North Island Picnic Spots
New Zealand’s South Island tends to get a lot of the fanfare, but the North Island has some of Aotearoa’s most beautiful beaches, mountains, forests, geothermal sights, and hot springs.
Maitai Bay, Karikari Peninsula
Nestled at the tip of the Karikari Peninsula, Maitai Bay is renowned for its crescent-shaped white-sand beach and clear, calm water. The Department of Conservation’s headland track leads you through farmland and scrub, rewarding walkers with sweeping views over Waikato and Maitai Bays. The adjacent DOC campsite offers picnic tables, cold-water showers, and park-style grass sites under pohutukawa and flax trees, making it ideal for lunch or overnight stays .
Facilities: DOC picnic tables, toilets, beach access, scenic walking track.
Whangārei Falls Scenic Reserve
Just a short drive from central Whangārei sits a 26-metre waterfall that shimmers over basalt columns and into a shaded gorge. Well-maintained trails lead to riverside seats and open lawns, perfect for setting out blankets or using provided tables and BBQs. The Whangārei Falls Scenic Reserve site includes toilets and free parking, suitable for motorhome access.
Facilities: Tables, BBQs, toilets, parking, accessible trails through native bush.
Wenderholm Regional Park, Auckland
Located where the Puhoi River meets the sea, Wenderholm features expansive lawns beneath pohutukawa and kanuka, ideal for family or group picnics. Children’s play areas, multiple barbecue bays and short walking trails through regenerating native forest add to the appeal. Visitor parking accommodates self-contained vehicles including motorhomes.
Facilities: Toilets, BBQs, covered picnic areas, sheltered bays.
North Head Historic Reserve, Devonport
Just across the harbour from Auckland, North Head Historic Reserve offers both history and harbour views. Grassy slopes lead to historic gun emplacements, tunnels and wartime bunkers, while well-placed picnic tables overlook Waitematā Harbour. Street-side parking nearby can accommodate smaller motorhomes but be aware that the gates close at 8pm.
Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, heritage trails, sealed parking area.
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake), Rotorua
Blue Lake is famed for its deep turquoise hue, thanks to volcanic pumice on the lake bed . The 5.5 km walk circling the lake finishes at sandy beaches and picnic clearings beside BBQ facilities. A boat ramp and kids’ playground are onsite, with public toilets also provided. Motorhomes can park near the reserve entrance.
Facilities: Toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, playground, walking tracks, boat ramp.
Lake Te Koo Utu, Cambridge
Set beside a calm volcanic lagoon in Cambridge, Lake Te Koo Utu is surrounded by playgrounds, native plantings and a gentle 1-km walkway. Families and visitors enjoy barbecues at shaded picnic tables under Pōhutukawa and native trees. The well-kept lawns slope gently to the water’s edge, creating an ideal backdrop for a relaxing lunch. Street parking adjacent to the reserve accommodates motorhomes and larger vehicles.
Facilities: Picnic tables, street parking, walking tracks, playgrounds
Te Mata Peak, Hawke’s Bay
Rising 399 m above the Heretaunga Plains, Te Mata Peak offers a panorama of rolling farmland, vineyards and coastal views. A short walk from the car park leads to picnic sites with full southern and eastern vistas. The site includes toilets and space for larger vehicles. The elevated aspect and sweeping landscapes make it one of Hawke’s Bay’s finest picnic locations.
Facilities: Toilets, spacious grassy ridge, sheltered picnic viewpoints, easy vehicle access.
Queen Elizabeth Park, Kāpiti Coast
On the Kāpiti Coast between Paekākāriki and Raumati, Queen Elizabeth Park spans dunes, wetlands and open lawns overlooking Cook Strait. Developed walking and cycling paths intersect picnic and barbecue zones, with thoughtful facilities including toilets, benches and covered seating. Generous car parking makes it motorhome-friendly.
Facilities: Toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, tracks, playground areas, extensive parking.
Oriental Bay, Wellington
Oriental Bay offers a city-edge beachscape lined with palm trees, lawn strips, benches and gravel seating. Stroll along the promenade after lunch and enjoy harbour views. On-site toilets and changing rooms add convenience, and street parking allows motorhomes to stop for a scenic lunch with urban flair. The street parking is for smaller motorhomes, while larger motorhomes can park around 700m away at Barnett Street Car Park, by Te Papa.
Facilities: Toilets, benches, beachfront lawn, changing facilities, street parking.
South Island Picnic Spots
From wildlife to wineries, glacier-carved fiords to star-filled skies, golden beaches to dense rainforests, snow-capped mountains to turquoise lakes, the South Island offers a warm Kiwi welcome and a stunning array of adventure opportunities.
Miyazu Japanese Garden, Nelson
A tranquil quarter-hectare of artistry, the Miyazu Japanese Garden offers a cultural picnic space with shaded benches and lawns beside koi ponds. Bamboo, cherry trees and a traditional tea-house setting evoke Japanese harmony, with stone pathways leading through the landscaped site. During spring’s cherry blossom festival, the garden becomes a local picnic highlight under blooming sakura.
Facilities: Picturesque setting, toilets, benches, drinking fountains
Lake Kaniere (Hans Bay Campsite), West Coast
Lake Kaniere is a deep glacial lake embraced by rimu and kānuka forest. At Hans Bay, a DOC campsite provides large grassy spaces with picnic tables, toilets and boat ramp access. It’s a favourite for fishing, kayaking and lakeside relaxation. Clear lake water and majestic forested cliffs enclose the campsite, creating a scenic backdrop ideal for an extended lunch stop or overnight stay.
Facilities: Stunning setting, non powered sites, picnic tables, toilets
Lake Tekapo Domain, Mackenzie Region
Set against the Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo’s mirror-like turquoise water and nearby grassy domain make for an unforgettable backdrop. The Lake Tekapo domain includes picnic tables, shade trees, toilets and an open lawn ideal for lounging. Vehicles, including motorhomes, can park along the lakefront road. Nearby cafés, shops and an iconic church complete the scene.
Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, precinct parking, shade, cafés within walking distance.
Lake Pukaki Lookout, near Mount Cook
Just off State Highway 8, the Lake Pukaki Viewpoint provides one of the cleanest mountain lake panoramas in New Zealand. Though there are no formal facilities, the spacious pull-off area allows motorhomes to park comfortably for lunch trays with postcard-perfect views of Aoraki/Mount Cook. The serenity is unmatched.
Facilities: Generous parking, remote but dramatic setting.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Situated on 21 hectares beside the Avon River, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens combine exotic tree collections, flowering display beds and expansive lawns. Barbecue pits, benches and sheltered glades provide serene picnic options, and public parking nearby can accommodate self-contained motorhomes. The gardens’ formal and informal landscapes, along with nearby cafés, make it a popular lunchtime destination.
Facilities: Picnic lawns, benches, toilets, parking for motorhomes
Moke Lake, Queenstown
Roughly 20 minutes north-west of Queenstown, you’ll find the tranquil DOC campsite on Moke Lake’s grassy foreshore. A large day-use area beside the water can accommodate self-contained motorhomes, and lakeside picnic tables sit next to long-drop toilets, an open cooking shelter and untreated tap water. The easy 6 km (2–3 h) Moke Lake Loop Track skirts the shoreline, offering mirror-flat reflections of the surrounding peaks and linking to longer routes toward Lake Dispute.
Facilities: Picnic tables, lake views, toilets, untreated tap water
Kelvin Heights Peninsula, Queenstown
Just a 20-minute drive across the Frankton Arm, Kelvin Heights is an exclusive peninsula with lakeside lawns framed by pines and mountains. Pullover spots near the Queenstown Golf Club or Jardine Park provide picnic benches overlooking Lake Wakatipu’s calm waters, with peak views to Cecil and Walter. With easy car access and parking suited to larger vehicles, combined with nearby walking and cycling trails, it’s a relaxed yet scenic lunch setting.
Facilities: Picnic benches, lake views, public toilets nearby
Blue Lake (St Bathans), Central Otago
Carved from historical mining, the sapphire hue of Blue Lake is framed by white quartz cliffs and heritage sluicing pits. An easy 2-km loop track encircles the lake in about an hour, passing periods of old mining equipment and stunning water views. Open grassy shores offer informal picnic spots, often favoured with a local wine while the St Bathans township and Domain Campsite lie nearby.
Facilities: Car park, toilets, lake activities, campsite nearby
Curio Bay, Catlins Coast
On the southern Otago coastline, Curio Bay is a windswept gem: ancient petrified wood beds, resident Hector’s dolphins, and dramatic cliffs combine for a wild setting. A coastal walkway leads from the parking area to picnic seating overlooking the beach and marine reserve. Basic toilets are onsite; it’s ideal for self-contained motorhomes.
Facilities: Toilets, walking track, scenic picnic spots, coastal parking.
Tips for the Perfect Picnic in Your maui Motorhome
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Use your motorhome’s onboard fridge and kitchen to prepare fresh meals like sandwiches, salads and pre-cooked mains.
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Stock local ingredients at farmers markets - regional cheese, bread, cured meats or fresh fruit. See our guide on New Zealand’s top farmers markets.
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Carry picnic essentials like reusable cutlery, dishwasher-safe plates, a picnic blanket and a thermos for hot drinks.
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Respect the environment. Dispose of rubbish properly and follow any site restrictions.
Ready to Plan Your Picnic Road Trip?
With a fully equipped maui motorhome, every scenic stop becomes a potential picnic spot. From the golden sands of Maitai Bay and the vibrant turquoise of Blue Lake to alpine views at Te Mata Peak and Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, you’re free to pull over whenever the landscape inspires. See our guide on the best road trips to take in New Zealand for more inspiration.
Pick up your motorhome in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown. Then pack the basket and start planning your meal-with-a-view journey across New Zealand. It’s easy, memorable, and uniquely yours. Explore our latest offers and prepare for your next open-road dining adventure today.