Freedom Camping
Discover the best places to enjoy freedom camping in the Manawatū District with all the information you need in one convenient place.
Whether you're planning an overnight stop or exploring the area more widely, this page provides easy access to the Freedom Camping Bylaw (PDF file, 15.3 MB), an interactive map of permitted locations and amenities, a downloadable brochure, and a detailed site list to help you plan safely and responsibly.
We ask all visitors to be respectful campers taking care for our natural spaces, following local guidelines, and leaving each site as you found it. We hope you enjoy discovering our special places. Feel free to share your favourite spots with friends or tag us in your adventures.
- Āpiti Reserve
- Awahuri Forest-Kitchener Park
- Cheltenham Memorial Reserve
- Douglas Square
- Ellison Reserve
- Feilding Cemetery
- Feilding Central Business Shopping Area
- Fraser Drive Reserve
- Halcombe Cemetery
- Halcombe Village Road Reserves
- Herlihy Reserve
- Himatangi Beach
- Himatangi Beach Village Road Reserves
- James Palmer Park
- Kimbolton Cemetery
- Kimbolton Domain
- Kimbolton Village Road Reserves
- Kina Street Reserve
- Kowhai Park
- Mt Lees Reserve
- Pohangina Cemetery
- Pohangina Domain
- Putai Ngahere Reserve (Vinegar Hill)
- Rangiwahia Cemetery
- Rongotea Cemetery
- Rongotea Village Road Reserves
- Sandon Cemetery
- Sanson Village Road Reserves
- Tangimoana Estuarine Reserves
- Tangimoana Village Road Reserves
- Timona Park
- Victoria Park
- Vista Reserve
- Waituna West Cemetery
Feilding Central Business District Carparks
- Eyre Street Carpark - Google Map
- Fergusson Street Carpark - Google Map
- Manchester Street Carpark - Google Map
Paved carparks are located within walking distance of local restaurants, the Feilding Clocktower and Saleyards.
- Available for self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- Dogs are permitted on a leash except during organised events in which case dogs are prohibited
Kimbolton Domain
Located at the southern entrance to Kimbolton at 2861 Kimbolton Road. The Domain includes multiple fields which host local rugby games, a playground, tennis courts and a bowling green.
- Public toilets are located approximately 200m from the carpark
- Available for self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- Dogs are prohibited
- Google Map
Menzies Ford
Menzies Ford is located on a river flat and has river access, with a swimming hole, and an open grassed area with space for recreation, picnicking, and camping. There are native plantings along the driveway and trees for shade.
- Available for self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control
- Google Map
Pohangina Domain
Established in 1891, the Domain has a small car park, picnic tables, and a cricket pavilion near the entrance.
- Available for self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control, except when stock are grazing the Domain in which case dogs must be on a leash
- Google Map
Pohangina Valley Lookout
Pohangina Valley Lookout is accessed from Valley Road. The entrance is flat with parking and picnic tables. There is a track which leads to a lookout with views over the Pohangina Valley.
- Available for self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control
- Google Map
Wear Street Carpark at the Te Kawau Memorial Recreation Centre, Rongotea
Wear Street Carpark is located next to the playing fields at the Te Kawau Memorial Recreation Centre.
- It contains a recycling centre and a dump station.
- Available for self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- Dogs are permitted on a leash
- Google Map
Almadale Reserve
Almadale Reserve is used for camping, picnicking, and river access.
- Public toilets are available 24/7 and the site has rubbish tins and a small shelter
- Available for self-contained vehicle, non-self-contained vehicle, caravan, or tent freedom camping
- Dogs are permitted on a leash
- Google Map
Āpiti Reserve
Āpiti Reserve is an attractive reserve containing deciduous specimen trees.
- Public toilets are available 24/7 and this site has a water supply for campers
- Available for self-contained vehicle, non-self-contained vehicle, caravan, or tent freedom camping
- Dogs are permitted on a leash
Bartletts Ford
Bartletts Ford is popular over summer with river access and swimming. It includes a grass area with trees for shelter and shade on a river flat.
- Public toilets are available 24/7 from Labour Weekend to Easter
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control
- Bartletts Ford is subject to specific restrictions:
- Freedom camping in a self-contained vehicle is available at any time of the year
- Non-self-contained freedom camping is only permitted during the period from Labour Weekend until Easter
- Google Map
Ellison Reserve Carpark
Ellison Reserve Carpark is a hardstand area adjacent to Ellison Reserve. The reserve itself contains a playground, hard court, and BMX/pump track.
- Public toilets are available 24/7
- Dogs are prohibited at the children’s playground
- Ellison Reserve Carpark is subject to specific restrictions:
- Available for self-contained and non-self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- The number of vehicles that may stay overnight is limited to two at any one time
- Google Map
Kina Street Reserve Carpark
Kina Street Reserve is one of the reserves that make up the cluster of the Tangimoana Estuarine Reserves. It includes native plantings, picnic areas, and visitor information.
- Public toilets are available 24/7
- Dogs are permitted on a leash
- Available for self-contained and non-self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- Google Map
Himatangi Beach Recreation Reserve
Himatangi Beach Recreation Reserve Carpark is located within Himatangi Beach township. The reserve includes a playground, picnic area, skateboarding area, basketball court, tennis court and a recycling centre.
- Public toilets are available 24/7
- Dogs are prohibited at the children’s playground
- Himatangi Beach Recreation Reserve Carpark is subject to specific restrictions:
- Available for self-contained and non-self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- The number of vehicles that may stay overnight is limited to three at any one time
- Google Map
Londons Ford
Londons Ford provides access for recreation, picnicking, and camping. It has an open grass area with trees for shade and shelter.
- Public toilets are available 24/7 from Labour Weekend to Easter
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control
- Londons Ford is subject to specific restrictions:
- Freedom camping in a self-contained vehicle is available at any time of the year
- Non-self-contained freedom camping is only permitted during the period from Labour Weekend until Easter
- Google Map
Mt Lees Reserve
Mt Lees is on the Te Araroa trail and is a popular spot with travellers. The reserve contains a homestead and gardens on a flat river terrace with a gully and plantation area below. The homestead area has parking and there are picnic areas, a play area, and tennis court.
- Public toilets are available 24/7, and there is a water supply
- Available for self-contained vehicle, non-self-contained vehicle, caravan, or tent freedom camping
- Dogs are prohibited
- Mt Lees Reserve is subject to specific restrictions:
- The number of vehicles that may stay overnight is limited to three at any one time
- Any vehicles must remain within the carpark boundary
- Tents may be pitched only in the grassed area adjacent to the toilet block
- Google Map
Pohangina Old School Reserve
This site was the former Pohangina School which closed in 1972. It is used as a community facility for community activities and recreation over summer. Pohangina Old School Reserve has a playground and tennis court.
- Public toilets are available 24/7
- Available for self-contained vehicle, non-self-contained vehicle, caravan, or tent freedom camping
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control. They are prohibited in the entire area of the children's playground and swimming pool
- Google Map
Putai Ngahere Reserve (Vinegar Hill)
Putai Ngahere Reserve is located on the banks of the Rangitīkei River and offers a range of outdoor activities such as swimming and fishing.
- There are public toilets at the northern and southern end of the camping area, with the northern toilet block open and serviced year-round
- There is a water supply, rubbish bins, and showers (cold water only)
- Available for self-contained vehicle, non-self-contained vehicle, caravan, or tent freedom camping
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control during the period Easter to Labour weekend. During the period from Labour Weekend to Easter, dogs are prohibited at the reserve
- Putai Ngahere Reserve (Vinegar Hill) is subject to specific restrictions:
- Freedom camping is not provided for during the period from 15 December to 9 February, when the reserve is operating as a paid camping ground
- Freedom camping is permitted during the period from 10 February until 14 December
- Google Map
Raumai Reserve
Raumai Reserve provides access to the Pohangina River. It is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and contains a grassed area for picnicking.
- Public toilets are available 24/7, and there is a rubbish bin onsite
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control
- Available for self-contained vehicle, non-self-contained vehicle, caravan, or tent freedom camping
- Google Map
Sanson Domain
Sanson Domain was formerly a rugby field with a historic grandstand. It has since been developed by the Manawatū Blokart Club with an asphalted track and carparking.
- Public toilets are available 24/7
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control, except when the site is being used for an event in which case they are prohibited
- Available for self-contained and non-self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- Google Map
Timona Park
Timona Park is the largest of all the Districts sportsgrounds. It contains a children’s playground and a BMX pump track which also has drinking fountains located nearby.
- Free-to-use barbeques are located along the river side of the park
- Timona Park contains two public toilets; one at the Simon Street end of the park at the playground (open 6am-10pm) and one near Campbell Street (open 24/7)
- Available for self-contained and non-self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- A dump station is located near the Campbell Street toilets
- Rubbish bins are provided throughout the park
- Dogs are permitted unleashed but under control along the riverbank and at the edges of the park. They are prohibited in the entire area of the children's playground and the playing fields
- Google Map
Victoria Park
Victoria Park is a heavily utilised sports field and in winter is the home of Saturday morning rugby in Feilding. It also contains a softball sand diamond and the Feilding Squash Club.
- Public toilets are available 24/7 and there are water facilities available
- Dogs are permitted on a leash around the edges of Victoria Park but are prohibited on the playing fields
- Victoria Park is subject to specific restrictions:
- Available for self-contained and non-self-contained freedom camping vehicles only
- Freedom campers must depart by 7:30am on Saturday mornings during school terms (Terms 2 and 3)
- Google Map