The secret's out - find kid-friendly places to stay
See where our members' love to go to keep their kiddos or grandies entertained for hours. Give them a summer they'll always remember with loads of things to see, do and new friends to make. Ready to explore? Check out these top spots for your next family adventure and share your favourites.
NZMCA Parks
Use our NZMCA app and online Travel Directory to discover our growing network of 54 NZMCA member-only Parks – 28 up north and 26 down south.
You can stay for the very affordable rate of $5 per adult per night (children stay free). If you just need to use the facilities and you’re not staying the night, you can fill up with freshwater, empty out at the dump station, rubbish and recycling bins - all for free. And bonus – arrive and leave when you’re ready. There’s no check in or out time at our NZMCA Parks.
Opotiki NZMCA Park (Site ID 3014)
Great spot close to town. A local lady feeds the ducks daily between 6.30-7pm on the stock bank. Great entertainment for our daughter. Good place to park up for the day while riding some of the Motu Trails. Easy to get to the Dunes Cycle Trail for dog walks/bike rides. Close enough to Ohiwa to venture out for some oysters and fish n chips.
Kaikoura Trotting Club NZMCA Park (Site ID 7172)
Lovely quiet spot right across from a wild beach with a good walking track up the hill to take in the fabulous views. Had my morning coffee on the bench seat and watched the dolphins doing somersaults and Whale Watch boats coming and going from the wharf. More reasons to visit Motorhome Friendly Kaikoura.
Tui Glen Reserve NZMCA Park (Site ID 1038)
Great spot with green space and an amazing playground. A short walk to PAK'nSAVE. The bike path from Tui Glen runs alongside Henderson Creek to the Northwest Motorway cycleway. This runs into the city, connecting with Grafton Gully and the Purple Path giving good off-road cycle access to CBD.
Westport North Beach NZMCA Park (Site ID 6479)
A nice large park right on the beach. Short walk to the beach. Great cycle tracks and about a 30 min walk into town. Friendly Weka's! Lovely and quiet, just fall asleep to the sound of the waves. More reasons to visit Motorhome Friendly Westport.
Lake Tekapo NZMCA Park (Site ID 8065)
What a gem on the shores of this beautiful blue lake. So quiet and peaceful. Our kids and dogs loved playing in the water. Huge dog run under the trees next to the Park, great bike trails, and even a golf frisbee course. Great place to star gaze. Lovely 20-25 min walk to the local Four Square via the Church of the Good Shepherd. Nice walks through the woods too. Fabulous sunsets over the lake. Have a dip in the lake, it’s cold but soooo refreshing!!
Ealing NZMCA Park (Site ID 7861)
Great location for a stopover when heading south. Lovely rural Park with green fields and large mature trees. Some interesting historical photos in the old school chapel. There's a cute little Shetland Stallion in the paddock next door, so adorable.
Rotary Glen NZMCA Park (Site ID 8675)
Love this little Park. Quiet, private, sheltered and handy to Cromwell township, the boat ramp, lake, and numerous cycle trails. The lake is a great place to swim. We enjoyed staying here last weekend with the kids. No light pollution so an awesome spot to stare at the stars. More reasons to visit Motorhome Friendly Cromwell.
Park Over Properties
Explore more of our big backyard and experience our unique NZMCA network of awesome overnight parking spots on private land throughout New Zealand. Choose from locations near sandy beaches; rivers and lakes; hilltop vistas; on a farm or vineyard; or stay, eat and play at an iconic Kiwi pub or near a local attraction. Find your favourite spots using our NZMCA app and online Travel Directory.
Only 10 mins from the city centre. Kids enjoyed a short walk to see all the chickens and had fun on the tramp. We loved watching the hens and Peter kindly gave us some freshly laid eggs. Cycle track into the centre closeby. What a wonderful peaceful oasis in the countryside. More reasons to visit Motorhome Friendly Palmerston North.
Old School House POP (Site ID 8176), Otekaieke
We had a lovely quiet stay at this little gem. Lovely swim and walk through the hazelnuts. Great for kids. The hosts were really lovely and generous - offering us the use of the swimming pool and gave us some peaches from their tree. We walked around the hazelnut orchard and visited the pigs and sheep. We also walked up the valley to look (from the road) at the historic homestead.
Guthrie Smith Education Centre - Aboretum POP (Site ID 3711)
A special, peaceful place to stay. The only noise is from the birds and lambs. Lovely walking amongst their trees - the autumnal colours were spectacular and the kids loved the flying fox! Well maintained walking tracks through the extensively planted Aboretum that's worth doing - great views at every turn. More reasons to visit Motorhome Friendly Napier.
Christine Knyvett POP (Site ID 1661), Matamata
This is on a working farm so expect a visit from the ducks, have the calves chat to you and a dog or two to give an affectionate pat. Great place - we used it as a base for climbing Wairere Falls. More reasons to visit Motorhome Friendly Matamata.
George & Marie Foster POP (Site ID 2090), Coromandel
Couldn't fault the view and highly recommend walking up the hill to the airstrip. Animal lovers, this place is for you as there are dogs, a horse, free range chickens, and lots of kingfishers. If you go for a walk there are quails, sheep, cows and turkeys! Safe beach for the kids to play on and swim. More reasons to visit Motorhome Friendly Coromandel.
CampSaver Camps
A great option if you’re travelling with kids, need power, a bigger shower, or access to their other convenient facilities – without breaking the bank. You’re spoilt for choice with more than 80 camps nationwide. There’s no minimum night’s stay and you’ll save heaps. Use our NZMCA app or online Travel Directory to find all our CampSaver camps and see what rate and peak exclusion dates apply. You’ll save either 25% OR only pay a fixed rate of $22 for two adults ($18 for one), which applies to a vehicle, per night, on a powered site.
Kowai Pass Domain Campground (Site ID 7700), Springfield
Beautiful little spot to stay with kids - a hall full of toys, tennis court and racquets, playground and netball hoop. The best-kept secret in Canterbury. Loved the fairy lights with the cutest night light show.
Old Macdonald's Farm Holiday Park (Site ID 6081), Motueka
What a fabulous place for families, with the farm animals, walks, and creek running through. Mr Rooster, the chooks and wekas come by to say hello. Near all the local activities - the walk to Split Apple Rock on the way to Kaiteriteri is worthwhile.
Fairlie Holiday Park (Site ID 8033)
Lovely park-like setting conveniently close to town and the famous bakery. Walking distance to restaurants. Dog-friendly with good tracks along the river, which is a short walk for a cool dip. Always great, quaint campground, kids love the park next door.
Flat Hills Cafe & Tourist Park (Site ID 4462), Ohingaiti
Our kids loved the playground and animals - especially the Kune Kune pig and donkey. We loved the food and coffee! The perfect stopover on our way back to Wellington. More reasons to visit Motorhome Friendly Whanganui.
Freedom Camping
Use our NZMCA app or online Travel Directory to find out if there are any restrictions e.g max. nights stay or vehicle numbers before you go. Check the comments section for member intel about access, site conditions, facilities and popularity.
Morrinsville Recreation Ground (Site ID 1377)
Near a massive fenced dog park. Nice quiet spot with heaps of space and the river walk was lovely. Big playground for the kids and some really cool painted cows! More reasons to visit Motorhome Friendly Morrinsville.
Rosa Birch Carpark (Site ID 1289), Pukekohe
Beautiful place to stay overnight sandwiched between a large children's playground and tennis courts. There's also a park area to walk the dog.