Free camping in Manawatū-Whanganui

16 free and low-cost places to camp in Manawatū-Whanganui, with facilities and directions, and the ones we’d go back to first.

Our picks

Campground · OhakuneHidden gem
Pokaka Mill Campsite
Free, basic DOC site in the Tongariro Forest. Rough road in.
Freedom camping · National ParkHidden gem
Waimarino Park and Ride KiwiCamp
Cheap camper-van base beside Tongariro with showers, laundry and dump station.
Freedom camping · National Park
KiwiCamp Waimarino Park and Ride
Paid campervan park beside Tongariro National Park, NZ$10 a night, booked via KiwiCamp.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · PongaroaHidden gem
Pongaroa freedom campsite and domain
Volunteer-run freedom campsite at Pongaroa on SH52.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · AlfredtonHidden gem
Alfredton Domain
Basic free domain camping at Alfredton with toilets and picnic tables.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · WoodvilleHidden gem
Woodville Ferry Reserve
Free riverside reserve by the Manawatū River with toilets and drinking water.

Freedom camping is allowed on much public land, but each council sets its own rules and many sites are for certified self-contained vehicles only. Fines run up to NZ$1,000, so check the sign or the council’s map before you stay.

Every other place we know

Holiday park · Castlecliff · Free
Castlecliff Beach Freedom Camping #1 (self-contained only)
Directions
Holiday park · Castlecliff · Free
Castlehill Beach Freedom Camping #2 (self-contained only)
Directions
Free camp · Ruaroa · Free
Kumeti campsite
Directions
Holiday park · Kai Iwi Beach · Free
Mowhanau Lookout freedom Camping
Toilets · Drinking water
Directions
Holiday park · Orautoha · Free
Ruatiti domain
Directions
Holiday park · Sanson · Free
Sanson Domain Freedom Camping
Toilets
Directions
Holiday park · Free
Tāngarākau Gorge SC Campsite
Directions
Free camp · Manakau · Free
Waikawa Campsite
Toilets
Directions
Free camp · Pahiatua · Free
Campsite
Directions
Holiday park · Whanganui East · Free
Caravan park
Wi-Fi
Directions

From OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), the Department of Conservation (CC BY 4.0) and Roadtrip’s own research. Check prices, rules and booking with the site.