Freedom Camping and Wine

Now that we are settling into the routine of the motorhome we have been taking good advantage of free camping grounds in New Zealand. Provided that your vehicle is certified as self contained, essentially meaning that you can camp without leaving any waste behind, you are permitted in New Zealand to camp in designated places. The permitted camping spots range from a clearing in a forest, to a piece of land by a river, to a car park in a town. We have been taking full advantage of this. Most have no facilities at all but some have basic toilets or a long drop.

Luckily, we have a shower and toilet (although basic) in our van and aside from losing the ability to use the 240 volt power (no plugging in the hairdryer!) we are able to be self sufficient. Therefore as well as saving us money on campsite charges, these freedom campsites are allowing us just that - the ability to be free in our itinerary and stop in the most random of places. We are loving that we are able to camp where few people are and in the middle of nowhere at a moment's notice. The places we have found so far, a forest clearing and right beside Lake Taupo, have been very pretty, quiet and with little other people around. For some reading this, I know it is a long stretch from your comfortable hotel! But for us, being close to nature, away from crowds and in unusual places, well, it's just one step away from perfection.

So, what is perfection? Quite simply adding to the above, the presence of a vineyard! In addition to the freedom campsite access, we have joined a club (for a nominal fee) called Okay 2 Stay. It's a listing of places that will allow you to stay on their premises for no charge. Most of the places are attached to some type of business. Some are small farms selling their own produce, some small cafes, some breweries and, importantly for us, some vineyards. On arrival in the South Island yesterday, we headed straight to the Marlborough wine region where we camped for free in the garden of the Framingham Wine Estate aside their vineyard. Obviously (!) we had to go into their cellar door and sample their fine wines in the rose garden. A bottle or two may then have been purchased and consumed sat in the sun next to the vines on which it grew. Brilliant! No need to drive anywhere and we were the only people staying.

In fact, it was so good that tonight we have driven north to the beautiful Riwaka River Estate where we are parked up between the vines on which our evening refreshments grew and the olive trees. I could so get used to this!

Thomas? Well, thankfully he is yet of an age that he can complain he would rather be at the zoo and has rather taken a shine to the crackers that they provide to cleanse your palate whilst wine tasting. Everyone is happy!