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New Zealanders are passionate about the outdoors, especially camping. And with hundreds

o campsites nationwide, theyre also spoilt or choice when it comes to nding the perect

place to pitch their tents. Campers can choose rom ully-serviced campgrounds or holiday

parks to the back-to-the roots, real camping options at more remote locations whatever your

camping style, there is something or you.

It is also generally accepted that i you stray o the beaten path, away rom the holiday hot

spots and into the wilderness, your chances o nding the perect spot to get away rom it

all are much higher. In this category Department o Conservation (DOC) has some stunningcamping locations or you to consider. In this story we suggest a ew or you to ponder over.

For a more exhaustive list, check out the DOC website.

FAMILY CAMPERS

WAIkAhoA BAY Whangarei

Located in the Mimiwhangata Coastal Park, about 48km north-east o Whangarei, this

campsite is a great or swimming and diving. It also oers some good spots or shing with

barracuda, snapper, kingsh, kahawai, tuna, trevally and yellow-eyed mullet among the

sh ound in the waters here. Keen anglers will have plenty to do while the kids rolic in

the water. Commercial shing and the use o nets and long-lines is prohibited but amateur

shing o certain species using single hooked and un-weighted lines, trolling and spear

shing is allowed. You can also collect shellsh. The DOC website lists the species youre

permitted to sh. The walkways in the neighbouring armland give visitors the option to see

the rare brown teal.

Given its beachside location and availability o water (on tap), toilets and shower (cold)

acilities, this campsite is suitable or amilies.

PoRt JACkSon Coromandel

58 kilometres north o Coromandel, this campsite is at the waters edge, next to a beach. It is anidyllic place or amilies to relax, especially the ones that love water-based activities. Here you

can enjoy boating, diving, snorkelling, shing, kayaking, canoeing and swimming. The stunning

6km Muriwai coastal loop walk leaves Port Jackson at the northern end o the beach. Facilities

onsite include water (rom tap), toilets, shower (cold), barbecue and rubbish bin.

MoMoRAngI BAY Marlborough Sounds

This north-acing campsite is located in Momorangi Bay, Grove Arm in the Queen Charlotte

Sound. You can camp beside a beautiul sheltered bay or at fat campsites on a grassy

hillside. Great place to relax by the waterside or or sae paddling or children. Other

recreational activities include swimming, boating, kayaking, shing, diving, as well as short

walks, tramping and mountain biking.

This site is very popular during peak season and advance bookings are essential. You canalso park a campervan here or hire a cabin. Hot showers, toilets, communal kitchen with

basic appliances, rubbish bin, water (on tap) and picnic table this campsite has plenty o

acilities to keep amily campers happy.

BLokES gEtAWAYS (hUntIng AnD FIShIng)

LAkE tAYLoR North Canterbury

This beautiul campsite is well worth the eort to get into over a pretty rough gravel road

(accessible by 2WD). Located on Lake Sumner road, 74km northwest o Amberley, it is a

great area to explore by oot or mountain bike. Taking your kayak or boat is also suggested.

This is real man alone territory with great shing and hunting spots.

Lake Taylor is good or spin-shing or fy-shing (on a windless day). You can also sh inthe nearby Lake Katrine, Lake Sumner and Hurunui River. Check out Fish and Game New

Zealand website or shing seasons and regulations. Lake Sumner Forest Park where this

Going h

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A night or ew under the canvas with plenty to do in the day

love the New Zealand outdoors or its boundless ofering.

Photo

:CoLEMAn

Photo:DoC

Waikahoa Bay campsite

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5campsite is located is also popular with

recreational hunters as pigs, red deer and

chamois are in low to moderate numbers. You

can hunt with a permit throughout the park.

Facilities include toilets, picnic tables and

water rom the stream.

LAkE okAREkA Rotorua

This small, scenic hidden gem is just 15

minutes drive rom Rotorua city. Surrounded

by native bush and tranquil lake views,

it makes a good spot to fy-sh or trout

(appropriate gear and licence is required).

There are toilets and a cooking shelter at this

campsite.

StEWARt ISLAnD

This magnicent island oers the

opportunity to hunt the elusive Whitetail

deer, which is also known as the Grey Ghost,

says Al Lester, author oA Sting In The Tale,

in which he regales readers with his hunting

experiences. Also roaming the island are reddeer. That a man can gather oysters, scallops,

craysh and blue cod at the same time simply

makes this the ultimate location o hunting

and recreation, he adds. Hunting is a little

easier in the winter months when the bush is

wetter and thereore quieter, he suggests.

There are a number o DOC managed huts and

campsites within Rakiura National Park on

Steward Island, as well as 14 specic hunters

huts in some o the hunting blocks (bookable

hunting areas) that have been built and are

maintained by the Rakiura Hunter Camp Trust.

Fees or huts vary and are available on the

DOC website. Some o the huts are standard

with bunks or sleeping platorms, mattresses,

a toilet and water supply while the others oer

very basic shelter with limited acilities.

FIoRDLAnD

The terrain here is rugged and mountainous,

and the weather oten inclement, says

Lester. I a hunter is prepared to suer some

discomort and put in the hard work then the

sheer grandeur o this isolated location makeshunting red deer and wapiti an extremely

memorable experience. A man cant beat

being there in the roar, which is generally

during April, he suggests or timing.

A wide range o DOC huts and campsites

is available, depending on which area o

Fiordland you are hunting in.

EASt CoASt oF LoWER noRth ISLAnD

Hunting around the White Rock Station area

is hard to beat. There are pigs, red deer and

allow deer in reasonable numbers and best o

all there is no gorse to contend with, says

Lester. The area has magnicent sea views

and access to paua in shallow water is always

well worth a visit. Any time is a good time

to visit this area, especially i you are into

water sport alongside o your hunting, he

recommends.

Backcountry huts are available in Aorangi

Forest park (near White Rock Station). You

can also opt or the Putangirua Pinnacles

campsite on the coast between Cape Palliser

and Lake Ferry.

CAMP ARoUnDthE gREAt WALkS

Conservation land oers extensive walking

options including nine Great Walks that are

a must do or anyone keen on hikes and

tramps listed on the DOC website.

WhAngAnUI JoURnEY Whanganui

National Park

Although a river journey, this is part o NewZealands Great Walks network. Paddle your

way through 145km o the Whanganui river,

rom Taumaranui to Pipiriki, through hills,

valleys and the heart o Whanganui National

Park. DOC campsites, huts and associated

acilities are provided along the river.

Campsites have water supply with a table and

benches or cooking while huts havebunks

with mattresses, stoves, benches, tables and

cooking acilities.

Fees are charged per person, per night to stay

in huts or campsites. There are no ees or

cont. on pg6 >>

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Pho

to:P.

BRADY,

DoC

Lake Taylor, North Canterbury

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RESoURCES to PLAn YoUR tRIP

AdventureSmart: www.advventuresmart.org.nz; Department of Conservation:www.doc.govt.nz; Great Walks: www.greatwalks.co.nz;

Fish and Game NZ:www.fshandgame.org.nz

CAMPIng tIPSAnD SAFEtY

Check out the acilities at the campsite

you are going to it would not be

nice to nd yoursel without essential

supplies in the middle o nowhere.

Book your preerred campsite in

advance, especially during peak season,

school holidays and long weekends.

Choose your tent site careully a

shady, sheltered area preerably on high

ground is recommended. Check or

stones, sticks and any sharp objects in

your chosen area.

Some things you must carry a good

tent, torches, spare batteries, matches

or lighters, pocket knie, sun block,

insect repellent, tent repair or duct tape

and sucient ood. Clothes and gear

suitable or all weathers is suggested, asare good walking boots. Basic camping

equipment, depending on the sort o

campsite you choose, is also required.

To make it un, add to your list games,

chilly bins, barbecues, gazebo, bikes

this list can be as exhaustive as

you want. Beore you add to this list,

remember youve to carry it!

For saety reasons, i youre going

alone or camping in a remote place,

ollow the outdoor saety code (onAdventureSmart website) plan your

trip and seek local knowledge, tell

someone about your plans, be aware o

the weather, know your limits and take

sucient supplies.

I youre camping with children, check

out the hazards in the area such as

lakes, streams and busy roads.

Camp responsibly and minimise your

impact on the environment.

Great buys

CoLEMAn CPX

6 X LAntERn

A high perormance lantern

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fashlight docks and charges

in the lantern and ejectsor independent use. The

lantern has three modes o

light with an output o 300

lumens. Includes a three-

year warranty. RRP $149.99.

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SLEEPIng BAgS

The Coleman ET Outlander CO sleeping

bag (pictured let) is a warm and

comortable hooded design (with a pull

cord). It eatures internal pockets or

valuables and includes a compression

stu sac. Comort rating 0C. One-year

warranty. RRP $99.99.

The Coleman BigFoot Sloop Neck

sleeping bag (pictured right) is made

or the bigger, heavier guys, with a

dimension o 200 x 100cm. Its sloop neck

provides the comort o a hood without

ull enclosure. Also eatures internal

pockets to store valuables. Comort rating

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www.colemannz.co.nzSWAnnDRI tEChnICAL SoCkS

This ergonomically designed sock is made rom premium New

Zealand merino or insulation, warmth, moisture management

and odour resistance. It also has nylon bres or durability and

a customised elastic support system. RRP $27.95 (tall).

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kAthMAnDU REtREAt 180 tEnt

This tent has two ully enclosed rooms with ront porch eaturing no-see-um mesh screens

on windows and doors and power cord access. Featuring an air venting system, the Retreat

180 is perect or amilies. RRP $849.98.

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CoLEMAn InStAnt

UP EvEnt 14 ShADE

This shade sets up in less than a

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corners and two side poles or extra strength. Two

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park entry. Campsites are ree during o season

(May 1 to September 30).

ABEL tASMAn CoASt tRACk Abel Tasman

National Park

Located on South Islands northern shores, this

54.4km coastal walk is blessed with a mild

climate, golden beaches and native bush. The

walk typically takes three to ve days and can

be walked rom either direction. Day walk

options are also available and visitors can walkinto the park rom the roadend carparks, catch

water taxis to beaches along the track or kayak

along the coast.

Accommodation is available at any o the our

huts and 18 campsites that dot the track. The

campsites oer basic acilities, including toilets,

sinks and a water supply. Some also have

picnic tables and cooking shelters. Bookings are

essential all year round. It is possible to arrange

or luggage to be reighted by boat between huts

and campsites.

hEAPhY tRACk Kahurangi National Park

Heaphy Track, the longest o the Great Walks at

78.4km, combines all o New Zealands magical

natural beauty into one walk. This track crosses

a range o landscapes, starting rom the junction

o the Brown and Aorere Rivers, over expansive

tussock downs to the lush orests, nikau palmsand roaring seas o the West Coast. The track

caters to walkers all year round and mountain

bikers during the o-peak season (May to

September).

DOC provides seven huts and nine campsites

along the track, all oering basic acilities

including water supply and toilets.photo:90SeCoNDS,

DoC

Heaphy Track

SWAnnDRI RAngER ShIRt

An oldie, this tough and durable shirt will last

you a lietime. Made rom 100 per cent wool, this

pullover shirt has two large button button-up

chest pockets and ront zip. Available in olive,

navy, red/black and blue/black. RRP $169.95.

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