Many of us have wanted to travel to different destinations all over the world, but few have ever thought of New Zealand. They have a little bit of everything, from the big city life with the wild nightlife to the wilderness with everything from erupting volcanoes to erupting geysers. The land is pristine, and there is a reason for that. The people of New Zealand, called the Maori, have a deep-seated belief that land is a precious natural resource and should be respected so it will be a joy for generations to come. New Zealand is somewhere you just have to visit at least once in your lifetime, and the best way to do that is with the freedom of a camper.
Wild Camping
The Maori people have been pleading with tourists to respect their land. They would love to share their beautiful country and all it has to offer, but they demand you take some responsibility to protect it for generations to come. They expect you to respect their land by recycling when you can and removing what you cannot. They also implore you to camp only in designated wild camping areas. In fact, they have hefty fines if you are caught camping where you are not allowed.
New Zealand has an extended program for wild camping. They have “I Respect New Zealand” maps available that point out all of the areas permitted to camp, as well as dumping stations and popular attractions.
Certified Campers Are Important
To camp in one of these wild camping areas you need to get a certified campervan hire in NZ from many different locations. For the camper to be certified, it has to meet the following criteria:
- The camper needs to have the ability to store up to three days of waste.
- It must have storage tanks for fresh water for drinking and cooking.
- It has to have tanks that will hold waste water for a minimum of three days until you can get to a dumping station.
- It will cause no adverse effects on the environment, and it will not risk public health or wildlife.
Places of Interest
There are many places of interest in New Zealand, and they have Visitor Centres located throughout the two islands that entice you to visit certain places. Some of the most unforgettable places to visit in northern New Zealand may include the Waitomo Glowworm Caves where millions of live glowworms light the caverns that you can explore. They also have underwater observatories that take you down 30 feet under the sea for a 360-degree view of the beautiful underwater life. There is also Auckland Bridge Climb and bungee jumping for the adventurer in you.
Camping in one of New Zealand’s certified campers can be a great way to explore the pristine lands of New Zealand. You may need to plan a few trips to the wonderful place after you see it for the first time. Take the freedom of a hired camper to the open road and explore New Zealand at your leisure.