Mt Cook from the Lake Pukaki freedom camping area. ©2023 M Richardson

Snow on the mountains behind Reefton

A fabulous Clydesdale wagon ride one winter at Erewhon. ©2024 M Richardson

If you do not want to freedom camp you do not need the new green warrant. The existing blue standard and blue warrant is still acceptable for all other places that require certified self-containment (so far).

Autumn snow behind Lake Wardel, a free camping spot near Twizel, McKenzie Country. ©2022 M Richardson

Glendhu Bay camping ground ©2024 M Richardson

Take phone to a beautiful lake-edge perch... © 2024 M Richardson

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

Ōtaki Rivermouth

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

The town has two freedom camps.

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.

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

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

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

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

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