CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

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

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.

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

At the All Points camp at Foxton Beach School over Labour weekend I asked others what they like to cook when they are camping.

Alice cooking dinner on the BBQ at Ohiwa

I’ve worked out an effective way to heat up pies.

Staying in Oamaru after attending a cycle event at the Waimate velodrome organised by the Oamaru Ordinary Cycle Club.

Fishing in the snow. Ohau B canal. Spring

Slept in it last night on the lounge floor with all the windows open.

Fill in 13 place names from the list of DOC sites.

The name of the game is to get your disc, in the least amount of throws, into the chain basket.

A choice of more adventurous places where you will be cast on your own resources more.

A free DOC camp between Twizel and Tekapo with spectacular mountain views.

A thoroughly relaxing, free camp on the Firth of Thames.

Latest news for campers from DOC

Stayed for two nights at the Uretiti DOC campsite (Northland). for the first time.

There were stars out on Saturday night, but Sunday dawned overcast with a cool breeze.

All sorts of campers at the Foxton Beach Spring Fling camping weekend.

Fantastic time at the Onearo campground. Fun time with all.

See if you can get to any of these camping events

Places to go and enjoy something special

Membership support, Friendly, inclusive camping events, Nationwide savings, Lobbying support for campers’ rights.

A Pacific-blue sea and sky. Sleeping to the sound of the sea.

Don’t miss local A & P shows when you travel the country.

We did the fairy forest walk at Dog Walk Stream, Hanmer, and lo and behold the fairies camp too!

​

While we travel in a country beset by discontent, we can lift our eyes to the hills, and see the enduring beauty and majesty of the country we live in. The long view.

SH32, SH45, SH60: Do you know them?

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

Well. There we were. Bogged.