Travelling by motorhome or campervan around New Zealand is an immersive and immensely rewarding experience. However, it also comes with regulations — and the rules around parking are some of the most important.
Understanding the local campervan parking rules and regulations is vital for creating an enjoyable journey without unexpected expenses or fines.
In this blog, we clarify the types of RV parking in NZ, examine the different overnight camping options available and explain how to find daytime motorhome parks. We also highlight some rules, regulations and tips.
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New Zealand takes the conservation of its natural environment seriously. Regulations around motorhome parking are designed to protect the incredible landscapes and ensure that both locals and travellers alike enjoy positive outdoor experiences.
Types of motorhome parking in New Zealand
New Zealand's dedication to preserving nature is evident in its campervan parking regulations — both during the day and overnight.
You can expect specific rules when parking in a town or city in the daytime compared with freedom camping or staying in a holiday park at night. To avoid penalties and ensure you're parking in the right places, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the country’s parking rules.
During the day, you have options like designated motorhome car parks, supermarket car parks, rest areas and even some regular car parks.
As dusk approaches, you’ll need to organise an official place to stay overnight, such as a holiday park, Department of Conservation (DOC) campground, council campsite or a freedom camping spot.
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Don’t park against the grain
It’s common in parts of Europe and Asia to park on either side of the road facing either direction. New Zealand doesn’t allow that.
You have to park in the same direction as the traffic flow on your side of the street — if you can find a roadside park long enough for your motorhome. So, pulling over to your left to park in a free parking space is fine, but it’s not okay to cross the road and park on the right, facing onward traffic. |
Parking your motorhome during the day
Daytime motorhome parking follows many of the same rules required for parking a regular car. You'll find marked parking spaces in cities, towns and tourist spots — with some parks specifically designated for larger vehicles like motorhomes.
Motorhome car parks
Some cities and towns allocate certain areas or spaces for parking recreational vehicles — often with oversized bays to accommodate their larger size.
A prime example is the Boundary Street Car Park in central Queenstown. One of the only RV parking facilities in town, it’s a spacious parking lot only a few minutes walk from the lakeshore.
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Boundary Street beware
Be sure to enter and exit Boundary Street Car Park in Queenstown via Gorge Road. If you follow GPS navigation, you may enter the parking area via a narrow bridge — and it’s not suitable for large vehicles like motorhomes. |
Regular public car parks
Parking a recreational vehicle in regular public car parks is sometimes possible — if your motorhome fits within the designated space. It’s vital to check signage for any time restrictions or parking fees that may apply — and you don’t want to obstruct traffic or pedestrian access.
In some towns, parking is parallel to the road, and the spaces are too small for a motorhome. Be wary of parking across two ticketed parking spaces on the side of the road. You’ll likely get a ticket for feeding only one parking meter.
Multilevel parking buildings
New Zealand parking buildings with multiple levels are generally unsuitable for recreational vehicles like motorhomes and campervans. This is due to:
- Height restrictions — multilevel parking buildings often have low ceilings and tight clearances because they’re designed for standard cars and are unable to accommodate the height of most RVs
- Weight limits — some multilevel parking structures may have weight limits that would exclude larger recreational vehicles
- The lack of space — tight corners and narrow ramps in these parking buildings can make it challenging to manoeuvre larger vehicles.
Supermarket car parks
Some supermarkets offer dedicated spaces for larger vehicles, including motorhomes.
The length of most motorhomes and many campervans won’t fit in a single regular space. If you can’t find an oversized vehicle car park, you’ll usually be fine parking longitudinally across two parking spaces.
Just be sure to check for signage and any restrictions on where to park an RV and the length of stay.
Rest areas and scenic spots
Driving around New Zealand features a wide variety of scenic tourist spots and relaxing rest areas on the side of the road. It’s usually easy for vehicles of all sizes, including campervans and motorhomes, to pull into these locations so you can have a brief driving break.
Although suitable for daytime parking over short periods, most don’t allow freedom camping overnight. Check the on-site signage and download the CamperMate app through Google Play or the App Store to be sure of the rules and regulations.
Take a look at our top ten rest stops on New Zealand roads.
Overnight parking in a motorhome in New Zealand
Parking overnight in a motorhome or campervan is naturally more regulated than daytime parking. New Zealand offers several options, including holiday parks, DOC campsites and freedom camping.
Holiday parks and other commercial campgrounds
Commercial camping grounds like holiday parks offer parking overnight — along with a wide range of services and amenities, such as:
- Powered and unpowered sites
- Communal kitchens and barbecue areas
- Bathroom and laundry facilities
- Recreational areas — like playgrounds, swimming pools and gaming rooms
- WiFi connectivity.
It’s essential to book these types of camping grounds well in advance if you’re planning to travel over summer or school holiday periods. At other times of the year, you can probably turn up and get a site.
Commercial campground environments are ideal for young families with kids who crave fun outdoor activities. Read our blog on travelling with kids in a motorhome for more tips on how to keep your youngest family members entertained.
Department of Conservation campsites
Significantly more affordable than holiday parks and often located in the country’s most scenic areas, DOC sites have facilities ranging from a single water tap to showers and a kitchen.
You can find more than 200 DOC campsites across New Zealand, though not all cater to overnight parking for motorhome and campervan travellers. However, those that do offer a more rustic camping experience surrounded by raw nature.
Some DOC sites operate on a first come, first served basis. Others require you to book in advance — especially during peak seasons. Head to the DOC website to book the campsites you want.
Find out more about motorhome camping at DOC sites in New Zealand.
Freedom camping sites
Camping on public land outside a formal campsite or holiday park is commonly called freedom camping. These locations are some of the best free campsites for campervans — they’re popular overnight parking options for motorhome travellers who want to immerse themselves in NZ’s natural beauty.
How to find freedom camping locations
Although the name freedom camping suggests you can simply pull over to the side of the road and park up anywhere for the night, that’s not the case. You risk being fined by the local council.
Check that your motorhome rental displays a blue certified self-contained sticker — to let you stay in authorised freedom camping areas. You can find out where all of New Zealand’s freedom camping areas are by:
- Going to individual council websites — before arriving in those particular parts of the country
- Visiting i-SITE centres — as you reach each region
- Downloading New Zealand camping apps like CamperMate or Rankers Camping NZ — to research freedom camping spots in advance.
Discover more about freedom camping in New Zealand.
Council-owned camping areas
Most local councils across NZ operate their own campsites in scenic reserves, regional parks and also near water sources like rivers, lakes and the sea. Ideal for parking up overnight, these sites range from basic to developed and are usually affordable and well-maintained.
Like with freedom camping, each council sets its own regulations for campervan and motorhome parking — so the rules can differ between regions. Some councils may let you freedom camp in certain areas, while others may restrict it.
To avoid having to pay a fine, check the local regulations on the respective council website before staying overnight. Most campsites operate on a first come, first served basis.
Learn more about regional park camping.
Rules and regulations for motorhome freedom camping and parking
New Zealand has a national framework of rules for motorhome parking — and for freedom camping overnight. However, the specifics of where and how depend heavily on the bylaws of each region and council.
National freedom camping rules for motorhome travellers
The country’s national freedom camping regulations are outlined under the Freedom Camping Act 2011. This framework defines a self-contained recreational vehicle and gives local councils the power to add bylaws that work for their areas.
In choosing to freedom camp, you must:
- Camp in designated locations — as outlined by local councils under their specific bylaws
- Park in a permitted parking spot — taking care not to park slightly outside an area and not as an extra RV when the quota of spaces has been filled
- Be in a certified self-contained recreational vehicle — meaning one that has its own toilet, rubbish storage, and fresh and wastewater tanks.
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Self-containment certification changes for freedom camping in an RV
Changes are coming over the next year to improve waste management and minimise the environmental impact of freedom camping in New Zealand. Those changes include:
• A requirement to have an onboard fixed toilet — RVs with portable toilets won’t be certified as self-contained anymore under the new regulations
• Tougher standards — for ventilation, rubbish storage, water supply and wastewater systems.
Motorhome and campervan rental operators will need to ensure their vehicles meet the new standards so their customers can freedom camp legally. A green warrant will be issued to all RVs that meet the improved standards. |
Regional variations through bylaws
Local councils may have their own bylaws governing motorhome parking. For example, some regions may completely ban freedom camping or restrict it to specific locations. Find out the regulations for the regions you plan to visit to avoid having your motorhome holiday soured by a fine.
You can find each council’s website through Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ).
Infringement penalties
Breaking or ignoring New Zealand’s freedom camping regulations can result in hefty fines ranging from $200 to $1,000. You can also be fined for not meeting the country’s parking regulations.
Parking responsibly during the day and overnight, out of respect for the local environment and community, is an important aspect of motorhome travel in New Zealand.
Tips for responsible campervan parking in New Zealand
Follow these RV parking tips to help preserve New Zealand's natural beauty and ensure positive experiences for your travel group and the local communities you encounter.
- Research parking options and regulations before travelling — so you know the rules and what to expect.
- Rural areas often have free day parking — whereas urban cities and towns have mostly paid parking using parking meters or pay-and-display systems.
- Freedom camping areas can fill up quickly during peak travel seasons — so aim to reach your destination in the early afternoon to get an allocated spot.
- Always check for signage or local regulations when you reach a potential freedom camping location.
- Avoid parking in prohibited areas — to respect the local environment and residents' wishes.
- Parking can be limited with restrictions on oversized vehicles in some busy tourist areas — particularly during the peak summer season and school holidays.
- Always dispose of your rubbish, recycling, black water and grey water at designated dump stations — not overnight at freedom camping spots.
- Avoid multilevel parking buildings — unless you're absolutely sure they can accommodate your campervan hire.
- Be mindful of your surroundings — to minimise disturbances to wildlife.
New Zealand has plenty of designated daytime parking options if you decide to travel by motorhome. The country also has a vast network of freedom camping sites, holiday parks, council campsites and DOC camping grounds — for overnight stays.
Understanding the local regulations as you move between regions is essential for ensuring your travel adventures are issue-free and enjoyable.
Check out the best campervan spots to park up across New Zealand.
