Free Camping
Dec 3rd, 2016, 10:56 AM
#1
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Free Camping
Can anyone help with free camping?
We will have a self contained camper van so we are allowed to free camp. Looking at the Rankers website, many of these say booking required, first come first served. This is confusing to me as I would be happy to book, but see no way to do so.
My gut feeling is that you are basically left with first come first served.
Thanks for any feedback on free camping and getting bookings.
We will have a self contained camper van so we are allowed to free camp. Looking at the Rankers website, many of these say booking required, first come first served. This is confusing to me as I would be happy to book, but see no way to do so.
My gut feeling is that you are basically left with first come first served.
Thanks for any feedback on free camping and getting bookings.
Dec 3rd, 2016, 09:21 PM
#4
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This is a big question and I am no expert but you need to appreciate 'freedom' does not mean anywhere you fancy.
You can camp in designated areas (they have a campervan road sign thing)of public places. Each local or district council will have their own guidelines about this.
For example Thames/Coromandel District Council allow you 2 consecutive nights only in one place and to be gone by 9 am. You must park in their designated area or risk the $200 fine. The West Coast is patrolled closely for freedom campers as there were too many young people in cars staying overnight and leaving human waste in the bush. I think they are pretty strict in Queenstown/Wanaka as well.
Holiday parks are quite cheap and you will get the use of facilities there.
DOC camp grounds are first come gets the best spot. Some other camping areas are privately owned so the rules set by the owners. I looked up one - Motutara Farm - which had an inquiry form which they firmly say is not an online booking form. I guess you inquire and then they will give you a booking if they have room.
Have you got your itinerary worked out? That might help work out where to park. Long Bay in Auckland allows campervans for 2 nights and as it is a regional park you book through the Auckland Council.
You can camp in designated areas (they have a campervan road sign thing)of public places. Each local or district council will have their own guidelines about this.
For example Thames/Coromandel District Council allow you 2 consecutive nights only in one place and to be gone by 9 am. You must park in their designated area or risk the $200 fine. The West Coast is patrolled closely for freedom campers as there were too many young people in cars staying overnight and leaving human waste in the bush. I think they are pretty strict in Queenstown/Wanaka as well.
Holiday parks are quite cheap and you will get the use of facilities there.
DOC camp grounds are first come gets the best spot. Some other camping areas are privately owned so the rules set by the owners. I looked up one - Motutara Farm - which had an inquiry form which they firmly say is not an online booking form. I guess you inquire and then they will give you a booking if they have room.
Have you got your itinerary worked out? That might help work out where to park. Long Bay in Auckland allows campervans for 2 nights and as it is a regional park you book through the Auckland Council.
Dec 4th, 2016, 02:31 AM
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We have done two long trips in a campervan in NZ ( now planning our third!) and used a mixture of free camping, DOC sites and commercial sites. Both times were in winter/spring which is perhaps why we had no problems turning up and finding a space at a freedom camping site or indeed, any site It may be different in the summer though.
I use the Rankers app and agree that the wording "booking required" is a little confusing. I think it would be better worded - booking requirements as I don't believe it is possible to reserve a place at the freedom camping sites and first come first served is the only way. I certainly couldn't find a way to book even when I asked at the iSite offices.
It may be worth looking at the DOC sites and, if you are going for more than a few days, buying a weekly or monthly pass which offers substantially discounted nights.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...or-campervans/
$40 per week is great value when you consider they have some of the most scenic sites anywhere.
Their website also has a lot of info on their sites and freedom camping sites, rules etc.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...at-a-campsite/
I use the Rankers app and agree that the wording "booking required" is a little confusing. I think it would be better worded - booking requirements as I don't believe it is possible to reserve a place at the freedom camping sites and first come first served is the only way. I certainly couldn't find a way to book even when I asked at the iSite offices.
It may be worth looking at the DOC sites and, if you are going for more than a few days, buying a weekly or monthly pass which offers substantially discounted nights.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...or-campervans/
$40 per week is great value when you consider they have some of the most scenic sites anywhere.
Their website also has a lot of info on their sites and freedom camping sites, rules etc.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...at-a-campsite/
Dec 6th, 2016, 08:22 AM
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You are welcometravelon98. I don't think you can mark your site to return later (but I could be wrong!). We just tended to turn up, park and then go off to explore but we were there in Winter/spring and it wasn't a problem as we rarely saw any other vans at free camping sites and only a handful at DOC sites. If you are going in high season and want to free-camp then I think you are going to have to get there early for the more popular places. Always good to have a back up plan of a DOC or commercial site nearby so you don't waste time looking for somewhere else.
On arrival at a destination we often asked at the local iSite who where really great on advice on where to park up, some were not on the lists e.g. One time we were told to park in the local golf club and that it was ok to use the toilets there - kiwis are so helpful!
Freedom Camping places used to be way more plentiful a few years ago but I guess with the increased numbers of tourists and the behaviour of an irresponsible few, te authorities were bound to take action at some point.
On arrival at a destination we often asked at the local iSite who where really great on advice on where to park up, some were not on the lists e.g. One time we were told to park in the local golf club and that it was ok to use the toilets there - kiwis are so helpful!
Freedom Camping places used to be way more plentiful a few years ago but I guess with the increased numbers of tourists and the behaviour of an irresponsible few, te authorities were bound to take action at some point.
Dec 6th, 2016, 10:21 AM
#8
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I hope the practice of "marking your spot" doesn't become the norm. I very much dislike this kind of practice at resort swimming pools. Folks get up early and plunk a beach towel on an available lounge and disappear until mid-afternoon. You show up late morning to actually use the pool and there's not a chair to sit on that isn't marked.
Do your hike first, then find a spot that's available. If you want a spot "held" for you, then make a reservation at a holiday park.
Do your hike first, then find a spot that's available. If you want a spot "held" for you, then make a reservation at a holiday park.
Dec 6th, 2016, 12:09 PM
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We've done two campervan trips, with a mix of camping grounds. Some free, some DOC, some Holiday Parks.
Holiday Parks and a very few DOC campgrounds (Totaranui, Peloris, there's another on Queen Charlotte Drive - can't think of the name) will take bookings. Freedom camping grounds and the vast majority of DOC are first come, first served. You don't/can't make bookings.
Bookings are not required, but may be recommended during peak times at holiday parks. If you turn up without a booking and they have space available, they will take you.
Both our trips were the first half of December. The only place I'm glad we had a booking was at Hanmer Springs. It was full for the night. We were there on a Friday night and the folks from Christchurch often take their campers there on the weekends.
Anyplace else we camped was at the max, 60% full. Most were only 20-40% full.
You haven't stated when you are coming, and that will make a difference.
Holiday Parks and a very few DOC campgrounds (Totaranui, Peloris, there's another on Queen Charlotte Drive - can't think of the name) will take bookings. Freedom camping grounds and the vast majority of DOC are first come, first served. You don't/can't make bookings.
Bookings are not required, but may be recommended during peak times at holiday parks. If you turn up without a booking and they have space available, they will take you.
Both our trips were the first half of December. The only place I'm glad we had a booking was at Hanmer Springs. It was full for the night. We were there on a Friday night and the folks from Christchurch often take their campers there on the weekends.
Anyplace else we camped was at the max, 60% full. Most were only 20-40% full.
You haven't stated when you are coming, and that will make a difference.
Dec 6th, 2016, 03:04 PM
#11
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As Crellston mentioned, poor behaviour of some freedom campers and overwhelming numbers have caused problems and grief, especially for small communities. These are just a few examples.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/f...-causing-grief
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/f...-fight-deepens
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queens...e-refugee-camp
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11754610
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/f...-causing-grief
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/f...-fight-deepens
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queens...e-refugee-camp
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11754610
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