Camping in New Zealand

So the whole Campervan thing and living out of a car for 10 days was half the experience of our time in New Zealand. It was interesting to see how the whole camping culture works in New Zealand- for example at the first grocery store we went to  near the Auckland airport the whole entrance aisle had things campers would need- bulk trail mix, firewood, blankets, drinking water, gas cans, etc. 

Our experience of it started with renting the van.
We ended up renting from Lucky Rentals- some of the more popular companies had gone up in price by the time we were ready to book.  Our van had two cushioned benches that turned into a cushioned bed at night, a blanket, sheet and two pillows, a small stove that used gas cans, a sink that let water out onto the ground, a - just-enough assortment of pots/pans/silverware and cups. Everything came in handy except the stove... We used it once and the gas can it came with ran out. For the most part it seemed that buying a gas can and to drive to a free or cheaper site (which are usually further out from the main roads) would be more or the same as paying 5 nz dollars extra for a campsite with a communal kitchen.

We downloaded the "campermate" app that has a map, descriptions and comments from past campers of all types of sites in nz. With this we learned the different types- "holiday park" which tended to be most expensive and has more amenities like laundry machine, playground etc. Free sites which usually has no amenities, only a bathroom. And then sites in between these extremes that have a few basics like hot showers and a small communal kitchen.  In high season you would have to reserve all sites we'll in advance. Since we were there during low season, we would go day by day, picking out a site based on where would be in the evening or would want to be the following day.

We also downloaded the maps.me app which let's you have gps without being connected to the internet.

We learned the lingo- if you are "self contained" - meaning you had a bathroom in your van- you have a wider variety of options of staying at free sites or "freedom camping" -staying wherever beautiful scenic spot your heart desires. Since we were not self contained, we usually had to pay a small fee each night at whichever site we chose.

We picked up our car at 8:30am ( we had arrived to Auckland at 5am) we headed to the grocery store to stock up on essentials (for us anyways)- instant noodles and rice, eggs, peanut butter and bread, cookies, chamomile tea, coffee, some New Zealand wine and beer, sardines and tuna, and crackers. Side note: we loved nz canned tuna! They had flavors such as tomato and basil, Thai red pepper, tomato onion, lemon pepper etc. 

Here are some of our most memorable camping　sites:

Long Bay on the Coromandel peninsula.. Incredible stars and morning lake view

Waiotapu tavern - right by thermal vents

Our only completely free night. Outside the city of Taupo, right along Waikato River

The night before our hike at Tongariro. Mt Doom in the background, the tip in the clouds.

Where we stayed after our hike at Tongariro.

Kiwi house . We heard various birdｓ chirping in the early evening and a few squawks here and there. The next day we had a discount to go in and see some of the ffew captive kiwi birds in all of NZ.