Great Holiday Parks that will Add a Dash of Comfort and Luxury to your Camping Road Trip

There’s over 270,000 square kilometres of beautiful land in New Zealand and just 5 million people to cover it. This leaves us with miles and miles and miles of untouched natural landscapes, pristine forests, rugged mountains and glorious lakes; making NZ one of the best countries to go camping. You'll find some great holiday parks in New Zealand in this blog post.

All holiday parks here are listed for a reason, they are perfect for a first-time camper that would like to stay in amazing places without having to miss some of the comforts of home. Or seasoned travellers that want to mix and match basic campsites with holiday parks as these offer more facilities and a bit of luxury.

What is a holiday park? How do they differ from campsites?

In New Zealand, there is a wide variety of places where you can camp and spend the night. Yes, you will always need to stay at a place where camping is allowed, you can't just park & sleep on the side of the road.

Campsites are more basic and offer no or little / basic facilities. These are often in remote & scenic locations. Facilities are basic toilets, like a long-drop toiler ("hole in the ground" with a toilet seat on top), and tap water or water from a stream. They are great places to stay if you are looking for that rugged, remote camping life. Check out our list of best campsites in New Zealand.

Holiday parks are on the other side of the spectrum. They are more comparable with commercial campsites in for example Europe. They offer more than just a place to pitch a tent or park your campervan. Often they also have cabins for hire and other accommodation options. Expect facilities like hot showers, a communal kitchen, living room with TV, board games and books, and more.

Holiday parks are often located closer to a town, but they can still be located in scenic areas. If you are looking for a bit more luxury when on a camping road trip in New Zealand or it's your first time camping in New Zealand, then holiday parks are what you are looking for. Holiday parks are a great way to get used to your campervan and camping, before you try one of the more remote and basic campsites. Or you can mix and match and stay at a holiday park every x days to add a bit more luxury to your trip.

These holiday parks are great picks for first-time campers

If it's your first time camping in New Zealand, it might be scary to go camping in the middle of nowhere. No worries. First, New Zealand is a safe and civilised country. Second, if you're not ready to go camping without modern facilities, these are the best camping spots in New Zealand. They're all located in amazing places, so you'll get to experience all the most beautiful scenery New Zealand has to offer.

Hahei Beach Resort in Coromandel (North Island)

Hahei Beach Resort is set on the Coromandel Coast and is one of the most paradisiacal places to park your campervan for a while. The holiday park is located just a short walk from the Coromandel Peninsula’s most striking beach, this really is like something out of a movie.

Why you should stay at the Hahei Beach Resort? Easy.

• They have beachfront sites for campervans
• Facilities like bathrooms, laundry, kitchen, fridge & freezers, fish filleting station and more
• It's safe to swim, no rips
• Walking tracks to Te Pare (sun and moon rise lookout... Take photos like an Instagram pro)
• Cathedral Cove at walking distance
• Dark Sky low light at night to give you the most spectacular star shows created by Mother Nature
• Suitable for all campervans - self-contained and non-self-contained
• More info: official website of this holiday park

Anaura Bay Motor Camp on East Cape (North Island)

Imagine perfect shades of green in the nearby rolling hills, the bluest of blues in the water, and the most incredible sunrises every morning. The area has also been the set of 2002 film Whale Rider. Getting to the East Cape and Gisborne is a great way to see some of the highlights of the North Island. The Pacific Coast Highway will get you there. There's so much to do in the East Cape and Gisborne area, such a shame that so many travellers skip this part of the country.

Reasons to stay at Anaura Bay Motor Camp:

• Absolute beachfront positions, next to one of the most stunning beaches with pristine golden sand
• A small camp shop that sells mainly ice, ice creams, drinks, bread and milk aka all the staples for a summer road trip.
• No dogs are allowed during peak season
• More info: official website of this holiday park

Blue Lake Top10 Holiday Park in Rotorua (North Island)

Blue Lake Holiday Park in The Bay of Plenty is an award-winning camping spot, with plenty of space for you to park your campervan. Holidaymakers never feel crowded in this holiday park and there’s plenty to do nearby.

Reasons to spend a few nights at Blue Lake Holiday Park:

• Rotorua is home to over 15 beautiful Lakes
• Spacious powered and non-powered sites (Spaceships don't need power so you can stay at a cheaper non-powered campsite)
• This holiday park is a 10-minute drive from the centre of Rotorua, "close to attractions and shops yet far enough from the bustling city to enjoy the peace and quiet and avoid the sulfur smell"
• Perfect location for boating, fishing, kayaking or relaxing on the beach
• Suitable for all campervans - self-contained and non-self-contained
• More info: official website of this holiday park

New Zealand is a great place for catching your own meal

Kauri Coast Top10 Holiday Park in Dargaville (North Island)

This is another award-winning holiday park. Kauri Coast Top 10 holiday park is the perfect site to enjoy the amazing Kauri forests. This spacious holiday park is literally surrounded by native bush with river boundaries on two sides. The perfect location for enjoying the Waipoua Forest, home of the legendary Tane Mahuta - the giant of the forest or to have some fun at the lake. Kai Iwi Lakes is only 20 minutes away and has crystal clear waters and sandy beaches. Perfect place on your way to Bay of Islands or Northland (Cape Reinga area).

Reasons to spend a few (or more) nights at Kauri Coast holiday park:

• Best of both worlds: close to the forests and close to the lake. Everyone will love it here.
• Lots of facilities, from communal kitchen & bathroom to WiFi.
• Off the grid, most mobile phone providers won't work in this area. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
• Perfect place to fish for trout.
• Suitable for all campervans - self-contained and non-self-contained
• More info: official website of this holiday park

South Island holiday parks with sites for campervans

Of course, we wouldn't forget about the South Island of New Zealand. There's also so much to do and see there. And there are more amazing holiday parks for travellers looking for more facilities while camping in amazing places. No need to go without basic amenities while camping in New Zealand. These are our favourites aka great holiday parks in New Zealand, the South Island edition.

Okains Bay Camping Ground in Canterbury

This is an amazing place, perfect for adventurous couples looking to get closer to nature. It’s a no-frills kind of holiday park, designed for life’s little pleasures such as hiking, climbing, swimming, fishing or just kicking back and enjoying the views. And there's so much more to do and see in the area.

Reasons to stay at Okains Bay Camping Ground:

• It's located on the beautiful Banks Peninsula
• Beachfront setting
• Safe for swimming and watersport activities
• Lots of walking and tramping tracks in the area
• Suitable for all campervans - self-contained and non-self-contained
• More info: official website of this holiday park 

Rakaia Gorge Camp in Mt Hutt

Relatively close to Christchurch you'll find the Rakaia Gorge camping ground, a relaxed site with amazing views over Rakaia Gorge. The area has lots to offer, from short walks to longer hikes, amazing views and sportive fun in or around the river. The site is run by the Rakaia Gorge Society Incorporated and is non-profit. Prices are low, especially when you see what you'll get: a million-dollar view over Rakaia Gorge and beautiful starry nights.

More reasons to spend a night or two (or more) at Rakaia Gorge camping ground:

• It's only 80 km from the Spaceships Christchurch depot. Easy drive on your first road trip day.
• Spacious campsite with amazing views over Rakaia Gorge.
• Close to the action & fun: jet boating, salmon fishing and Rakaia Gorge walkway. And for your winter road trip, Methven and Mount Hutt are only a 15-minute drive away.
• Good facilities, kitchen, toilet and showers, and of course laundry facilities.
• Suitable for all campervans - self-contained and non-self-contained
• More info: official website of this holiday park

Amazing views at Rakaia Gorge Camping Ground (South Island)

The Barn Cabins & Camp, close to Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park is a perfect place for sea kayak trips. There are plenty of shallow sandy bays to pull up on and explore, so it'll definitely be a fun and Instagrammable trip. And The Barn Cabins & Camp is the perfect place to spend a night (or two or three) when going on that awesome adventure to Abel Tasman National Park.

The Barn is situated in Marahau, the gateway to the Tasman Region's stunning Abel Tasman National Park. When staying at The Barn, you are staying close to paradise. Actually, you couldn't be any closer to this amazing piece of New Zealand. Abel Tasman Park is a paradise on earth.

Or to use The Barn's words: "Pitch a tent amongst our campsite's shady trees and listen to the native birds. Sleep under the stars and wake looking out over the Beach and Pacific Ocean in either our powered or non-powered sites."

Hampshire Holiday Parks - Glendhu Bay in Wanaka

Imagine the striking contrast of snow-capped mountain scenery and lush green forests that haven’t been touched by tourism. At Glendhu Bay Motor Camp, it’s like having 355,000 hectares of pristine land on your doorstep. And you can do everything from walking to mountain climbing. Glendhu Bay Motor Camp is Wanaka's only lakeside holiday park. The Otago area has lots to offer. There will never be a dull moment.

Several reasons to stay at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp:

• Did we mention it's Wanaka's only lakeside holiday park?
• Only a 10-minute drive from Wanaka
• The closest campsite to Roys Peak and Diamond Lake walks
• Spectacular views
• Suitable for all campervans - self-contained and non-self-contained
• More info: official website of this holiday park

Tumu Toka Curioscape Campground in Catlins

There are so many reasons to add The Catlins to your road trip itinerary. Tumu Toka Curioscape campground is the perfect base to enjoy everything the Curio Bay area has to offer: visit a pristine Jurassic Fossil Forest, see dolphins and penguins roaming or swimming in their safe, natural habitat, and enjoy a wide range of recreational activities in this beautiful, unspoiled setting by the sea. That's Curio Bay in a few words.

More reasons to stay a few nights at Tumu Toka Curioscape Campground:

• It's nestled alongside the swimming beach of Porpoise Bay.
• Sheltered campsites, created by alleys of flax.
• NZ sea lions visit the campground from time to time.
• Full kitchen & dining space, laundry facilities and showers. All the amenities you need.
• Suitable for all campervans - self-contained and non-self-contained
• More info: official website of this holiday park

How to find holiday parks & campgrounds in New Zealand

Holiday parks and camping sites are easy to find in New Zealand. Simply use the Spaceships recommended camping & road trip app for your smartphone, it's free to download and to use.

And for going off the beaten track in a certain area, there is the NZ Frenzy guidebooks created by our mate Scott Cook.

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