🎯 From our past stays and countless recommendations—from friends to happy travellers—it’s incredibly difficult to choose the best of Queenstown’s huge selection of campsites. But here’s a starter set: a mix of paid parks with full amenities, scenic freedom spots, and classic DOC campsite experiences. There’s a whole lot more out there—happy to expand the list later!
🏨 Paid Holiday Parks with Full Facilities
Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park – Queenstown
- Type: Holiday park | Cost: From ~$35pp
- Facilities: Powered/unpowered sites, cabins, kitchen, laundry, hot showers, playground, dump station, Wi‑Fi
- Why it’s great: Close to downtown, with family-friendly facilities and easy access to Gondola, bike trails, central shops & eateries .
- Tips: Reserve early for powered lakeside spots; loyal returning guests love the playground.
Park Creek Holiday Park – Frankton (airport end)
- Type: Holiday park | Cost: From ~$28pp
- Facilities: Powered sites, kitchen, laundry, bathrooms, hot showers, Wi‑Fi, dump station
- Why it’s great: A quiet base just minutes from the airport and lakeside cycle trails—still easy to skip into town.
- Tips: Ideal for early flights or post-glacier arrivals.
Shotover Country Holiday Park – Arthurs Point
- Type: Holiday park | Cost: From ~$30pp
- Facilities: Powered/unpowered sites, cabins, toilets, hot showers, laundry, playground, BBQ, Wi‑Fi, dump station
- Why it’s great: Calm riverside location beside Shotover River with beautiful mountain views and close to rafting and walking trails.
- Tips: Great for couples and families seeking quiet and comfort.
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)
It’s important to know that many freedom camping spots around Queenstown are not grassy reserves or scenic DOC-style camps, but designated carparks with strict rules. These sites are designed for certified self-contained vehicles only, usually have limited spaces, and operate under overnight-only conditions.
There are plenty of designated freedom camping locations across the wider Queenstown Lakes District, but most follow a similar format: sealed parking bays, signage, time restrictions, and active monitoring.
Here are current, clearly signposted options that travellers can reliably find information on.
Hansen Place Carpark
Type: Freedom camping (self-contained vehicles only)
Cost: Free
Maximum stay: 2 nights in any 30-day period
Spaces: Limited designated bays
Facilities:
- Public toilets nearby
Why it’s good:
Hansen Place Carpark is a central option close to town, making it convenient for travellers who want easy access to Queenstown’s shops, lakefront, and walking trails without needing to drive in and out.
Things to know:
- This is a carpark-style freedom camping site, not a traditional campground
- You must arrive after 6pm and leave before 8am
- Stay strictly within marked bays
- Popular spots fill quickly in peak season
Queenstown Events Centre Carpark
Type: Freedom camping (self-contained vehicles only)
Cost: Free
Maximum stay: 2 nights in any 30-day period
Spaces: Designated areas only
Facilities:
- Toilets at the Events Centre complex
- Easy access to walking and cycling trails
Why it’s good:
This site offers a more spacious feel than central town carparks and works well as a practical overnight stop if you’re arriving late or departing early via Frankton or the airport.
Things to know:
- Camping is only permitted in clearly marked areas
- Expect a functional overnight stop rather than a scenic setting
- Events at the centre can affect noise and availability
A Quick Freedom Camping Note for Queenstown
Queenstown is a highly regulated freedom camping area, and signage changes from time to time. Always check:
- On-site signs
- Local council QR codes
- CamperMate or Rankers before settling in
If you’re after lakefront scenery, space, and a quieter night, a DOC campsite or holiday park just outside Queenstown is often a better experience — and well worth the small cost.
🌳 DOC Campsites with Basic Facilities
Moke Lake Campsite – DOC
- Type: DOC campsite | Cost: ~$15pp
- Facilities: Long-drop toilets, picnic tables, lake access, tramping tracks
- Why it’s great: Stunning alpine setting with endless stars, kayaking, biking tracks, and dive-in mountain reflections.
- Tips: Gravel drive—best for agile motorhomes. Book ahead over summer weekends.
Roys Peak Trail Carpark (near Wanaka)
- Type: DOC access/reserve | Cost: Free (carpark only)
- Facilities: Toilets, trailhead access
- Why it’s great: Launch point for iconic Roys Peak hike and well-maintained carpark—perfect for early starts.
- Tips: Stay locked down; no overnight parking allowed at trail monitoring times.
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.
🧩 Quick Comparison Chart
| Type | Site | Notes |
| Paid | Queenstown TOP 10 | Right by CBD |
| Park Creek | Quiet, FM access | |
| Shotover Country | Riverside & rafting access | |
| Freedom | Frankton Arm | Lakeside, close to trails |
| Kelvin Heights | Sunrise lakefront | |
| Henley Motorhome Park | Donation-based, local gem | |
| DOC | Moke Lake | Alpine setting |
| Roys Peak | Ride big hike startpoint |
💡 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
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.
He pakaru a waka e taea te raupine mai
A damaged vehicle can be repaired