Offline NZ camping guide
Sync official DOC and council site details for campsites, huts, holiday parks, and dump stations so you always have the essentials when coverage drops, with maps ready whenever you reconnect.
Powerful filters
Filter by vehicle type, price, toilets, water, dump stations, powered pads, dog rules, accessibility, and holiday parks so you always pick the right stop.
DOC huts & passes
See hut tickets, Great Walk booking info, capacities, track grades, and access notes at a glance. No more flipping between apps.
Trip planner
Build campervan, RV, and backpacking itineraries with drive times and unlimited saved lists of places to visit or camp, from DOC huts to self-contained friendly holiday parks.
Freedom camping rules
Understand self-contained requirements, regional bylaws, stay limits, and fines using official DOC and council guidance before you arrive to avoid expensive mistakes.
Weather & alerts
Check live Apple Weather forecasts, seven-day outlooks, tide times, and safety alerts when you're online so campervans, caravans, and hikers can pivot when conditions change.
Built for every Kiwi adventure
Vanlife & campervans
Track freedom camping spots, dump stations, and powered sites that welcome self-contained vans.
Backpackers & tramping
Link DOC huts, trailheads, and resupply points with offline site info and quick directions ready for when you reconnect.
Families & holiday parks
Find powered sites, playgrounds, hot showers, and price-friendly options near your route for a comfortable family stay.
Freedom campers
Check official council bylaws, self-contained rules, stay limits, and enforcement notes so you only park where it is legal.
Road trip planners
Organise self-contained friendly stops, holiday parks, and hut lists into flexible trip plans with drive times and offline site info for the whole crew.
Hikers on Great Walks
Check official DOC information, find nearby huts and campsites, and review current weather before locking in your booking.
Why KiwiCamping?
KiwiCamping combines official DOC (Department of Conservation, New Zealand Government) data, local council bylaws, NZTA updates, and on-the-ground community tips in one fast guide. Unlike generic camping directories, KiwiCamping is tuned for New Zealand: holiday parks, freedom camping rules, self-contained requirements, dump stations, and hut passes all rely on the latest verified information. Live weather forecasts, photo galleries, and traveller notes keep campervan crews, caravans, and backpackers confident wherever they're roaming across Aotearoa.
How KiwiCamping works
- Download the app and sync offline NZ campsite, hut, and holiday park info once.
- Use filters to surface DOC huts, campsites, dump stations, and facilities you need.
- Add sites to your trip planner and access them anywhere, even off grid.
Optimised for outdoors
- Apple Weather forecasts for live conditions, snow, tides, and warnings.
- Vehicle notes covering self-contained rules, 4WD access, and seasonal closures.
- Open any campsite, hut, or holiday park directly in Apple Maps or Google Maps.
Works across New Zealand
From Northland freedom camping to Fiordland huts, KiwiCamping keeps everything in one map. Pair the app with DOC hut passes, NZTA road alerts, and the latest freedom camping and self-contained regulations so you always know the rules. Use it as your offline replacement for Rankers, CamperMate, WikiCamps, or Campspot when you are roaming remote Aotearoa.
KiwiCamping vs other NZ camping apps
Rankers alternative
Rankers is great but requires coverage. KiwiCamping stores everything offline so you can check bylaws, dump stations, and reviews even in the backcountry.
CamperMate alternative
CamperMate highlights holiday parks. KiwiCamping balances DOC huts, freedom camping, and holiday parks equally with filters built for NZ road trips.
WikiCamps alternative
WikiCamps is international. KiwiCamping is built specifically for New Zealand with DOC data, hut passes, and Kiwi-specific camping rules.
Campspot alternative
Campspot focuses on bookings. KiwiCamping prioritises discovery, bylaws, and offline planning so you know where you can camp before you book.
RV and vanlife planner
Track dump stations, potable water, LPG refills, and self-contained verified sites in one clean app built for campervans and RVs.
Great Walk companion
Layer huts, trailheads, weather, and transport notes in one spot. KiwiCamping is the Great Walk sidekick Rankers and CamperMate users have been asking for.
New Zealand Camping Guides
Practical breakdowns of bylaws, itineraries, and planning tips so you can camp Aotearoa with confidence.
Guides & camping knowledge
Best Camping Apps for New Zealand in 2025
We field-tested KiwiCamping against Rankers, CamperMate, WikiCamps, and AllTrails to see which app actually works on New Zealand roads. Learn who each option suits, how offline data behaves, and where pricing or privacy pitfalls appear.
Freedom Camping in New Zealand, Rules by Region
Get a plain-English breakdown of national law alongside every council bylaw before you park up. The guide shows how to read signage, prove compliance offline, and download quick-reference cheat sheets for both islands.
Can You Camp for Free in NZ, Where It Is Legal and Safe
See exactly where camping is genuinely free, from council reserves to DOC basics, without risking infringement notices. We walk through etiquette, safety, and legality checks so you roll in confident and welcomed.
Where You Can Camp in New Zealand, A Complete Location Guide
Choose between DOC land, council reserves, private holiday parks, and iwi-managed stays with regional highlights for each island. Seasonal advice and access notes help you match destinations to your crew and vehicle.
Holiday Parks in New Zealand, How to Choose and Book
Compare amenities, pricing bands, and partner booking flows so you can lock in powered or unpowered sites within minutes. We unpack loyalty perks, cancellation rules, and late-arrival hacks with printable checklists.
DOC Campsites and Huts, Reservations, Fees, and Etiquette
Understand every DOC campsite and hut category, the fees attached, and when booking windows open. Etiquette reminders, alert links, and side-by-side comparisons prepare you for serviced campgrounds or backcountry bivvies.
Self-Contained Vehicles in NZ, What It Really Requires
Decode the updated NZS 5465 requirements for fixed toilets, tanks, vents, and inspection paperwork before you front an auditor. We explain real-world enforcement and include printable checklists to keep your rig compliant.
Dump Stations and Waste Etiquette for Campers
Plot every dump station nationwide with gear suggestions and rinse routines that keep pads spotless. You’ll know how to avoid fines, handle detergents responsibly, and help councils keep facilities open.
Fire Rules, Bans, and Safe Cooking Outdoors
Stay ahead of restricted and prohibited fire seasons with region-by-region notes and permit links. Decision charts and cooking alternatives ensure dinner still happens when open flames are off-limits.
Sandflies, Weather, and Seasons, How to Plan a Comfortable Trip
Plan around New Zealand’s shifting weather bands, winds, and sandfly zones with month-by-month comfort intel. Gear advice and coping tactics keep the crew comfortable without overpacking.
Essential NZ Camping Packing List with Regional Variants
Work through a practical packing plan covering core essentials plus alpine, coastal, and wet-weather extras for NZ trips. Printable checklists and comms/emergency tips make group prep fast.
Responsible Camping in NZ, Leave No Trace Applied Locally
See how Leave No Trace principles translate to Aotearoa’s landscapes, wildlife, and communities. The guide covers biosecurity basics and offers a shareable code of conduct to keep locals onside.
Top 25 Scenic Campsites in New Zealand by Region
Discover 25 postcard-ready campsites with KiwiCamping deep links for instant saving and navigation. Access notes, booking cues, and photo ideas help you plan sunrise-perfect stays.
Two-Week New Zealand Camper Itinerary, North and South Islands
Follow a 14-day itinerary that balances DOC huts, freedom sites, and holiday parks across both islands. Fuel, ferry, grocery, GPX, and printable day plans make customising effortless.
Costs of Camping in NZ, Budget Breakdown with Real Examples
Build realistic budgets for solo, couple, and family adventures across seasons. We factor in accommodation mix, fuel, ferries, food, and gear amortisation so you can tweak the numbers quickly.
What Kiwi campers say
All the spots, no signal needed
We looped Te Waipounamu in our campervan and never lost huts, holiday parks, or freedom camping rules. Offline filters saved our vanlife trip.
- Aroha K.
DOC info done right
Hut passes, track grades, and Apple Weather alerts in one place beats juggling DOC tabs. It is our tramping planner now.
- Josh L.
Freedom camping made simple
The bylaws and self-contained notes keep our caravan legal everywhere from Taranaki to Tasman.
- Sienna R.
Trip planner we actually use
We mapped a three-week RV roadie with dump stations, DOC huts, and holiday parks. Unlimited lists kept every leg ready to open in Apple Maps when we hit the road.
- Nikau T.
Holiday park finder
The family filter highlights powered pads, playgrounds, and kitchens so the kids always get a hot shower.
- Maia F.
Camper life organiser
Favorites keep our camper life loop tidy. Freedom spots for mornings, holiday parks for laundry night.
- Dylan P.
RV ready maps
Route notes flag low bridges and 4WD tracks so our RV rig avoids surprises on narrow rural roads.
- Grace M.
Caravan friendly intel
Holiday park pages list turning circles and powered bays, which is gold when towing the caravan.
- Kauri J.
Dump station intel sorted
Every dump station has access notes and water availability, so we no longer guess the next stop.
- Isla W.
Backcountry to beach
Great Walk huts, coastal holiday parks, and ferry info live side-by-side. Perfect for mixed trips.
- Tane H.
Offline weather confidence
Apple Weather forecasts and safety alerts pop up before alpine sections, so we know when to bail or push on.
- Riley C.
Road trip crew favourite
Shared lists keep our van, caravan, and tent mates in sync on holiday parks, huts, and freedom nights.
- Hana S.
KiwiCamping FAQ
What is KiwiCamping?
KiwiCamping is an offline NZ camping app with 3,500+ DOC campsites, huts, dump stations, and holiday parks. It is built for campers, vanlifers, trampers, and travellers exploring Aotearoa.
Does KiwiCamping work offline?
Yes. Download the official DOC and council site info once and you can search, filter, and read details without coverage. Maps and live weather still need reception, but the campsite, hut, holiday park, and rule info stays on your device.
How often are sites updated?
We refresh DOC, council, and NZTA data regularly and publish community updates fast so you always have current information on closures, alerts, and new facilities.
Does KiwiCamping include DOC huts?
Yes. Every DOC hut pulls from official Department of Conservation information, including passes, capacity, access notes, track grades, and Great Walk booking links.
Can I see freedom camping rules?
Each freedom camping zone lists council bylaws, self-contained requirements, stay limits, and enforcement tips sourced from official regulations.
Does KiwiCamping list dump stations?
Dump stations and potable water points are mapped nationwide with notes on vehicle access, opening hours, and facilities drawn from council data.
Does KiwiCamping show holiday parks and campervan parks?
Yes. Holiday parks, campervan parks, and caravan-friendly campgrounds feature detailed amenities, powered sites, indicative pricing notes, and contact info alongside DOC huts and campsites.
Can I plan road trips?
Yes. Add sites to your trip planner, reorder stops, and create as many lists as you want for future campervan, caravan, or tent adventures. Plans stay on your device, and you can open any stop in Apple Maps or Google Maps when you are ready to drive.
What does self-contained mean in New Zealand?
Self-contained vehicles carry certified fresh water, wastewater, and toilet systems that meet NZS 5465 standards. KiwiCamping explains whether each campsite or freedom spot requires self-contained certification so you know if your setup qualifies.
Can KiwiCamping help me find self-contained only sites?
Use filters to show self-contained required sites, DOC campsites, and holiday parks so you only see stays that match your certification and vehicle type.
Do I need reception for weather or maps?
Campsite, hut, and rule information stays offline, but live Apple Weather forecasts, tides, safety alerts, and streaming map tiles require an internet connection.
Where does KiwiCamping source its rules and alerts?
Freedom camping bylaws, self-contained requirements, alerts, and closures come directly from the Department of Conservation, New Zealand councils, and NZTA notices.
Is there Android support?
KiwiCamping launches on iOS first. Tap the in-app waitlist to be notified when Android is ready.