The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages thousands of campsites across New Zealand — many of them in extraordinary locations that commercial campgrounds simply don’t have access to. For campervan travellers, they’re one of the great advantages of travelling this way. Here’s a selection of the best on the South Island.
What Are DOC Campsites?
DOC campsites range from basic (a flat spot with a toilet, -6 per night) to serviced (toilets, running water, cooking shelters, -20 per night). They’re managed by the Department of Conservation and concentrated in national parks, reserves, and scenic areas — which means the locations are usually excellent.
Most DOC basic and standard campsites require a self-contained vehicle if you’re freedom camping — check the individual site requirements. Campervanz vans are all certified self-contained, so you have access to the full range.
Mackenzie Basin
Lake McGregor DOC Campsite — A small, peaceful lake just off the main Tekapo-Twizel highway. Turquoise water, mountains, almost no one there midweek. Basic facilities, self-contained only. One of Ernesto’s personal favourites.
Hooker Valley / White Horse Hill Campsite, Mount Cook — Directly under Aoraki/Mount Cook. One of the most spectacular campsite locations in the country. Serviced, so not self-contained required. Books out in summer — arrive by early afternoon.
West Coast
Gillespies Beach DOC Campsite — A remote beach south of Fox Glacier with a rusting old gold dredge and seal colony nearby. Very basic (no running water), but the sunset over the Tasman Sea with mountains behind is something else. Self-contained required.
Lake Paringa Campsite — On the shores of a mirror-flat lake surrounded by rainforest, south of the glaciers. Excellent swimming. Serviced. Often quieter than the glacier campgrounds.
Fiordland
Mavora Lakes Campsite — Two large, clear lakes in a remote valley with no cell coverage and almost no people. Lord of the Rings filming location. Serviced. Around 1.5 hours from Te Anau on a gravel road — take it slowly.
Cascade Creek, Te Anau area — Close to the start of the Milford Road, in beech forest by a clear stream. Good base for driving to Milford Sound the next morning. Serviced.
Otago
Ahuriri River, Omarama — A braided river valley famous for brown trout fishing. Wide open tussock landscape, big skies, very few people. Self-contained required.
Clutha River, Alexandra area — The Clutha is New Zealand’s largest river by volume. Several DOC sites along its length through Central Otago. Excellent stone fruit country — if you’re there in summer, the roadside stalls are worth stopping for.
Marlborough and Nelson
Pelorus Bridge DOC Campsite — In native forest beside the Pelorus River, used as a filming location for the barrel scene in The Hobbit. Excellent swimming holes in the river. Serviced. About 2 hours from Picton.
Governor’s Bay, Marlborough Sounds — Accessible by the Queen Charlotte Drive or by water taxi. Self-contained. Excellent for kayaking.
How to Find and Book DOC Campsites
The DOC website (doc.govt.nz) has a campsite finder with current information on facilities, costs, and booking requirements. Many basic sites don’t require booking — you just turn up. Serviced sites in popular areas (especially near Milford Sound and Mount Cook) benefit from advance booking in summer.
The free Campermate app is useful for finding freedom camping spots and DOC sites in real time, with user reviews and current conditions.
Campervanz and DOC Campsites
All our vans are self-contained certified, which opens up the full range of DOC camping options. Ernesto has personally visited most of the sites listed here and is happy to give you updated, honest advice about current conditions when you pick up your van.
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