Dreaming of escaping to a land of pristine forests, natural beauty and magnificent mountains? A motorhome road trip visiting some of New Zealand’s 13 national parks will provide you with all the mountains, forests and scenery you can imagine.
Travelling at your own pace and in your own time means you can plan ahead and create an itinerary around which parks you’d like to visit and for how long.
In this blog, we cover all of NZ’s national parks — including Tongariro, Abel Tasman, Arthur’s Pass, Aoraki Mount Cook and Fiordland.
Why travel to NZ’s national parks by motorhome?
Travelling by campervan or motorhome hire through New Zealand’s national parks gives you the flexibility and freedom to:
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Follow a new trail — like the Lake Marian Track in Fiordland National Park
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Discover a secret beach — such as stunning Te Pukatea Bay in the Abel Tasman National Park
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Take a scenic walk or hike — including the rugged Pouakai Crossing in Egmont National Park.
Then, after exploring these exciting new places, which are often off-the-beaten-track, you can enjoy the luxury of returning to your motorhome's creature comforts.
Find out how you can hire a New Zealand motorhome without road restrictions.
Renting the right motorhome for visiting NZ’s national parks
Certain campervans and motorhomes have unique advantages depending on where you plan to explore and how you prefer to travel.
Certified self-containment
Many motorhome rentals will be certified self-contained (CSC) these days, but it’s worth checking during your booking process.
A CSC motorhome allows you to legally freedom camp in designated areas. This means your campervan has a fixed toilet, freshwater and wastewater storage, and a rubbish bin with a lid onboard.
Learn more about CSC motorhomes.
Accessing trailheads
If going off-the-beaten-track is part of your itinerary, consider a campervan best suited to these conditions. Some hiking trailheads can only be accessed via narrow gravel roads — necessitating a more compact model.
The Compact for 2 motorhome is ideal for this type of travel as it’s shorter and easier to drive.
Geography and roading
Research the geography of the national parks you want to visit before booking your vehicle.
Some idyllic campsites are situated in remote locations. For instance, Tōtaranui Campground, at the northern end of the Abel Tasman National Park, is a perfect spot to park up and enjoy a day hike. However, the winding gravel road makes it more suited to campervans or compact motorhomes.
In contrast, Paparoa National Park is easily accessed from State Highway 6 on the West Coast of the South Island — so visiting is ideal with any size recreational vehicle.
The Wānaka Mount Aspiring Road leading to Aspiring National Park is mainly gravel with a few fords to cross. Check your motorhome rental’s terms and conditions to see if you can drive on this kind of surface without facing financial consequences for damaging the underside of the RV.
Parking
Campervan parking in national parks necessitates a little forward planning to know where you can park near the outdoor activity you want to do. You can find designated DOC parking areas, but also campsites that require a fee for the night — often with basic facilities.
Freedom camping within national parks is limited and is generally restricted to CSC vehicles. Outside park boundaries, holiday parks provide more amenities and parking space.
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If comfort is key, look for a motorhome with your personal essential extras. You may want to relax in a spacious lounge before climbing into a made-up bed or be able to cook larger family meals outdoors. Catherine Milford — Motorhome and Travel Writer |
Choosing the national parks that will suit you
Each of New Zealand’s national parks has its own personality. Whether you’re into mountains, coastlines, forests or lakes, there’s a national park that’s ideal for you.
To have a memorable experience at any NZ national park:
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Know the regulations for freedom camping — as only a few let you freedom camp inside the national park, like Fiordland and Westland Tai Poutini
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Look into the access roads ahead of time — to ensure they’re drivable with your chosen recreational vehicle
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Keep an eye on the forecast — as New Zealand weather can be very changeable
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Plan your journey to be longer than expected — as many access roads are narrow, winding and gravel.
Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park is New Zealand’s oldest. Located in the central North Island, it’s a dual World Heritage area for its cultural significance to Māori and outstanding natural features.
The 80,000-hectare park is centred upon three volcanoes:
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Tongariro — a complex of craters with colourful lakes and the incredible Tongariro Alpine Crossing
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Ngauruhoe — the classic cone-shaped volcano made famous as Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings
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Ruapehu — the North Island's highest peak with a crater lake and ski fields.
These volcanoes showcase wonders like emerald-green lakes, alpine gardens, old lava flows, steaming craters and colourful silica terraces.
On the edge of the national park is Tongariro Holiday Park — an easy gateway if you want to explore the region in a motorhome. It’s also an ideal base for attempting the famous crossing or simply a relaxing spot after spending your day adventuring.
If you intend to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, booking a shuttle ride from your accommodation to the trailhead is easy. Most people hike it in seven to eight hours, and your transportation will pick you up from the other end at an arranged time.
Multiple camping options are inside the park. Book the Department of Conservation (DOC) Mangawhero Campsite for a peaceful night in the forest — and enjoy an easy 3.4km walk through Mangawhero Forest.
Mangahuia Campsite is another well-priced camping site that’s more remote and only accessible via a windy gravel road.
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Tongariro National Park tip While you can visit the park year-round, check that ski field roads are accessible in winter. Only attempt mountain roads like those up Mount Ruapehu if you’re a confident RV driver and have hired a more compact motorhome. This area is an active volcano site — so on very infrequent occasions, eruptions can occur without warning. |
Whanganui National Park
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Image by James Heremaia
Home to New Zealand’s longest navigable waterway, the 290km Whanganui River, this central North Island park was created to help protect it.
Within the park are a few DOC campgrounds catering to motorhome travellers. One is Whakahoro Campsite on a flat, grassy riverside Great Walk campsite. You’ll need to book from October to April during the hiking season — or turn up first out of season.
Many visitors come here for the Whanganui Journey. However, it’s a three to five day canoeing or kayaking experience — so it's not suitable if you hire a motorhome.
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Whanganui National Park tip Much of Whanganui National Park is easily accessible. However, the distinctive landscape of river valley systems has created some steep slopes. Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle a section of the Whanganui River. Various operators offer shuttle services if you want a one way trip. You’ll typically be picked up and returned to your vehicle. It's the best way to immerse yourself in the park's beauty and learn about its history and spiritual significance. |
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Whanganui is a wonderful park for birdwatchers — with large numbers of native birds, including kererū, pīwakawaka, kākā and tūī. You can even hear the call of the kiwi at night.
Catherine Milford |
Egmont National Park
With its lush waterfalls, dramatic rainforests and imposing cone-shaped mountain, this historic North Island park is a must if you love to climb or hike. Egmont National Park is also known as Te Papakura o Taranaki and it has 13 entrances all around the mountain — making it one of New Zealand’s most accessible.
If you’re a fit and well-equipped hiker, you might consider attempting a summit climb between January and April — but be prepared for any weather conditions. The summit holds great cultural significance, and visitors are asked to respect this by not standing on the highest point.
The Taranaki Maunga Summit Climb is only for you if you’re fit and well-equipped. It’ll take about eight to ten hours from the North Egmont road end at the visitor centre to summit Mount Taranaki and return. Some visitors stay overnight in the Egmont National Park Visitor Centre — but this one isn’t official, so you risk getting fined.
The park has few official freedom camping sites for motorhome travellers. Dawson Falls Carpark is one freedom camping location where you can officially stay.
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Egmont National Park tip The park is open year-round, but the weather is unpredictable, and temperatures can drop rapidly. You don’t need mountaineering experience to climb Taranaki, though a solid base fitness level is required. Be sure not to miss short hikes around Dawson Falls and the Kamahi Loop Track — which has a goblin forest. |
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A national park no more New Zealand had another North Island national park until 2014 — Te Urewera National Park.
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Nelson Lakes National Park
Nelson Lakes National Park in New Zealand offers a picture-perfect introduction to the Southern Alps with its rugged peaks, glacial lakes, and forested valleys. Home to many native birds and popular for boating and fishing, the park is surrounded by steep mountains and beech forests.
The park is internationally renowned for its pristine natural environment, so strict freedom camping rules are enforced — especially during the busy summer months.
Lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti are at the heart of Nelson Lakes’ 102,000 hectares. The main gateway to Nelson Lakes National Park is St Arnaud, which is:
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A two hour drive from Nelson or Blenheim
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About five hours drive from Christchurch.
Walking and hiking are popular activities with a network of tracks. Longer hikes are available if you’re a serious walker. Day hikes are plentiful with some of the best being:
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Whisky Falls — if you like moss and water falling, this is a worthwhile half day hike from Mount Robert Road
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Lake Rotoroa walking tracks — easy going walks if you just want to stroll and enjoy a picnic lunch
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Lake Rotoiti Circuit — a little more demanding, this hike will take you the whole day to circumnavigate Lake Rotoiti
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Robert Ridge Route — for more advanced hikers, follow this route to the top of the ridge for stunning views, but allow most of the day to get up and down.
During busy periods, campsites book up quickly in Nelson Lakes, so book early. Two DOC camps are available, namely:
Kerr Bay Campsite — only suitable for recreational vehicles less than seven metres long
West Bay Campsite — the jetty zone at West Bay is only open during summer.
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Nelson Lakes National Park tip Due to narrow, winding gravel roads, driving a motorhome in Nelson Lakes can be challenging. If this one’s on your bucket list, a more compact RV may be best. |
Abel Tasman National Park
New Zealand’s smallest national park offers the finest coastal walk in the country. Crystal-clear streams cascade through mossy valleys — with granite and marble formations dominating the headlands, surrounded by native forest.
The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is a popular multiday hike. As a motorhome traveller, you can easily day walk a section or part-section. You also have the option to sea kayak up and down the park's coast from Kaiteriteri and Mārahau.
Abel Tasman National Park campervan sites are abundant at the entrance to the park. This is particularly the case at Mārahau, where you can camp at Old MacDonald’s Farm and Holiday Park or Mārahau Beach Camp and stay a short walk from the southern end of the track.
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Abel Tasman National Park tip Hire a kayak from Mārahau for a half day in the middle of summer and leave early. Kayak past Adele Island and then walk back along the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. The right kayak rental company will arrange to pick your kayak up from one of the beaches at an agreed time. |
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Native wildlife is abundant in the Abel Tasman — with cormorants, gannets, small blue penguins and fur seals often on hand to entertain from a respectable distance. Catherine Milford |
Kahurangi National Park
Image by www.nelsontasman.nz
Located in the northwest of the South Island, Kahurangi is the second-largest national park in New Zealand, stretching from Golden Bay to the West Coast. An outdoor lovers’ paradise, it has 570km of walking tracks — including the incredibly diverse Heaphy Track.
Kahurangi National Park is home to some of the country's oldest rocks, strangest plants and rarest birds. The terrain is complex, with fluted rock, arches, sinkholes, shafts and streams. It’s also home to native creatures like the great spotted kiwi and the giant wētā.
Kōhaihai Campsite is situated at the southern end of the Heaphy Track and is a relatively cheap DOC site suitable for motorhomes and campervans.
You won’t find many freedom camping spots inside the park, but Hawkes Lookout Carpark is one. You’re able to stay a maximum of four nights at this location.
Read our guide to freedom camping in New Zealand.
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Kahurangi National Park tip The isolated drive north of Westport to Karamea is worth it if you prefer to travel where most tourists don’t. The end of the road, not far past Karamea, is the start of the Heaphy Track — one of the country’s great walks. It’s an ideal base for a couple of nights if you want to walk the first section of the trail and back. |
Paparoa National Park
Paparoa is very motorhome-friendly. The coastal drive along State Highway 6 is breathtaking, with plenty of scenic spots to pull over and be in awe.
Pancake rocks, native forests, limestone canyons and stunning cave formations can all be found in this fascinating park at the northern end of the South Island’s West Coast.
The boundaries of this park were carefully established to encompass the extraordinary landscapes and ecosystems, including the:
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Granite and gneiss summits of the Paparoa Range
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Layered rock formations of the 30 million year old Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowholes — where water shoots up between giant rocks.
Paparoa National Park is where the subtropics meet a cooler climate, so you’ll see stunning alpine plants, including some unique to the area. Birdlife is prolific and the only breeding ground for the endemic Westland Black Petrel.
The Punakaiki Beach Camp is a popular base, with full facilities and powered cliffview sites. It’s an ideal location for accessing the Pororari River Track which also doubles as the Paparoa Track — a great walk.
If you’re travelling here in a motorhome, the ideal scenario is to set up camp at Punakaiki Beach Camp for at least two nights. You can take the Porarari River Track as far as you like but you’ll need to return via the same trail.
For a stunning natural landscape feature, follow the trail signs along the Inland Pack Track to the Ballroom Overhang Track. Starting at Fox River car park, expect to take about 90 minutes to get to Fox River Junction, then another two hours to reach the Ballroom Overhang. Double those times for a conservative estimate of how long it’ll take to return to your motorhome.
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Paparoa National Park tip After expending some energy on a hike, don’t miss an afternoon relaxing at the Punakaiki Rocks Hotel & Garden Bar. It’s one of the best rural pubs in the country. |
Arthur’s Pass National Park
Arthur's Pass National Park in New Zealand features a viaduct, waterfalls, high-altitude trails, cheeky kea and a superb drive over the Southern Alps. Historically a Māori hunting route between the east and west coasts of the South Island, the road through Arthur’s Pass National Park is undoubtedly an experience.
The park is full of trails ranging from easy to technically challenging. You have a lot of campsites with limited facilities available for parking up for the night in a CSC motorhome — ideal for accessing some trails. Options include:
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Avalanche Creek Shelter Campsite — in Arthur’s Pass Village
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Klondyke Corner Campsite — a popular summer spot where the famous Coast to Coast run section ends
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Hawdon Shelter Campsite — grassy flats away from the busier village area
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Andrews Shelter Campsite — difficult to access in winter due to snowfall, but isolated and ideal for getting to trailheads in summer
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Lake Pearson Campsite — a popular, often windy site right by the lake.
As you drive through the park, you’ll see parts of the Otira Rail Tunnel — an incredible feat of engineering that runs through 8.5km of rock. Also look for trailheads because there are many in the park. If you’re travelling in a campervan or motorhome, some suitable hikes are:
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Arthur’s Pass Historic and Millennium Walks — easy short walks in the heart of the Arthur’s Pass Village
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Devils Punchbowl Walking Track — small and big kids alike will love the 131m waterfall at the end of this relatively short trail
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Avalanche Peak Route — if you have the whole day, consider yourself an expert hiker and want to see some epic views from the top of the peak
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Old Coach Road — an easy-going forest walk that begins east of Arthur’s Pass Village near Greyneys Shelter.
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Arthur’s Pass National Park tip Kea are prominent inside the park, so you’ll likely have some interaction with them. They’re highly intelligent, curious alpine parrots, but they can also be mischievous. Keep your food and valuables secure — and never feed them. It's important for their health and wild behaviour. |
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Home to the highest mountains and the longest glaciers, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand is true alpine territory. One of the most spectacular drives along State Highway 80 will get you there.
The park features 23 mountain peaks over 3,000 metres high among its remote expanse of ice and rock, making it surprisingly accessible. Some of the best camping is here with little light pollution obstructing the brilliant night sky.
White Horse Hill Campground managed by DOC is the only camping you’ll find within the national park. Facilities are basic but the views are spectacular.
Glentanner Park Centre is also an excellent camp to use as a base, even though it’s on the shores of Lake Pukaki just outside the park. It has both powered and non-powered sites.
Aoraki Mount Cook is a mecca for mountaineers but also has plenty to offer non-climbers. Well-marked tracks like the Hooker Valley Track and Tasman Glacier View Track are exceptional, and both can easily be hiked in a morning or afternoon.
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Aoraki Mount Cook National Park tip The nearest petrol stations are quite far away in Lake Tekapo and Twizel, so ensure your recreational vehicle has enough fuel to get to the park, enjoy it and move on. |
Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park is a hiker’s paradise encompassing stunning valleys, mountain saddles and a plethora of trails. This breathtaking park is home to glaciers, snowfields and native birdlife —
plus one of the country’s most recognisable and visually appealing peaks, Mount Aspiring.
The park is also a popular spot for adrenaline junkies, with canyoning, cable climbing and skydiving all available. If you’re into something more tranquil, like fishing, you’ll find opportunities to cast a line here with the proper permit and in the right places.
The most common access to the park is via Wānaka Mount Aspiring Road, which follows the Matukituki River. It should only be attempted in a four wheel drive motorhome or at least one with high ground clearance. With several fords to cross, you may damage the underside of your motorhome hire.
A better option is to pull into one of the stunning campgrounds just outside the park boundary for a few nights, such as:
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Hampshire Holiday Parks Glendhu Bay — located right on the shoreline of beautiful Lake Wānaka
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Hampshire Holiday Parks Wānaka — situated in the town of Wānaka with a range of facilities, including a playground, making it ideal for families
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Mt. Aspiring Holiday Park — in the hills just outside town with a relaxed vibe, powered sites and clean amenities.
From these locations, you’ll be able to jump on transport to the Raspberry Creek Carpark and some trailheads without the worry of damaging your RV.
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Mount Aspiring National Park tip While the Matukituki Valley can be safely walked at any time of year, most walks are best undertaken between November and March. Conditions can change rapidly, so be prepared and let DOC know if you’re heading out on a longer walk. |
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
The home of Glacier Country is where you’ll encounter Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are the two most well-known because they’re so accessible and extend far down the mountain close to the towns of the same names.
Scenic helicopter and aeroplane flights with skydiving options give the area a buzz — with hiking on the glacier a highly sought-after activity.
Fox Glacier Top 10 Holiday Park is one of the best bases for exploring the region. The camp has stunning views of the nearby mountains and heated bathrooms — something you’ll appreciate in the colder months.
Book a few nights at Rainforest in the town of Franz Josef Glacier for powered campervan sites situated amongst the lush rainforest.
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Westland Tai Poutini National Park tip The highest rainfall per annum in New Zealand occurs on the West Coast so be prepared to get wet at some stage during your journey to Westland Tai Poutini. |
Fiordland National Park
Dramatic and powerful, this land of ancient rainforests, massive fiords, pristine lakes and awe-inspiring waterfalls is a United Nations World Heritage site. Comprising 14 fiords in the southwest corner of the South Island, author Rudyard Kipling once described Fiordland National Park as the eighth wonder of the world.
In New Zealand, it’s also known as Te Wāhipounamu, which means the place of greenstone — due to its treasured mineral resource. The park is a wealth of nature where you can:
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Hike parts of three great walks
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Take a dark sky tour
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Spot bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins.
With 500km of walking tracks, you’ll never be short of places to wander, though parking can be limited at some prime tourist hotspots during the summer peak season.
Freedom camping in a recreational vehicle is prohibited within the national park to help protect its incredibly precious and sensitive environment. However, there are some DOC campsites capable of supporting motorhomes, like:
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Henry Creek Campsite — on the shores of Lake Te Anau
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Cascade Creek Campsite — near Lake Gunn.
The town of Te Anau has a few holiday park options with full facilities, but they’re a little more expensive.
If you decide to drive to Milford Sound, there’s one place you can stay the night in your motorhome rental — Milford Sound Lodge. Just bring plenty of insect repellent and beware of strictly enforced parking restrictions.
Check out our Christchurch to Milford Sound road trip itinerary.
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Fiordland National Park tip Due to the narrow, winding roads, you’ll need to be cautious when driving to Milford in a large motorhome. Winter brings black ice, so previous motorhome driving experience may help you take on this challenging route. Also, be aware of the possibility of being snowed in and isolated in Milford Sound. Alternatively, take a combination of boat and bus rides to Doubtful Sound from Manapouri — an equally incredible experience. |
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You’ll find plenty of DOC campsites and short walks on the Milford Road to pause and take in the breathtaking scenery. Catherine Milford |
Rakiura National Park
Image by Liz Carlson
New Zealand’s third island in the far south is Stewart Island. It has 2,000 square kilometres of land, almost all of which is Rakiura National Park. The most recent of the country’s national parks, it’s an enchanting world of unspoiled coastal rainforests, freshwater wetlands, sand dunes and granite mountain ranges.
Rakiura means the land of glowing skies — named after its breathtaking sunsets and because it’s an ideal location for seeing the southern lights of the Aurora Australis. At night, you’ll hear the calls of nocturnal birdlife, including the ruru, Stewart Island weka and southern brown kiwi.
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Rakiura National Park tip Campervans and motorhomes cannot access Stewart Island, as there are only passenger ferries and small plane flights to the main town of Oban. If you desperately want to see Rakiura, you can park your motorhome in the safe lock-up parking zone right next to the ferry terminal in Bluff. Consider a day trip or an overnight stay at the jovial South Sea Hotel. |
Extra tips for your national park visit
All of New Zealand’s national parks have a unique beauty and offer unrivalled experiences with nature. Although they may be quite different from each other, some essential points apply to each of them, such as:
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Checking the weather regularly through Metservice before reaching the national park — as New Zealand's weather can be unpredictable and change rapidly
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Utilising DOC as a resource for national park information — like local regulations, maps and campsites
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Keeping updated with any road changes — such as closures and roadworks at the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
FAQs about exploring NZ’s national parks by campervan
Check out our wide range of motorhome road trip itineraries to find the best route to your favourite national parks.
