top of page

Autumn 2025

ISSUE 11

St Kilda, Dunedin

A lovely spot looking out over the beach towards St Clair. Dunedin allows freedom camping in non-reserve parking places. 
©2022 M Richardson

A camp oven is much more than just a pot

Camp ovens are designed for cooking on a fire, but they can also be used on gas burners. You can use a camp oven to cook everything from stews and curries to roasts, bread, cakes and puddings.

Recipes for camping

Hot cross buns, Lentil and eggplant stew with gnocchi, Pork and vegetables in hoisin sauce.

Lake Kaniere 1959

Citreon & pop-top at Lake Kaniere.

NIWA autumn forecast

A mix of anticyclonic flows and easterly quarter flows are expected.

On the first day it rained and blew

The togs never saw the light of day at this weekend’s camp at Fortrose.

Late Summer journey: Southland & West Coast

My home for the next few weeks

Stop and Stay, Central North Island

Tuppence, Pirongia, Cafe 77, Manawaru, Rosie and Brian’s in Reporoa

Nugget Point lighthouse

Here is a photo of the Nugget Point lighthouse. As we saw it today. March 6. ©2025 Dave Adamson

Interesting and tempting to purchase!

Running off a cordless drill

Luxury camping

Camping at CampFest. ©2025 Jo Ward

Hobby: Fishing and Diving

My introduction to fishing as a child: I recall being taken to the Waimakariri river and using a string hand-line with red meat as bait, I don’t recall any success .

Fishing as the sun goes down

Fishing as the sun goes down. Ōtaki River mouth free camp. March. ©2025 M Richardson

The cracks kept coming

It wasn’t the best week as we had such bad weather

Woke to fog

Where’s summer? Crazy.
Yesterday it was 28° here, I melted.

A night at Ferry Reserve

A night at Ferry Reserve on our way to Morisons Bush. ©2025 Wayne Ravelich

Bedtime Bubbles

Bedtime Bubbles & wash in Kaiapoi for my wee mate after 57 nights on the road without a bath. ©2025 Andrew Morton

Waiohine Gorge

Just got back from an adventure-filled Waiohine Gorge campsite!

DOC update

Mautohe Cathedral Cove, Pūponga Farm Park, IVL tourist dollars, West Coast huts, The Great Walks. An albatross’ tale. The ten-buck-duck.

Loading a caravan safely

There is a common and very dangerous belief held by many caravan owners that it is fine to have a heavy load at the rear as long as it is balanced by a similar load at the front. That is virtually a recipe for jack-knifing.

Campfest

A huge draw card, was the stage and music, talent contest, open mike time and the bands which played on to 9pm. This brought a carnival atmosphere to the camp.

Late summer fishing

Late summer fishing at the Ōtaki River Mouth free camp. February 2025. ©2025 M Richardson

20-odd years

One thing I learnt after travelling full-time for 20 odd years: It doesn’t matter so much where you are, as long as you are present where you are. Mind you, I still struggle with that at times, wanting nature and just the sounds of nature. lol.

Tuppence, Pirongia

It didn’t take long before I felt like I was at home for my four day stay.

We came early

The weather was so nice that we came out early. All that is missing is you.©2025 Linda Butler

New Year at Waihora Domain

This venue is our favourite go-to for Christmas due to its proximity to everything. If you are travelling or want company for Christmas next year, do consider joining us. 

Cafe 77, Manawaru

It’s a lovely rural spot 15 mins from Te Aroha and 20 mins from Matamata.
They have a lot of visits from cyclists doing the Hauraki Rail Trail and tourists.

Rosie and Brian’s

I tell you, what a welcome! I think why people stay is due to our lovely welcoming hosts Rosie and Brian. They have been operating this site in their paddocks for 8 years, back then it was a gold coin to stay and to help campers out.

Havelock Mussel Festival

For the first time we had a camp up event for those wanting to try the Havelock Mussel Festival.

Editorial: and so we go on

The challenges of the changes to freedom camping

bottom of page