5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption monowai-F-4-wide.webp Super safe for kids to splash in The lake is shallow and covered in soft moss, making it super safe for kids to splash in. The campsites themselves are spread out under the forest canopy directly beside the east shore of the lake. We admired the glistening of the water between the tree branches. Picnic tables A boat ramp, fire pits, picnic tables, long drop toilets, a walking track and a small dam are all just mere steps away. A half hour return walk We also really enjoyed the half hour return walking track beginning in the camping area. Walking amongst the shade of the trees, listening to the bird song, and admiring the native plants and fungi along the way to the panoramic Lake Monowai Lookout. Our son leads the way the track to the Lake Monowai Lookout was a very flat and family-friendly stroll, and was perfect for letting our son lead the way. The lookout The panoramic Lake Monowai Lookout Lake Monowai Fishing? A popular spot to fish for brown and rainbow trout The sun heated it right up Since there was so much shallow water, the sun heated it right up, making it comfortable for our toddler. He played in the water for hours Our little guy played in the water for hours while us parents got to sit back, relax and watch the boats float by all day. our most favourite freedom camping site yet Lake Monowai campsite Kayla Laatz, Mountain Mamas NZ Our small family of 3 set up camp in a quiet and secluded paradise in the heart of Fiordland National Park. We picked Fiordland because it offers so many opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, hunting and nature walks too. The best part though? This no-cost campsite is open to all non-self-contained campers, making it super accessible and affordable for us to visit. Not surprisingly, this spot fills up fast in the summer months. It’s first come first served to stay overnight here and there’s only enough room for about 10 groups of tent campers maximum. Campervans squeeze into a small gravel area that might fit 4 vehicles at most. The campsites themselves are spread out under the forest canopy directly beside the east shore of the lake. A boat ramp, fire pits, picnic tables, long drop toilets, a walking track and a small dam are all just mere steps away. Nearby signs let us know that this is a popular spot to fish for brown and rainbow trout too. Talk about having everything you need within close walking distance.From our tent site, a tiny path through the trees led us directly to the shore of Lake Monowai. It was shallow and covered in soft moss, making it super safe for kids to splash in. Since there was so much shallow water, the sun heated it right up, making it comfortable for our toddler. Our little guy played in the water for hours while us parents got to sit back, relax and watch the boats float by all day. A few kayakers too. We also really enjoyed the half hour return walking track beginning in the camping area ( front cover photo ). Walking amongst the shade of the trees, listening to the bird song, and admiring the native plants and fungi along the way to the panoramic Lake Monowai Lookout. It was a very flat and family-friendly stroll, and was perfect for letting our son lead the way. All weekend the forest provided the perfect shaded canopy to escape the heat, while still getting to enjoy the sun’s rays beaming off the water. As we cooked our food over the fire and ate our lunch at the picnic tables, we admired the glistening of the water between the tree branches. A soft breeze blew through just enough to keep us cool. At night the moon reflected brightly off the water and a nearby dam provided the faint sound of rushing water to fall asleep to. Stargazing was surreal here since there are no towns within at least a 90 minutes drive. That night, our whole whanau fell asleep to the peaceful sounds of the forest and awoke to a cotton candy sunrise reflecting off the water. It doesn’t get much better than that. In all of the South Island, this is our favourite freedom camping site yet. Next time we visit though, we’re bringing a lot more sandfly spray and making sure our food is locked far away from the possums! Lake Monowai Campsite (Fiordland National Park) Free campsite Non self-contained 2 Long drop toilets 1 Non-treated water tap Campfire rings + grills No dogs allowed Mountain Mamas NZ Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 11

7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Hammock Time ©2024 Bette Cosgrove ​ Hammock time Bette Cosgrove Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 5

2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption FRI, 02 Dec: Pāuatahanui Battle Hill (Wgtn) Fri 31 Mar: Kimbolton Sculpture Festival For more camps keep an eye on allpointscampingnz.org/events & ckw.nz/nzfunadventures-events (FB) EVENTS — Camping ​ FRI, 02 Dec: Pāuatahanui Battle Hill (Wgtn) A Club camp — guests welcome but registration is required. Battle Hill is a historic site within a short distance of Porirua and nestled under Transmission Gully. Feed the eels, enjoy a farmland nature walk. Campfires yes, but dogs no, as it’s a working farm. Families with tents welcome. All Points Camping ckw.nz/battle-hill Sat, 10 Dec: Visit the true centre point of NZ Waiohine Gorge Camping Its 9km (return) with an expected fitness level required (good). If you can walk for 4–6hrs return and don't mind up hill sections then you should be fine. We are excited to visit a place that not many people know about or access. NZ Fun Adventures FB: ckw.nz/true-centre WED, 21 Dec Mt Thomas Wooded Gully Camping Arthur’s Pass National Park, Canterbury Join our NZFA ambassador Craig Steele at this gem of a location for a couple of nights. 21–23rd. Booking required. DOC camp fees apply (or a DOC pass). ckw.nz/mt-thomas NZ Fun Adventures facebook.com/nzfunadventures THU, 29 Dec: Reporoa New Year Camp Taupo All Points Camping Club 7th Birthday and New Year camp. Club members and guests are welcome to join us. Please register. All Points Camping ckw.nz/new-year FRI, 3 Feb: Morisons Bush Wairarapa Camp by the Ruamahanga River: tents, caravans or campers. Great for kids. Co-incides with the Martinborough Fair. All Points Camping ckw.nz/morrisons Fri, 17–19 Mar : CAMP FEST Bulls Domain, Rangitikei A weekend of camping, at CAMP FEST. All campers — tents, trailer campers, teardrops, caravans, motorhomes are welcome. All Points Camping route54.org/campfest fun@route54.org FRI 31 Mar: Kimbolton Sculpture Festival Join us for an amazing weekend camping at the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival. The Festival day is Saturday 1 April. All campers — tents, trailer campers, teardrops, caravans, motorhomes welcome. All Points Camping ckw.nz/kimbolton For more camps keep an eye on allpointscampingnz.org/events ckw.nz/nzfunadventures-events (FB) Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 38

4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Where you can camp has changed too Self containment changes in brief Gary Stoneley Currently self contained If your vehicle is currently certified, this is valid... ...until it expires, or until 7 June ‘25, whichever comes first. This is true whatever kind of toilet you have. Not currently self contained It is now illegal to camp free on any council-controlled land unless it is clearly designated for non self contained vehicles. Many local authorities do not yet have areas for free camping even though they are now required to do so. New or renewing before 7 Dec Permanently fitted toilet: you can get a regular blue warrant, expiring 7/6/25. Portable toilet: a blue warrant, marked “Not issued per Freedom Camping Act”. New regulations: 7 Dec ‘23 From 7 Dec this year all new self containment certificates will be issued under the new regulations (requiring a permanently fitted toilet). You get a green warrant. Valid for four years. It will cost more. From 7 June 2025 Self contained A self contained vehicle must be certified under the new regulations. A green warrant. Not self contained If you do not have a self contained vehicle, or are unable to meet the new requirements, it is expected that local authorities will designate camping areas for non self-contained vehicles although these may not be conveniently located. You will not be subject to self containment costs. Where you can camp has changed The changes in the act are not just about what is in your van or motorhome, it is also about where you can camp. The new act now requires certain kinds of self containment in certain places, but has no effect on other places. We have made a chart showing who can camp where: ckw.nz/camp-where We will keep this updated as the many confusing aspects of this new act are clarified. MORE We answer your questions: ckw.nz/FAQ ckw.nz/official-fc-changes ckw.nz/fc-change-pdf (download the official pdf) Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 36

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption The Woodturners Kauri Gallery Parkover NI Dargaville, FREE thewoodturnersstudio.co.nz Offers overnight parking as well as woodturning tuition, a gallery and a shop. Great views of the river, close to dairy, an opshop, takeaways and shopping. WHO: self-contained vehicles, cabins. FACILITIES: large vehicles. Low cost ACTIVITiES: woodturning, kauri gallery, 20 mins walk to town or museum. Dargaville Museum NI Northland, Dargaville, LOW COST dargavillemuseum.co.nz Overlooking the town and river, it tells fascinating stories of the Kauri Coast, Māori, maritime & pioneer. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles. ACTIVITiES: picnic spots, walking tracks, cycle trail, also see the Heritage Machinery Museum, pā site. Historic Maritime Museum and Park NI Paeroa, LOW COST historicalmaritimepark.co.nz Home to a collection of goldfield/maritime history. Beautifully laid out grounds, river board walks, daily boat rides and friendly hosts. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, power available ($), ACTIVITiES: museum, picnics, river cruise, rail trail, walking tracks, cycling, kayak launch, pet friendly. Coach House Museum NI Fielding, Manawatū, LOW COST coachhousemuseum.nz Enjoy an outstanding collection of rural NZ heritage— over 140 years of history. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: large vehicles, toilets (open hours), water, pet friendly, wheelchair access. Activities: museum, walk to town. Hawera Holiday Park NI Taranaki, COSTS ckw.nz/hawera-hp Peaceful camp at the edge of town. Hawera’s museums are unique and innovative: Elvis, an underground canal boat ride, local models. WHO: cars, tents, motorhomes. FACILITIES: dump station, power, toilets, showers, kitchen, lounge, laundry, wifi, BBQ, family friendly, 5 mins walk to the CBD, pets by arrangement. ACTIVITIES: 3 museums, galleries, climb the tower, 4 opshops, swimming, walking, cycling. Tui Mangatainoka Reserve Campground NI Pahiatua, Wairarapa, FREE ckw.nz/tui Located across the road from the famous Tui Brewery, where you can take a tour. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: toilets, dump station, water, restaurant, pet friendly Activities: brewery tours, walks, swimming, picnics, kayaking, fishing. Antique & Classic Boat Museum SI St Arnaud, LOW COST classicboatmuseum.co.nz Park beside the museum, and enjoy the collection of in-board, out-board and non-powered boats. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: none. ACTIVITIES: museum, walks, cycling, swimming, boating, fishing, bird watching, tramping, local adventures. Hanmer DOC Amenity Area SI North Canterbury, FREE A reasonably flat free camping area near town: hot pools, ice rink, shopping, eateries. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: toilet just next door, 15 mins walk to town. ACTIVITIES: hot pools, swimming, museum, craft and art galleries, shopping, eateries, golf, walking, tramping, cycling, many adventure opportunities. Milford POP, Frenally Craft Shop SI Temuka, Sth Canterbury, LOW COST ckw.nz/fb-milford-pop This former school has space to unwind and socialise, indoor and out. Buy crafts or craft supplies. Take a class. Come for a visit, and stay over if you are self-contained. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: craft shop, classes, morning & afternoon teas, pet friendly. Activities: playground, indoor/outdoor social areas, crafting classes. House of Hop Brewery and Restaurant SI Geraldine, FREE facebook.com/houseofhopnz houseofhop.co.nz Situated in a quiet rural setting with on site restaurant and craft brewery where you get epic craft beer and sensational food. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: large vehicles, playground, , sheep and alpacas to watch, pet friendly. activities: brewery, restaurant, walks. Naseby Holiday Park SI Central Otago, COSTS nasebyhp.nz In the “ice capital of NZ”, with historic old buildings, quaint pubs and café food. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: power, water, dump station, rubbish, toilets, showers, laundry, kitchen, lounge, playground, wheelchair access, large vehicles, 10 min walk to the town. ACTIVITIES: luge, curling, ice-skating, dog sled riding, Dark Skies star gazing, walks, mountain biking, orienteering, cycling, walking, gold panning, close to Otago Rail Trail. Tui Base Camp SI Tuatapere, Southland, COSTS tuibasecamp.co.nz Walk to the Bushman’s Museum, craft and art galleries. Family friendly, weekly rates. WHO: tents, vans, campervans, backpackers. FACILITIES: toilet, showers, laundry, kitchen, power, spa, sauna, dump station, playground, wifi, café, bar, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: museum, galleries, mini golf, bush walks, tramping, guided trips, jet boating. for the rainy days STOP and STAY Stop and stay in winter Stop and Stay Places that provide poor-weather activities onsite or nearby. stopandstaynz.org NORTH ISLAND The Woodturners Kauri Gallery Parkover Dargaville, LOW COST thewoodturnersstudio.co.nz Offers overnight parking as well as woodturning tuition, a gallery and a shop. Great views of the river, close to dairy, an opshop, takeaways and shopping. WHO: self-contained vehicles, cabins. FACILITIES: large vehicles. ACTIVITiES: woodturning, kauri gallery, 20 mins walk to town or museum. Dargaville Museum Northland, LOW COST dargavillemuseum.co.nz Overlooking the town and river, it tells fascinating stories of the Kauri Coast, Māori, maritime & pioneer. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles. ACTIVITiES: picnic spots, walking tracks, cycle trail, also see the Heritage Machinery Museum, pā site. Historic Maritime Museum and Park Paeroa, LOW COST historicalmaritimepark.co.nz Home to a collection of goldfield/maritime history. Beautifully laid out grounds, river board walks, daily boat rides and friendly hosts. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, power available ($), ACTIVITiES: museum, picnics, river cruise, rail trail, walking tracks, cycling, kayak launch, pet friendly. Coach House Museum Fielding, Manawatū, LOW COST coachhousemuseum.nz Enjoy an outstanding collection of rural NZ heritage— over 140 years of history. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, toilets (open hours), water, pet friendly, wheelchair access. ACTIVITIES: museum, walk to town. Hawera Holiday Park Taranaki, COSTS ckw.nz/hawera-hp Peaceful camp at the edge of town. Hawera’s museums are unique and innovative: Elvis, an underground canal boat ride, local models. WHO: cars, tents, motorhomes. FACILITIES: dump station, power, toilets, showers, kitchen, lounge, laundry, wifi, BBQ, family friendly, 5 mins walk to the CBD, pets by arrangement. ACTIVITIES: 3 museums, galleries, climb the tower, 4 opshops, swimming, walking, cycling. Tui Mangatainoka Reserve Campground Pahiatua, Wairarapa, FREE ckw.nz/tui Located across the road from the famous Tui Brewery, where you can take a tour. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: toilets, dump station, water, restaurant, pet friendly ACTIVITIES: brewery tours, walks, swimming, picnics, kayaking, fishing. SOUTH ISLAND Antique & Classic Boat Museum St Arnaud, LOW COST classicboatmuseum.co.nz Park beside the museum, and enjoy the collection of in-board, out-board and non-powered boats. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: none. ACTIVITIES: museum, walks, cycling, swimming, boating, fishing, bird watching, tramping, local adventures. Hanmer DOC Amenity Area North Canterbury, FREE A reasonably flat free camping area near town: hot pools, ice rink, shopping, eateries. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: toilet just next door, 15 mins walk to town. ACTIVITIES: hot pools, swimming, museum, craft and art galleries, shopping, eateries, golf, walking, tramping, cycling, many adventure opportunities. Milford POP, Frenally Craft Shop Temuka, LOW COST ckw.nz/fb-milford-pop This former school has space to unwind and socialise, indoor and out. Buy crafts or craft supplies. Take a class. Come for a visit, and stay over if you are self-contained. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: craft shop, classes, morning & afternoon teas, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: playground, indoor/outdoor social areas, crafting classes. Join All Points Camping for a weekend here in September 2024 ckw.nz/clandeboye House of Hop Brewery and Restaurant Geraldine, South Canterbury, FREE facebook.com/houseofhopnz houseofhop.co.nz Situated in a quiet rural setting with on site restaurant and craft brewery where you get epic craft beer and sensational food. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, playground, sheep and alpacas to watch, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: brewery, restaurant, walks. Naseby Holiday Park Central Otago, COSTS nasebyhp.nz In the “ice capital of NZ”, with historic old buildings, quaint pubs and café food. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: power, water, dump station, rubbish, toilets, showers, laundry, kitchen, lounge, playground, wheelchair access, large vehicles, 10 min walk to the town. ACTIVITIES: luge, curling, ice-skating, dog sled riding, Dark Skies star gazing, walks, mountain biking, orienteering, cycling, walking, gold panning, close to Otago Rail Trail. Tui Base Camp Tuatapere, Southland, COSTS tuibasecamp.co.nz Walk to the Bushman’s Museum, craft and art galleries. Family friendly, weekly rates. WHO: tents, vans, campervans, backpackers. FACILITIES: toilet, showers, laundry, kitchen, power, spa, sauna, dump station, playground, wifi, café, bar, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: museum, galleries, mini golf, bush walks, tramping, guided trips, jet boating. A list for travellers and campers in NZ — use it, share it, add to it. View, download or print: stopandstaynz.org Add your spots for stopping: ckw.nz/add-one-now Open to all, courtesy of NZ's national camping club, All Points Camping . Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 40

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Admiring the view at the Albert Town campground Mountains and the Clutha at Albert Town campground. Wanaka campground, view from my site. Glendhu Bay, lake front sites. Glendhu Bay campround Glendhu Bay campround Autumn colours and snow on the mountains Camping at Wanaka Miriam Richardson I have spent quite a bit of time in Wanaka as the season turned into Winter. A beautiful place for Autumn colours and snow on the mountains, yet surprisingly mild. Admiring the view at the Albert Town campground Albert Town is a basic campground 5km from Wanaka on either side of the road to Hawea. The Clutha side has flush toilets, water and rubbish while the other has just a long drop. Both are low cost. Pay at the eft-pos machines at the gate. The view from my site at the Wanaka campground The Wanaka Holiday Park is in town, walking distance to all that Wanaka offers. It has sites with marvellous views over the sports field to the mountains. Power, water, rubbish, playgrounds, facilities of most kinds, and the public dump station next door. Lake front sites at Glendhu Bay The Glendhu Bay camp is 11km from town, with lakeside sites, power, water, rubbish, 3(!) dump stations, a laundry, as well as great facilities, and a small shop. A pizzeria on site in summer. Over the road, free range eggs. There are winter long term rates. Another phot o | and another . | About the camps: ckw.nz/wanaka-camps Images ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 37

3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Tuatapere, ©2023 Heather Auckram Tuatapere, ©2023 Heather Auckram If these communities create opportunities for travellers, to camp or stay... Can the travelling camper save NZ's small rural communities? Gary Stoneley As far back as the 1970's, perhaps earlier, many rural communities in NZ started to decline as families and workers headed to larger towns and cities for the opportunity for a better life. In some cases the pace and pressure of urban life was too much and a few returned. Nowadays many rural communities are but a skeleton of their former self while at the same time hundreds of thousands of urban dwellers get in their campervan, hook on their caravan or pack their tent and head for the wide open spaces. Smaller rural communities should be welcoming these thousands of travellers with open arms. If these communities create opportunities for travellers, including families, to camp or stay, spend money, get back to basics, learn and participate in the community, then both the small communities and the travellers will benefit. It's not a difficult thing to do. As I travel the country and go through small towns I see so many opportunities. Waiau in the South Island is a great opportunity —playgrounds, shops, and the new tavern with lots of overnight space for the travelling camper. It's definitely worth a stop; and why not stay a night or longer? I think NZ travelling campers can help to save these smaller communities. What do you think? Join me at Camp Fest at Bulls 2023 and let's share ideas. ckw.nz/camp-fest Photos Tuatapere ©2023 Heather Auckram Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 11

4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Until Jun 6 2023 we called the ability to contain your waste for 3 days ‘self-containment.’ Editorial: The good news Miriam Richardson The really good news came from the Westland District Council in January this year. In their peak Christmas/New Year season, there were about 170,000 camper-nights in their region, and only 47 infringements issued (0.03%). Small towns can take heart, as they welcome freedom campers to their area. Most campers are able to contain their rubbish and all waste products for 3 days and are able to stay and leave no trace (cycle campers and some car campers will plan their route around public toilets). We use to call this ability to contain waste ‘self-containment’ but we need a new word now our parliament has decided a toilet screwed to the floor is a necessary part of ‘self-containment’. Keeping the focus on leaving no trace, ‘tiaki — care for New Zealand’, is the way forward for small towns, campers of all kinds, and for regional and district councils, as they consider how to welcome visitors to their areas. Self containment changes in brief This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping . Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 4

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Packing the van for Booktown Bette Cosgrove Packing the van for a weekend at the Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival 2024. Very excited for this annual event. Accommodation is SO hard to find so All Points Camping NZ have arranged a great place for us to camp in our vehicles — right in town, with koha to the local school. Everybody wins! ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 23

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Longslip Station Well, how’s this for a welcome back into the Mackenzie Basin! — Longslip Station, Lindis Pass. ©2024 Shellie Evans. ckw.nz/shellie-fb Longslip Station Well, how’s this for a welcome back into the Mackenzie Basin! — Longslip Station, Lindis Pass. ©2024 Shellie Evans. ckw.nz/shellie-fb ​ Longslip Station Shellie Evans Well, how’s this for a welcome back into the Mackenzie Basin! — Longslip Station, Lindis Pass. ©2024 Shellie Evans. ckw.nz/shellie-fb Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 9

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ A wrap Stephen Wood A wrap. Time to start heading back south after weeks cycling. Bike packed for this afternoon’s bus trip. ©2024 Stephen Wood Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 15

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ A North Island freedom-camping adventure PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT After my South Island trip, I decided I wanted to road trip the North Island and go all the way up to Cape Reinga. For me, freedom camping in the car was the best way to do it. I found some couch cushions at the recycling centre, sewing them together formed a perfect bed in the back of the car. I folded down the back seats, leaving one side with the car seat in it. This left enough space for the baby to sleep behind. I bought a gas cooker from Mitre 10 and was set to go. I also had a “pee” jug makeshift toilet which did the trick for emergencies. I had saved up $1000 and had my regular benefit payments weekly. I was still paying rent for my flat back in Nelson but I had about $300 a week to live on for food and fuel. I booked a ferry ticket for the 8th of October. I had a six-week window to do this, with no commitments. I felt so excited, yet nervous embarking on this trip. I worried about money and how it was all going to work. I didn’t plan ahead much, the extent of my plan was to go up one side and come down the other. A week before we were booked to go on the ferry, I dropped a heavy piece of wood on my toe and broke it. Ouchies. It felt okay to walk and I had a moon boot on to protect it from wild toddler and other stuff. We drove from Nelson onto the Interislander and had a cruisy trip over. I was having to hop all over the place juggling a toddler, a broken toe and all our gear. I drove straight up to Woodville to stay with some friends who gave us a horrible vomiting bug. Great start to the trip. Once recovered we headed on up to Napier where we stayed with some lovely friends, felt so classy not camping in the car. We explored Te Mata Peak which was so beautiful. We drove to the top instead of walking because why walk when you can drive). We carried on to Taupo and found a freedom camping spot near Huka Falls. This was my first proper experience of freedom camping since the Catlins. It was a cold night. I found out the gas doesn’t work when it’s really cold, so we ended up having a half-cooked dinner. That night was so cold for Spring, I wasn’t expecting it. We explored Huka Falls which was beautiful! We then drove to Rotorua for the night. We stopped in at Kerosene Creek for a swim, it was super pretty and warm but the toddler wasn’t a fan. In Rotorua we stayed at this really cool wee dinosaur park holiday park. I needed to do washing and have showers etc so it was great to freshen up. We only stayed a night in Rotorua, I wasn’t feeling the vibe, so we left the next morning and drove up the Coromandel. We skipped the Mount; I didn’t realise it was such an iconic place. I felt anxious I wouldn’t have enough time to get up to Cape Reinga before I had to go home. Turned out in the end I had plenty of time! Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove The next day was a big one, we explored Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. If I did it again I would make sure to spend a whole day at Cathedral Cove. Being a true Kiwi, I walked down the steep track to the cove in bare feet carrying my 14 kg toddler in the carrier on the front and my backpack on the back. I ran into a couple on Cathedral Cove beach. I asked them to take photos of us. We got talking, they were so lovely and helped me carry the toddler and our stuff back up to the bus at the top of the very steep hill. One important thing to know about Cathedral Cove is you have to walk a lot more or take a bus from the car park in town. I was late finding somewhere to stay that night. I checked out the Campermate app and found some place to park up. To Auckland The next day was a beautiful one, we drove all the way up the coast admiring the amazing views. I was going to stop at a place just outside of Auckland where you can camp with self-contained or non-self-contained, the place is called Omana Clifftop Campground. When I arrived late in the day, I realised it was owned by Auckland Regional Council and you needed to book ahead and to get a key. I didn’t really know what to do because it was late, the toddler was tired out and we needed to stop for the night. At the carpark before the campground there was a freedom camping spot but only for self-contained vehicles. There was also a toilet at the carpark . So I decided to just risk it and stay the night. I felt soooo anxious about getting caught or getting into trouble over being somewhere I shouldn’t be. At around 9pm when the babe was fast asleep and I was up on my phone the security guy came around checking the car park. My heart was beating so fast and I felt like ohhh nooo im gonna get into trouble crap! He came over to my car and started writing down stuff on his phone. I got out of my car and said “hi” explaining that it got late, and I needed to stop for the night and apologised, asking if there was somewhere else I could park for the night. He was SO nice and told me I had to leave in the morning which I was happy to do of course, and let me stay the night because of the baby being fast asleep. It was such a tricky thing because I didn’t want to purposefully break any laws or rules, but it’s also dangerous to drive when fatigued and the next freedom camping spot was about half an hour away that I could find. That was quite a small but big adventure for us. We drove up to Auckland the next morning and stayed with friends exploring around Karekare and Piha. I’m not a big fan of big cities so I headed up to Whangarei heads. Whangarei You can camp at the carpark at Whangarei Heads without a self-contained vehicle so yay for us. We camped a night there and loved meeting another lovely older campervanning couple, a German guy who was camping out of his car too. I love meeting new people, especially travelers they are always so friendly. We went for a swim first thing in the morning. It was one of my favourite places in the north. On to Cape Reinga After Whangarei Heads we drove up to Paihia and stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park which was a nice wee stop to recharge devices and do a load of cloth nappies. Then it was only a wee drive up to Cape Reinga. My goal. My dream. It felt surreal as I was driving up the last leg of the road. To the very end of New Zealand. Where the Maori believe the spirits of the dead travel on their journey to the afterlife, to leap off the headland and climb the roots of the 800-year-old pohutukawa tree and descend to the underworld to return to their traditional homeland of Hawaiki. We hung around the lighthouse for a while soaking up the surreal vibes. Eventually it was time to cruise, I found the Te Paki sand dunes and we spent the rest of the hot afternoon climbing to the top of the sand dunes and back down again, eventually the toddler got tired and requested we go back to the car. I went searching on the Campermate app for a place to crash the night. I found a DOC campground, Spirit Bay where we could camp for the night. It was FULL of campers, a long weekend I forgot about. We found a space though and parked for the night. We watched the sunset on the beach, I put the toddler to bed and jumped into the freezing cold showers that we were lucky to have at this campground. I collapsed into our car camper bed exhausted but feeling ecstatic that I had reached the Cape and survived camping with my toddler. The next day was beautiful and sunny (so blessed with good weather up in the Far North). I wanted to find 90 Mile Beach. Google maps, of course, lead me on a goose chase up a gravel road with no reception. My fuel tank was running low and I was getting stressed out. I got back onto the main road and found a fuel station to fuel up at (not many fuel stations up there so make sure if you’re going up far north to fuel up when you can). Driving back south I passed the sign for 90 Mile Beach and did a big face palm. I don’t know why on earth Google maps wouldn’t take me straight there. Oh well. 90 Mile Beach This was my favourite place I think in the north. I drove my Toyota Wish onto the sand dunes and had so much fun driving down the beach. (Definitely do not drive on the beach like me unless you’re in a four wheel drive.) I cooked up a feed of instant noodles then parked my car closer to water. That was a bit of a mistake because a wave came up and almost killed my car. I panicked and tried to drive it up the beach but it was bogged, I tried again slower and yes! It moved. Heart attack moment averted. I drove back up the beach and we had made some new friends near Cape Reinga so stayed there for a night. Next day we went to Rainbow Falls which was beautiful and crowded, long weekend vibes. Such an incredible waterfall to visit though, so highly recommend it. West coast We cut across from the east coast to the west coast and drove through the amazing kauri forest stopping in to visit big old Tane Mahuta. I found a camp for the night called Glinks Gully which was such a cool spot, no reception and right on the beach, low cost campground with hot showers available for a token and a kitchen area to use. We walked up a track to a gentle cliff overlooking the open ocean of the rugged west coast. We drove back to Auckland for a night and stayed with a new friend we made along the way. Only one night because we had booked for a Hobbiton tour, which is near Hamilton, for the next day. Hobbiton The Hobbiton tour is expensive but WELL WORTH IT. Two hour guided tour around the set, and then a stop at the wee pub for a complimentary pint afterwards. Hamilton, Kawhia We stayed in Hamilton for the night parked in someone’s driveway (they invited us to). Explored the Hamilton Gardens the next day and then drove down to Kawhia, Hot Water Beach was pretty cool. We turned up just after someone had left, so I soaked in the hot water while the toddler reminded me he wanted to go back to the car, and played in the sand. The Oparau Roadhouse hosts freedom campers so we stopped there for the night. The owners were so friendly and gave me lots of local tips and recommended we visit Marokopa Falls so we did the next day and it was amazing! Taranaki Next stop Taranaki. I had my best friend living in the Naki and we stayed with her for almost a week just recouping after a busy few weeks travelling. The mountain was amazing, we tried walking up the mountain but it was so cloudy we turned back. Then the sun came out and the clouds moved so we could see the peak. What a magnificent mountain. Southwards On to Palmerston North to stay with more good friends for a week. I quite liked Palmy. It was chilled and friendly. I had itchy feet though and didn’t wanna stay around for too long. We had our ferry booked so had to keep moving. Driving down the west coast of the north island now we stayed on Otaki beach where technically only self contained campers are allowed but according to locals everyone camps there anyways. I had my makeshift toilet to use anyways so it wasn’t a bother. We watched the sun set and just chilled out on the beach, I went for a quick swim the next morning. A local mum saw me share on my Instagram and invited me to her cafe for a chai which was so lovely. BY: Shoshanna Shand PHOTOS: ©2022 Shoshanna Shand I love meeting new people, especially travellers; they are always so friendly. 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