CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

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Are you a mainstream traveler, always following the main highways or are you a diversionist, taking that chance to detour from the main route to explore and maybe encounter something new or different? On our recent trip north we decided to veer from the main flow of traffic and take a left turn.

Gore Bay Camp is a small camp. The facilities are old, but usable. Such a great place to go for a weekend break close to our home in Christchurch.

After my ride from Canterbury to Southland, the next step was to continue my clockwise circuit of the Island.

I’m in Rotorua today (MTB Mecca) ready for tomorrow’s ride, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop: 33km, 3hr. Another one of the 23 Great Rides of NZ. ckw.nz/great-rides ©2022 Andrew Morton

One of my first memories of camping was at ‘Spec Creek’. You won’t find it on a map — it was just some little creek on the side of the road, somewhere in Central Otago, where our car broke down. There was nothing there.

Nobody knows. The Ministry has made some guesses.

On my last roadie I met and chatted with four van loads of international tourists from UK, Australia and Germany who have been freedom camping around NZ in small (slider-type) hire vans from Escape or Jucy.

Do you struggle when you set up your camp or your caravan?

Is that e-bike right for you? Many New Zealanders are now moving to e-bikes and they definitely have health advantages while being cheap to operate and maintain.

Back in the days — Circa 2008. That caravan was damned heavy behind the bike.

Here are the issues to consider with the major legislative change which is currently proposed and going through Select Committee hearings.

The Minister of Tourism the opened the speaking with gossip of buckets covered in gladwrap being used as toilets in motorhomes.

It was a very wet, rainy camp with my dog in a dense bush.

It’s a thorny problem, deciding how to connect to the internet on the road — so many different choices, plans and options; so many unfamiliar concepts. Here’s a ‘simple’ guide.

We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline.

Ready for a family weekend away camping.

Can you place all the national parks?

It’s four years now since John first decided to do something to make emptying our toilet cassette easier and cleaner.

I slept overnight beside the Aparima River near Opio (Southland).

Next time you’re in the Waitomo area (the Waikato region of the North Island) it’s worth the detour to check out three natural landmarks that are really close together, on the Te Anga Road.

Gisborne District Council have very clear freedom camping bylaws which demand waste management, #leavenotrace principles.

Nokomai station on the way to Queenstown. We went there as kids; now we take our kids there.

This is a book for people who want to understand how their electrics work as well as for people who are designing / building / converting a caravan or motorhome.

Secured a magical spot beside the lakes edge at Kingston freedom camp and went fishing.

Can you fill in the blanks?

In the old days, people used “meat safes” or “safes” but my experience is with chilly bins or Esky cooler bags.

Every trip we make a breakfast fruits pancake. Usually apple pannekoeken.

Heading up to the top of the North Island to see Cape Reinga is on most people’s bucket lists. For those who enjoy a bit of camping, finding that perfect spot to stay is an added bonus. Finding two such places is something special. Tapotupotu DOC campsite. Matauri Bay Holiday Park

Except in rainy areas solar panels need cleaning from time to time.