7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption More for councils and govt, Issue 7 Editor In the Autumn issue 4 Editorial 6 Self-containment warrant cards 8 How to manage the freedom camping transition period 10 What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? 12 Enforcement of freedom camping rules 14 ‘I am not freedom camping’ cards 16 No more freedom camping for these responsible campers 18 Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West 19 small town: Taihape: the perfect stopover 20 Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health 21 7 days a week Camping in action 5 Celebrating Summer 34 Living an endless summer 37 Three octogenarian campers 40 Events — Camping 41 Festivals and Shows Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 2

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption APC Social gathering at the Morisons, Waitangi Weekend, 2024. ©2024 Margaret Earle All Points Camping Club of NZ All Points Camping We are proud to sponsor this issue of Camping the Kiwi Way Brought to you by NZ’s inclusive, friendly, camping club, for your reading pleasure. Family membership to the All Points Camping Club gives you: ✶ Membership support ✶ Friendly, inclusive camping events ✶ Nationwide savings ✶ Lobbying support for campers’ rights. You don’t have to have a self-contained vehicle to join. You don’t have to be a member to come to our events. It's m ore than just a club, it’s like one big family. All Points Camping at Morison's Bush, Wairarapa, Waitangi Weekend 2024 ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Come along to one of our events near you.Bring the tent, bring the kids. Join now JOIN only $35 (1st year) (less, after that) NZ’s national camping club Our home page: www.all points camping nz .org ✶ When the benefits far exceed the cost you’d be crazy not to take it up. ✶ Our values: compassion, inclusion, support and encouragement More from All Points Camping Read about The Whanganui Vintage weekend | The Waihopai gathering Look our for a camping event near you Join us on Facebook (open to all) Check out Stop and Stay, camping with your dog ; the full Stop and Stay listings For business services check out Camping and RV Businesses Services on NZLifestyle.com All Points Camping at Morison's Bush, Wairarapa, Waitangi Weekend 2024 ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 52

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption NZLC logo-tr.png NZ’s independent national network for self-containment certification authority Gary Stoneley With a national network of more than 170 self-containment testing officers, NZ Lifestyle Camping supports the NZ leisure camping industry. You do not need to be a member of a club or organisation to get your self-containment certification through NZLC but must have a vehicle that is fit for the purpose of habitation. NZ Lifestyle Camping’s network of testing officers adhere to the requirements of the current NZ Standard, NZS 5465:2001, for the self-containment of motor vehicles. We are currently working with our industry partners to implement the new self-containment regulations due to take effect in December 2023. Recent legislative changes mean that while the current 4 year, NZ-wide standard remains in force, restrictions affect ‘free’ camping on public land (council controlled, LINZ land and possibly some DOC land). We remain committed to supporting all types of campers throughout NZ. For persons with camping vehicles containing portable toilets, a limited certificate can be issued which identifies your vehicle as self-contained for staying on all other land in NZ (commercial, private, club-owned) or at events requiring self-containment. To find or arrange a self-containment check please contact a testing officer near you. 
 nzlifestylecamping.com : https://www.nzlifestylecamping.com  North Is: https://www.nzlifestylecamping.com/northisland South Is: https://www.nzlifestylecamping.com/southisland Fees NZ Lifestyle Camping has a standard processing and issue fee of $45 to cover the costs of issuing the required documentation and maintaining our national network. This is as well as any fee testing officers may charge for their time. New Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board self-containment regulations are not in force yet and some time away. An additional levy of $120 will apply. We wish everyone safe travels. 
We encourage ‘Leave no Trace’ principles when camping. Kind regards,
Gary Stoneley, 
NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd
Ph 027 246 9778 
 nzlifestylecamping.com FYI: We do not recommend freedom camping while you await your final documentation and window card. Without these you are at risk of receiving a $400 fine. More on Freedom camping and self-containment: The freedom camping law needs to change Self-containment certification: which one is yours? What to do? Upgrade? Wait? Editorial — Caught in the middle Who is advocating for NZers who camp? There’s no need to rush this summer NZ’s independent national network for certification Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 23

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Sundown, Tucks Bay, Coramandel © 2024 Darryn Phayer Sundown, Tucks Bay Darryn Phayer Sundown, Tucks Bay, Coramandel. © 2024 Darryn Phayer Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 25

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Lake Taupo ©2023 Angela Bryan Durie Hill Tower ©2023 Angela Bryan Tunnel access to Durie Hill Tower ©2023 Angela Bryan Durie Hill ©2023 Angela Bryan Homing Pigeon ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimarie Paddle Steamer ©2023 Angela Bryan Loo with a view ©2023 Angela Bryan Riverview Scenic Reserve - Murchison ©2023 Angela Bryan ©2023 Angela Bryan ©2023 Angela Bryan ©2023 Angela Bryan ©2023 Angela Bryan Maruia Falls The Maruia Falls, on the way, are well worth the stop for a short walk and there’s plenty of room to park up for a lunch break. ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River Bridge Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan DOC park Hanmer ©2023 Angela Bryan lets_Waimakakariri 3.webp ©2023 Angela Bryan DOC ablutions Hanmer ©2023 Angela Bryan lets_Cape Farewell 2_MW.webp ©2023 Angela Bryan Whatamango Bay ©2023 Angela Bryan lets_Cape Farewell 2_MW.webp STOP and STAY Let’s go south for a few weeks’ Angela Bryan Let’s go South for a few weeks.’ How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ ‘OK. let’s see how it goes.’ That’s pretty much how the conversation with hubby went when I saw an opening to get him away in our 6.5m Leisureline caravan for more than a long weekend or a couple of weeks holiday. So after booking ferry crossings we were off. First stop over was the shores of Lake Ohakuri in the Taupo area. Early March had some decently nice days to just chill out and unwind from all the preparation needed to be away from our orchard for an extended period. Peace and quiet, nice cuppa and hot pools to relax in, although they were a bit cooler than normal due to the large amount of rain from the two recent cyclones. We had decided we would avoid the main highways where possible on this trip and get to see a bit more of the country — stop off at those places we just normally drive through, and have a look around. Our next destination was Raetihi, travelling the western side of Lake Taupo and the Tongariro National Park. There is some beautiful scenery through this area. ©2023 Angela Bryan So our next destination was Raetihi, travelling the western side of Lake Taupo and the Tongariro National Park. There is some beautiful scenery through this area. We rocked up to the Raetihi Holiday Park mid afternoon and got one of the last two powered sites they had. Who would have thought Raetihi is a busy place? Well it certainly is. The holiday park is the base for a lot of rafting and tramping trips and there were people coming and going constantly. A lovely small park with reasonably priced sites and the most amazing ablution block you will ever see. If you’re in this area stopping in here for the night is a must, just for the showers. Recently built, the block contains all the usual amenities. The lights turn on automatically when you walk into the toilets, nice but no big deal. When you walk into the shower cubicle, big enough for mum and a couple of kids, the light turns on, the fan turns on, and the heat lamp turns on . Yes, the heat lamp . There’s no reaching to the back of the shower to turn it on and getting wet at the same time, loads of room to keep clothes and shoes dry and the pressure, did I mention the pressure? The showers are free and the place is spotless. Well done Raetihi Holiday Park . I am impressed. Ohakune From Raetihi it is an easy drive to Ohakune to take a ride on the cycle track around the town, you can even get a shuttle up to Horopito and bike back into Ohakune. iSite staff assured me it is downhill most of the way, but I’ll take their word for it. We cruised around the riverside track and then stopped off at The Chocolate Éclair Shop for the biggest sweet treat ever. There are lots of cafes in Ohakune to suit every taste. It is an easy drive up to the Whakapapa ski field where there is nothing going on at this time of year but amazing views. Wanganui Lakeside was a perfect spot to base ourselves for some sightseeing around Wanganui, bike riding and paddle steaming, not to mention checking out the local cafés. ©2023 Angela Bryan From Raetihi it was on to Whanganui via SH4. We had been told about Lakelands Holiday Park on the shores of Lake Wiritoa on the outskirts of Whanganui. We were not disappointed, a lovely peaceful spot right on the shores of the lake and only a 10 minute drive into the city. A perfect spot to base ourselves for some sightseeing, bike riding and paddle steaming, not to mention checking out the local cafés. Mmmm that’s the second time I’ve mentioned cafés. When we’re away we feel some responsibility to contribute to the local economy so instead of going out for dinner, which can be a lottery when you don’t know the area, we have an early lunch at a café. This covers the morning coffee fix and keeps us going through until we are feet up with a cuppa and scones back at the caravan. Manawatu & CampFest After seeing Whanganui it was off to the Manawatu where we parked up at a friend’s place for a week while visiting friends and family in the area before heading to the CampFest at the Bulls Domain. This is a great free camping spot as well. I wasn’t sure what I had got myself into when I offered to help out at CampFest, but I must say it was one of the most enjoyable camping weekends we have ever had. Loads of chilled-out relaxed campers in every mode of camping you could think of and everyone generally had a great weekend. We will be back for next year to meet more of our fellow campers and make new friends. More on CampFest Cook Strait So it was off across Cook Strait to the South Island, the last sailing before all sailings were cancelled due to 11m swells. It wasn’t pleasant, but we got there. Canterbury On the mainland it was on to Canterbury for another family catch-up. We turned off at Amberley and took the scenic road through Rangiora and Oxford and down the southern side of the Waimakariri River. Waimakariri River ©2023 Angela Bryan There seemed to be lots of lovely spots that one could stop over for the night if the local freedom camping bylaws allow (we didn’t check as we were headed for family again). Have you ever stopped at Darfield? It is only 45 minutes out of Christchurch and on the main highway to the West Coast but it is well worth a stop. The best bakery around with a massive selection of pies, and loads of small crafty shops to browse around, and again, with a couple of lovely cafés. There’s a very easy cycle track and if you want to leave the village we found the local roads easy to navigate and there was not much traffic. But at some point we were biking into the wind — just as well our bikes have batteries. Hanmer Springs The DOC camp on the outskirts of Hanmer. ©2023 Angela Bryan From Canterbury it was back on the road up SH1 heading to Hanmer Springs to meet up with motorhoming friends. We arrived to a stunning sunny afternoon, 25 degrees, and parked up at the DOC camp on the outskirts of town. Nice flat spaces on the banks of a stream with a very serviceable toilet block (see picture in the slideshow), and sandflies, loads of sandflies. There is a very pretty forestry walking and bike track and even a bike skills park where you can test your balance abilities. Probably not on the e-bike. Over the next 24hrs the temperature plummeted to 2 degrees and by the time we left there was snow below the tree line. We drove through the Lewis Pass with light snow falling. Murchison The Buller river, from Lakeside Holiday Camp. ©2023 Angela Bryan Our plan for this trip was to see as much as we could of the Tasman area so we headed north, stopping off for a couple of nights at the Riverside Holiday Park in Murchison. The Maruia Falls, on the way, are well worth the stop for a short walk and there’s plenty of room to park up for a lunch break. Riverside Holiday Park is, as it says, right on the river. With a lovely walk through the Kahikatea Reserve right on the boundary of the Kahurangi National Park. ©2023 Angela Bryan It has a great communal kitchen area with a large deck looking out over the river, complete with couches and armchairs for just chilling out and relaxing. There is a jumping pillow to keep the kids happy and they have well laid out level sites, all with power and water right there. While in Murchison, a short drive up the Buller Gorge takes you to the longest swing bridge in NZ, very entertaining for those that have a head for heights. On the other side there is a bush walk to a 300yr old kahikatea and then you can take the flying fox back across the river. Tasman There is so much to see and do in the Tasman-Golden Bay area. Holiday parks galore and also loads of park over properties and places where you can freedom camp. There are the most amazing cycle trails. The Great Taste Trail goes from Nelson to Kaiteriteri, through the Motueka Valley to Tapawera and on to Belgrave, Wakefield and back into Richmond and Nelson. We conquered an easy ride through vineyards and into Richmond comfortably with a stop off for lunch to refuel. You could do more or less as the mood takes you. There is a plethora of tourist attractions in the area: a visit to the Classic Car Museum in Nelson and Hoglund Glass Blowing Studio ckw.nz/glass filled in a rainy afternoon for us. The Tasman area seems to have a township every 20 kilometres and there’s something to stop and see in every one of them. From downtown Nelson, Tahunanui, Stoke, Richmond, Hope, Brightwater, Wakefield — just loads to see and do. Wakefield has one of the best bakeries around with the famous Wakefield pies. Definitely worth a stop off. Then there is Appleby, Mapua, Ruby Bay and Rabbit Island. A detour off SH 60 via the Moutere Highway takes you to Upper Moutere Village, a visit here is a must. It is the home of the Moutere Inn, the oldest pub in New Zealand. Unfortunately it was closed for the two nights we were there so we didn’t get to check it out. But the village has some quaint shops, cafés and a really good fish and chip shop. On the western side of the Tasman area is Motueka, well worth a wander through the town. If you’re keen, you can cycle this whole area. Motueka also has the best dump station that we came across in our whole trip. Easily accessible from both directions for the biggest of vehicles and room for two vehicles to use it at the same time, plus a fresh water fill up. Golden Bay After not enough days in the Tasman area we headed west over the Takaka Hill. Now that is a hill. 257 corners, a lot of them hairpin. Unfortunately there is nowhere to stop and take photos of the amazing views when you are towing a caravan, but it is so beautiful. Cape Farewell ©2023 Angela Bryan We made our way through Takaka and Collingwood on to Pakawau where we based ourselves to visit Cape Farewell. There are tours that take you all the way out to the lighthouse on Farewell Spit but we decided to have a look around by ourselves for the day. Cape Farewell is a fairly impressive place but if you don’t like heights it is very unnerving. We decided to take a drive to Whanganui Inlet and perhaps go on to Mangarakau and see the West Coast. After an hour of driving on rutted, gravel road I felt like my bones were about to fall apart so we decided to turn around. Not a road I would drive again but the scenery is so worth it. It was back to camp and a nice long walk along Pakawau’s beach to relax. Anatoki Salmon Fishing and Café have a free camp area on the outskirts of Takaka. It is easily accessible and a large area for the biggest of rigs. This was a great base while we investigated the Takaka area with the added bonus that you can try your hand at fishing as well. They say fishing is about the vibes you send down the line, well we didn’t have the right energy flowing at all. No fish for us after a couple of hours of casting and reeling it back in. So time for a coffee and some lunch at the café and watch the people who stood just where we had been catch two fish in five minutes! Oh well, free entertainment; you only pay for what you catch, and they will smoke it for you as well. If you are in Takaka, The Wholemeal Café is well worth a visit or two, or three. It was recommended to us by fellow campers and it didn’t disappoint. One of the nicest cafés we visited on our trip, at least according to the other half. A stroll through the main street of Takaka, which is also the main highway, will fill in a good part of the afternoon, there are so many interesting shops to stop off and have a look at. The men might not agree, but hey… A short drive from Takaka is the Labyrinth Rocks . The outcrop of limestone rocks forms a labyrinth of paths that twist and turn and you never quite know where you will end up. Fun for all ages, just let the child inside free to imagine. The drive to Pohara, Tarakohe, Ligar Bay and Tata Beach is well worth it. You can stop off and visit the Abel Tasman Monument on the way which has amazing views of Golden Bay. At Port Tarakohe you can see where the road has been cut under the ancient rock formations. It was back over the mighty Takaka Hill into the Tasman area on Easter Friday, the traffic going to Takaka was bumper to bumper including a cyclist on the way down the hill — hope he had good brakes. Winblue Farm is a lovely park over property between Hope and Brightwater, quiet with free fruit from the gardens and within cycling distance of the Great Taste Trail if you are feeling like some exercise. Mapua Village is a quaint little village with quite a few boutique shops and art galleries, nice for a coffee and a wander. You can drive out to Kaiteriteri and around the bay to Split Apple Rock, or take a kayak tour via the water if you prefer. The rock sits just off a lovely secluded beach which is a 10 minute walk from the road, all downhill. Trouble with that is it is a long haul back uphill on the way out. You don’t realise how steep it is on the way down, but it is well worth the walk. Wairau Valley and Blenheim Departing Tasman we decided to take the long road to Blenheim via St Arnaud and the Wairau Valley. The scenery is just stunning, driving along the river and through the vineyards. Our park up for our last few nights in the South Island was at Spring Creek Holiday Park , a lovely park that has a creek running through it complete with friendly eels to feed. So much to do in Blenheim, a visit to the Omaka Aviation Museum is a must or on a Sunday you can grab a coffee and sit in the carpark and watch all the vintage planes come and go. If you’re lucky while you’re in Blenheim you might get to see the Passchendaele steam train ckw.nz/steam, we just happened upon it while we were visiting the iSite. According to locals it comes out for special occasions or if there is a cruise ship in port. Again there are some great cycle trails as well, through the vineyards and up into the hills. Port Underwood ©2023 Angela Bryan We took a drive out to Port Underwood and on to Picton from there. Now that is a road you don’t want to drive while towing the caravan, or in the motorhome. Thankfully we had some local advice and didn’t. It is only 60kms but takes the best part of two hours to drive. Must be one of the narrowest and windiest roads in the country, but when you get to the top the views are just astounding. It’s one of those roads that you are glad you drove, but you’ll never drive it again. So back north on Bluebridge’s Connemara and thankfully it was a pleasant sailing. Something we did on this trip that we’ve never done before was book a cabin on the ferry, both ways. It was well worth the $40 — on the rough sailing it was nice to have somewhere I could rest. We will definitely do it again, both the cabin and the trip. Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 5

1 Spring 2022 1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Firth of Thames Wayne Ravelich Our view last night of the Firth of Thames. Parked a couple of km north of Thames at a wonderful free site on the water front. Wayne Ravelich ©2022 Wayne Ravelich Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 10

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption tiny-chilly-rooftoptent-clean_1211_mw.webp Looking good Jayme Groeneveld Looking good. I hit the Patrol with the automotive cleaner from motomuck and the old girl’s looking better than ever! ©2023 Jayme Groeneveld Chillybin Adventures Instagram Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 25

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Lotus flower Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. ©2024 Angela Bryan Overnight parking. Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. ©2024 Angela Bryan Playground Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. ©2024 Angela Bryan Lily Pond Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. ©2024 Angela Bryan Hmmm. Something -- go visit and ask Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. ©2024 Angela Bryan Bananas Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. ©2024 Angela Bryan a discount for helping in the garden STOP and STAY Land of the Lotus Angela Bryan Just a 15min drive from the Whangarei you’ll find Land of the Lotus – Water Gardens and Banana Park. A labour of love for Hugh and Pauline, these gardens are just amazing, a must stopover for all garden lovers. With several options to park up including a sheep fold that you can camp in. What is a sheep fold? you ask, you’ll have to visit to find out. There is also a cabin complete with al fresco kitchen and outside toilet and shower. Take a wander through the many trails that meander through 60 acres of forest and gardens and stop off at the lily pond for some quiet contemplation while the kids occupy themselves at the playground. Check out the slide show above. The bonus is you can buy banana plants, pineapple plants, lotus plants and a multitude of others that this couple lovingly grow. Discounts offered if you fancy spending some time helping in the gardens. 304 Mangakahia Rd, Maungatapere landofthelotus.nz 027 4391572 pauline@landofthelotus.nz Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 39

1 Spring 2022 1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Sophie Coleman & her sculpture Ashia Sophie Coleman was the ‘Local yokel’ competition winner in 2021 for her Kimbolton Butterfly. Ashia The creativity and imagination of the exhibitors is just incredible. What can be made out of what a lot of us see as junk is unbelievable. Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2021. The creativity and imagination of the exhibitors is just incredible. What can be made out of what a lot of us see as junk is unbelievable. Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2021. The creativity and imagination of the exhibitors is just incredible. Kimbolton Sculpture Festival Gary Stoneley Kimbolton hosts an annual sculpture festival in April. The outdoor art and sculpture exhibition is accompanied by food, music, and lots of family fun. The most recent festival was in 2021. Fingers crossed for 2023. Sophie Coleman was the ‘Local yokel’ competition winner in 2021 for her Kimbolton Butterfly. The creativity and imagination of the exhibitors is just incredible. What can be made out of what a lot of us see as junk is unbelievable. Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2021. BY: Gary Stoneley The Kimbolton Butterfly My entry for the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival was a monarch butterfly, built to the scale of 25:1. I named my sculpture Ashia, which means life and hope, reflecting the symbolism of a butterfly. The main idea behind my sculpture was to encourage a positive perspective on change and new beginnings. The sculpture transformed items such as corrugated iron, baling twine and an axle, and gave them a new life. It was such a lovely surprise to have received the Local Yokel award for my creation which you had sponsored, so a huge thank you for your continued support of the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival. BY: Sophie Coleman 2023 31 Mar–2 Apr 2023 RSVP: Come and stay with All Points Camping. Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 Photos: ©2022 Gary Stoneley Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 30

9 Spring 2024 9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Waikawa Bay PHOTO: Axel Dressel Boathouse at Waikawa Bay ©2024 Shellie Evans Waikawa Bay Waikawa Bay Waikawa Bay STOP and STAY Waikawa Bay Reserve: stop and stay Stop and Stay Waikawa Bay Reserve Larne St, Waikawa, Catlins Self-contained campers are welcome to overnight at the Recreation reserve in Waikawa township. Bordering the Catlins and close to Curio Bay, Waikawa also boasts a popular fish and chip (‘chup’) wagon. Nice! ■ who: Tents, caravans, motorhomes, vans; must be self-contained. ■ Dogs allowed. ■ 1 nights max. ■ facilities: Toilets, water, large vehicles. ■ activities: Swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, walking, cycling, fishing, boating. ◼️ Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 35

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption The family at Rotorua ©2024 Two Kids and a Caravan Coopers Beach ©2024 Two Kids and a Caravan Coromandel Amodeo Bay Anglers Lodge ©2024 Two Kids and a Caravan Russel ©2024 Two Kids and a Caravan Cape Reinga ©2024 Two Kids and a Caravan The family at Rotorua ©2024 Two Kids and a Caravan time to dream up and follow through on ridiculous ideas The road less travelled: ten lessons learned on the road Kimberlea Turner Three years ago we decided to trade the hustle and bustle of everyday life for the open road. Hitching up our caravan and waving goodbye to house-life, our family of four hit the road to explore our country, Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s been a whirlwind of experiences from picture perfect campsites, overnight hikes to breath-taking views, kayaking and sailing the stunning coastline, playing tourist in our own backyard and meeting a whole load of amazing people along the way. Sure, there have been some hiccups, (a flat tire in the middle of nowhere at 10pm at night comes to mind!) but the highs have always outweighed the lows and we find it so important to take some time to reflect on our incredible journey so far. Here’s a deep dive into 10 invaluable lessons we’ve learned from 3 years of full-time family travel. 1. The first year is all about learning, the second year is when you really start enjoying the journey. The first year can be tough — you learn to live in a confined space with your family, you spend half your life in search of the next dump station (or laundromat, water source, rubbish and recycling, supermarket or fuel station), setting up and packing up your rig, and juggling the travel/work/homeschool balance. Somewhere along the way this becomes organic, leaving you more time to dream up and follow through on ridiculous ideas… Like buying a sailboat. 2. The old cliché, don’t forget the journey. Initially we rushed everywhere to get to the destination (the classic, kids are sleeping — let’s just keep driving!) but the more we travel the less distance we cover and the more breaks we take. Waterfall walk on the side of the road? Sure, lets stop! Kids spot a playground? Why not! 3. You will bicker, and that’s ok. When you have multiple personalities packed into a confined environment, especially after a few days of rain, there will be some tense times! But you will make leaps and bounds in learning to communicate better and when to give others some space, or take some yourself. 4. Opportunities are endless Opportunities are endless once you’re available to take them. The best opportunities we’ve had along our travels (and consequently the friends we’ve made from them) have been as a direct result of us living on the road and being able to accept opportunities on a whim. 5. There will be some soul searching. You’ve left your job, got rid of most of your possessions and hit the road and it feels so freeing! Until eventually you discover how much of our identities are tied into the jobs we do and the lives we live. Who are you outside of what you do? Who do you want to be? What exactly do you want from this chapter of your life? There will be some soul searching… Spoiler alert: who you are when you hit the road is not the same as who you will be 3 years down the track… Personal growth, baby! 6. Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling. It certainly helps we tow our 14m2 home on wheels behind us wherever we go, and when we’re tucked up at night we feel right at home no matter what landscape is outside our 4 walls, in fact, sometimes we have to crack a blind in the morning to remember where we are! But we’ve discovered that home isn’t the place we live, it’s the people we surround ourselves with and as long as our family is together, we feel at home wherever we are. 7. Take a moment to be in the moment. It’s so easy to get lost in the long list of things you want to do and see next or get frustrated when life inevitably throws a curve ball. We never would have dreamed 10 years ago we’d be doing what we are today and wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. Sometimes we need to stop and remind ourselves of that and take a moment to look around and appreciate where we are and the journey we’ve had along the way. And on that note… 8. You can see a lot, but you can’t see it all. How cute were we when we thought we could whip around New Zealand in a year or less?! 3 years later and we’ve been as far North, South, East and West as you can go and zig-zagged all over the middle. While we’ve ticked a lot off the list, we know we could do another 5 laps and still see new things each time. Have a list of top spots you want to visit but make time to follow your nose and ask for recommendations from locals and other travellers along the way. Be present and embrace the adventure. 9. Always have a plan B. Life happens, just have a plan B. 10. Just go. The rest will sort itself out. Looking back at all we’ve learned and the memories we’ve made, we can confidently say: we wouldn’t change a thing. See you out there! All photos ©2024 Two Kids and a Caravan facebook.com/twokidsandacaravan Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 5

11 autumn 2025 11 autumn 2025 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Tuppence entrance ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Tuppence entrance ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke “Look out for the log with no 2.” ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Cabbage-eating dog ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Sunset Mt. Pirongia. ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke picnic lunch Future site of the Pirongia Wellness Centre where I had a picnic lunch. ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke a cabbage-eating dog STOP and STAY Tuppence, Pirongia Maggie O’Rourke One of my stays was at Tuppence in Pirongia — one couldn’t stop singing the Penny Lane song after that. I was greeted by Ursula our host and parked up and was shown where everything was, including water, recycling and compost bin. It didn’t take long before I felt like I was at home for my four day stay. I told Ursula that I was meant to have a water filter put in that day and when her husband got home from work he put my filter in free of charge and had a quick look at my tyres to see if they were okay as he works at the tyre shop in Te Awamutu. Truly blessed and grateful. They have a very entertaining dog, who quite happily stole a cabbage I was given off my lap and never gave it back. What a delight, chasing a cabbage-eating dog. Really enjoyed staying here. They have a lovely quiet rural property on the edge of Pirongia Village and are great hosts. They are 5 minutes away from the village by vehicle and about 15 minutes walk to the shops. Te Awamutu is 15 minutes away and the Mobil Station has the only dump station in the area (but no water tap). Ursula and her hubby are members of All Points Camping and have been running this park-up property in Pirongia for 10 years and have just recently put the price up from $5 to $10 non-powered, $15 powered per unit. Bookings essential. Open all year around and pet friendly. Pirongia village offers the following: a Four Square, hairdressers, bakery, cafe, the hive gift shop, book exchange at the community hall, psychic reader, colour therapist, massage therapists, acupuncture, Tai Chi, community classes, monthly and annual craft market, church, sports grounds, and river walk. The historic museum and visitors centre tells you the history of the area and famous people like Mary Scott (novelist) and the Māori wars. They have a walking map of archaeological redoubt sites in the area. Pirongia Heritage & Information Centre pirongiaheritage.org.nz . The next Annual Craft Market, which I highly recommend is on a Sunday at the end of September. There are also walks available on Mt. Pirongia which is a 15 minute drive from Penny Road at the Pirongia Forest Park. I highly recommend the nature walk for a picnic or an outing. ckw.nz/doc-pirongia The highlight of my visit was exploring the village, going to the heritage centre, the walks, seeing the future site for the Pirongia Wellness Centre where I had a picnic with my cousin, and the Sunday Food and Craft Market, on the last Sunday of the month at the community centre, where I got some fresh veggies and something crafty and small for my bus. Up Up 11 autumn 2025 , p 30