There are so many apps you can use to find freedom camping spots in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We’ve been on the road here for almost two years now and we still use them all! They each have their own advantages, so we haven’t been able to cut down on the amount of apps on our phones. We do, however, use some more than others. We wanted to give you an overview of them all here so you can figure out if you’ll just use one or interchange through all of them like us!
Be sure to check out our Instagram to see the best freedom camping spots in New Zealand!
CamperMate
A great comprehensive app that has everything you need. From campsites to dump stations to gas refills, CamperMate has you covered. They even have exclusive “Driveway Stays” that can be booked through the app. These range from literally a piece of grass or concrete on someone’s driveway to large park/grounds where multiple campers can stay and explore.
We love that all the Campgrounds are colour coded on the app for easy use.
- Green = Free, we use these the most as we love a good freedom camp.
- Blue = Cheap, these range from stay behind clubs on private property to KiwiCash campsites and Driveway stays.
- Purple = Most expensive, which is usually a proper campground like your top 10 sites. We do stay at these but we book directly instead of through CamperMate.
Pros: Camping colour codes for different types of camping, plenty of reviews, driveway stays offer additional options.
Cons: Lacks quite a few of the free options that the other apps show.
Rankers
Similar to CamperMate, Rankers has listings for different services you may use. We haven’t found it quite as user friendly, but it is nice to read reviews over two different apps. The good thing about Rankers is they show you the review score of a campsite on the map, with a numbered icon as the location. If the review score isn’t very high, we won’t bother looking further into that campsite. They also have the ability to download their listings. This is great if you’re headed somewhere with little to no internet, which in remote New Zealand happens frequently.
Pros: Easy ranking system that is the first thing you see about a campsite. Ability to download listings is helpful.
Cons: Sometimes have to zoom in quite close to see options, making it hard to see what’s in the area. No way of knowing the type of camp until you click on each option.
WikiCamps
WikiCamps is very popular in Australia so it’s no surprise it makes a showing in New Zealand as well. You have to pay to get the app in NZ, however it’s only $2.49NZD one time fee. It’s our least used of these four apps, so try out CamperMate and Rankers before spending big on this one! Honestly, the only reason we still use it is that we’ve already paid for it.
It seems to have a few more of the obscure sites that are council dependant that the other apps don’t have. This is handy in areas with limited freedom camping spots. However, these sites tend to not have signs stating you can or cannot camp there, so it’s important to check the council bylaws just to double check that you are okay to camp there. The app gives you the ability to favourite spots that you like so you don’t forget about them and can return to visit at a later date. We don’t really use this feature as we tend not to backtrack, but I’m sure some people would love this.
Pros: More spots to choose from than other apps.
Cons: Costs money. Sometimes lacks reviews and information about the sites.
NZMCA
The app we’ve gotten most recently, but now we use it the most. After being hesitant for so long in regards to buying a NZMCA membership, we bit the bullet and gave it a try. Their website only shows the NZMCA camps (Which almost always have dump stations and water) as places to stay so we were unsure if this would be worth it as the proper campsites are not that numerous. However, once you sign up, you get shown a whole host of other camping options that only NZMCA members can stay at. These are referred to as Park Over Properties (POPs) and are often free or very cheap. POPs vary in size and what they offer, ranging from parking lots joined to businesses to paddocks or parks. The app also shows freedom camping spots and services much like the others do, so this one is usually our one stop app.
Really, the downside to this is the cost of the membership fees. If you are only coming to New Zealand for a short trip, then it’s not worth it. However, if you plan to stay awhile and are going to use the ferry to get between the islands, then it’s definitely worth it. The membership gives you a discount on the ferry, which covers your membership fees. To join, you need to be either a New Zealand resident or a member of an affiliate club in your country of residency. If you’re Australian like us, it actually works out cheaper to first join the Aussie version (the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia) and then join the NZMCA. This means you don’t have to pay the $150 NZMCA joining fee for new members.
Pros: Very comprehensive list with heaps of reviews. POPs and NZMCA camps are often in areas with no other freedom camping options. Plenty of discounts are available through your membership as well.
Cons: The Association membership fees that are mandatory for the app.
Bonus Apps we use to save money on our adventures around Aotearoa
Bookme
Ok so this one isn’t actually an app, but we use it all the time for discounts on tours, activities and restaurants. It saves you a heap on some activities and is the reason we are always at the hot pools in Rotorua and Taupō. Just be aware that some of the discounted tickets come with conditions. For example, the cheapest Polynesian spa tickets require you to enter the pools before 10:30am or after 9:30pm. We highly recommend getting the morning tickets as there is no time limit on now long you can stay in the pools and it’s relatively quiet in the morning.
GrabOne
A New Zealand discount app that has deals for anything you can think of. From tours and activities to restaurants and shopping deals. It’s great to have a look at now and then, especially when you get to a new town. We’ve even used it to get a heavy discount on hello fresh meal boxes when Tiff is working.
Don’t miss any incredible freedom camping spots!
We still use all the above apps to make sure we never miss out on a great freedom camp or a discounted adventure. Whilst there is a lot of overlap in the campsites that CamperMate, Rankers and WikiCamps show you, there are also always the odd few camping spots that only appear on one app. Looking across all of them ensures we don’t miss anything, and it gives us a wide range of reviews to make sure we feel safe staying at the freedom camping spots.
However, if you are only in the country for a quick trip, then we’d recommend only using the free apps as they will cover your needs and save you from spending anything! If you’re here for a decent amount of time, then definitely look into joining the NZMCA. We have absolutely no regrets about doing this and wish we had done it sooner! For some more info about the most picturesque spots to stay, then check out or continually updated blog post on the Best Freedom Camping sites on the North Island.
Keen for more inspo? Be sure to check out:
- The BEST New Zealand Freedom Camping Spots
- Campervan Essentials For Your Next Home on Wheels
- Don’t Make The Same Van Life Mistakes We Did!
