Well, summer’s almost over, but it’s not over yet! While the sun comes down earlier now than it did in Feburary, there are still some secret little havens around the country for you to enjoy the setting sun with your family and friends. The great thing about these spots is that they’re often nice and quiet, and to be honest I’m a little loathe to let you in on the secret! But we do manage these places for you, the NZ public. So before everything gets cold and dark, you could try one of over 200 DOC Conservation Campsites around the country, located in some very special places.
Camping is a fantastic family activity.
What you need to know:
- Campsites are divided into categories, based on the facilities provided;
- They are dirt cheap! You’ll pay around $8-$14 per person per night for a Serviced campsite with flush toilets, tap water and cooking facilities, or rough it (free of charge) in a Basic campsite;
- Access can also vary, so make sure you check whether your campervan or motor home can climb that steep gravel road…
- There are campsites in pretty much any setting you desire: by the coast, in the forest, next to rivers and lakes or below huge mountains;
- Sometimes they may be hard to find, but many campsites are in spectacular locations, just waiting for you to find them.
You can download the comprehensive North and South Island brochures from the DOC website, or drop into any DOC visitor centre if you’re after a hard copy to chuck into your glove box.
So, pick your setting, load up your vehicle, and get out there and find your own piece of camping paradise. I have a few personal favourites (that I don’t really want to tell you about yet), but hopefully they will take a while for you all to find…
One of our many campsites available to the public.
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