A great part of living in NZ during the summer months is planning camping holidays in the great outdoors. There is no better way to appreciate the natural beauty that is home to New Zealand then staying at one of the many campgrounds spread across the country.
So with that in mind where are some amazing places to go and stay?
If you’re in Auckland and don’t want to go far from home there are plenty of places you can go that are only an hour or so out of the city. In fact if you don’t even really want to leave the city, you could go camp out at the beach in West Auckland such as Piha and Muriwai Beach, where the wilderness is incredibly beautiful and you forget just how close you are to a sprawling metropolis.
However you can go a little further out, and travel up to Mahurangi Regional Park. There is an amazing campground at Sullivans Bay where you can camp out on the grass and enjoy sitting down under an iconic Pohutukawa tree. If you want to stay in this area but want a little more adventure, then cross over to Te Muri Beach at low tide, from Mita Bay and enjoy true old fashioned camping with no power or running water (probably a good idea to pack some solar showers for that one!)
Further down the North Island, near Masterton is Castlepoint, which has plenty of campervans to rent out as well as campground spots for your own tent or, if you prefer, some cabins. There is only one small shop in the area, so if you need provisions you’ll need to bring them in. This place is known for its pretty beach and stunning lighthouse. Camping holidays in NZ are all about exploring the different beaches, lakes and rivers.
Back up north again, Coromandel has plenty of places to stay for a night or more, and is popular with hundreds of Kiwis. Port Jackson hosts a campsite right on the beach. It’s a Department of Conservation site so is cheap to stay at, but also isn’t full of fancy amenities.
There are so many places in the South Island to stay but one place you should give a go is Pakawau in Golden Bay. If you want to go tramping the Heaphy Track is here, and there is a safe swimming beach for children. This camp site has plenty of amenities so is great for the beginner camper.
Once you’ve decided on your basic destination you’ll be really to go out on your camping holiday in NZ, ready to explore the great outdoors.