Campervan and tent
Holiday parks
In almost every town and tourist spot. Powered sites for campervans, tent sites and simple cabins, with shared kitchens, hot showers and laundry. Great for families and for a reset every few nights.
Plan your trip
Where to stay in New Zealand
From a powered site by the lake to a lodge with a view: the main kinds of places to stay, what they cost in effort and money, and how to choose.
New Zealand has a place to stay for every budget and every kind of trip. Most travellers mix several: a campsite by a beach, a motel after a long drive, a bach for a few days in one spot. Here is what each one is like.
Close to nature
DOC campsites
Run by the Department of Conservation in national parks and beside lakes, rivers and beaches. From basic (a toilet and stream water) to serviced (showers and a kitchen). Cheap, beautiful and popular in summer.
Self-contained only
Freedom camping
Free camping on public land, allowed in some places for certified self-contained vehicles with the green warrant. Rules differ by council. Read our freedom camping guide before you stop.
The Kiwi classic
Baches and holiday homes
A bach (a crib in the south) is a simple holiday home, often near the water. Rent one for a few nights to live like a local: your own kitchen, a deck and room for the whole group.
Treat yourself
Lodges and boutique hotels
New Zealand's luxury lodges sit in some of its most remote, beautiful spots: lakes, high country stations and coastlines. Boutique hotels in the cities and wine regions sit in between.
Budget and social
Hostels and backpackers
Dorms and private rooms with shared kitchens in every tourist town. A good way to meet other travellers, swap tips and find work if you're on a working holiday.
Also worth knowing
Motels, farm stays and huts
Motels are everywhere in New Zealand and are usually self-contained units with a small kitchen: ideal on a road trip, when you just want a hot shower and a bed after a long drive.
Farm stays put you on a working farm, sheep, cows and all, often with a home-cooked dinner. A good choice with children.
Backcountry huts, run by DOC, are found along the tramping tracks: simple bunks, a stove (sometimes) and water. Huts on the Great Walks must be booked; many others work on a hut pass or ticket.
How to choose
A few tips
- Book ahead for summer. December to February, and especially around Christmas and New Year, popular places fill months ahead.
- Mix it up. Campsites for scenery, a motel when the weather turns, a bach to slow down.
- Check what's included. Many motels and baches have kitchens; many lodges include dinner.
- Allow for driving time. Distances take longer than the map suggests. See driving in New Zealand.
- Watch the budget. Read New Zealand on a budget for ways to save.