To protect our environment we have different rules depending on if you are staying in a tent, car or campervan.
If you are camping in a tent or sleeping in a vehicle without facilities, you need to stay in a camping ground that has facilities you can use.
If your campervan is certified self-contained, with a toilet, wastewater and rubbish facilities on board, you may freedom camp in some areas in Christchurch, Akaroa and Bank Peninsula.
Council-operated camping grounds
Our campgrounds offer a range of different experiences from small, relaxed seaside sites to larger fully serviced holiday parks. All our campgrounds welcome different ways of camping, from tents to campervans.
Duvauchelle
Duvauchelle Holiday Park is situated on the water’s edge just before the seaside village of Akaroa on Banks Peninsula.
Okains Bay
Okains Bay Camping Ground is located on the idyllic Banks Peninsula, just one hour and 15 minutes drive from Christchurch.
Pigeon Bay
Pigeon Bay Camping Ground offers a sheltered swimming beach and a nearby jetty for water sports activities.
Spencer Beach
Spencer Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park is where you can relax and unwind in the middle of a huge forested reserve.
No camping in parks and reserves
Camping is not allowed in any Council park or reserve unless it’s one of the four camping grounds listed above.
Know where to camp
The map below shows you where you can and can’t freedom camp, as well as camping grounds, dump stations, rubbish and recycling facilities, and public toilet locations.
This map shows where freedom camping is prohibited or restricted by the Council’s Freedom Camping Bylaw. The bylaw only applies to land under the Council's control or management (not to private land or land managed by other agencies - for example, the Department of Conservation prohibits freedom camping at Godley Head).
Camping ground
Two nights in self-contained vehicles only
City Coastal Restricted Zone
Freedom camping prohibited
Toilet
Dump station
Rubbish and recycling
Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021
Our Freedom Camping Bylaw was made in 2021 under the Freedom Camping Act of 2011.
See our Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021 for more information on freedom camping.
Paying a freedom camping infringement
Full details are in the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021(external link).
Freedom Camping Infringements can be paid in person or by phone.
In-person
You can pay an infringement fine at any Customer Service Hub(external link).
Online
Payment can be made by bank transfer to the account shown on your ticket. Include your name in the particulars field and the infringement notice number in the reference field.
Phone
You can pay by credit card over the phone 24 hours a day by calling the Council’s Customer Call Centre on 0800 800 169.
Appeal a freedom camping infringement
The rules for self-contained vehicles have changed
The law has changed. Anyone freedom camping on council land in a vehicle must use a self-contained vehicle. This applies across New Zealand.
Self-contained vehicles
A self-contained vehicle has onboard facilities for camping. It must have a certificate of self-containment and a warrant card displayed in the front windscreen.
- The certification system for self-contained vehicles is also changing.
- The existing blue warrant card system is being phased out and a new green warrant card system will replace it.
- Both systems have requirements relating to fixed toilets, water supply and wastewater systems, and secure rubbish storage.
What this change means for you
- Blue warrant cards are valid until they expire, or until 7 June 2025, whichever occurs first. Only green warrant cards will be able to be issued after 7 June 2024 (no new blue warrant cards).
- All rental camping vehicles must be certified with a green warrant card by 7 December 2024.
- All vehicles must be certified with a green warrant card by 7 June 2025.
| Existing requirements | New Zealand Standard: Self-containment of motor caravans and caravans (NZS 5465:2001) | Blue Warrant Card |
| New requirements | Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-Contained Vehicles) Regulations 2023 | Green Warrant Card |
The new regulator for self-contained vehicles is the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. Visit pgdb.co.nz(external link) for more information about the new system and how to get a green warrant card.
What to know when freedom camping to avoid a fine
Here are some of the things you need to know to avoid getting a fine.
Self-contained vehicles
- Freedom camping, or preparing to freedom camp, on council land in a vehicle that is not self-contained ($400).
- Failing to display a valid warrant card for self-containment ($200).
- Displaying or presenting an altered or fraudulent warrant card ($600).
- Freedom camping with more people than the vehicle is certified for ($400).
Protecting our environment
- Damaging plants, animals or structures while freedom camping ($800).
- Not properly disposing of waste while freedom camping ($800).
Freedom camping bylaws
The Freedom Camping Act sets the national rules and lets councils make some local rules, which are set in bylaws. Before you freedom camp, check if the local council has a freedom camping bylaw and if there are things you need to know to avoid a fine.
Christchurch City Council has a freedom camping bylaw. It has areas where freedom camping is not allowed, where your stay is limited,
or where other conditions apply.
- Freedom camping, or preparing to freedom camp, in breach of a prohibition or restriction in a bylaw ($400).
Enforcement officers
Councils have enforcement officers who check on freedom camping. They are there to help and can give you information about where to camp.
- Failing or refusing to leave a local authority area when required to do so by an enforcement officer, failing to give your particulars, or giving false information ($600).
Love our place as much as we do
Be responsible campers and help us to protect our environment.
- Respect nearby residents and wildlife.
- Park considerately, not blocking any roads, driveways or tracks.
- Use our free public toilets or your onboard toilet. It’s not permitted to go to the toilet beside the road, in the bush, on the ground, on the beach, or in a river, creek or lake.
- Only empty your campervan toilet at a dump station, use our map to find the closest one.
- Take your rubbish with you, or put it into a Council rubbish bin. If the bin is full, please phone us on (03) 941 8999 or 0800 800 169.
- Lighting campfires can pose a risk to the community and the environment, and the rules change from place to place. Use a gas fire if cooking food, and be sure that it is clear of any flammable material.
Camping in Akaroa and Banks Peninsula
Camping in a tent or a vehicle without certified on-board facilities
You need to stay at a campground where there are facilities you can use. Camping in a tent or vehicle without certified on-board facilities is not permitted anywhere in Akaroa or Banks Peninsula.
Full details are in the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021(external link).
Narrow, steep and unsealed roads
Some of the roads in Akaroa and Banks Peninsula are narrow, steep and unsealed with limited places to turn around. For everyone's safety we advise that you don't travel on roads marked 'Not suitable for campervans' or '4WD drive only' unless you are in a suitable vehicle.
To plan your journey, check the road conditions and get more information, visit journeys.nzta.govt.nz/christchurch(external link)
Campervan parking in Akaroa
Akaroa has narrow streets and limited parking at busy times - for daytime parking, larger vehicles are encouraged to park near the Akaroa boat ramp area.
Wherever you decide to park, please park considerately, and in a park that is the right size for your vehicle.
If you want to give us a suggestion, compliment or complaint, you can provide feedback(external link).