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The Best Camping in New Zealand

Looking for the best camping in New Zealand? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Zealand. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top camping spots in and near New Zealand

  • Kinloch, New Zealand

    Backpack the Routeburn Track

    5.0
    12.5 mi
    If you're looking for the best the Routeburn Track has to offer but only have one night to spend - hike from the Glenorchy side Routeburn Shelter to Lake Mackenzie in 12.5 miles (approx. 3,500 feet of elevation gain) and stay at this stunning hut location before backtracking over Harris Saddle th...
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  • Glendhu Bay, New Zealand

    Roys Peak Track

    5.0
    6.8 mi / 4127.3 ft gain
    This is a very strenuous uphill hike, with very few level stretches along the way, so make sure you have a good level of fitness, and wear sturdy shoes to avoid blisters, as the way back down will be hard on your knees and feet. The track begins on private land, which is grassy with lots of shee...
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  • Waiotapu, New Zealand

    Swim in Kerosene Creek

    4.0
    Located amidst New Zealand's vibrant volcanic zone, this favourite local gem lies approximately 29.5km (25 minutes) South of Rotorua, only a short distance before the renowned Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland. Driving South towards Lake Taupo Kerosene Creek is situated 2km down gravel forestry trac...
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  • Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand

    Hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track

    4.5
    While the full track can take multiple days to complete, this adventure describes a section that can be completed in a long day hike.Leaving from Marahau, take a water taxi north to Bark Bay. Here, you'll begin hiking south back to Marahau, a trip of around 25km. The trail winds down the coast, ...
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  • Te Anau, New Zealand

    Kepler Track

    4.3
    111.41 mi / 6240 ft gain
    Important: In the Great Walks season (October till late April) bookings are required for campsites and huts - huts have gas cooking stoves and resident wardens. Check with local DOC before you go. Outside the Great Walks season facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional safety hazard...
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  • Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

    Backpack the Brewster Hut Track

    5.0
    11.2 mi / 5656 ft gain
    Twenty kilometers north of Haast Pass (568m/1864ft) there is a carpark for Fantail Falls, a beautiful waterfall with numerous rock cairns displayed at its base. From here, take a 3-4 hour hike along Brewster Hut Track (more like climb) through beech forest and then alpine tussock to reach Brewste...
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  • Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

    Backpack the Tongariro Northern Circuit

    5.0
    26.7 mi
    Most people visiting Togariro National park do the 1 day Alpine Crossing. I opted to do the full circuit, a 27 mile hike that takes you all the way around the prominent summit of Mt. Ngaroe.I traveled the trail clockwise, leaving from Whakapapa Village and heading to Waihohonu Hut on the first da...
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  • Cattle Flat, New Zealand

    Climb the Buchanan Peaks above Lake Wanaka

    5.0
    18.6 mi / 8202.1 ft gain
    From Wanaka-Mt. Aspiring Road, head west out of town and past Glendhu Bay (and Roy's Peak). Go right on West Wanaka Station Road and follow it until the obvious split towards the Homestead Bay / Minaret Burn Track parking area to the right.Take the Minaret Burn / Homestead Bay track approximately...
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  • Mount Aspiring, New Zealand

    Hike to the Rob Roy Glacier

    5.0
    6.2 mi / 1625 ft gain
    Follow the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Rd. west of Lake Wanaka. The pavement turns into a dirt road shortly after you drive around the lake. You will drive for about an hour, then park at Raspberry Flats in the Matukituki Valley. From the Raspberry Flats lot, the trailhead begins at the swing bridge ab...
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  • Ben Lomond, New Zealand

    Camp at Moke Lake

    5.0
    4.3 mi
    The drive to Moke Lake from Queenstown is only 14km but it takes about 30 minutes since you're on a dirt road for a good portion of it. You'll pass Lake Kirkpatrick and lots of sheep on your way to Moke Lake, but keep driving until you get to the campground that's on the southeast end of the lake...
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  • Lake Okareka, New Zealand

    Hike around Lake Tikitapu

    4.5
    3.4 mi / 0 ft gain
    Lake Tikitapu is the smallest of the mountain lakes in the Rotorua area. Take Tarawera Rd about 9 kilometers and you'll run right into it. There is a huge lawn to the right that you can park on if the lot at the shore is full.The beginning of the 5.5 kilometer trail starts on the right hand side ...
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  • Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

    Backpack to Tama Lakes

    5.0
    10.6 mi / 1312.3 ft gain
    The Tama Lakes trail can be walked easily as a day hike but we chose to overnight to escape the crowds (very popular hike) and fully enjoy the landscape, as well as the beautiful stars, sunrise and sunset. We walked the track in early winter (June) which I think is the prettiest time to explore t...
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  • Bealey, New Zealand

    Hike Arthur's Pass' Bealey Spur

    4.5
    7.5 mi / 1720 ft gain
    This moderately difficult climb affords amazing views of the Waimakariri River Valley as well as Bruce Stream. It is not an incredibly difficult hike, although in winter and early spring there will be snow and ice on the ground, making it more challenging. There are few vertical cliff faces, and ...
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  • Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

    Backpack to Lake Mavis

    16.8 mi / 3937 ft gain
    DAY 1Greyneys Shelter (SH73) – Goat Pass - 5h / 9km (5.6mi) / +400m (1300ft) The route starts here, near Greyneys Shelter on SH73, 5 km (3.1mi) south of Arthur’s Pass Village. You will need to cross Bealey River after it meets the Mingha River, but don't try to cross the river if the Bealey Rive...
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  • Mount Earnslaw, New Zealand

    Climb Mount Earnslaw, Mount Aspiring National Park

    5.0
    16.8 mi / 8000 ft gain
    Start at the Rees Valley Trailhead, approximately 30 minutes from Glenorchy. The trail begins as a dirt road that passes through grazing land and small tributary creeks that flow into the Rees. The first 4.4 miles (7 km) of the trail hugs the Rees River and stays in the grassy and often boggy riv...
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  • Bainham, New Zealand

    Backpack to Boulder Lake

    22.4 mi / 3937 ft gain
    The common route to Boulder Lake - via Brown Cow Ridge - begins at a small and slightly obscure trailhead near the town of Bainham which is approximately a 20 minute drive from the coastal town of Collingwood in the Tasman region. The trailhead only accommodates parking for perhaps two vehicles -...
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