For many travelling in their own country or in a foreign land for the first time can be quite daunting!
If you are going to be travelling and staying in mobile vans there are quite a few ideas that will help avoid confrontation or embarrassment.
When travelling with a caravan, van or motorhome there are a list of things to take note of. This is my list and I’ll add more as ideas come to mind.
Before heading off check your black and grey tanks are empty or know where you can empty on the way. Travel with empty fresh to save weight and fill up before your final destination. Planning ahead is the key and phone apps like Rankers, Campable, Wikicamps and if you’re a member of the NZMCA, their own app. These have tons of information on places to “freedom camp” , campgrounds, dump stations, water supply, parks, reserves, DOC campgrounds and so much more.
Driving in New Zealand is quite different to other developed countries as our roads are typically narrower and windy (twisty) with plenty of hills. So always look behind you to make sure you aren’t holding up traffic. Pull over as often as you can as New Zealand drivers aren’t known for their patience and can get quite angry and abusive if held up for too long!
Dump Station Etiquette
If some one is ahead of you using the facilities just wait patiently. Do not just jump in without asking if it’s OK. Issues at the dump station can quickly escalate out of hand. Some bigger rigs can take quite some time to empty, clean and fill, but the suggested time limit per vehicle is 30 minutes. Our own van can take at least 20 minutes and I always speak with those waiting to either let them empty cassettes if they would like. Never arrive in a rush as Murphy’s law states there will be a queue! Like mentioned before, plan ahead. There are no “best times” to empty or fill as everyone is different and these facilities can be in high demand or dead quiet. You take what you get.
Where can you dump? Many councils and some private companies offer dump stations. Camp grounds do to, but only allow those paying to stay to use them. Camp grounds may ask for payment if you are not staying. Council and other sites are mostly free. Due to issues with lack of water and sewage facilities in some regions, it pays to check what is available and where. Use the apps I have recommended and always read the comments as these can help too. The main regions to research thoroughly is the Far North, Coromandel and the Catlins in the lower South Island. The times to check are mid summer, especially in dry spells where there have been severe droughts.
Camping
Whether freedom camping or staying at commercial campgrounds there are some basic and simple rules to follow. Keep your noise down! You will be surprised how annoying music with a heavy beat annoys other people, even if you think you don’t have it too loud. Even talking outside with a group the sound can travel and laughter and raised voices carry. General rule of thumb, no noise after 10pm. If you think you will be too noisy, invite neighbours to join in, they might just love that.
Stay within your space limits. Some freedom spots allow for vehicles to slot together far too close in my opinion. International travellers in small cars and vans will try and squeeze into the smallest of gaps. Whilst legally this is OK, personally I like a few meters between vehicles for fire safety and if I don’t feel comfortable, will move to somewhere else. In camp grounds there is usually a legal requirement to have nothing on your site within 1.5 mtrs of the boundary.
Take your rubbish with you, especially if rubbish bins are overfull. We like to walk around freedom sites with a “pickup stick” and make a site cleaner than when we arrived and take the rubbish to recycling centres in large bags. It’s our way of saying thanks for providing these sites.
Is it okay to put up awnings? This depends on how big the space is and if you are stopping others from being able to stay. Although you have every right to put out awnings or gazebo’s, please just consider others first and be prepared to pull them in or put them away. It’s all about being kind to others.
During winter months, generators and running engines for lengthy periods will annoy others intensely. Running generators early mornings and late at night is a no no. Again, it’s all about thinking about others.
Always use the toilet and bathroom facilities provided by yourself in your vehicle or public ones. NEVER POOP IN THE BUSHES. That is just disgusting and very unhygienic.
If you only have a bucket with a plastic bag liner, this is better than nothing.
Pets
When travelling with pets, make sure you observe the rules which often fall into a few categories.
- No dogs, usually in DOC camps where there are native animals that could be harmed. So not even locked in your vehicle!
- Dogs on lead. Make sure you dog/s are always on a lead, 100% of the time unless inside your vehicle, but watch out if you open your door and they escape.
- Dog exercise area. These can be marked as “dogs off lead”, but they must be under strict control, not a danger or nuisance to other animals or people. All dogs in NZ are required to be registered with the local council where they normally reside.
Other pets like birds and cats generally don’t have rules, but common sense should be applied. Generally no dog’s means no cats too.