CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

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.

An independent national network for self-containment certification

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.

Citreon & pop-top at Lake Kaniere.

The togs never saw the light of day at this weekend’s camp at Fortrose.

My home for the next few weeks

Tuppence, Pirongia, Cafe 77, Manawaru, Rosie and Brian’s in Reporoa

Here is a photo of the Nugget Point lighthouse. As we saw it today. March 6. ©2025 Dave Adamson

Running off a cordless drill

Camping at CampFest. ©2025 Jo Ward

My introduction to fishing as a child: I recall being taken to the Waimakariri river and using a string hand-line with red meat as bait, I don’t recall any success .

Fishing as the sun goes down. Ōtaki River mouth free camp. March. ©2025 M Richardson

It wasn’t the best week as we had such bad weather

Where’s summer? Crazy.
Yesterday it was 28° here, I melted.

A night at Ferry Reserve on our way to Morisons Bush. ©2025 Wayne Ravelich

Bedtime Bubbles & wash in Kaiapoi for my wee mate after 57 nights on the road without a bath. ©2025 Andrew Morton

Just got back from an adventure-filled Waiohine Gorge campsite!

There is a common and very dangerous belief held by many caravan owners that it is fine to have a heavy load at the rear as long as it is balanced by a similar load at the front. That is virtually a recipe for jack-knifing.

A huge draw card, was the stage and music, talent contest, open mike time and the bands which played on to 9pm. This brought a carnival atmosphere to the camp.

Late summer fishing at the Ōtaki River Mouth free camp. February 2025. ©2025 M Richardson

One thing I learnt after travelling full-time for 20 odd years: It doesn’t matter so much where you are, as long as you are present where you are. Mind you, I still struggle with that at times, wanting nature and just the sounds of nature. lol.

It didn’t take long before I felt like I was at home for my four day stay.

The weather was so nice that we came out early. All that is missing is you.©2025 Linda Butler

This venue is our favourite go-to for Christmas due to its proximity to everything. If you are travelling or want company for Christmas next year, do consider joining us. 

It’s a lovely rural spot 15 mins from Te Aroha and 20 mins from Matamata.
They have a lot of visits from cyclists doing the Hauraki Rail Trail and tourists.

I tell you, what a welcome! I think why people stay is due to our lovely welcoming hosts Rosie and Brian. They have been operating this site in their paddocks for 8 years, back then it was a gold coin to stay and to help campers out.

For the first time we had a camp up event for those wanting to try the Havelock Mussel Festival.

The challenges of the changes to freedom camping

SH32, SH45, SH60: Do you know them?

How small are we in this world? Not us but another caravanner oblivious to the skies above.

Well. There we were. Bogged.

And people wonder why I like camping.

What a difference a day makes

Another pilgrimage to the Waitaki lakes this morning, marking the start to the camping season.

Ōtaki Rivermouth

No matter which direction you are coming to Camp Fest from, there are many worthwhile, interesting places to explore and enjoy. North, South, East or West, or just a short distance from the Camp Fest venue there are some great opportunities to take a break and check out something a bit different.

I really like the Waiouru Army Museum as a safe place to park up for the night.

This remote and extraordinarily beautiful part of the Pacific Coast Highway is fully open and welcoming campers for the summer season.

No end to confusion and misinformation out there about what is lawful or required to be a freedom camper. No consistency. No fair control of freedom camping.

Each council makes its choices when it trains its enforcement officers: what criteria determines ‘freedom camping’ or ‘preparing to freedom camp’; how to recognise a ‘day-trip excursion’ vs ‘preparing to freedom camp.’ There is no way for the traveller to know in advance what criteria any particular council is using.

A roof-top tent captured at the Ōtaki Rivermouth freedom camp as the sun was going down.

The design behind Fix’n’Rail supports a circular economy by giving new life to portable toilets that may otherwise end up in landfills.

It’s amazing what is out there to be seen when you are tucked up in bed

There are parking bylaws and nationwide reserve laws that continue to affect freedom camping in Queenstown this summer, but the years-long prohibitive bans are gone from Queenstown Lakes District.

After a peaceful night’s sleep a hearty breakfast on the Wairau river is always a good way to start the day

NZ Lifestyle Camping’s network of more than 150 testing officers offer self-containment testing for all types of campers

Have you had a flat tyre on your caravan? I have now had three and would like to pass on some experience that may help you.

Sunday morning caravan Lego with our boys, Eddie and Boston.

The camp still has quite a few hardy campers on-site, it’s Labour Day weekend after all. You wait, the sun will be shining tomorrow & the fish biting!

Setting up my tent this weekend I noticed about a dozen little holes in the roof.

So far I’ve had gale force winds and 30mm rain in the last 24 hours…

If you are travelling along the Southern Scenic Coast then 10 minutes out of Riverton, turn off Highway 99 and follow the Thornbury Gropers Bush Road.

A nice relaxing weekend at one of my favourite spots, Temple Stream DOC Campsite.

Marfells Beach is a DOC camp (pay online, whew, there is mobile coverage this time) has wild silverbeet.

All Points Camping enjoyed craft shopping, toasting marshmallows in the fire pit and Devonshire teas at the Milford POP.

“Being able to get out into nature and go places that I would not physically be able to reach on my own is such a joy and privilege.”

Making a campsite accessible involves more than installing accessible toilets.

Our boys were 8 and 6 years old, the younger one, Rueben, having severe autism. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to go camping and that we would learn to deal with things as they happened and some we could prepare for beforehand.

When I stayed at the holiday park earlier this year, Keith showed me the work being done to make the facilities more accessible.

What a view to wake up to this morning. National Park, Waiouru

While we were exploring the geosites in the Waitaki Valley, we saw several signs to Danseys Pass.

After years in the fast-paced and ever-changing world of sports and technology, David had spotted a gap in the market for a tech-forward solution around pets and instant video advice.

Pippa in the hammock

We always take Pippa with us and she loves the adventures as much as we do. I thought I’d list a few of the resources I’ve found helpful on our travels with our furry family member, but this is by no means a definitive list.

Don’t miss local A & P shows when you travel the country.

I caught up with the authors and fellow camping adventurers of this amazing book, The Slow Road, documenting their year travelling around NZ.

My day at Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch.

Besides a great selection of well-priced food venders, there was also a variety of specialty foods including cheese, mushrooms, paté, cured meats, sweet treats, wine, beer. And we had ‘Music on the Green’ to relax to.

Cooked my favourite breakfast when camping: pancakes with boysenberry jam

Safe toilet chemicals are essential, but some toilet chemicals kill essential bacteria in septic and environmental systems: some are toxic — this article explains all.

We did the fairy forest walk at Dog Walk Stream, Hanmer, and lo and behold the fairies camp too!

Not bothering much about the forecast warning for rain over Labour Weekend, I loaded up the camper, with clothes, food and my two dogs, and off we went to Terako Downs.

Terako Downs entrance, Labour Weekend

We donned our tramping gear and went for a 4 hour hike along the bush trails that start at the Waiorongomai Valley carpark