Why not stop and stay a while?
Angela Bryan
Introducing Stop and Stay, where to stop when travelling and camping in NZ — use it, share it, add to it.
NZ’s national camping club, All Points Camping, is proud to bring you their growing, nationwide, Stop and Stay listings for campers and travellers.
With the NZ Government and local authorities moving to restrict camping access for both traveling NZers and for recreational campers, it is more important than ever to have recommended places to stop and stay.
Finding that perfect spot to relax or get together with family and friends is getting harder and you shouldn’t have to belong to specific organisations to get access to an overnight park. Stop and Stay brings you this. It’s a free resource for NZ campers and travellers, brought to you by campers, for campers. Its free, too, for property owners to be on the list.
Stop overs come recommended; some are discounted; they are scattered throughout the country: north, south, east or west there is likely to be a Stop and Stay property on your way. It might be a country pub for a meal, a rural property, a council reserve, a DOC camp; it might be a commercial campground to stay at or a unique day-stop or cafe to visit on your travels.
Properties are recommended by the camping public, so you know that they are the best places for NZ travelling campers.
Remember to always check with hosts first — phone numbers are provided on most listings, and keep in mind that some properties have restrictions. Dog-friendly properties are indicated on each listing, as are wheelchair accessible properties.
Anyone one can access the list or make recommendations, not just club members. The listings can be accessed online on any device, they can be downloaded or printed: stopandstaynz.org
Can it get any easier?
Can’t find a property in the area you are travelling to?
Some areas around NZ have more listings than others; we are always keen to add to the current listings, provided the property has come with recommendations from campers. Tell us about your favourite camping spot, no matter where it is, and what makes it special. Is it right off the beach for an easy fish before breakfast, is it a great spot to go camping with the family pooch, is it super family-friendly with great entertainment for the kids? We want to know. It is as easy as filling in a form: ckw.nz/add-one-now
Our regional divisions:North Island: Upper NICentral NI Lower NI
South Island:Upper SI Lower SI
Symbols on each listing make it easy to find the property that suits you at a glance, including seaside, countryside, or mountains.If you want to fish, go boating , tramping or cycling we have pretty much covered all the options.
New Zealand has so many hidden, out of the way little places that may not otherwise appear on your radar when you’re looking for that special place to Stop and Stay.
If you find A SPOTdon’t keep it a secret: ckw.nz/add-one-now
Some of those special places
North Island
Lake Aniwhenua Reserve,Bay of Plenty, Whakatane FREE
This is a freedom camping area with basic toilet and shower facilities and a cooking shelter.
The lake is a popular trout fishery and water ski area.
Camping in non-self-contained vehicles and tents is allowed. Sites must be left clean.
Who: Tents, caravans, motorhomes, vans
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water
Activities: Hiking, fishing, swimming, boats and water sports
Vinegar Hill, Manawatu Low cost/Free
Awesome campsite located right next to the river. A peaceful, council-operated campground, situated just north of Hunterville on the bypass route into the beautiful Manawatu district.
Who: Tents, caravans, motorhomes, vans
Facilities: Toilets and cold showers
Activities: Fishing, swimming, cycling, hiking
Cost: Low cost in summer; free in winter
Historic Maritime Museum & Park, Paeroa, Waikato Low cost
Five minutes from Paeroa the Historic Maritime Museum and Park has beautifully laid out grounds, river boardwalks and daily boat rides.
Who: Caravans, motorhomes, vans:must be self-contained
Facilities: Toilets, BBQ’s, fresh water
Activities: Hiking, cycling, river boat rides, museum
South Island
Hanmer Amenity AreaHanmer Springs, Canterbury Free
Just behind the DOC fenced compound is a lovely reasonably flat camping area. There’s a stream, several walking and cycling tracks. It’s an easy walk into the town and the famous Hanmer Springs pools.
Who: Tents, caravans, motorhomes, vans: non-self-contained is allowed; dogs allowed.
Facilities: Toilets
Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, cycling
Round Bush CampsiteLake Ohau, Waitaki, Canterbury Free
Beautiful beech forest, hung with mistletoe in summer, grows right up to the edge of Lake Ohau. Stunning views of Lake Ohau and the mountains. It’s a gravel road from the Ohau township. Bring insect repellant. Large vehicle access. 4 nights max. DOC.
Who: Tents, caravans, motorhomes, vans
Facilities: Non-flush toilet, water from stream.
Activities: Boating, swimming, walks, photography.
Bendigo freedom campingCromwell – Lindis Crossing Rd Free
A beautiful site between the road (SH8) and Lake Dunstan looking across to the Pisa Range. Flush toilets, rubbish bins. 3 nights max. No fires. Some road noise.
Who: Tents, caravans, motorhomes, vans
Facilities: Flush toilets, rubbish bins.
Activities: swimming, boating, walks.
a growing, nationwide, Stop and Stay listing for campers and travellers
