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New Zealand offers many options

Travelling in a campervan gives you several options to choose from where to spend each night. Broadly the choices are: caravan parks and campgrounds, National Parks and even free stays!

The following guide will give you information on all of these, as well as providing important links that will help you plan your accommodation thoughout your journey.

Staying in Caravan Parks and Holiday Parks

Staying in a caravan park is the luxury way to experience your campervan holiday, but as you know, luxury costs money! The rates of most caravan parks are usually very reasonable, yet this will depend on location, time of the year and the type of accommodation option you choose.

Caravan Parks provide facilities that will make your campervan experience more comfortable. Many of the parks offer easy access to electricity and water, which allows you to replenish your onboard supplies and recharge your motorhome battery. They provide facilities such as toilets, showers, laundries and camp kitchens, which will make your stay just that little bit easier.

Many parks also feature swimming pools, tennis courts, recreation rooms and even spas. This will add a further element of luxury and comfort to your stay and will allow you to sit back, relax and unwind.

It is advisable to book ahead, especially at the places you really want to stay at. However, some caravan parks will let you stay without a reservation, but always be aware of peak times in the year, which often bring with them changing rates and availabilities.

Staying in a caravan park is essentially the best way to go about your campervan holiday. They are ideally positioned so that you can enjoy the surrounding scenery and attractions, therefore offering the best places to stay!

To find a caravan park to suit you, check out the following:

• Itineraries - each itinerary has several caravan parks that you can choose from to stay. View our itineries page.
• Kiwi Holiday Parks - come highly recommended and more information can be found at http://www.kiwiholidayparks.com/
• Family Parks New Zealand - is an independant group of holiday parks that provide a unique family atmosphere. For more information visit http://www.familyparks.co.nz/NewZealand.asp
• Top 10 Holiday Parks - offer affordable accommodation right across New Zealand http://www.top10.co.nz/
• Holiday parks - camping grounds http://www.holidayparks.co.nz
• Jasons - accomm and more camp sites http://www.jasons.co.nz/
• Great NZ Accommodation Directory - huge range of accommodation options in New Zealand http://www.greatnewzealand.co.nz/Directory/accommodation/

Staying in National Parks

The Department of Conservation manages over 200 areas of conservation throughout New Zealand, including many of its National Parks. The conservation parks feature lush forest, lake shores or sandy or pebbled beach settings, with each offering a wide range of camping grounds and facilities.

Conservation Campsites are a great place to relax, enjoy and explore the great outdoors. They allow you to get back in touch with nature and escape the crowds at an extremely affordable rate!

Licences and Permits - Licences and permits are required to undertake certain activities in the conservation parks. These activities include hunting, fishing and commercial activities, so insure that you plan ahead and apply for one if you are going to partake in any of these practices.

Camping - Bookings are required for all of the serviced and some of the standard camp sites. Fees vary depending on where the park is situated and whether or not it is serviced. You can find out more about the individual pricing by visiting http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=38355

For a comprehensive guide on the Department of Conservation and New Zealand's National Parks, visit their detailed website http://www.doc.govt.nz/

Free Stays ("Freedom Camping")

Motorhomes have dual battery systems, one for starting the campervan, one for the internal appliances such as lights, fridge and water pump. These batteries will last approximately 12 hours when fully charged depending on usage. Some vehicles have solar panels too. All these features make it possible to stay overnight without power or water facilities.

Free stays are handy to throw into travel as they can save you a bit of money, we recommend you mix these with Campgrounds and National Park stays though.

Local authorities maintain and regulate free stays in each region, so we recommend you check with the local information center on arrival. Free camping is permitted in most areas of New Zealand. However watch out for signposted areas where camping is prohibited as you may get fined.

Also, be considerate of the environment and be sure not to litter or leave the area damaged. “Freedom campers” have coped a lot of flak in recent times in New Zealand for leaving behind unsightly messes including human waste. Please leave our environment in the same condition you found it! Doing this will ensure that free stay across New Zealand remains available for many years to come!

http://www.camping.org.nz/

It is advised to pre-book sites where you can however most campervan parks do accept new arrivals.

If you haven't booked make sure you arrive late morning or early afternoon so you don't miss out on a site.  The summer period over Christmas and New Year are busy times therefore bookings are generally essential.