If you’re planning a New Zealand road trip with kids, you’re in for a treat!
Something we absolutely love about travelling in New Zealand is how accessible camping is for every budget. Free campsites are everywhere, and we may have found some of the best caravan parks the country has to offer. Best of all? These spots are all fairly close together, so you can easily slot them into your North Island itinerary.
Whether you’re chasing mountain views, lakeside serenity or beachfront bliss, these are our must-stay camps for families.
1. Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park
💰 Cost: Around $96 NZD per night (2 adults + 2 children, powered beachfront site) 📍 Location: Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty
Why we love it: This park is right on the coastal walkway – turn left to wander past cute cafés and restaurants, or turn right to climb Mount Maunganui for panoramic views. If you’re an early riser, the sunrise over the water is magic! If not, grab a coffee and watch the sunset from your camp chair.
The holiday park sits between the harbour and the beach, so you get the best of both worlds. Shops, cafés and a boat ramp are all within walking distance.
Things to do:
Walk to Moturiki Island at low tide
Enjoy the beach view playground a couple of kilometres up the walkway
Mount Maunganui Beachside holiday park camp site on the beachside – perfect for watching the sunset
2. Hamurana Reserve (Rotorua)
💰 Cost:FREE (freedom camping for self-contained vehicles)
Why we love it: You’ll wake up overlooking the lake, with easy access to Rotorua’s incredible natural attractions. Hamurana Reserve is peaceful and surrounded by trees, and the nearby Hamurana Springs are the deepest natural freshwater springs in the North Island.
Things to do:
Swim or soak at Kerosene Creek, a naturally heated creek (~30–35 °C)
Ride the Skyline Rotorua Gondola up the mountain for lunch and breathtaking views
Race the luge (fun for all ages!)
Stroll Eat Street for dinner and dessert
Check out the bubbling mud pools
Explore the massive lakeside playground
Note: Overnight parking here is for self-contained vehicles only, and there are limited spaces (around 10). Rules sometimes change — check the Rotorua Lakes Council site before visiting.
Views from our window at Hamurana Reserve freedom camp area
3. Skifield Road – Mount Ruapehu Area
💰 Cost:FREE
📍 Location: Near Whakapapa Ski Area, Tongariro National Park
Why we love it: Staying near Mount Ruapehu feels like you’ve landed on another planet- think snow-capped peaks, volcanic terrain and absolute quiet. We camped here after a day at the Ruapehu snowfields, and it was the perfect overnight stop before heading toward Rotorua.
Things to know: There isn’t a specific “Skifield Road campsite,” but travellers often stay in freedom-camping zones near Bruce Road Carpark or Whakapapa Village. Make sure your vehicle is fully self-contained, stocked with water and food because there’s nothing nearby.
Views from campo on Skifield Road – Mount Ruapehu Area. It feels like you’re on another planet!
4. Lake Ngaroto (Waikato)
💰 Cost:FREE (self-contained only) 📍 Location: Te Awamutu area, Waikato
Why we love it: A quiet lakeside spot perfect for a reset between destinations. You’ll wake up to stunning water views, birdlife, and a 6 km walking loop around the lake.
It’s also close to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, making it a great stop before or after your caving adventure.
Things to do:
Walk or cycle the Lake Ngaroto track
Enjoy a picnic by the water
Visit the Waitomo Caves (30 min drive) The standard guided tour costs about $140 NZD for a family of four.
Lake Ngaroto (Waikato) freedom camp
5. Mount Taranaki Mountain Carpark (Egmont National Park)
💰 Cost:FREE (freedom camping for self-contained vehicles) 📍 Location: Egmont National Park, Taranaki Region
Why we love it: If waking up beneath an active volcano sounds like your kind of adventure, this one’s for you. The Mount Taranaki mountain carpark offers incredible views straight out to the peak – especially at sunrise and sunset. It’s one of those rare spots that feels remote yet easily accessible, making it a must-stop for any North Island road-trip itinerary.
Things to do:
Walk the Manganui Gorge Track, which crosses a beautiful suspension bridge and offers some of the best views of the mountain.
Explore nearby Manganui Ski Field (great for snow play in winter).
Wander the network of short hikes starting right from the carpark, ideal for families wanting a dose of adventure without huge hikes.
Tip: The weather on Mount Taranaki changes quickly — pack warm layers even in summer, and check DOC updates before heading up.
Waking up to these views at Mount Taranaki after freedom camping for the night is unbelievable!
6. Port Jackson Campsite (Coromandel Peninsula)
💰 Cost: Around $10 NZD per adult, kids free (DOC campground) 📍 Location: Northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula
Why we love it: We saved the best for last! This beachfront DOC campground was our absolute favourite in the North Island.
Set right on the sand, Port Jackson offers coastal walks, fishing and total peace. Shaun even caught two Australian Salmon here – dinner sorted! The drive in is stunning (and mostly gravel), but it’s worth every minute.
Things to do:
Walk the coastal track for incredible views
Go fishing right off the beach
Enjoy the remote serenity — no shops, no crowds, just nature
Port Jackson Camp Ground (DOC) is what dreams are made of
Final Thoughts
Each of these North Island camps offers its own magic – from beachside sunsets at Mount Maunganui, to natural hot springs in Rotorua, to total tranquillity in Coromandel.
They’re all family-friendly, budget-friendly, and easy to weave into a North Island road trip itinerary.
Before you go, double-check campsite rules and pricing (especially for free camps and DOC sites), and make sure your vehicle meets self-contained requirements if needed.
Happy travels – and if you visit any of these spots, tag me so I can follow your adventure!
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