything, and rentals are no exception.
With the Travel Cars NZ search tool, you can compare models and prices depending on where you plan to land and drop off your campervan.
🚵♀️ Outdoor Activities
New Zealand has plenty of free activities and also paid ones. Depending on the experience you want to get, there are different platforms for booking them.
One of the most popular is Viator, followed by BookMe, which offers discounts depending on the day and spots available for the requested date.
Here’s a brief overview of the outdoor adventures you can enjoy:
- Hiking and Tramping: Explore iconic trails like the Milford Track and Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
- Skiing and Snowboarding: Hit Queenstown, Wanaka, and Canterbury slopes.
- Water Sports: Kayak in Abel Tasman or surf in Raglan.
- Adventure Sports: Bungee jump in Queenstown or Zorb in Rotorua.
- Cycling and Mountain Biking: Ride the Otago Rail Trail or bike in Rotorua’s parks.
- Wildlife Watching: Spot whales in Kaikoura or kiwis in national parks.
- Rock Climbing and Caving: Scale peaks in Fiordland or explore Waitomo Caves.
- Fishing and Boating: Fish in Lake Taupo or cruise Milford Sound.
- Scenic Flights: View glaciers from Franz Josef or volcanoes like Mount Taranaki.
- Photography and Tours: Capture landscapes and learn about Māori culture on guided tours.
5. Considerations for Responsible Camping
Here’s a simple list of tips for responsible camping in New Zealand:
- Clean Up: Take all your rubbish with you.
- Respect Animals: Watch from a distance and don’t feed them.
- Use Campgrounds: Stay in designated camping areas.
- Handle Waste Properly: Use toilets and dispose of water correctly.
- Be Safe with Fire: Follow fire rules and use camp stoves.
- Protect Water: Camp away from lakes and streams, and treat drinking water.
- Be Considerate: Keep the noise down and respect other campers’ space.
- Stick to Roads: Drive only on marked roads and park correctly.
- Respect Culture: Honor Māori land and local customs.
- Be Ready: Prepare for weather changes and bring safety gear.
🧑💻 For more information about camping laws, you can check: New Zealand Camping Laws: All You Need to Know
