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I recently bought a guide book on New Zealand and was horrified at some of the camping fees levied by the camp sites. I understand you pay for the plot, rather than according to the space you actually take up, but I can't afford them. Are there any sources to find out the locations of basic, cheap campsites around the country?
The Department of Conservation (DOC) operate camping grounds in a number of very scenic areas. The camps are basic with minimal facilities supplied, usually toilets and cold showers or cold running water, but the prices are great. Need to supply your own camping equipment.
When are you considering a visit to New Zealand? Camping in this country is very much weather dependent. The holiday parks charge more but they have better facilities than DOC sites, including cabins to rent.
Hi... thanks for that. I'm flying into Christchurch on Sunday with my bicycle and yea, I have all the camping gear etc. Thanks for the pointer though, which led me to this site...
II'll wait to get to NZ and pick up a decent map to mark them in. Maybe there's a DOC office with maps in Christchurch? Ill try to google it. Need to get to Bay of Plenty quite fast so can't hang around long.
Most information is obtainable on the net, through the DOC site. But you may not have access to a printer. The DOC offices relocated to near the airport, to the Antarctic Centre, but I'm not sure if they are still there. The DOC Visitor information office relocated to : 31 Nga Mahi Road, Sockburn tel +64 3 341 9100 . You could head for there from the airport, don't go to the old CBD which is closed.
Ill be heading due north... the whole challenge has been to cycle from England to New Zealand to find my daughter. She lives in the Bay Of Plenty and her birthday is on March 11, so I need to get cracking. (It's her 20th ... I last saw her in the UK when she was 14.) To arrive on her birthday would be something special. I just hope I can make it on time. I was just a bit worried as the latest Lonely Planet guide I bought here in Malaysia quotes prices in the region of NZ$20+ for campsites, which is double what I've been paying for hotels in the last year!! A bit scary. Half that would be fine, which sounds a bit more like DOC prices.
Thanks again and hope maybe I'll pass your way as, if I remember correctly, you said you'd make me a cup of tea if I did!! Are you on east or west side?
Yes unfortunately everyone coming here from Asia finds NZ expensive. will be in touch via email. I know there are hills and stuff, but approx how far do you travel most days? I'm afraid the North Island has quite hilly roads. The man on the Pennyfarthing who biked the length of the country was talking about the desception just the other day. He didn't have the luxury of gears.
No gears! Ouch! Well, a couple of days ago I cycled 176km - and nearly killed myself in the process! My bike is very heavy. And that was with no hills at all. Average is around 80km though in Central Asia it took all my strength to do 111km in 3 very long and hard days. So it varies enormously. Often the wind can make more of a difference than the terrain. Hopefully I can pick up more info on the road up to Wellington. But Ive just gone over 20,000km since home so if I can't make the last bit that would really be a poor show!!!
DOC campsites usually charge NZ$ 5 or 6. Most come without shower but there is always a toilet and nearly always running water.
In some places you will pass you might also find a shower. Using this is free in some places, in others you might pay NZ$ 2 or so.
The distance from Christchurch to the Bay of Plenty is nearly 1000 km, so you have to pedal really fast to be there by 11 March. There are several hills along the South Island's coast already, with the Hundalees being steep and winding like an alpine pass road. In the North Island the Rimutaka Hill north of Wellington is the first real killer...
Please take precautions when cycling in NZ. It is extremely dangerous as most times you will cycle on the main highway which can be narrow, and there is heavy traffic. We do have many accidents involving cyclists. Best you wear a high-vis vest and put a stick with little flags poking one metre into the road, so car drivers do not dare to overtake you in dangerous curves unless they want to risk their car to be scratched. Wearing a helmet is compulsory in NZ.
That's great, many thanks. Yea, Ill try to be careful and I am carrying high viz jacket and helmet. I hope 1000km in that time will be doable. Ill just have to see how it goes. DOC sites sound affordable anyway. Ill buy a map and try tp mark their locations from the website. Cheers.
Great... thanks for the link. Travelling through getting the hang of it now. Bought a 'Kiwimap' and they seem to have most marked on them along with DOC brochure. Many thanks.
