Free camping in Otago

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

Our picks

Campground · TarrasHidden gem
Lindis Pass Historic Hotel campsite
Free tussock-country camp beside the ruins of an old hotel.
Campground · St BathansHidden gem
St Bathans Domain
Free tidy camp in a ghost-town setting near the Blue Lake.
Campground · NasebyHidden gem
Danseys Pass Campsite
Basic free creekside camp on the old Danseys Pass road.
Campground · St BathansHidden gem
Homestead Campsite (Hawkdun)
Isolated free camp in the Hawkdun Ranges, good for mountain biking and tramping.
Campground · ArrowtownHidden gem
Macetown Campsite
Remote camping at an old gold town, reached by a rough 4WD track.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · BendigoHidden gem
Bendigo Camping Area (LINZ)
Free LINZ rest area on SH8 where tents are allowed, three nights a month, with toilets.
Freedom camping · Owaka
Owaka freedom camping
Free overnight area in Owaka, handy for the Catlins coast.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · Cromwell GorgeHidden gem
Champagne Gully Camping Area (LINZ)
Free LINZ stop in the Cromwell Gorge: one night a month, toilets, tents allowed.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · Cromwell GorgeHidden gem
Jacksons Inlet Camping Area (LINZ)
Free one-night lakeside stop on SH8 for self-contained vehicles, no toilets.

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 · Brighton · Free
Brighton Domain Carpark
Directions
Free camp · Clyde · Free
Burton Creek Recreation Reserve
Directions
Holiday park · Gibbston · Free
Crown Range Summit
Directions
Holiday park · Kingston · Free
Kingston - SC only
Toilets
Directions
Holiday park · Cromwell · Free
Lowburn Harbour
Toilets
Directions
Holiday park · Brighton · Free
Ocean View Reserve
Toilets · Drinking water · Dump station
Directions
Free camp · Waipiata · Free
Campsite
Directions
Free camp · Moeraki · Free
Campsite
Toilets
Directions
Free camp · Free
Campsite
Directions
Holiday park · Omakau · Free
Caravan park
Directions
Holiday park · Papatowai · Free
Caravan park
Directions
Holiday park · Luggate · Free
Caravan park
Directions
Holiday park · Otakou · Free
Caravan park
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.