New Zealand and Coromandel Camping

Picture if you will emerald rolling hills looking perfectly how a child would draw them as a little bump on the page with Peppa Pig’s house on the top. Add the sea on one side with a coastal road dramatically winding along the edge and up into the mountainside where a beautiful vista down to the ocean awaits. The view takes your breath away and you stop to take a picture. On the next bend you spot the white sand beach aligning the turquoise waters into a bay dotted with green islands rising from the ocean.

This is an average road on the Coromandel peninsular. The good roads leave me speechless.

We picked up our motorhome in Auckland on Monday. Yes, it's camping, but it's camping in style and even a certain sister-in-law of mine (you 3 know which one of you I mean!) would enjoy it. The freedom it has given us to roam is fantastic and a couple of days later we are settling into the new pace. With Thomas it makes things easier. Whilst we do not have the comfortable a hotel room, we are self sufficient. No more moving bags, packing or unpacking, or struggling to find food that is suitable. It's very easy.

Auckland was interesting and we stayed for two nights in a lovely Air BnB place right in the centre with our great hosts Marina and Felippe. We did the obligatory tour up the Sky Tower and a spot of wine tasting on Waiheke island but we are happy now to be out into the countryside.

The Coromandel Peninsular, our first stop, is less touristy and is off the beaten path compared to other areas of the North Island. I am puzzled as to why it is not more popular as it is simply stunning. We camped for a night in Coromandel Town in a proper campsite to acclimatise us to the new accommodation, then travelled to the east coast of the peninsular and it's white sand beaches. Hahei was a real gem of a find and our favourite stop. I’d have happily spent a few days there.

Hot Water Beach is also worth a visit but is more touristy. Visitors flock to dig a hole in the sand and let it cool with water from the hot springs. Fun if you have the time.

The bonus of having a self contained motorhome is that there are so many places in New Zealand that we can free camp - essentially rock up and stay for free. Some have basic facilities and others none but we have all we need in our van. We even figured out how to bath Thomas in the sink (photos saved for 18th birthday embarrassment!).

We are loving the promises that New Zealand is making so far!