CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

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, the event was hugely successful.

Co-hosted by the All Points Camping Club and run by volunteers, feedback is that CampFest should be run as an annual event.

Campers arrived from all over NZ, and one couple from the UK, in a wide variety of camping vehicles, including tents, pop-top campers, teardrops, vans, caravans, motorhomes and buses. All were made welcome and there was great social interaction from early morning into the late evening.

Situated at the Bulls Domain, the Rangitikei District Council and Bulls Rugby Club went out of their way to help make the weekend a success. Friday night, St Patrick’s day, the bar was open and food on hand for Friday arrivals; it was a great evening.

A bit of rain overnight Friday made the ground a little soggy but the weather cleared throughout the morning for campers to enjoy the stalls and wander into Bulls township and check out some of the antique and other retail shops. A good number of locals came to enjoy the market stalls and chat with stallholders and campers. Making the first ever CampFest an event to remember, campers and locals were treated to five hours of live music, led and managed by Karen Clark, Blues Woman. Karen was joined by  Pip Payne, Carylann, Pat McKenna and the Bitterroots and Feral. There were great camp jams too with Scooter from the Traveling Lounge.

$1500 of prizes were awarded on Sunday morning by NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd for the people’s choice of Most inspiring Small caravan, Small campervan and Housebus. It was the inclusive nature of CampFest together with support of campers, musicians and the local community that made the weekend something we plan to do again.

To all those who joined in contributed to the weekend socialising, organising, markets, music, food, workshops: thank you.

We are looking forward to the next CampFest in 2024 — bring it on!