Campervan Campsites Near Vineyards in New Zealand’s Wine Regions

Quick summary: The best campsite for a wine trip is one where you can leave the campervan or motorhome parked and reach the cellar doors on foot, by bike or on a tour that collects you. New Zealand’s main wine regions all have holiday parks close to the vineyards, from Martinborough’s village campground to holiday parks in Blenheim, Renwick, Napier and Cromwell. This guide covers the best places to stay in each region and what to look for.

At a glance
What to look for	Walking or cycling distance to cellar doors, tour pickups, powered sites
Main types	Holiday parks, council campgrounds, vineyard stays for self-contained vehicles
Most walkable region	Martinborough
Best for cycling	Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, Gibbston
Book ahead	Summer weekends and holiday periods
Self-contained only	Freedom camping and many vineyard stays need a certified self-contained vehicle

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What should you look for in a wine-country campsite?

• Distance to the cellar doors. Within walking distance is ideal; within a short bike ride is the next best.
• Tour pickups. Check whether wine tours collect from the park or from a pickup point nearby.
• Bike hire or storage. Some holiday parks hire bikes or are close to bike-hire shops on the wine trails.
• Powered sites and good facilities, since you’ll be staying put for at least two nights.
• A quiet setting. Wine country is often rural, with views over the vines and peaceful evenings.

Where are the best places to stay in each region?

Region	Good bases	Why
Auckland	Kumeū, Matakana area, Auckland city	Tours to the western and northern vineyards and the Waiheke ferry
Hawke’s Bay	Napier, Hastings, Havelock North	Bike trails to the wineries and many tour pickups
Martinborough	Martinborough village	Cellar doors within walking distance of the square
Marlborough	Blenheim, Renwick	Surrounded by vineyards, with bike hire and tours
Nelson	Nelson, Richmond, Mapua, Motueka	Wineries along the cycle trail and the coast
Waipara Valley	Waipara, Amberley	In the valley, close to the cellar doors
Waitaki Valley	Kurow, Duntroon, Oamaru	Small towns among the vineyards
Central Otago	Cromwell, Arrowtown, Queenstown	Close to Bannockburn and the Gibbston Valley
Wānaka	Wānaka township	Lakeside vineyards a short walk or ride away

Can you stay at a vineyard in an RV?

Sometimes. Some wineries welcome self-contained vehicles to stay overnight, often for guests who buy wine or eat at the restaurant, and some are part of motorhome club park-over schemes. See our guide to vineyard overnight stays.

Is freedom camping an option in wine country?

Only where councils or the Department of Conservation permit it, generally for certified self-contained vehicles. Freedom camping sites are rarely within walking distance of the cellar doors, so a holiday park is usually the better choice for a tasting day. For the national picture, see our sister site’s guide to freedom camping in New Zealand.

How long should you stay at each campsite?

Plan on at least two nights in each wine region: arrive the evening before, spend a full day tasting without driving, and move on the next morning. In larger regions such as Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay, three nights gives you time for a tour one day and a cycle trail the next.

For the national overview of holiday parks and DOC campsites, see our sister site’s guide to campsites, DOC sites and holiday parks.

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Frequently Asked Questions