Lynharris
Carolyn Harris Joined: April 29th 2008
Logged in: October 20th 2009
Logged in: October 20th 2009
Travel Blog Posts
The Cassette Toilet
In RV in NZ: How to Spend Your Winters South in New Zealand, I spent a chapter on freedom and low cost camping. I also covered Park Over Properties (POPs) which can be anything from a farm on the beach to a parking spot in someone's back yard. While RVing in New Zealand, we often stayed in or near the top tourist spots free or almost free. But, we had a self-contained movan. It's very unlikely anyone will invite you to stay if they think you'll be using their potato patch for a sewer. In the South Island, which is often less strict than the North Island, local governments have voted for a system that will require motorcaravans to have a sticker registration to freedom camp: 1) Green stickers for movans with both toilet and ... read more
Bay of Islands
If you’re heading north from Auckland by auto or RVing, plan your trip to avoid commuter traffic. The motorway cuts through downtown Auckland, then jams all the traffic across a narrow bridge into Northcote. Like most metropolitan areas, road construction often adds to the confusion. The Nippon Clipon, Auckland’s bridge, was once four lanes- now it’s eight. The extra four were built in Japan, towed to Auckland and clipped to the existing bridge. From the Auckland Harbor Bridge, you’ll have a beautiful view of the Westhaven Marina, Waitemata Harbour and Fishermans Wharf with all the sailboats bouncing in the bay or anchored along the shoreline- which you’ll probably never see if it’s your first time driving on the left side of the road in a strange vehicle while you’re trying to keep your fenders along ... read more
Don't Disturb
When visiting New Zealand, getting around means more than renting a car or RV and picking up a guide book and a good map if you have mobility problems. You need wheelchair accessible transportation and accommodations. With a little advanced planning, wheelchair users can drive themselves or travel with a tour guide companion. I hope you're thinking of trying Lake Waikaremoana. Accommodations are limited in the summer season, so call ahead if you're planning to stay at the Lake Whakamarino Lodge, Accessible New Zealand has rental cars with hand controls. Galaxy Motors specializes in rental vehicles for people with disabilities. They also offer tour guide/companions and specialized tours to fit your travel plans. If you want to rent a motorcaravan and try RVing, check out u... read more
Off the Beaten Track
Once out of Auckland, much of New Zealand is rugged, remote, and best seen by car or RVing. Even with limited mobility, you can visit many of the off the beaten track locations with wheelchair accessible vehicles. Department of Conservation camps, TePapa Atawhai (DOC) camps are government reserves. If you really want to get back into untouched country, try a DOC camp. There are restrictions on maximum stay and type of vehicle- RVs, buses, and other vehicles designed to sleep people are acceptable. Cars are not. Five thousand people per year visit Lake Waikaremoana. Many come to fish for brown and rainbow trout, kayak, or tramp the Lake Waikaremoana Track. Managed by DOC, this 46 km three to four day tramp which follows the lakeshore is part of the Great Walks. Te Urewera, the largest ... read more
Fisherman Waiting for the Mail
If you like cars, boats and airplanes, or anything else that goes varoom, varoom, New Zealand is the place for you. While RVing in New Zealand, we spent a good part of our time finding anything that went fast and made noise- or did at one time. We found motorcycle races at Mata Mata where sidecars with feet dragging crew maneuvered around corners- most of the time. We found Destruction Derby races in the Far North where little kids yelled, “Go Uncle Joe!” and threw dirt clods at the drivers trying to bang Uncle Joe. As far as I know, they don’t close Auckland down to run motorcycles through the streets, and I don’t remember any little kids throwing dirt clods at the Western Springs Speedway, but Auckland has Motat. The Museum of Transport and ... read more
Children Crossing
The best part of traveling by car or RVing in New Zealand- you can eat when you’re hungry, rest when you’re tired, see what you want to see, and never have to worry about the tour bus pulling out while you’re in the bathroom. While you’re in Auckland, you’ll want to visit the Auckland Museum. In the Auckland Domain, near Parnell, you’ll find the Winter Garden, formal gardens and playing fields and the Museum, which was combined with a war memorial in 1929. The Auckland Museum has guided tours and a Maori Culture Performance most days as well as special events. Or visit a photography exhibit. If you enjoy music, you can listen to piano recitals by international artists. To find out what’s happening while you’re in Auckland, try their Events Calendar. If ... read more
New Zealand RVs
If you’re RVing in a camper van, renting a car and staying in hotels, or just poking around Auckland, you’ll find water every where. Surrounded by water, the ‘City of Sails’ has much to offer those who like boats, maritime history, or just plain sea life. Near the Ferry Berth on Quay and Hobson Streets, the New Zealand Maritime Museum covers Kiwi maritime history from the Maori migration to modern day cup sailing. You can check out the boats, life-sized exhibits, or collection of models and artifacts on a guided tour or poke around on your own with an Audio Guide. If you’d like to get out on the water, the museum’s Ted Ashby sails Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The SS Puke and Breeze sail most week ends. The waterfront itself is a good ... read more
Auckland Harbour
If you’re spending time in Auckland, you’ll want to see at least a few of the popular attractions. A good place to start is the Sky Tower. Within walking distance of the bus station, at Corner Victoria Street and Federal Street, Sky Tower, the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, has several restaurants and bars. If you enjoy gambling, SkyCity casinos are open 24 hours a day. On level 2 of SkyCity alone, you’ll find all the popular casino games as well as more than 1,200 machines, or pokies. Three glass elevators take you to three circular observation levels- Sky Deck, the Main Observation level, or Sky Lounge. From there, you can see over fifty miles in any direction. If you came to New Zealand to scare the daylights out of yourself, try the new Sky ... read more
Auckland Harbor
Traveling around Auckland can be enough to start your holiday off to a friendly fight. Just because you find an off ramp, don’t expect an on ramp to be nearby. It’s like picking your way through a maze to get back on the motorway. We spent part of an otherwise pleasant afternoon driving back and forth under the motorway with, “Not that road, we tried that one before.” It can be done, just don’t cut yourself short on time and don’t expect to find a parking space waiting with a welcome sign. RVs and rental cars are available at the airport. If you’re staying longer than a month, you might consider buying a vehicle. All vehicles are inspected for safety by the government before applying for a Certificate of Registration. If you’re interested in purchasing an ... read more
New Zealand Movan
Chances are you’ll fly into Auckland International Airport south of Auckland. Near Manukau Harbor, it’s not the easiest place to face your first time driving on the left side of the road in a strange vehicle that flips on the windshield wipers and smears bugs every time you reach for your turn signals. You’ll probably want to check out at least some of Auckland’s tourist attractions, so you’ll need accommodations for a night or two. There are several quality hotels near the Auckland Airport. If you are driving an auto or RVing, the Great South Road runs parallel to and crosses over the motorway. Grocery stores, restaurants and motels are all along this old highway. Fifteen to twenty minutes south at Manurewa or Papakura, traffic thins out and prices are reasonable—don’t forget your AAA card. ... read more
