The Nelson–Tasman region is a favourite with motorhome travellers for good reason — think golden beaches, artsy towns, and nature trails for days. Whether you’re road-tripping from the ferry or heading up from the West Coast, you’ll find a mix of holiday parks, DOC campgrounds, and scenic freedom camping spots.
🏨 Paid Holiday Parks with Full Facilities
Nelson City TOP 10 Holiday Park – Nelson
- Type: Holiday park | Cost: From ~$30pp
- Facilities: Powered/unpowered sites, cabins, modern bathrooms, laundry, playground, BBQ, Wi‑Fi
- Why it’s great: Central to town with easy access to cafes, shops, cycle trails, and beaches — excellent as a hub for exploring the region .
- Tips: Great base for visiting Abel Tasman; kids will love the rec room and playground.
Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park – Tahunanui, Nelson
- Type: Holiday park | Cost: From ~$30pp (varies with season)
- Facilities: Beachfront sites, powered/unpowered, cabins, toilets, showers, laundry, kitchen, playground, dump station
- Why it’s great: Walkable to café strip, near sandy beach, scenic walks, and the popular Motorhome & Caravan Show .
- Tips: Book ahead if visiting during shows or events; beachfront views are lovely at sunrise.
Ready to book your campground? Most campervan sites in Aotearoa – New Zealand are bookable directly through the holiday park’s website or apps like CamperMate and Rankers. If you’re looking for cabins or motel-style units instead, many of these can be booked via Trip.com or Tripadvisor
And don’t forget Travel Insurance that covers campervan trips especially handy if you’re carrying gear or heading remote.
🚐 Freedom Camping (Self-Contained Only)
Isel Park – Stoke (Nelson outskirts)
- Type: Freedom camping | Cost: Free
- Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, river access
- Why it’s great: Lush riverside setting with shade and quiet—great as a peaceful overnight before heading into town
- Tips: Popular in summer, so arrive early for the best riverside spots.
Dotterel Point Reserve – Tasman (near Kaiteriteri)
- Type: Freedom camping | Cost: Free
- Facilities: Toilets, outdoor shower, beach access
- Why it’s great: Quiet surf-access beach with stunning views—perfect for sunset stays .
- Tips: No dogs allowed on the main beach at times due to nesting dotterels.
Decks Reserve Carpark – Motueka
- Type: Freedom camping (self-contained only) | Cost: Free
- Facilities: Public toilets nearby
- Why it’s good: A central overnight stop in Motueka, handy for supplies and exploring Nelson–Tasman.
- Tips: Camping allowed 6pm–7am in marked bays only. Sundays: vacate by 6am for the Motueka Market. This is a carpark-style site, not a scenic campground.
🌳 DOC & Conservation Camping
DOC campsites in this region are further afield (e.g., Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes), and are best explored in dedicated hiking/freedom-camp blogs. We’ll focus here on accessible roadside and practical motorhome sites.
Note: DOC (Department of Conservation) campsites may require bookings depending on the season. Always check site details, availability, and current conditions at the Official DOC Camping page.
💡 Travel Tips from Locals
- Carry cash for honesty box campsites
- Always check local council freedom camping rules
- Use CamperMate or Rankers for up-to-date site reviews
- Stock up on essentials before heading into remote areas
- Book DOC sites early in peak season via their Website
🧰 Essential Motorhome Services
| Service | Locations & Info |
| Dump Stations | Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park; Port Tarakohe (NZMCA park); Nelson City TOP 10 |
| Public Toilets | Tahunanui, Isel Park, Kaiteriteri, Nelson City |
| Supermarkets/Laundry | Countdown in Nelson city; laundries at TOP 10 & Tāhuna Beach parks |
| Fuel + Cafés | Nelson CBD, Stoke, Kaiteriteri, Marahau (gateway to Abel Tasman) |
⛴️ Crossing Between Islands?
If you’re heading to or from the North Island, be sure to book your Ferry Crossing. Both Interislander and Bluebridge offer campervan options and scenic Cook Strait crossings.
Why Book Your Campervan with Motorhome Republic?
With dozens of trusted rental brands in one place, Motorhome Republic makes it easy to compare, choose and book the right campervan for your Aotearoa – New Zealand adventure. From budget-friendly options to premium motorhomes, you’ll find something that suits your travel style and trip length.
We love recommending them because their booking process is simple, their customer service is excellent and they work with top suppliers across the country. Whether you’re picking up in Auckland, Christchurch or somewhere in between — it’s a hassle-free way to get on the road faster.
“Booking was easy, support was great and we got the perfect camper for our road trip. It was exactly what we hoped for.”
— Feedback from a Motorhome Republic customer
🌿Looking for more travel inspiration?
- Read about the Best Times to Visit Aotearoa – New Zealand
- Improve your cultural connection by Mastering Māori Pronunciation
- Have a laugh with our fun Kiwi Slang Guide
- Explore 10 Enchanting Landscapes you won’t want to miss
🌍 Travel Planning Resources
These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.
- ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
- 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
- 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
- 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
- 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
- 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
- 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
- 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.
🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
E tūtaki ana ngā kapua o te rangi, kei runga te Mangōroa e kōpae pū ana
The clouds in the sky gather, but above them extends the Milky Way