Queenstown’s 7 Coolest Camping Grounds Worth Packing Your Bags For
With a few more sunshine-laden weeks on the horizon in the adventure capital, there’s really no better time than now to pack your bags and get amongst some of the most beautiful landscapes in Aotearoa.
Us humans of New Zealand are spoilt for choice when it comes to the outdoors, and it doesn’t get much better than camping in the Southern Lakes District—waking up to mountain views, swimming in lakes that are basically epic mirrors and adventuring through some of nature’s best kept secrets.
If that speaks to your soul, then pack your bags and get ready to venture out there. Here are seven cool and quirky places to camp in and around Queenstown.
Lake Hawea
1208 Haast Pass-Makarora Road, Lake Hāwea 9382
In my opinion, lakeside camping is a supreme choice. Where else can you gather kindling and explore woodlands, then swim and bathe in the same water? Head down to Wanaka’s cool little brother, Lake Hawea and you will do just that.
Self-proclaimed “beautifully basic”, The Camp—Lake Hawea is your quintessential Kiwi camping escape. This lakeside gem offers the option to hire bikes and hit the nearby tracks, head down to the lake and bask in the afternoon sun or try your hand at fishing… you can even smoke your catch in the nearby park smoker.
And if the fish seem to be on holiday too, don’t fret—The Camp Food Truck has you sorted. Which (to my liking) also serves hot caffeine in the form of coffee in the AM—the perfect pit stop before another day of adventuring.
There's every type of camping you can imagine here. From tents, powered sites, glamping, bell tents and safari tents to cottages, cabins and tiny homes.
THE DETAILS
-
Distance from Queenstown: 1.5 hours
-
Stay at: The Camp
-
Campground facilities: Wifi, shared kitchen, showers and toilets, coin laundry, fire
-
Campground nice to know: Dump station, gas bottle swap, boat ramp
-
Where to eat: Onsite Food Truck and Bar, open Thursday-Sunday, 8am-11am and 4pm-8pm
-
Home to the Isthmus Peak and Gladstone Tracks, a post-hike dip in The Camp's sauna is a must
Glenorchy
42 Oban Street, Glenorchy 9372
Eco-conscious campers, and those that like to “camp” without having to so much as touch a tent, I’ve found your match made in mountain heaven.
Located a short 45min drive from central Queenstown, Headwaters Glenorchy Eco Lodge is a kind of sustainability activation, with a solar garden, composting toilet system and commitment to reducing water and energy wastage.
Whether you’re actively seeking adventure, or wanting to surrender your soul to the mountains for a few days, the welcoming Kiwi hospitality and picturesque setting will have you pleading to extend your stay.
It’s not hard to see why Time Magazine named it one of the World’s Top 100 Greatest Places of 2019, and they were a finalist in New Zealand's 2024 Tourism Awards for Sustainability.
You won’t find actual tents here, but you will find everything else, from backpacker style bunks to luxurious eco cabins and powered camper sites.
THE DETAILS
-
Distance from Queenstown: 45 minutes
-
Stay at: Headwaters Eco Lodge
-
Campground facilities: Self-contained cabins
-
Campground nice to know: It's home to a vast edible garden used in the on-site restaurant
-
Where to eat: Onsite Headwaters Dining Room
-
Even the building materials are eco-conscious, largely salvaged and recycled
Arthur’s Point
70 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 9371
Queenstown ain’t called the adventure capital for nothing. Neighbouring the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat, the Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park instantly provides a taste of the adrenaline-filled fun on offer in the town.
Those that froth mountain biking in summer and shredding the slopes in winter, this is your year-round base—with Coronet Peak an easy 15 minutes drive away. Or those that are more about peace and serenity, enjoy a relaxing dip at the Insta-famous Onsen Hot Pools down the road.
Your stunning alpine-set campsite is the ultimate locale to sleep under the stars with little light saturation, which makes it my top pick for the perfect spot to stargaze the night away.
There are powered and non-powered campervan and tent sites, plus apartments, units, cabins and lodges.
THE DETAILS
-
Distance from Queenstown:7 minutes
-
Stay at: Top 10 Holiday Park
-
Campground facilities: Wifi, shared kitchen, showers and toilets, coin laundry, BBQs
Campground nice to know: Dining area, free shuttle bus into and out of town -
Where to eat: Treat yourself to a dining experience at NEST
-
You can book a soak in the site's hot tub (yes, this is real life), this locale also features a playground for family campers
Moke Lake
Moke Lake Road, Ben Lomond 9371
Journey up the steep, winding Moke Lake Road and you’ll be pleasantly rewarded with one of Queenstown’s hidden gems. The first time I parked up here, I genuinely teared up.
Relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of the town in what could just be the most postcard-perfect spot on this list.
Moke Lake Campsite offers a whole lot more than just scenic views, with swimming, fishing and boating on this blissful agenda too.
There are 50 unpowered tent suites suitable for standard camping, though accessible by car, caravan or motorhome.
THE DETAILS
- Distance from Queenstown: 25 minutes
- Stay at: Moke Lake Campsite
- Campground facilities: Toilets, tap water (except in winter)
- Campground nice to know: No dogs or fires allowed, can use your DOC Campsite Pass here
- Where to eat: Can't go wrong with Winnie's, back in town
- The Ben Lomond Station Horse Treks are right next door too, so you can explore the surroundings in all their glory.
Macetown
Macetown 9371
If you’re wanting to a) totally disconnect from humankind and b) reconnect with nature, this one’s for you.
The journey up the Arrow River to the Macetown Camping Ground is an adventure in itself.
Whether you choose to walk, mountain bike or 4WD through the narrow, rugged roads you’ll pass 23 river crossings before you reach Macetown, one of Otago’s most intact historic goldfield towns.
The campsite itself is pretty basic, with the only fresh water available in the river… but hey, they won’t charge you a dime and you said you were in it for the nature right?
No booking's required, it's first in first served for their 36 non-powered tent sites, so it's for the brave of heart willing to venture in and hope for the best. Worth it, in my experience.
THE DETAILS
- Distance from Queenstown: 19 minutes (to the entry - a 3-4 hour walk or 1-2 hour mountain bike, or traverse the rough and narrow 4WD track)
- Follow Macetown Road from Arrowtown, 15km up the Arrow River
- Stay at: Macetown Campsite
- Campground facilities: Toilets, stream water
- Campground nice to know: Dogs on leashes only, no fires
- Where to eat: It's a hard slog venturing in and out, BYO all supplies
- Interpretation panels around the town tell tales of the gold rush, or you can head up the valley to New Zealand’s grandest gold stamper, the Homeward Bound Stamper Battery. Compared to the miners, it will make you think your voyage out there was easy.
You might also like:
Glendhu Bay
1127 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road, Glendhu Bay 9382
With walking tracks like Roy’s Peak, ski fields like Treble Cone and the gateway to the world-heritage Mt Aspiring National Park—Wanaka’s got it going on. And when it comes to camping, there ain’t no beat missing either.
The picturesque Glendhu Bay lies on the shores of Lake Wanaka just 10 minutes from town and boasts the fact that it’s the only lakeside holiday park in the area.
Pitch a tent and get amongst Wanaka’s outdoors—with a whopping 750km of walking, hiking and mountain biking trails.
I particularly love that this campsite's a mear 5 minutes from Roy's Peak Track and just 12 minutes from the Treble Cone Ski Resort, making it an ideal base for adventure.
THE DETAILS
-
Distance from Queenstown: 1.5 hours
-
Stay at: Glendhu Bay Hampshire Holiday Park
-
Campground facilities: Wifi, shared kitchen, showers and toilets, laundry, BBQ
Campground nice to know: Dump station, boat ramp, playground -
Where to eat: Onsite cafe
-
In the winter months, you can recoup and relax in the evenings with a hot tub under the stars, utter bliss
Central Queenstown
54 Robins Rd, Queenstown 9300
Location, location, location! A stone’s throw from the heart of town, Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creeksyde literally puts Queenstown at the tip of your fingers.
The clean, green and quirky campsite is just down the road from some of Queenstown’s best wineries (did someone say Central Otago Pinot Noir?), eateries and adventure activities.
Covering several green acres in a quiet corner of town, Creeksyde was named the world’s first environmentally friendly holiday park which obviously deserves massive kudos.
Every time I walk around the site, I'm gently reminded of its green (or shall I say utter gold) status by creative recycled art sculptures—making for a pretty memorable stay.
THE DETAILS
-
Distance from Queenstown: City Centre
-
Campground facilities: Wifi, shared kitchens, BBQ area, showers and toilets, laundry
Campground nice to know: Dump station, car wash -
Where to eat: One of Queenstown's many restaurants on your doorstep
-
There's a private onsite sauna and spa available for hire to melt away post ski, hike or white-water rafting niggles
Keep The Adventures Rolling:
Image credits: Destination Queenstown, Lake Hawea by Kevin McCutcheon, Glenorchy by Kathrin and Stefan Marks, Arthur's Point by Sylvia Chang, Moke Lake by Marta Kulesza, Macetown by Tania and Warwick, Glendhu Bay By Kathrin and Stefan Marks, Central Queenstown by Peter Luo
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.