7 Quick Tips for Responsible Freedom Camping
Freedom camping in New Zealand is an experience like no other. Being able to crawl into bed and marvel at the stars from a secluded spot - for free - is something we don’t take for granted. However, freedom camping isn’t just as simple as parking up wherever you please, so to avoid fines, angry landowners, and an early morning knock on your window, follow these quick tips to freedom camp responsibly.
Make sure you’re actually self-contained. You’ll need the coveted blue sticker on your bumper, alerting authorities you’re legal and gaining you access to designated freedom camping spots. To get one, you’ll have to make sure your van meets self-contained certification, such as having a toilet, adequate fresh water and, grey water storage, along with a rubbish bin with lid on board, and be certified by an official. The criteria has recently become more strict, so be sure your vehicle is up-to-date to avoid a fine. Most of our vans are self-contained, so no need to worry when you ride with a Matt and Dan’s self-contained van. ;)
Know the signs. Look for blue and white signs depicting a campervan, sometimes with the word “self-contained”, to know you’re in a campervan friendly area. Sometimes these are as simple as “campervan-friendly area”, while other times they designate specific parking spots - so look closely. Signs with red crosses over campervan drawings are an obvious no-go, so don’t even try.
Read up on council bylaws. Every council has its own bylaws, some with generous freedom camping laws and others with none. Often, this information only exists online and isn’t obvious when driving around, so do some research before you head out. If you’re in doubt or don’t know what council you’re in, the local i-Site or DOC office can give you some guidance.
Respect time limits. In many freedom camping spots, an early morning “check-out time” is mandatory and often reinforced. Be sure to not overstay your welcome and hit the road bright and early. More daylight hours for exploring, right?
Leave no trace. Freedom camping’s purpose, hence its regulations, is to impact the environment around an area as little as possible. That’s why rubbish bins, toilets, and water storage are mandatory on deck, as these all keep campers from overloading facilities, or worse, compromising wild, fragile ecosystems. When freedom camping, make sure to pack out all your trash, drive carefully, and respect the environment around you.
Don’t blaze a new trail. We get it, it’s tempting to drive through the bush to find the perfect, secluded camping spot. However, we encourage you to take your newfound knowledge from number five and park in designated parking spots. If nothing’s designated, park in the area most able to handle vehicle impact.
Temper your expectations. Freedom camping isn’t always as glamorous as it seems. Sometimes, you’re a town spectacle - frantically squeezing yourself between two other vans in a council carpark - but freedom camping is free, afterall. Great spots take dedication and determination to find, and sometimes that means parking up early, even if you’d rather be out exploring. If you’re less fussed about the freedom and more after guaranteed good views, we recommend booking a DOC campsite. Low-cost, well-maintained, and full of facilities, many DOC sites offer serene vibes in stunning locations.
If you’re ready to explore New Zealand’s freedom camping culture, book a trip in one of our fully self-contained vans so you can have your cake and eat it, too. See ya out there.