Planning a camping trip around the South of New Zealand? Prepare for a wondrous and mesmerising adventure filled with beautiful lakes and mountains! However, planning is the key to making any trip amazing. The first step to planning your trip is to look for some cost-effective campsites. Luckily for you, the South Island has a good selection of free campsites.
Next, you’re going to want to decide how you’re camping. Are you going to go the traditional route with a tent and backpack, or are you looking for a more comfortable option? If you’re looking for the latter, then check out some of the budget campervan deals in Christchurch before you start your journey.
Pioneer Park Campsite – Christchurch, South Island
Features:
- 40 unpowered campsites
- Campfires allowed
- Toilets (non-flush)
- Animal friendly
First up on our list, we have Pioneer Park Campsite. This site is a good place to start, situated about 2 hours outside of Christchurch. At this site, you’ll have 40 unpowered sites, with non-flushable toilets and a lovely large spread of grass surrounded by a lush forest. You are allowed to make a campfire unless there’s an ongoing fire ban.
Entrance to Pioneer Park is usually free if you have a NZMCA Campsite pass, but if not, it’ll cost you around $8 for adults and $4 for kids per night. You are also required to book a site in advance.
Wooded Gully Campsite – Okuku, South Island
Features:
- 50 unpowered campsites
- Flushing toilets
- Walking tracks
- Dogs allowed on a leash
Located in the Mt Thomas Conversation area, Wooded Gully campground sits at the foothills of the Southern Alps, roughly an hour away from Christchurch. Wooded Gully is also a good place to start your trip if you’re looking for something a little closer. It’s a great place for hiking enthusiasts as it’s the start of several hikes as well.
This campsite will feature 50 unpowered campsites and flushable toilets, and it’s animal-friendly. Just a warning in advance: while there might be running water, it’s not treated so we wouldn’t recommend drinking it. This campsite has the same charges at Pioneer. Free for individuals with a NZMCA pass, and $8 for adults, $4 for kids per night.
Lake Taylor Campsite – Canterbury, South Island
Features:
- 15 unpowered sites
- Scenic spots by the water
- Toilets (non-flush)
- Fires are not permitted at any time
- Dogs allowed on a leash
Looking for a smaller, more secluded campsite, then Lake Taylor in Canterbury is a good choice. Located about 3 hours north of Christchurch, this site is well hidden in the Lake Sumner Forest Park surrounded by majestic mountains and a beautiful lake to swim in. The road to Lake Taylore is an unsealed gravel road, so be sure you have an appropriate vehicle to get there.
At this site, you’ll have 15 unpowered sites with non-flushable toilets. Trust us, the picturesque spots by the lake will make it all worth it. The campsite is also animal friendly and costs the same as the other parks.
Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite – Lake Pearson, South Island
Features:
- 20 unpowered sites
- Scenic spot by the water
- Fires are not permitted at any time
- Toilets (non-flush)
Lake Pearson is also a pretty close campsite to Christchurch, located only one and a half hours away. The campsite is located right on the banks of Lake Pearson, making it a stunning spot to spend the night. It features 20 unpowered sites and non-flushable toilets. Fires are not allowed at this site at any time. Again, the rates are the same.
Peel Forest Campground – Peel Forest, South Island
Features:
- 47 unpowered campsites
- 34 powered sites
- 4 cabins
- Flushing toilets and hot showers
- The communal kitchen has electric elements and one shared fridge.
- Drinking water
The Peel Forest Campground has a bigger range of sites available, including 34 powered and 47 unpowered sites and some 4 cabins. Located in the Peel Forest Park reserve, this site is about 2 hours drive from Christchurch.
As you can see above, the Peel Forest Campsites have a few more advanced features, like drinking water and a communal kitchen. For this reason, it is going to cost you a little more. However, this depends on the site you pick. This site also has several hikes for you to do, like the hike to the Acland Falls, Rangitata River, or the Big Tree.
Round Bush Campsite – Lake Ōhau, South Island
Features:
- 20 unpowered sites
- Scenic spot by a lake
- Toilets (non-flush)
- No running water (water available from the steam)
- Fires not permitted
Another campsite with a breathtaking lake is the Round Bush Campsite, Lake Ōhau. Out of the lot, Round Bush is the furthest site from Christchurch. It’s about 4 hours away. One of the best features of this campsite is how tranquil and isolated it is. The campground is located right next to the lake. It has 20 unpowered sites, no running water, and non-flushable toilets. This site is also free for everyone, but it works on a first-come-first-served basis.
Final Thoughts
These are only a few of the fantastic campsites near Christchurch in New Zealand. As we said earlier, the key to a good trip is good planning. So, do your research and plan your route. You might find some other hidden gems along the way, too.
