4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough), Stop and Stay Marty Ireland Up This Marlborough, east sea coast, little camp, 45 min south of Blenheim, and 45 min north of Kaikoura, had a humble beginning with campers allowed, but out of sight of the store, for no charge but no facilities. However in recent years a purpose-converted container was installed, with paid showers (including a disability shower), toilets with hot water at the basin and a paid laundry; and there is one emergency power point near the ablution block for anyone desperate for a charge-up. It has become a popular stopping point with a modest charge of $14 pp. It’s a wee gem to stop and chill out at, even on short notice. The sites are varied — right beside the sea, some with the a BBQ table or rustic seats, some under trees, some in spots hidden away among trees and some on clear grass. One important consideration is its proximity to the active (fenced off) railway line. Both the camp and the store are dog-friendly. The Store is open all day and boasts good coffee, a great food selection, sea views, a cosy fire (in season) and local artisan products. While you can book in at the shop they prefer you do it online but be aware it’s a bit confusing and check your receipt. Walk the beach, surf the break, drive or bike up the valleys behind for mountain and sea views, or for a treat, visit the nearby eatery and crayfish store. The Store 5748 SH1 Kekerengu 03 575 8600 thestore.kiwi Stop and Stay Check out our Stop and Stay listings for recommended places to stop and stay on your travels around NZ. 
Only the best. www.stopandstay.org Up Up Stop and Stay stopandstay.org SStay_kekrungu 15.webp SStay_kekerungu 17.webp SStay_kekrungu 15.webp 1/5 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing A Pacific-blue sea and sky STOP and STAY Three nights at Conway Flats M Richardson I had 3 nights at Conway Flats on my way north. It’s off SH1 just before it heads over the Hundalees to the Kaikōura coast. A Pacific-blue sea and sky. Sleeping to the sound of the sea. Lovely. ◊ ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 17

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption spring-winter-nights-3-H.webp spring-winter-nights-3.webp GO TO as the seasons change snuggled up on a wild beach listening to the wind whip the waves On a wild beach Bette Cosgrove Winter nights — wouldn’t you love to be cosy and snuggled up on a wild beach listening to the wind whip the waves? To go to bed when the moon rises and pile on the blankets, to nest next to your bestie while a storm rages outside? I love winter. ©2025 Bette Cosgrove Up Up Summer 2025 , p 7

1 Spring 2022 1 Spring 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption New bike The first time with a new bike equipped with 14 gears in the rear hub, and a dynamo in the front hub. Packing my bags Much of my camping kit was assembled over many years of touring. Ready to go At my front door, packed and ready to leave Rakaia Gorge campsite View down the Raikaia river from the gorge campsite Rakaia Gorge campsite A great little campground run by a small collective at Rakaia Gorge, with basic facilities and a fantastic view down the river. Geraldine campground At Geraldine I stayed in the big campground in the centre of town. They put me in a quiet corner close to neighbouring houses, I guess because I didn’t look the rowdy type. 'I love it, be it a couple of days getting or a multi-week epic.' Thinking of Cycle touring? Stephen Wood From my first trip as a teenager on a 10-speed, I've developed a love of independent cycle touring. Travelling under my own steam on back country routes, state highways and anything in between is therapeutic. I love it, be it a couple of days getting or a multi-week epic. Summer is a great time to give it a try. Build up in stages, getting used to full day rides, then try a short or overnight trip as a shakedown for yourself, your bike and your gear. Get a feel for how the loaded bike handles. Start with checklists of things you might pack for tours of different lengths. You need to think about clothes for riding — in all weathers — and when not riding, how you carry gear on the bike, and being self sufficient for sleeping, cooking, bike repairs and food. Every trip is different. Is it back-country or on roads? Will there be shops, cafés, campgrounds, or hostels on the way? Is there cell phone coverage? What's the best and the worst weather you can expect? The more remote the area, the more you should be prepared for bad weather and emergencies — let someone know what you're doing or consider having an emergency beacon. A great thing about a longer trip with camping gear is that you can adapt it as you go. If the weather is bad or your legs or bike aren't working well, you can shorten days to suit. Know where you can camp and where commercial campgrounds are. Upgrade if you need a dry place and a shower. On a longer trip you might take a a rest day. Enjoy! BY: Stephen Wood Up Up 1 Spring 2022 , p 28

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing a new coddiwompling adventure 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. ckw.nz/south-tara Our first stop on the way was Pātea, home of the iconic waka sculpture and the ‘Poi ē’ hit-makers, The Pātea Māori Club. Mana Bay, Pātea Freedom camping is possible at Mana Bay beach, including tents, at Seaview Lookout or the York Street picnic area. The church opshop here offered up some handy second-hand items for the van. After filling up with home-baked treats from the Lunch Shack at Hawera, we headed for nearby Waihi Reserve with sheltered spaces for tents and vehicles. The high sand cliffs are a natural wonder here and its a perfect place to join the Coastal Walkway at high tide. We then headed on to SH45 proper, with ever-changing views of the mountain always on our right shoulder. Opunake A highlight was the quirky surf town of Opunake, with multiple free camp options for both tents and self-contained vehicles. The headland site is spectacular if there’s no wind, otherwise, seek shelter at the alternative Lakeside Recreation Grounds, Hurst Park or Middleton Bay. Local shops and cafes welcomed us. A visit to Cape Egmont’s iconic lighthouse is well worth the detour at Pungarehu. And consider a right hand turn here to head towards the mountain to visit the historic settlement of Parihaka with its unique place in our nation’s history. The drive over ancient volcanic rubble beds is a very special roller-coaster ride heading north into Oakura and we took opportunities to take side roads to the coast to check out the surf breaks at top spots like the famous Stent Road on the wild west coast. Each stop added to the magic of this coastal adventure! n Photos ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Next: SH60 Images: ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 6

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption tiny-flag-raising_mw.webp Sunday morning flag raising Angela Bryan Sunday morning flag raising The Bay of Plenty family camp at Paengaroa, October 2023. All Points Camping 
©2023 Angela Bryan Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 22

4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Group: Life of Van Bette Cosgrove Up Camping clubs & groups Since 2020 more kiwis have been travelling at home and discovering the delights of outdoor adventures and camping in their own regions. Wellington-based couple Chloe Wright and Jonathan Collins, passionate about tent camping experiences, found that sharing this on Facebook via the NZ Fun Adventures page attracted a growing number of campers who travelled and camped in vehicles, camper vans, trailer campers, or caravans. Being former caravanners, they decided to launch an ‘Life of Van – New Zealand’ as a platform for van travellers to share their tips and tricks, and find a positive community to support other vehicle campers. Life of Van NZ FB Page is a private group with a positive vibe, giving everyone from weekend warriors to van life veterans a place to connect. It focuses on celebrating the sense of freedom in van travelling, while encouraging that free spirit for those who might be new to van life. Look for Life of Van – New Zealand on Facebook ckw.nz/life-of-van Up Up 1/1 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption not-always-geraldine-7-H.webp not-always-geraldine-5.webp not-always-geraldine-4.webp not-always-geraldine-3.webp not-always-geraldine-2.webp not-always-geraldine-6.webp not-always-geraldine-7.webp not-always-geraldine-8.webp not-always-geraldine-9.webp GO TO as the seasons change nine severe weather forecasts ! It’s not always sunshine & roses Andrew Morton It’s not always sunshine & roses out on the road. Nine severe weather forecasts in Canterbury. Luckily I am at the mild end of them all in Geraldine with 11.5mm rain today already of 17mm forecast. 1mm an hour at 8am so that’s my chance to pack up. We managed one day 50km ride in sun & dry conditions. Allan packed up & went home yesterday. I prefer to stick to the plan & enjoy every minute of my time away, whatever the weather. 🏕️ ©2025 Andrew Morton. Up Up Summer 2025 , p 23

Autumn 2023 ISSUE 3 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Marshmallows by the fire Linda Butler MarshmaMallows by the fire. Very memorable. Thanks Gary. January 2023. Wiahora, Motukarara. Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 27

4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Let’s go south for a few weeks’ Angela Bryan Up 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 Lake Taupo ©2023 Angela Bryan Durie Hill Tower ©2023 Angela Bryan lets_Cape Farewell 2_MW.webp Lake Taupo ©2023 Angela Bryan 1/25 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Autumn Gold Only getting in 123 Watts Allan Henderson Well some days it makes no difference at all how much solar you have on the roof. We have just under 3000 Watt of solar on the roof and only getting in 123 Watts. Very overcast day here in Methven. ©2024 Allan Henderson Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 17

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption APC_Communal dinner_H.webp Whanganui Vintage Weekend, 2024. ©2024 Margaret Earle GO TO Autumn Gold come along my friends, come along... All Points Camping All Points Camping ALL POINTS CAMPING CLUB of NZ 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 more than just a club, it’s like one big family. Come along to one of our events near you. Bring the tent, bring the kids. Join now only $35NZ’s national camping club Join here: www.allpointscampingnz.org ✶ When the benefits far exceed the cost you’d be crazy not to take it up. ✶ Our values: compassion, inclusion, support and encouragement Image: ©2024 Margaret Earle Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 56