CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

Looking for a one stop camp for the family with the dog as well ? Then Quinneys Bush is the place to go.

For the novice cyclist, the historical Karangahake Gorge cycle/walking track — along the old railway embankment— is a safe and gentle way to introduce an inexperienced cyclist.

No, this is not about 12 weeks of coffee tasting around the South Island in a small van by a couple of over 80s

My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 
Two epic days in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.

I came across this derelict house built by Wattie Thompson who had panned the river for gold for over 50 years.

We feel so privileged and fortunate to have made this journey a year ago, gathering such beautiful memories of the landscape as it was.

Winter at Nokomai Station on the way to Queenstown. ©2023 Dallas Hibbs

Several hundred campers, locals and visitors met at Bulls Domain in March for the first CampFest. An inclusive camping event for all types of camper with live music and market stalls.

Many trampers have vouched that Kiwi Burn Hut is a popular and great option for families, so we thought we’d check it out and put it to a true family-friendly test. With my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out to do the full Kiwi Burn Loop Track and spend one night at the hut halfway through.

Our story begins in December of 2022 shortly after the birth of our second child, we decided that now was as good of a time as any to dip our toes into the world of caravanning.

Our morning view, heater on. Ruapehu. Hoping for warmer when we get to Kimbolton today. ©2023 Helen Garthwaite

This recipe is easy to make. It uses mostly tinned foods so is a great meal to make when you are running low on fresh foods or if you have no fridge.  Increase or decrease the quantities of the ingredients depending on how many people you are feeding.

Each of the underlined words below should be recorded into the list on the left. Place each word according to the number of letters in the word. Then transfer the words into the Fill-it-in-grid.

The annual festival is a mix of small to very large artworks, sculptures with mainly a rural theme, put together using all manner of bits and pieces from shearing blades to bike tyres.

It is a popular stopping point. It’s a wee gem to stop and chill out at, even on short notice.

Just a 10 minute drive from Whanganui, on the shores of Lake Witiroa, the park is a lovely spot with everything you need for a chilled-out family holiday.

Life of Van NZ FB Page is a private group with a positive vibe, giving everyone from weekend warriors to van life veterans a place to connect.

NZ Lifestyle Camping supports a national network of more than 160 self-containment testing officers throughout NZ and is committed to supporting the NZ leisure camping industry.

What you need to know if you are currently self-contained, currently certified self-contained, planning to be self-contained, not self-contained, or wanting to freedom camp, now the law has changed.

Coffee time. ©2023 Willis Blevins

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Camping events on this Autumn

Festivals where you can stay, that are on this Autumn (and a bit beyond)

Our trip to the Bridge to Nowhere, on the Whanganui river, will always be a special memory that I share with my 84 year old mother.

Back at Motukarara under the lovely trees on a hot day.

As this magazine goes to print we are waiting to hear the government select committee’s recommendation on the bill introduced by Stuart Nash MP.

A pop top.

I am currently helping my daughter build her own camper as she wants to take a gap year and see our beautiful country. Crispian

From a small van to a large bus, there are thousands of commercially or home-built vehicles on our roads, providing travellers with all the necessary comforts of living, while they are also self contained.

South Arm, Lake Manapouri, in March. DOC. Tony Kissel