7 Autumn 2024
Hidden gem
Recently when we were traveling south from Whangārei on State Highway 1, we spotted a sign for Waipu Caves. It was a spur of the moment decision to investigate further, as we turned onto a gravel side road.
7 Autumn 2024
It was a tent
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.
7 Autumn 2024
My caravan that floats
Our family owns a 24ft (7.3 metre) trailer sailer. It is a bit like a floating caravan and we have had many camping holidays on the water.
7 Autumn 2024
Fishing when your caravan floats.
Food supplies can be supplemented with fishing when your caravan floats.
7 Autumn 2024
Make caravan fridges work as claimed
To make caravan fridges work as claimed, and draw less energy, is cheap, simple and easy. Many can be transformed. This article shows how.
7 Autumn 2024
A small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip
Sedgemere Track is only open for six weeks of the year...
7 Autumn 2024
Recipes for camping
Tinned chickpeas are a useful thing to keep in your caravan cupboard. As well as being tasty they are a good source of protein. Here’s a couple of recipes you could use them in.
7 Autumn 2024
Pizza in the Omnia
I just tried making pizza in the Omnia Oven. It looks and smells good, just have to wait for it to cool down and stop bubbling!
7 Autumn 2024
DOC update
Clean your gear. Works underway to reopen Morere Hot Pools. More than 10,000 wild goats removed in a national competition. Nature as therapy is the focus of a new guide. DOC report shows short adventures trending for travellers. Ōparara Basin waharoa unveiled. A sea lion/pakake mum swam 60 kilometres inland. Checking a week-old Albatross chick, Tairoa Heads.
7 Autumn 2024
Living an endless summer
Delightful to chat with Alan and Joyce on a glorious summer’s day at Little Waipa reserve. Joyce was setting out the table and chairs in a sunny spot overlooking the Waikato River after a chillyish night with temperature inside the caravan at a brisk 11º.
7 Autumn 2024
The perils of a coiled power supply cord
Some caravanners are connecting a 230 volt power supply, via a lead, that is “coiled on a reel”, which is not completely “uncoiled” from the cable drum.This is not good practice. Here is why.
7 Autumn 2024
Camp au naturel
There are many ways to have a summer camping holiday, and everyone has their own reasons for choosing where they camp, how they camp and who they camp with.
Some folk choose to go where they can shed their clothes along with the stresses and worries of every day life.
7 Autumn 2024
Whanganui vintage camping
In January, 70 adults and 25 young people took part in an All Points camp at the Whanganui Intermediate School for the Whanganui Vintage Weekend.
They camped in a mix of caravans, tents, motor homes and small vans and many camped as family groups or with their friends.
7 Autumn 2024
Waihopai camp and the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival
Our All Points Camping NZ park and camp was at the Waihopai Community Centre and Reserve, 16km away from Marlborough’s iconic wine and food event.
7 Autumn 2024
Three octogenarian campers
Between them they have over 240 years of camping experience.
7 Autumn 2024
Three singers at Campfest ’24
Got to sing with these amazing girls — Karen Clarke & Tina Turley. AWESOME.
7 Autumn 2024
Stop and stay with your DOG
North Island. South Island. Free, low cost and paid.
7 Autumn 2024
Land of the Lotus
Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. A must stopover for all garden lovers.
7 Autumn 2024
Scottland Motorhome Park
The perfect private park out of Bannockburn. On the top of a ridge looking down to Cromwell one side, Carricktown the other, it’s a windy spot with dramatic views, dramatic weather and the history of the valley is dramatic as well.
7 Autumn 2024
Getting outdoors
A suite of Facebook groups from NZ Fun Adventures to encourage you outdoors.
7 Autumn 2024
Festivals and Shows
These events either offer overnight parking or the local area provides options.
7 Autumn 2024
DOC campsites 1: In the north: Fill in the spaces
There are more than 200 DOC sites throughout New Zealand, 34 in the north. Work out which15 of those in the north fit the grid.
7 Autumn 2024
Camping and RV Businesses Services
Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more.
7 Autumn 2024
All Points Camping Club of NZ
Membership support. Friendly, inclusive camping events. Nationwide savings. Lobbying support for campers’ rights.
7 Autumn 2024
Camping The Kiwi Way, Autumn 2024
• Celebrating Summer.
• Navigating freedom camping law changes.
• Hitting the road full time.
• RV businesses and services.
7 Autumn 2024
Table of contents
• Celebrating summer.
• So you want to freedom camp.
• Ten tips for hitting the road full time.
• My caravan that floats.
• Three octogenarian campers.
• RV & camper business services.
7 Autumn 2024
Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system
A gaze into the green crystal ball of hope for a consistent, reliable freedom camping vehicle certification system, reveals an extremely stormy and very cloudy future.
7 Autumn 2024
Setting up at Campfest
Setting up at Campfest, Bulls, Feb 24. ©2024 Tracey Davis.
7 Autumn 2024
Editorial
When I began assembling this issue I came up against a dilemma. How to inspire without sweeping under the carpet the negative things happening for freedom camping in New Zealand?
7 Autumn 2024
The packdown
In our previous years, we could never pack down in time and were always hot and bothered by the end. This year, we nailed it with time to spare!
7 Autumn 2024
Celebrating Summer
Six pages of stories from around the country and the season.
7 Autumn 2024
We made it to Curio Bay
Well we made it to Curio Bay on Monday afternoon, after an 8¾ hour drive.
7 Autumn 2024
The dogs had visitors
The dogs had visitors at Knottingly Park and Arboretum camp.
7 Autumn 2024
Foray into paradise
I can’t really take in how gorgeous the McKenzie Basin is.
7 Autumn 2024
Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours?
What you can do with your particular warrant card.
7 Autumn 2024
Tucks Bay, Coramandel
Home for the night became Tucks Bay, the overflow part of the Long Bay Campground, Coromandel
7 Autumn 2024
Three adults, three kids & five dogs
We settled on Lake Opuha for our latest trip.
7 Autumn 2024
Not FREE but truly freedom at its best
SH 35 is a magical journey. Put it on your list.
7 Autumn 2024
Love Woodville Ferry Reserve
Love Woodville Ferry Reserve, hardly anyone here.
7 Autumn 2024
So you want to freedom camp
We are in a transition period from the old ‘blue’ warrant system to a new ‘green’ warrant system. The transition period is set to expire 7 June ’25. There is a small possibility that the Minister might choose to extend the transition period: it could help, with so many needing to be certified by so few.
7 Autumn 2024
In two minds
In two minds about posting this as it was so wonderful to have had it all to ourselves (the way I like it this side of Xmas!) for 3 nights! But its such a cool place I can’t not share and recommend it.
7 Autumn 2024
What is ‘self-contained’, anyway?
Self-containment is at the heart of the the latest raft of freedom camping changes instituted in 2023.
7 Autumn 2024
The life and times of a Ford Trader Camper truck
The original camper truck in 1973 was aFord Trader .
7 Autumn 2024
Escape to Papatowai
After the chaos of Christmas our frazzled nerves needed restoring. We threw a few supplies into the campervan and headed for the healing calm of Papatowai.
7 Autumn 2024
Eclectic bunch
What an eclectic bunch of lovely people camping all sorts of ways.
7 Autumn 2024
A lovely long weekend away at Lake Ōhau
I’ve just had a lovely long weekend away at Lake Ōhau in my little Wanda.
7 Autumn 2024
Enforcement of freedom camping rules
Offences to avoid when freedom camping. Who has to pay, Knowing or not knowing you have been ‘infringed’. What information must enforcement officers give? What information are you required to give? You can be required to leave. Impounding things.
7 Autumn 2024
We had a great stay at Tokomaru Bay
Our camp was right on the beach looking directly out to where the sun would rise.
7 Autumn 2024
Two nights (again) at our local reserve
Two nights (again) at our local reserve… Waitohi Bush Reserve … great place to just unwind and listen to the bellbirds.
7 Autumn 2024
I am not freedom camping’ cards
We are now in a surreal world of peculiar freedom camping rules. Every camping vehicle is now at risk of substantial fines, wherever it is parked, as the new offence of “preparing to freedom camp” is defined as “parking”.
7 Autumn 2024
A small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip
Haven’t done a huge amount of biking this summer, but sometimes all it takes is a small, perfectly formed bikepacking trip to rekindle the love.
7 Autumn 2024
Heading to The Burt
Well after a week of covid and still not a lot of energy I decided bugger it and I’m heading to The Burt
7 Autumn 2024
Truly a Summer to remember
Currently on night 23 of this 86-night trip. In Murchison next week I celebrate my 250th night since getting my teardrop.
7 Autumn 2024
Christmas at Lake Aniwhenua
Christmas at Lake Aniwhenua, with 6 others, all old friends from around the North Island
7 Autumn 2024
Do your bit: Task of the week
Let one person in authority know you want to protect your right to freedom camp on public land.
7 Autumn 2024
The cat comes too
The cat comes too. This spot is only 6km from home. And the cat always come along for the adventures…
7 Autumn 2024
No more freedom camping
No more freedom camping for these responsible campers. No room for a fixed loo…
7 Autumn 2024
Ten tips for hitting the road full time
Van life is becoming more and more popular but the transition to this lifestyle can be far from smooth. After 3 years on the road, here’s our tips to get you from house life to road life.
7 Autumn 2024
Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West
Why stick to the law if you can get away with whatever takes your fancy?
4 Winter 2023
A cure for the stubborn peg
I thought people might find this useful — I always struggle to pull pegs out…
7 Autumn 2024
Charly the campervan
New Zealand’s first wheelchair accessible campervan, CHARLY, will soon be available for hire.
7 Autumn 2024
Taihape: the perfect stopover place
Okay , listen up, this is new. When travelling the North Island, Taihape has become the perfect stopover place.
7 Autumn 2024
Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health
I go camping for my mental health. Bev and I have done this for over 25 years. I’m not happy with the NZ Government interfering with my choice of leisure time by restricting how I go camping.
7 Autumn 2024
7 days a week
7 days a week, NZ Lifestyle Camping works to support NZ campers and the commercial vehicle industry that require certified self-containment
7 Autumn 2024
All Points Camping at Morisons Bush
All Points Camping at Morisons Bush, Waitangi Weekend 2024.
7 Autumn 2024
Kiwi camping with a difference
It all started with a chance conversation with friends about a special birthday coming up & the fact that I wanted to take my wife & kids on a trip to the South Island.
6 Summer 2023
Rv & Camper services
Find the services you need for your camping or motorhoming.
Labour weekend at Mangawhai
6 Summer 2023
Camping The Kiwi Way, Summer 2023
• Well worth the walk. Wild. Magnificent.
• Mavis and all her DIY: Here’s a brilliant idea…
• Who is advocating for NZ campers?
• Tips for a family camping trip.
• 50 years camping at Morison’s Bush
• RV & camper services
6 Summer 2023
The freedom camping law needs to change
Seven things to fix • Use the current standard.
• Remove the fixed toilet fetish.
• Remove the offence “preparing to freedom camp” — who can determine intentions?
• Make the delivery of offence notices fair.
• Remove the revised definition of homelessness.
• Ensure adequate facilities for all travellers.
• Differentiate between citizens and tourists.
6 Summer 2023
Mt Cook from the Lake Pukaki
Mt Cook from the Lake Pukaki freedom camping area. ©2023 M Richardson
6 Summer 2023
Hi, I’m Fran
Hi, I’m Fran and I have lived on the road a long time. It’s a great life.
6 Summer 2023
Self-containment certification: Which one is yours?
Identify which kind of self containment you have, and be clear about where you are allowed to camp, so you can avoid fines and hassles
6 Summer 2023
What to do?
With the new self-containment system in disarray, what do you do with your new build, conversion or upgrade? Four choices.
6 Summer 2023
Editorial
An El Niño summer gives a sterner edge to commonsense precautions. Caught in the middle or a camper upgrade? Encourage the small towns to love us.
6 Summer 2023
Well worth the walk
Wharariki Beach is a wild, magnificent, and windswept long sandy beach, home of the Archway Islands, and can be found at the northernmost point of the South Island — west of Cape Farewell
6 Summer 2023
Mavis and all her DIY
It all started with needing a new roof hatch… well not exactly needing, but more a case of wanting. Out with the old and in with the new.
6 Summer 2023
You have to be here…
We gathered in Alexandra in Autumn, four of us and a dog. It’s a great season for biking in Central Otago, not too hot, and the weather is usually settled.
6 Summer 2023
Who is advocating for New Zealanders who go camping?
Three national groups speak on behalf of NZ campers: the All Points Camping Club of NZ, the NZMCA, and the Responsible Campers Association
6 Summer 2023
Biking the Waikato River Trails
Here’s the exciting opportunities for your stay and cycle journey on the Waikato River Trails.
6 Summer 2023
Dehydrated dinners
Initially I bought a dehydrator to make fruit snacks for tramping. Over time, friends inspired me to use my dehydrator to make pre-cooked dinners.
6 Summer 2023
There’s no need to rush this Summer. Is it better on the other side?
The new self-containment regulations that the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board are trying to implement have more bumps, twists and turns than the North Island Saddle Road.
ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print)