Albert Town Campground, Wānaka

A large, low-cost campground on a council reserve at the meeting of the Clutha and Hāwea rivers, 5 km from Wānaka, run by Hampshire Holiday Parks. Sites are first come, first served, with no bookings, and you pay on arrival at the machines.

It's basic: there are toilets but no showers, cooking facilities or treated drinking water, so bring your own water. The rivers are beautiful for swimming, fishing and kayaking, and the Clutha River track leads to Wānaka and Lake Hāwea for walking and cycling.