CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

Love spring road trips. I was going to walk to the end of the valley… On a wild beach. Four of us went camping. Happy Friday. Who’s camping? Home for the next week. Final winter camp at Lake Tekapo

A beautiful and remote part of the country. Our flying trip, which covered many kilometres, left a real appetite to head back into this fascinating area.

It had been quite some time since I had been to Canterbury and the thought of meeting up with fellow club members, that I hadn’t seen for many months, appealed.

Freedom campers, both international and domestic visitors, face frustration with the proposed bylaw restrictions in the Queenstown Lakes District. Many campers simply refuse to go there.

In March my bus went into the Rigs’n Things hospital for some major surgery. The operation was done by Dr Chris with the utmost care and to a very high standard.

On a recent club camp I did a wee survey of the parked vehicles, caravans, motorhomes, buses and others to observe the water supply and disposal systems.

Our friend Jean Roger said she used old plastic milk bottles to make a simple solar shower. We have just tried this on our sailing holiday and it works brilliantly.

Spring and summer bring a great array of fresh vegetables. Ingredients like fresh ginger, lime, sesame oil, red curry paste and lemon bring fresh flavours to curries, salads and side dishes.

Lightning frightens, but lightning risk in RVs is very low. That risk however is far from random. Here’s how to reduce it yet further.

Here are my whimsical maintenance tips from my bus Keltic Star.

I wanted to share some photos from my travels around the South Island last winter. I do love the winter down here, with lack of crowds and the snow on the mountains being two of my favourite things.

I am having one winter camp each winter month. This was my third, in August.

We had to go to the Disputes Tribunal regarding our leaky 9 year old caravan.

Tucked away on a side road off SH5 (near Reporoa), is this free hot pool.

One of the hardest things to do is to know when enough is enough, and when it’s time to pack up and leave. The very best time is just before the weather event hits.

There is something happening for the entire family over this family-orientated weekend.

Nine severe weather forecasts in Canterbury.

DOC charges for parking at four South Island sites. Do your bit for nature. Remediated mine becomes a Reefton attraction.

Lucy’s gluten-free scones, crustless quiche, zero carb chicken bread loaf , home made butter: Kiwi gold.

Enjoy the whole trip, or meet up or depart from any location along the way!

This is such a hidden gem with sculptures of dragons, a castle slide for kids, water wheel, art hiding in every corner, and all kinds of themed gardens.

Close to Waihi, Waihi Beach and Katikati this is a prime campground.

I wonder how many of you know about the Stop and Stay nestled at the foothills of the Takitimu mountains?

Omokoroa is only 20km northwest of Tauranga’s CBD and 24km to Katikati.

Four mins drive to Papamoa Plaza or a 30 min walk.

I stayed here for three nights; a great spot. Every Friday night they have a Farmers market at the adjacent A&P Show grounds

There is something precious about meeting around the table. Sharing food, or in this case buying your own!

Penny was keen to put the newly learnt knowledge of how to assist someone up, into practice. Down on the floor she went!

Our first coffee morning was held at the Chrome Cafe in Katikati.

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Considering the forecast I got off lightly with no rain, (Mon–Thu) but there were 30km/h+ winds off Lake Wanaka so I did not put up my 270° Batwing awning this trip.
35,000 steps and some cold sunny days. Love spring road trips. Ice on the windscreen overnight. ©2025 Andrew Morton

I was going to walk to the end of the valley but I forgot to pack my tramping boots, the avalanche warning signs kind of put me off as well. Temple Valley. ©2025 Tony Kissel

Winter nights — wouldn’t you love to be cosy and snuggled up on a wild beach listening to the wind whip the waves?

We are the only ones here, apart from the sandflies… Still plenty of skin left for them to feast on tomorrow. Wooded Gully, North Canterbury. ©2025 Linda Butler

Penultimate winter camping weekend. Thanks Carterton District Council for a multi-use, free site. Expecting 1°C tonight.

Lake Ohau. A tad chilly in the mornings.

Happy until ‘severe weather’ hit at 5am this morning. Snow on mountains, not on my tyres, which is how I like it. -5.7°C.
Snow on Monday night, stunning days to walk 40,000 steps, up to the Mt John Observatory & back a couple times. Spring camping here I come.

Your stories are our stories. Take the photos, and tell us all the small stories as well as the big ones. Changing to 3 issues a year.

April is a spectacular time of year to be in this alpine landscape.

If the idea of camping via sea kayak appeals to you, meet other like-minded women kayakers in our WoW SK community

We would give the Taupō District council a 7 out of 10 for their updated Freedom Camping Bylaw.

Our goal was to increase our battery capacity to store more power, and we needed to look at how we charged them, and how to keep track of the power going into and out.

Taranaki

Extra backup power for low-solar days, or for those who do short journeys: portable power.

Oh no! After all the rain in the deep south the gravel track had turned to slush

The power points in the caravan work just like the ones in your house but if you load them all up at the same time you will overload it and it will trip/ turn off.

June 19. June 21. June 25.

Let’s show the North how it’s done!

We decided to have a camping train as there were 3 events being held during March at Havelock, Nelson and Greymouth.

I have been working on our 17 foot caravan to bring it up to the new requirements for freedom camping. A big challenge was the toilet.

I love Winter camping.

When transporting a new-to-you caravan, it is essential to stop 15 minutes into the trip and check the temperature of the wheels with your hand.

It has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride of late.

Camp 2, of my 'one winter camp a month'.

Our group tramp to Atiwhakatu Hut in the Tararua Ranges was full of first-time hikers that had never stayed in a hut before.

There were some pretty yummy looking dinners getting eaten on our tramp last weekend…. This is what I’m all about.

In July 65 years ago my parents headed off on their honeymoon with a 1930 Model A Ford towing my Grandad’s caravan.

Campers of all stripes are feeling the impact of our changing weather.

New licence system for Taupō trout fishery, Rare slab hut refurbishment keeps traditional ways alive, Fossicking rules broken as gold fever strikes,Watch out for ruru/morepork

Views for miles. We could see Foveaux Strait and Stewart Island. The stars at night are amazing.

Hot soup and warm bread are a great combination in winter. Here’s a couple of simple soup recipes that I make regularly and two self-saucing puddings.

Don’t use an electric toaster when camping off-grid unless you have more battery power stored than you can ever use and a large, professionally installed power inverter. Gas is a much better option.

Woke to a -4˚ frost in Southland this morning. Slept with my woolly hat and socks on and was cosy enough. I also have a good diesel heater and a warm dog.

Staying near the ski fields.

Night time sounds can seem louder and closer than they actually are.

In good, weather-related news, the road replacing the Manawatu Gorge, Te Ahu a Turanga, has opened, as has the Ōtaki Gorge Rd to the Ōtaki Forks DOC campground, in Kapiti.

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If you’ve never been to Bluff Farm then you are missing a treat. To the west the alluring foothills of Oxford where the sun leaves its final splash before the stunning night sky envelopes us

Donegal House is rural and scenic with mountain views, several small lakes, and an Irish-themed bar and restaurant and close to Kaikōura.

Scone mix is made, hope it’s enough, lol. Paddle boards mended. Games sorted. Togs packed. Marshmallow toasting etc after dinner.

Whadiya know. Couple of mins later we got heat.

Rabbit holes, rugby field, quirky goal posts

The town has two freedom camps.

CampFest, Bulls. February. ©2025 Jo Ward.

Sailing through the Waiheke Channel on our way to the northern coast of Waiheke. The wind has finally turned to the south. Feb. ©2025 Graham Leslie

You can wander around and even have your dinner in the picturesque gardens that surround the museum buildings.

Peace, tranquility, a chance to go for a walk to the waterfall, crystal hunting or even a swim makes it worthwhile.

After close to 30 years of camping, firstly with a NZ-made 1970’s classic caravan followed by a luxurious UK Bailey Senator, it was a hard choice to get a caravan that would meet our needs.

Fill in the spaces.

I pulled into Lowburn free camp on the shores of Lake Dunstan and found a shady spot to park.

As Mainlanders, living in Blenheim we decided, part way thru 2024, to try a ferry crossing with car and caravan and go to an APCNZ event in the North Island.

Canterbury, Waihora ©2025 Tony Knights. More p36

I thought this would be the answer to the plastic drive up ramps many use.

Many not-to-be-missed freedom camping spots are far from flat. Pines, Lake Pukaki. ©2019 M Richardson

We chose a spot right with a commanding view of the river and wind farm in the distance.

A good day’s camping starts using a thermette to boil the water for coffee and for its small fire to then make toast.

Be aware of the risks. Check fireweather.

Fireplace at Mangaweka camp, riverside picnic area. ©2012 M Richardson

I became aware of some shortcomings in the design

Roland made it to Campfest, Bulls, March.©2025 Jo Ward.

What you need to know about freedom camping.

I’m just waiting to get a freedom camping fine as some official will decide that I’m camping when I’m actually parked using my RV as my means of transport, particularly in busy places like Queenstown, Tekapo or Wanaka.

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The ‘caravan train’ at Kekerungu.

Whisky Gully, Tapanui, Southland. Lovely views over the plains, and a great walk up the valley, and another through the bush.

It’s like having the glow of a camp fire, without the fire risk. A party for one!

It’s been nine years since we had a sailing holiday in our trailer yacht, Quasimodo.

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

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.

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