Hidden Gems - Underrated Campervan Destinations in New Zealand

Most travellers tick off the big ones first. Queenstown. Hobbiton. Milford Sound. All worth it, but they’re not the whole story.

The real beauty of a campervan trip is the freedom to go where buses don’t. Smaller towns. Empty beaches. Roads that are all yours to cruise. You get to pull over when you want, sleep where you want, and wake up with a different view every morning.

That’s the part most people miss when they only chase the highlights. These underrated spots give you space, variety, and the kind of moments that stick with you long after the trip’s over. It’s the kind of travel you’ll hear clients rave about in a Big Little Campers review, the kind we wanted to build an NZ campervanning company for. Our vans are made to get you into the real New Zealand, not just the crowded stops on a map.

Here are a few of our favourites to add to your roady list:

1) Castlepoint (Wairarapa) Few places feel as raw as Castlepoint. Golden sand curves around a bay, with a lighthouse perched high above the water. The walk up is short, but the sunrise views are unreal. Even in summer, you’ll get room to breathe. Stay at the local holiday park or freedom camp nearby and wake up to the sound of waves. 2) Cape Palliser & Ngāwi (Wellington Region) Head past farmland and suddenly the coast gets wild. Climb the 250 steps to Cape Palliser Lighthouse for sweeping views, then check out the fur seals stretched along the rocks below. In Ngāwi, the tractors pulled up on the beach are about as Kiwi as it gets. Park up and spend a night by the sea.
	3) Putāruru Blue Springs (Waikato) The water here is so clear you can see every pebble. It takes over a century to filter through the ground before it surfaces, cold and bright blue. An easy riverside track makes this a perfect stop between Hamilton and Taupō. Bring lunch and sit by the stream for a food stop that beats any roadside café. 4) Forgotten World Highway (Taranaki/King Country) This drive feels like stepping back in time. Quiet valleys, narrow roads, and barely any traffic link Taumarunui to Stratford. Stop in Whangamōmona, a town that once declared itself a republic, and grab a pint at the pub. Just fuel up before you go, as services are few, and that’s part of the adventure
5) Pelorus Bridge (Marlborough) Native bush, swimming holes, and birdsong make Pelorus Bridge a stop worth slowing down for. Most people just drive past on their way between Nelson and Blenheim, but staying at the riverside DOC campsite gives you a night in pure peace. Don’t forget your togs — a dip in the emerald water on a hot day is unbeatable. 6) Ōpārara Arches (West Coast) Massive limestone arches hidden in Kahurangi National Park. Streams run through them, bush rises around them, and you suddenly feel very small. The gravel road north of Karamea keeps the crowds away, but sturdy shoes and a steady pace will get you there. The payoff is surreal scenery you won’t forget
	7) Sandfly Bay (Otago Peninsula) Don’t be put off by the name. This bay is wild, windswept, and full of life. Huge dunes roll into the surf, and on a good day you might spot yellow-eyed penguins or sea lions. DOC has hides set up so you can watch quietly. Stay in Dunedin or nearby on the peninsula and spend time with the wildlife.

The Wrap-Up

The best campervan stories come from the roads less travelled. Take the detours. Stop in small towns. Give the underrated spots a go and you’ll see more of the real New Zealand.. When you’re ready to head off-grid, hit up Big Little Campers. Our vans are simple, self-contained, and built for roadies like this. The map isn’t the plan, it’s just the starting point.

Most travellers tick off the big ones first. Queenstown. Hobbiton. Milford Sound. All worth it, but they’re not the whole story.

The real beauty of a campervan trip is the freedom to go where buses don’t. Smaller towns. Empty beaches. Roads that are all yours to cruise. You get to pull over when you want, sleep where you want, and wake up with a different view every morning.

That’s the part most people miss when they only chase the highlights. These underrated spots give you space, variety, and the kind of moments that stick with you long after the trip’s over. It’s the kind of travel you’ll hear clients rave about in a Big Little Campers review, the kind we wanted to build an NZ campervanning company for. Our vans are made to get you into the real New Zealand, not just the crowded stops on a map.

Here are a few of our favourites to add to your roady list:

1) Castlepoint (Wairarapa) Few places feel as raw as Castlepoint. Golden sand curves around a bay, with a lighthouse perched high above the water. The walk up is short, but the sunrise views are unreal. Even in summer, you’ll get room to breathe. Stay at the local holiday park or freedom camp nearby and wake up to the sound of waves. 2) Cape Palliser & Ngāwi (Wellington Region) Head past farmland and suddenly the coast gets wild. Climb the 250 steps to Cape Palliser Lighthouse for sweeping views, then check out the fur seals stretched along the rocks below. In Ngāwi, the tractors pulled up on the beach are about as Kiwi as it gets. Park up and spend a night by the sea.
	3) Putāruru Blue Springs (Waikato) The water here is so clear you can see every pebble. It takes over a century to filter through the ground before it surfaces, cold and bright blue. An easy riverside track makes this a perfect stop between Hamilton and Taupō. Bring lunch and sit by the stream for a food stop that beats any roadside café. 4) Forgotten World Highway (Taranaki/King Country) This drive feels like stepping back in time. Quiet valleys, narrow roads, and barely any traffic link Taumarunui to Stratford. Stop in Whangamōmona, a town that once declared itself a republic, and grab a pint at the pub. Just fuel up before you go, as services are few, and that’s part of the adventure
5) Pelorus Bridge (Marlborough) Native bush, swimming holes, and birdsong make Pelorus Bridge a stop worth slowing down for. Most people just drive past on their way between Nelson and Blenheim, but staying at the riverside DOC campsite gives you a night in pure peace. Don’t forget your togs — a dip in the emerald water on a hot day is unbeatable. 6) Ōpārara Arches (West Coast) Massive limestone arches hidden in Kahurangi National Park. Streams run through them, bush rises around them, and you suddenly feel very small. The gravel road north of Karamea keeps the crowds away, but sturdy shoes and a steady pace will get you there. The payoff is surreal scenery you won’t forget
	7) Sandfly Bay (Otago Peninsula) Don’t be put off by the name. This bay is wild, windswept, and full of life. Huge dunes roll into the surf, and on a good day you might spot yellow-eyed penguins or sea lions. DOC has hides set up so you can watch quietly. Stay in Dunedin or nearby on the peninsula and spend time with the wildlife.

The Wrap-Up

The best campervan stories come from the roads less travelled. Take the detours. Stop in small towns. Give the underrated spots a go and you’ll see more of the real New Zealand.. When you’re ready to head off-grid, hit up Big Little Campers. Our vans are simple, self-contained, and built for roadies like this. The map isn’t the plan, it’s just the starting point.