We settled on Lake Opuha for our latest trip.

Best mod for camping so far, a stove jack that I got sewn into the awning. Keil MacDiarmid ©2023 Keil MacDiarmid

Well after a week of covid and still not a lot of energy I decided bugger it and I’m heading to The Burt

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

It’s too big for a chair and it’s not moving in the water so I can only guess it’s another tent blown away, full of belongings.

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

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

Making a campsite accessible involves more than installing accessible toilets.

“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.”

We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline.

Well some days it makes no difference at all how much solar you have on the roof. ©2024 Allan Henderson

Taking a bike trip around Otago. The teardrop camper at 
Champagne Gully on Lake Dunstan. Autumn. Andrew Morton.

Autumn. 
Cycling in Otago. 
Camping in the teardrop. 
Andrew Morton

A three-hour late-night drive to Lumsden freedom camping spot at the station, arriving 11.30pm. Woke to a stunning day, chilly, but an awesome day for riding.

I’m in Rotorua today (MTB Mecca) ready for tomorrow’s ride, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop: 33km, 3hr. Another one of the 23 Great Rides of NZ. ckw.nz/great-rides ©2022 Andrew Morton

If it was that easy, everyone would do it.

Camping on a NI bike trip: the teardrop, tarp, comfy chairs, a table and a BBQ.

Eight days so far; 1300km in the car plus 216km on the mountain bike, and 45 days to go.

I am on track with my original goal of 100 nights per year & mountain bike as much as I can in other regions. Teardrop. © 2023 Andrew Morton

I am on track with my original goal of 100 nights away per year and mountain bike as much as I can in other regions.

Teardrop camping

Currently on night 23 of this 86-night trip. In Murchison next week I celebrate my 250th night since getting my teardrop.

Cycle camping with a teardrop and a fly. ©2024 Andrew Morton

On the cycle trail at Bannockburn. ©2023 Andrew Morton

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

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

I see a lot of really big setups on Facebook, so I thought I'd share my 'small' kayak camping setup for the weekend.

‘Let’s go South for a few weeks.’
‘How many weeks?’
‘Eight.’ 
‘How about six?’ 
‘OK. let’s see how it goes.’

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.

Introducing Stop and Stay, where to stop when travelling and camping in NZ — use it, share it, add to it.