CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

Camping the Kiwi Way, Summer 2024

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Double-digit highways

SH32, SH45, SH60: Do you know them?

SH 32/41, West of Lake Taupo

On the road less travelled, down double-digit highways, which wind alongside the mighty Waikato and follow the western and southern shores of Lake Taupo, I find some of my favourite freedom camping sites.

SH45 The Surf Coast Highway, Te Ika a Maui North Island

Exploring SH45 along the western side of Mount Taranaki was a new coddiwompling adventure for us. South Taranaki is a freedom-camping-friendly district, with many small towns along the way offering vehicle and tent options to free camp. So we were excited to spend a few days there and back on a visit to New Plymouth.

SH60 Richmond to Collingwood, Tasman

SH60 begins in Richmond, travels through Motueka and Takaka and ends after 117km at Collingwood.

Butchers Dam aurora

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

We got bogged: “Because it’d be funner,” he said

Well. There we were. Bogged.

And people wonder why I like camping

And people wonder why I like camping.

Springing

Your camping stories from spring. Tents. Weather. The night sky. Places to go, places to stay, things to do.

What a difference a day makes

What a difference a day makes

Waitaki first day

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

Ōtaki Rivermouth

Ōtaki Rivermouth

NIWA summer forecast

Warmer than average; more days over 25°C; more dry spells…

Camp Fest ‘25

Pack up your tent or camping vehicle and join us at the Bulls Domain for a weekend of fun, music, food and family-friendly entertainment.

All roads lead to Camp Fest

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

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

Camping in Tairāwhiti this summer

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

Freedom camping news

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.

Self-containment warrant cards: Which ones are valid?

Check your card against these, to see whether you can still freedom camp.

But I am not 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

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

Revolutionizing Kiwi camping with Fix’n’Rail

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

What is out there

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

This is the summer to visit Queenstown

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.

The Wairau

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

Getting your camping vehicle certified

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

Dealing with a caravan flat

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

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

Old Blue

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!

Kea attack

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