CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

Buy a copy, subscribe for a year's worth of copies, read it on paper, read it here or read the pdf. The choice is yours.

Are you a mainstream traveler, always following the main highways or are you a diversionist, taking that chance to detour from the main route to explore and maybe encounter something new or different? On our recent trip north we decided to veer from the main flow of traffic and take a left turn.

As we move towards summer the cabbage trees are in full and generous flower, the sign of a long hot summer to come, I am told.

Gore Bay Camp is a small camp. The facilities are old, but usable. Such a great place to go for a weekend break close to our home in Christchurch.

After my ride from Canterbury to Southland, the next step was to continue my clockwise circuit of the Island.

I’m in Rotorua today (MTB Mecca) ready for tomorrow’s ride, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop: 33km, 3hr. Another one of the 23 Great Rides of NZ. ckw.nz/great-rides ©2022 Andrew Morton

One of my first memories of camping was at ‘Spec Creek’. You won’t find it on a map — it was just some little creek on the side of the road, somewhere in Central Otago, where our car broke down. There was nothing there.

Nobody knows. The Ministry has made some guesses.

On my last roadie I met and chatted with four van loads of international tourists from UK, Australia and Germany who have been freedom camping around NZ in small (slider-type) hire vans from Escape or Jucy.

Is that e-bike right for you? Many New Zealanders are now moving to e-bikes and they definitely have health advantages while being cheap to operate and maintain.

Do you struggle when you set up your camp or your caravan?

Back in the days — Circa 2008. That caravan was damned heavy behind the bike.

Here are the issues to consider with the major legislative change which is currently proposed and going through Select Committee hearings.

The Minister of Tourism the opened the speaking with gossip of buckets covered in gladwrap being used as toilets in motorhomes.

It was a very wet, rainy camp with my dog in a dense bush.

It’s a thorny problem, deciding how to connect to the internet on the road — so many different choices, plans and options; so many unfamiliar concepts. Here’s a ‘simple’ guide.

We spent a few days on the coast out from Martinborough, Te Awati camping area and then back to North Tora Reserve, some very rough coastline.

Ready for a family weekend away camping.

Can you place all the national parks?

It’s four years now since John first decided to do something to make emptying our toilet cassette easier and cleaner.

I slept overnight beside the Aparima River near Opio (Southland).

Next time you’re in the Waitomo area (the Waikato region of the North Island) it’s worth the detour to check out three natural landmarks that are really close together, on the Te Anga Road.

Gisborne District Council have very clear freedom camping bylaws which demand waste management, #leavenotrace principles.

Nokomai station on the way to Queenstown. We went there as kids; now we take our kids there.

This is a book for people who want to understand how their electrics work as well as for people who are designing / building / converting a caravan or motorhome.

Secured a magical spot beside the lakes edge at Kingston freedom camp and went fishing.

Can you fill in the blanks?

In the old days, people used “meat safes” or “safes” but my experience is with chilly bins or Esky cooler bags.

Every trip we make a breakfast fruits pancake. Usually apple pannekoeken.

Heading up to the top of the North Island to see Cape Reinga is on most people’s bucket lists. For those who enjoy a bit of camping, finding that perfect spot to stay is an added bonus. Finding two such places is something special. Tapotupotu DOC campsite. Matauri Bay Holiday Park

Except in rainy areas solar panels need cleaning from time to time.

Finally made it out to Ocean Beach in Whangarei. Mavis in her natural habitat.

I figured Heather and John had put lots of time into thinking into how best to manage a toilet cassette as they developed their Dump Mate, so I asked them to share their best tips with us. Editor

This tool takes some of the pressure off the plastic lugs, that get some stress every time you open up the cassette for cleaning.

Cycling on a stunning Spring day around the Katikati coastal estuary cycle way.

So many travellers, campers, and vanlifers are recording their journeys on 'the gram' these days, sharing snippets of their lives, packaged neatly in squares or reels.

What a stunner this place was! Nothing like falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the beach.

RCAi is a strong advocate for positive solutions to any freedom camping issue, working to protect the right to freedom camp on public land in line with the current permissive Freedom Camping Act, and the Bill of Rights Act.

Another beautiful day at Tangimoana. (Manawatu)

Darn, we could only get the new heater up to 10ºC on that night, and woke to a -3ºC frost. We opened the oven door, lit the gas and waited for sunshine.

Paradise is when you coddiwomple to a pristine tidal bay for a swim and discover what the locals already know.

Three helpful articles on electrics.

Car camping allows me to still enjoy the outdoors, here at Clifden Suspension. Bridge

Found on Facebook: NZ Cycling groups; NZ Women travelling; NZ Camping groups

Camps advertised by All Points Camping and NZ Fun Adventures

These events offer an opportunity for people to overnight while they attend. Some are restricted to certified self contained vehicles, some restrict or ban pets. Check the event website for details.