CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

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

At the All Points camp at Foxton Beach School over Labour weekend I asked others what they like to cook when they are camping.

I’ve worked out an effective way to heat up pies.

Staying in Oamaru after attending a cycle event at the Waimate velodrome organised by the Oamaru Ordinary Cycle Club.

Fishing in the snow. Ohau B canal. Spring

Slept in it last night on the lounge floor with all the windows open.

Fill in 13 place names from the list of DOC sites.

The name of the game is to get your disc, in the least amount of throws, into the chain basket.

A free DOC camp between Twizel and Tekapo with spectacular mountain views.

A thoroughly relaxing, free camp on the Firth of Thames.

Latest news for campers from DOC

Stayed for two nights at the Uretiti DOC campsite (Northland). for the first time.

There were stars out on Saturday night, but Sunday dawned overcast with a cool breeze.

All sorts of campers at the Foxton Beach Spring Fling camping weekend.

A Pacific-blue sea and sky. Sleeping to the sound of the sea.

Fantastic time at the Onearo campground. Fun time with all.

While we travel in a country beset by discontent, we can lift our eyes to the hills, and see the enduring beauty and majesty of the country we live in. The long view.

Q. What’s better than a gourmet snag on some fresh Turkish bread, with relish, cooked and eaten outdoors while freedom camping?

“It’s a chance to get dressed up and have some have fun” in Oamaru and Thames.

Lake Pukaki in winter. I can’t get enough of this place. Freedom camping! ©2024 M Richardson

When I built the van, I knew that sometime later I would have to upgrade it.

Camping at the Eketahuna campground, April 2024 ©2024 Bette Cosgrove

One winter’s morning in June, my son and I spontaneously took the campervan on a road trip up the coast.

Solar power for us campers is a simple process. All you need is a solar panel, a solar controller, and a battery.

Ready for sunbathing and a book. Morrisons Bush. ©2023 Bette Cosgrove

We’d been converting campervans as a hobby for a few years and discovered we loved building and creating things together. Plus, we were tired of our dull 9–5 jobs…

Vintage caravan at a Whanganui Vintage weekend 2024 ©2024 Margaret Earle

Firstly, make sure your caravan is ready to move.

At the time of writing this, the caravan still sits empty, untouched in our back yard. We are in discussions with our lawyer.

Unlike cars, a well-made caravan may last for decades with only minor areas that need attention.

Passing over a bit of road where the rumble strip had been removed but not filled in, my tyre got stuck in the rut and shredded.

A multi-generation caravan and great great grandchild. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove

I filled the fridge, tossed in some clothes, a hot water bottle, the dog and hit the road

When you are out camping you notice beautiful and obscure things. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock

Winter is not the best time to visit Farewell Spit from a bird point of view, but I was there, so I took the tour anyway, and it was spectacular.

Freedom van camping ©2023 Bette Cosgrove

I had a great view of Mt Ngāuruhoe on my first day there, though it was invisible for the rest of my stay.

Whitebaiting. Rakaia River Mouth ©2024 David Liddel

Campground, Opoutere, Stop and Stay, Coromandel

This winter was my first in the Otago cold— a bit of a learning curve.

Sitting under the awning, I enjoy a read or an ale while roasting coffee beans.

Lake Pukaki, freedom camping in Winter: I cant get enough of this place. Any season. ©2024 M Richardson

Where are we at? At a government level, a council level, a certification level, at a camper level.

In short, I designed Fix-a-Potty™ for the campervan community to provide more affordable and compact toilet options, with the intention of helping everyone continue to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer.

A response to a legislative challenge has brought us the compact, front-opening BlackMOA™ Cassette Toilet

Due out late October, the Fix’n’Rail is a heavy duty sliding rail and secure bracket that lets you slide a portable toilet in and out of its storage area

While the new toilet-makers have been welcomed with interest, the Fix-a-Potty™ people were faced with severe scepticism, not to say unfair condemnation, that still continues to pop up on Facebook and confuse people.

Toilet and shower tent. ©2024 Gary Hitchcock

Who can freedom camp? Certified Blue before 7/7/23?
Certified Blue before 7/7/24?
Green Warrant?

Choose from an independent national network of more than 150 self-containment testing officers.

The Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation 2023 / revised Freedom Camping Act 2011 presents significant challenges for councils across New Zealand as they strive to comply.

Wintering in the North Island, I decided to explore hot pools, building my own short-list of pools for an annual safari each winter. Here’s my six favourites, so far.

This is a magical free stopover in a humble carpark, with entertainment built in.

If you have room for a pressure cooker when you are camping it provides a quick and efficient way to cook.

This is a very versatile and flexible recipe. You can make it up as a dry mix at home to take with you.