CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

To make caravan fridges work as claimed, and draw less energy, is cheap, simple and easy. Many can be transformed. This article shows how.

Sedgemere Track is only open for six weeks of the year...

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Tinned chickpeas are a useful thing to keep in your caravan cupboard. As well as being tasty they are a good source of protein. Here’s a couple of recipes you could use them in.

I just tried making pizza in the Omnia Oven. It looks and smells good, just have to wait for it to cool down and stop bubbling!

Clean your gear. Works underway to reopen Morere Hot Pools. More than 10,000 wild goats removed in a national competition. Nature as therapy is the focus of a new guide. DOC report shows short adventures trending for travellers. Ōparara Basin waharoa unveiled. A sea lion/pakake mum swam 60 kilometres inland. Checking a week-old Albatross chick, Tairoa Heads.

Coleman model 1 stove.

Delightful to chat with Alan and Joyce on a glorious summer’s day at Little Waipa reserve. Joyce was setting out the table and chairs in a sunny spot overlooking the Waikato River after a chillyish night with temperature inside the caravan at a brisk 11º.

Some caravanners are connecting a 230 volt power supply, via a lead, that is “coiled on a reel”, which is not completely “uncoiled” from the cable drum.This is not good practice. Here is why.

There are many ways to have a summer camping holiday, and everyone has their own reasons for choosing where they camp, how they camp and who they camp with.
Some folk choose to go where they can shed their clothes along with the stresses and worries of every day life.

Hokitika.

In January, 70 adults and 25 young people took part in an All Points camp at the Whanganui Intermediate School for the Whanganui Vintage Weekend.
They camped in a mix of caravans, tents, motor homes and small vans and many camped as family groups or with their friends.

Our All Points Camping NZ park and camp was at the Waihopai Community Centre and Reserve, 16km away from Marlborough’s iconic wine and food event.

Between them they have over 240 years of camping experience.

Got to sing with these amazing girls — Karen Clarke & Tina Turley. AWESOME.

North Island. South Island. Free, low cost and paid.

Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. A must stopover for all garden lovers.

The perfect private park out of Bannockburn. On the top of a ridge looking down to Cromwell one side, Carricktown the other, it’s a windy spot with dramatic views, dramatic weather and the history of the valley is dramatic as well.

Camping events in Autumn.

A suite of Facebook groups from NZ Fun Adventures to encourage you outdoors.

These events either offer overnight parking or the local area provides options.

There are more than 200 DOC sites throughout New Zealand, 34 in the north. Work out which15 of those in the north fit the grid.

Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more.

Membership support. Friendly, inclusive camping events. Nationwide savings. Lobbying support for campers’ rights.

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• Celebrating summer.
• So you want to freedom camp.
• Ten tips for hitting the road full time.
• My caravan that floats.
• Three octogenarian campers.
• RV & camper business services.

A gaze into the green crystal ball of hope for a consistent, reliable freedom camping vehicle certification system, reveals an extremely stormy and very cloudy future.

Setting up at Campfest, Bulls, Feb 24. ©2024 Tracey Davis.

When I began assembling this issue I came up against a dilemma. How to inspire without sweeping under the carpet the negative things happening for freedom camping in New Zealand?

In our previous years, we could never pack down in time and were always hot and bothered by the end. This year, we nailed it with time to spare!