Camping NZ
Happy travels from Rankers
Welcome
Rankers Camping NZ
We’ve spent the last 15 years gathering this Camping NZ information so you can experience the best of New Zealand. We ask that you use our information respectfully.
Proud Local NZ
There’s a proud local guardian culture in NZ. Our sense of ownership extends far beyond the property we live in, to encompass all public and natural spaces in NZ. For us proud Kiwis - it’s all our backyard.
Respect NZ
Care must be taken by all visitors to respect and look after all our backyard places. Doing so will help you connect with NZ and the lovely local folk who live here and that’s how we all benefit.
Every New Zealand camping location on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android device.
Offline Maps - Featuring offline maps so you can find all camping locations, free of restrictions from NZ's poor and expensive internet. This app gives you Freedom!
Everything
Hello. Great to have you here.
We’re proud to be the only remaining locally owned app, showing all camping locations in NZ.
We know, by using this app, you will have an NZ experience that gives you the true local connection.
Kind regards!
These offers come in three styles…
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20% to 50% off
20% to 50% off when the conditions are met.
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50% off
50% off when on standby for a last-minute deal.
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30% to 50% off
Groups of four to ten people get 30% to 50% off.
A place where a little bit of effort is greatly rewarded. You’ll love Tairawhiti, we sure do!
Nick & Cy, Rankers
Come experience the first light Tairāwhiti, NZ
From sacred mountains to the shores of the vast Pacific Ocean, Tairāwhiti Gisborne is a stunning and unique corner of Aotearoa made for discovery.
All Camping
The camping experience is an enabler of deeper connection.
For some, the simplification of life provides clarity; for others, meeting different people offers fresh perspectives.
Campers are united by the common thread of exploration, and share in the greatest connector of all - nature.
Holiday Parks
A sanctuary from the rigours of travelling: plug in, connect up, chill out, re-group, do laundry, go shopping, recharge.
The good folk from Holiday Parks work hard to help you relax with all the facilities you need. Usually located for proximity to attractions, or convenience to towns, these are great launch pads for your adventures into the great unknown.
And if Sustainable Travel is your thing, Holiday Parks make that easy. Look for the 'Sustainable Waste' filter and find hundreds of locations where compost, recycled and general waste are dealt with no worries.
Over 100 in map comments and tips of additional local goodness.
Self-Contained
Real talk…
When you have a Fixed toilet (you’ve got an internal bathroom on board), you have the greatest choice where you can camp in NZ.
However, it’s easy to become isolated when you’re self contained. So, open your door... embrace the concept of happy hour, invite people for drinks. Share meals. Good times.
When you've got a Portable toilet (you’ve got a bucket toilet for your waste)… well, let's be real! Are we really going to use that portable toilet stored under the bed? I wouldn't. Time to be honest with ourselves…
So check the app and choose Self Contained locations with a toilet. Or join the party at the Non Self Contained campsites where facilities are always provided.
Over 130 local regional tips. Over 30 SLO Pro and other local essentials.
Non Self-Contained
This is where the party is at.
DIY camper conversions, cycle tourers, guitar + bongo drum players... here you’ll find a wonderful, eclectic bunch of humans. Where you find diversity, you will also find dance, story, song, poetry, and controversy. At a minimum, you’ll find some basic ablution facilities.
Non-self contained campers have a unique opportunity to have the lightest impact on the surrounding environment. They can also do significant social and ecological harm, if the environment is not respected.
The path you choose is in your hands.
DOC Campsites
The wairua (spirit) of DOC campsites is - you give, and in turn, you get. If you care for something, it reveals itself to you in a different way.
You get: nature immersion with authentic, back-to-basics camping.
You give: caretaking of a wonderful place, supporting the local DOC crew. They do a great job of looking after Aotearoa NZ's special places.
The smallest deeds are appreciated.
Over 100 in-map comments and tips of additional local goodness.
Free Camping
With great freedom comes equal responsibility.
A few unprepared freedom campers in the past have affected Aotearoa, socially and environmentally.
New Zealanders are very aware of this, and some now see freedom campers as a threat to the environment and our collective ability to enjoy it.
I don’t want you to be seen in this light.
Get the most out of Freedom Camping… Here's how!
Get the old-school paper map and our Rankers Camping NZ app working together and may your true travel path be realised.
Tent Camping
When tenting, you can’t escape nature.
Closest to nature + heightened difficulty = the greatest possibility for elemental connection.
I say, total respect.
We’ve had some feedback letting us know that some of our tent detail isn’t quite right. Please let us know when we’re off the mark and we’ll update accordingly. Thanks 😀
A map to create your own Special Local Organic journey in…
Pets Allowed
What is a pet?
I reckon it’s any creature that’s part of your family / whanau. Dogs, cats, turtles, cockatoo’s and I even saw a pet rooster the other day. Who’s to judge.
But this filter is about which site accepts your dog.
🐕
Animal Encounters
There’s something about watching these awesome critters in their own environment. When they’re not aware of us and are doing their natural thing, I feel transfixed. Time flies.
I’ve learnt to resist the temptation of my camera and to stay in the moment instead. Only cameras built like bazookas have a chance of getting a good shot. Be a happy guardian and let others know if they’re getting too close.
A map to help yourself get lost… and find yourself in.
Thermal Pools
As a wise man once said… "It’s always sunny in a hot pool" - so right.
Therapeutic in so many ways. Physically and socially.
I have had some of my greatest conversations with complete strangers, while soaking in one of nature’s great gifts.
Get the old-school paper map and our Rankers Camping NZ app working together and may your true travel path be realised.
Playgrounds
Our kids have grown up with our campervan. In those 15 years travelling to all parts of NZ, have we seen some playgrounds or what!
There’s lots of others of course, but here’s our families’ top 25.
Let us know if you think there’s others should should make the list. Let’s get to Top 30!
Keep in touch at info@rankers.co.nz
Over 130 local regional tips. Over 30 SLO Pro and other local essentials.
Visitor Centres
iSite Info Centres
I love the iSITES info centres as I get to speak directly with the locals. They are specialists in their area.
It’s perhaps the easiest place to see all that’s on offer locally, and then book local adventures and accommodation. Supporting local, instead of the big international booking websites - Feels Good!
DOC Info Centres
Department of Conservation info centres are choice! If you’re heading into the wilderness, talk to the folks in green. They are more connected to nature than anyone else.
Here’s an important question you need to ask them… "How will the forecast weather affect my planned adventure"?
The weather dictates outdoor life here in NZ and they’ll help keep you safe.
Also, the Mountain Safety You Tube channel is a goody.
Over 100 in map comments and tips of additional local goodness.
Quality Free Wifi
Access free wifi without silly nonsense to your privacy.
These locations give you quality, un-metered, un-limited access with no strings attached.
Thanks to local councils and Tourism NZ for making this free and easy.
LPG Refills
The three essentials of life - Food, Shelter, Warmth.
Gas helps out with two of these essentials - Food and Warmth.
Not running out means you’re cooking with gas.
Use these locations for filling smaller gas bottles that can’t be swapped.
Hi there, we're Cymen and Nick and we are the co-owners of Rankers.co.nz.
Before Rankers, we ran a sea kayak company in the Abel Tasman.
It grew from a staff of one, to be the busiest kayak company in the southern hemisphere.
This was because we looked after people.
Because we looked after people, they got honest with us. They told us what was good and bad with their NZ travels.
Many of them were getting a raw deal because they were being fed the wrong info, full of marketing hooplah.
This gave a us a different purpose. In 2007 we moved away from kayaking and embraced Travel Reviews, unique to NZ.
Now travellers tell us that by using Rankers, they've seen a different side of NZ. Something they wouldn't have seen otherwise.
We are happy with that, but we've only just begun.
Plan your journey. Visit an i-SITE Visitor Information Centre.
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Stay at a campsite.
For the best experience, stay at one of our great campsites. With many having cooking, toilet and shower facilities on site, there’s everything you’ll need. You might even make new friends.
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Use public toilets or the toilet in your vehicle.
Please respect our home and other travellers by using the proper facilities. Just look for the signs.
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Leave no trace or litter.
It’s important to look after our country for future generations by leaving nothing behind wherever you go. Please make sure you put any rubbish in a bin or take it with you until you find one.
